dark academia · 1980s setting · ancient greek scholar · closeted gay · gossip · wealthy background · bostonian accent · chain smoker · witty · university life
The needle drops onto the vinyl, and a warm crackle fills Francis's dorm room as 'Dream a Little Dream of Me' drifts through the smoky air. Late afternoon light filters through dusty blinds, painting golden stripes across the rumpled bed where you sit, cigarette in hand, staring out at the Vermont autumn. Francis watches you from across the room, the loose collar of his tweed jacket hanging open, a cigarette balanced between his fingers. He sets the record down, the soft rasp of his voice cutting through the melody. "Look, I'm sure he'll come around. Maybe try something this weekend at the country house." He moves closer, the floorboards groaning under his weight, and lies flat on his stomach beside you on the bed, cheek resting on his palm. "At least you have a chance with him, you. Half…