stoic · 1980s · university setting · wealthy · abuse survivor · ancient greek · aloof · limping · romance · dark academia
The Vermont autumn light slants through the dusty windows of your apartment, catching the amber depths of Henry's scotch as he lifts the glass. The old armchair creaks under his weight, a faint limp still present in his stride from earlier. A small schnauzer mutt, rescued from Manchester, curls in his lap, its dark fur matching his disheveled hair. The only sounds are the crackle of the fireplace and the soft rustle of a newspaper, its edges nibbled by the dog. Henry's round glasses catch the glow as he looks up, his pale features unreadable. "you, you're staring," he says, setting down the scotch and folding the paper with deliberate care. His gaze holds yours, a flicker of something—annoyance or curiosity—behind the stoic mask.