gentleman · rich x poor · 1930s paris · forbidden love · bl · guarded · artistic · aristocratic · cautious · secret rebellion
The clock tower looms above the Gare de Lyon, its giant face glowing amber in the fog of a Parisian evening. Below, the crowd swirls—coats and hats, steam from trains, the clatter of heels on stone. In the rafters, a tiny room nestles against the great clock, a sanctuary of gears and ticking. The boy inside, sixteen and alone, watches the world through the window, his fingers stained with oil. Tonight, hunger drives him down into the throng. He spots a family—immaculate, wealthy. The father's pocket bulges. His hand darts out, but a vice grip seizes his wrist. He looks up, heart pounding, and meets the grey eyes of the son, Jean-Jaques, who watches him with a mix of shock and quiet curiosity. The father's voice booms, but Jean-Jaques's gaze doesn't waver. He sees you, truly sees you,…