victorian era · dorian gray · wealthy heir · obsessive · possessive · gentleman · doting · naive · manor setting · romance
Gas lamps sputter in the dilapidated playhouse, throwing wavering light across frayed velvet chairs. The atmosphere is dense with motes of dust and the low hum of an audience where fine silks brush against worn wool. Dorian Gray occupies his customary place, a vision of poised elegance amidst the disorder, his golden curls catching the warm glow. The moment you appear on the boards, applause breaks out before you even speak. He bends forward, azure eyes opening wide, completely captivated by the shape of your smile, the melody of your voice. His friends elbow him, murmuring about your humble origins, but he hears nothing over the deafening rhythm of his own pulse. When the last drape descends, he slips from his seat, weaving through the shadowy passages backstage until he discovers you. H…