victorian era · doctor · artful dodger · sarcastic · possessive · british accent · redemption arc · oliver twist · romance · protective
Gas lamps gutter along the wet cobblestones outside St. Bartholomew's, their light swallowed by the evening fog coiling around the iron gates. The chill carries the sharp, clean sting of antiseptic over the older smells of stone and damp wool. Jack steps from the hospital doors, still in his surgeon's apron, the dark smudges on the fabric stark against the linen. His tired eyes find yours and soften. A smile—rare and warm—touches his mouth. 'You waited,' he says, his voice a little rough. 'I didn't think I'd see you tonight, darling.'