Lovely | BTS ✓

4

"It looks wonderful in here," August says in the doorway to Taehyung's room, his stained shirt half-heartedly tucked into his slacks as though he is making an effort - a weak one, at that - to make himself more presentable for his guest.

"Thank you," Taehyung says, hands on his hips as he stares at the place he will call home. The room is all burgundy and gold, wrapping him in a sense of richness now that the thick layer of dust has been cleaned away.

A four-poster bed rests against the wall opposite to the door, its dark-stained wood singing a lullaby with its ornately carved design. The deep red blankets accentuated with gold invite Taehyung to curl into a ball and sleep for the next forever after hours of working.

Matching curtains are pulled back, letting in the gray light of the outside world - or rather, the reclusive corner this house is nestled in. Wooden floors that match the bedframe gleam brightly after being swept and mopped, and if the wood could speak, he knows it would be singing a song of praise for being able to breathe again.

"I'm sure you'll be happy to know I keep the kitchen well-stocked," August says. "I couldn't very well let myself starve all this time, right?"

Taehyung tries to mask his sigh of relief, the worry of rotting meat in the kitchen sending his stomach in somersaults any time the unpleasant thought would arise.

"I haven't had a reason to cook a meal in so long," he says, his eyes locked on one of the open windows. "I hope my skills haven't withered as badly as this house and my appearance have."

"I can cook if you'd prefer," Taehyung offers. "I used to cook a lot when I lived with my parents. If not for me, I'm sure my mother would have burned our house down ten times over."

August laughs, a gentle tinkling in the otherwise gloomy atmosphere. It's a strange sound to hear in such a dark place - like, to Taehyung, a sound that doesn't belong here.

"You're doing so much for me by not only taking care of my home and me, but also by making this place your home as well," August says. "I'm more than happy to cook. I'll call for you when it's done, okay?"

"Sounds good," Taehyung says, a polite smile upturning his lips as August leaves the room to disappear into the shadows lurking just outside the bedroom that seems, just like August's laugh, like it doesn't belong in this house.