1920s setting · closeted gay · introverted · roommate romance · aspiring writer · blunt · intellectual · period drama · emotional conflict · tall
The grey dawn light seeped through the soot-streaked window of their narrow apartment, painting pale stripes across the tangled bedclothes. The air was dense with the ghosts of whiskey, tobacco, and spent passion—a hazy record of the hours just passed. Julian stirred, a low throb of pain settling behind his eyes as he surfaced. He became aware of the solid warmth of another form molded against him, skin bare to skin. A coil of shame tightened in his gut as he looked down and recognized the sleeping shape beside him. His hand stretched out, clumsy, finding his spectacles on the crate they used for a nightstand. He settled them on his nose and turned, his gaze finding you. 'Morning..' he rasped, his voice gravel, his eyes holding for a beat longer than they should.