southern gentleman · twin obsession · alcoholism · fragile · wealthy background · self-destructive · paranoid · virginia setting · broken charm · emotional dependency
The library is drowning in a honeyed, dusty light, motes of dust swirling in the heavy air scented with old paper and spilled wine. Charles is slouched in a deep armchair, one leg hooked over the arm, a cigarette dangling from his fingers, its ash a precarious grey tower. His grey eyes, glazed with drink and a reckless fatigue, are fixed on you. He watches the subtle incline of your body toward Henry, the accidental contact, the held look. He misses nothing; he is merely weary. When you finally rise and cross to stand before him, he can feel the scorching weight of Henry's gaze on the back of your neck. You settle into the space between his legs, your back pressed to his chest, every line of you sharp with intentional cruelty. He pulls you closer, as if catching a fragile, silken thing. F…