la douleur exquise | taelice

🍁 ⌇ prelude.

teaser w.c: 1,100

N A R R A T I O N

Dark clouds hovered over the roof of the train station as though they had swallowed the blazing midday sun that bathed the tracks in its golden glow earlier that afternoon. When the blanket of mist cleared from the scene, a fresh earthly petrichor lingered after a pleasant downpour, painting the light grey cement sidewalks to the deeper charcoal it can become.

As Taehyung stood by the platform, he could still hear the last of the few raindrops drip down from the roof.

Honestly, he would've preferred to wander in some museum adorning art or try a hand in chess from Jungkook, the smart dokkaebi who had been recklessly persuasive about playing a round or two with him, persistent in his plea that he would no longer use his petty tricks to win the game. Taehyung would've wished to do anything to get away from the dizzying amount of grief that surrounded him, almost exhausting him.

Just like how the weather felt like today, the monotonous amount of bleak every time he stepped foot into the train station. Taehyung always thought that it is cliché that the winds were cold and the skies were dark and gloomy like every other day.

It was okay, Taehyung thought, he'd grown used to it.

Yet this wasn't the only thought that kept ringing like an incessant badgering in his head. His mind reeled back to the memory he had encountered only a couple of hours ago, when dusk spiralled through the crystal-clear sky that blossomed amidst the clouds forming a rose-tinted hue, a striking contrast to the gloominess that presently loomed above him.

The young girl, Lalisa had peered at his figure and her eyes had sparkled when she timidly called out his name.

"Taehyung", she spoke, "your name is pretty."

Pretty? He had to scoff at the adjective. He was starting to despise the way she looked at him. Maybe she was unassailably dumb to realise that nothing about Taehyung was meant to be pretty. Nobody would ever look at him in the eye and compliment him with the word. It's not like anybody bothered to notice, anyway.

"I'm not pretty, kid."

The child knitted her brows in confusion, "but why, you're an angel!"

The man was caught dumbfounded at her words and a frown had developed over his features.

"Why would you say so?" He had inquired with a small gruff, to which she had replied in a slight hesitant tone.

"My grandma used to say that if I pray hard enough, the angels would bring a friend for me."

Of course her grandmother would say that. He had been there when she said so, on her deathbed nearly over a year ago.

"I'm no angel or your friend. I'm just Taehyung."

"Do you want to be my friend?" The hopeful gleam in her eyes mixed with a sense of apprehension took Taehyung by surprise.

Albeit Lisa had lived only a few measly chapters of her life, she had a purpose burning within herself. A spark that Taehyung could notice when he contemplated if the poor girl even deserved to continue living. The spark that attempted her to make a bold proposition to befriend him to perhaps evade her imminent death.

And....

Did he admit that he absolutely hated the way she looked at him?

"T-Taehyung?" Her voice was a bear whisper this time and when Taehyung looked at her, he found her shivering uncontrollably. Slowly, those agonising stares were seemingly counting on him to change his mind.

Taehyung fumbled in his verdict for the very first time. It took him only a few seconds to remove the jet-black coat that reached farther down his knees, almost reaching the ankle. He tucked the jacket over her trembling body, whilst he noticed how tears welled up in her eyes and a slight smile sat at the corner of her lips.

"Go on, child." He had passed her a tight lipped smile. "This coat is yours to keep."

"Oh t-thank you!" She had sobbed, her lips quivering as she let the words out. "Thank you, Taehyung."

"Where's your coat, Taehyung?" The voice of the railroad conductor drew Taehyung out of his reverie as he approached him with a list in his hands.

"Jimin." The said person smiled, a teasing cadence in his stare when he gestured his question again. Prompting Taehyung to speak.

"My coat, err.... I suppose I lost it."

Jimin stared wide-eyed at his answer. "I suppose boss isn't going to be happy about that."

"He doesn't have to find out. I'll make sure of it."

Taehyung had been sincere in his work for the many years he had served his job. To hear such a judgement coming from him was, above all things, strange for sure. Certainly, he could bend a few rules here and there, given the flexibility of his work profile without having to face retaliation from anyone.

Except....

....something in him was making him queasy on the inside, wanting him to cover up, to lie this time.

"Ah, alright. You must see Seokjin hyung at the earliest for your coat replacement. I won't let a word out."

"Yes." Taehyung pressed his lips into a thin line as he watched the people of all kinds and walks of life filled the empty train.

Suddenly Jimin spoke again. "Oh Taehyung, I was meaning to ask you something earlier." He scrutinised the list in his hand once again, stopping at one name that hadn't been struck out.

Lalisa, it read.

"I thought you went to guide her back to the station? I don't see the child anywhere."

Jimin was a loyal, compassionate acquaintance at work. Taehyung loved almost everything about him, if not for his habit of asking an unceasing number of questions.

"Ah....I was? No, I believe you're mistaken, Jimin. The girl wasn't assigned to me. I mean, I never got the letter—"

"Okay, okay, I get that." Jimin nodded discreetly, allowing Taehyung to heave a sigh of relief.

"I'll be going now, if you don't mind."

"Yes absolutely, good day!" He threw in a salute as the former walked away to chime the old bulky bell, indicating it was time to go.

Taehyung didn't wait for the train to leave, and instead he walked in the opposite direction passing further down the aisles, stopping at the very end of the station where stood a door. His hands grasped the obsidian knob that he twisted in a particular manner, allowing to door to unlock — revealing a portal of darkness that seemed to engulf Taehyung the minute he entered in.

— ➷ —

that's all for now! i was tempted to throw in another scene but it felt like exposing the whole mystery behind the plot if this teaser doesn't give in enough clues already. nevertheless i'd really love to see some feedback, it motivates me to write when my writer's block doesn't kick to the curb by itself haha :) ♡
—authornim.