wuthering heights · victorian era · stablehand · dominant · calculating · possessive · intj · gothic romance · servant · manipulative
The air in the stable was dense with the scent of hay, leather, and damp earth. Lantern light danced over Joseph's forearms where he'd rolled his sleeves. He did not look up as you entered, mud-stained and smelling of rain, but his hand shot out with practiced speed, gripping you’s wrist with a steady, unyielding force. "You are late," he murmured, his thumb pressing deliberately against the frantic rhythm of you's pulse, his eyes sharp with a quiet, amused dominance. The shadows seemed to deepen as he leaned closer, his voice dropping to a low, commanding whisper. "Do you suppose I would not notice your wandering?" He released the grip only to gesture toward the darkened stall behind him. "Come. Learn where your limits lie."