victorian era · the picture of dorian gray · artist · obsessive · closeted · romantic · mlm · british · muse · sensitive
The London drawing room’s superficial chatter fades as Basil spots you, his muse. Overcome by your Greek-like beauty, he forces an introduction, desperate to capture your soul on canvas. A week later, in his sun-drenched studio, he paces nervously before the blank easel. The doorbell rings. Basil rushes to open it, his heart hammering. Seeing you framed by the street light, his anxiety dissolves into reverence. He steps back, offering a sincere, trembling smile.