bakerstreet | Gothic Romance

Entry tags:

Gothic Romance

Gothic Romance

Lightning streaks across the inky blackness. Somewhere far off in the deep woods, a single wolf howls. Go ahead, bring your meager candle close, no matter the danger that the flame presents to your luxurious satin clothing - you won't find any warmth to relieve you in this mansion built just as much of regret as it is of stone. But you have no other choice since you've been imprisoned here.

Or perhaps you're the one who's keeping a less-than-willing soul here to ease your own pain. Either way, you've found yourself the subject of an atmospheric, suspenseful gothic romance!

a type of novel that flourished in the late 18th and early 19th cent. in England. Gothic romances were mysteries, often involving the supernatural and heavily tinged with horror, and they were usually set against dark backgrounds of medieval ruins and haunted castles. The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole was the forerunner of the type, which included the works of Ann Radcliffe, Matthew Gregory Lewis, and Charles R. Maturin, and the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Jane Austen's novel Northanger Abbey satirizes Gothic romances. The influence of the genre can be found in some works of Coleridge, Le Fanu, Poe, and the Brontës. During the 1960s so-called Gothic novels became enormously popular in England and the United States. Seemingly modeled on Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre and Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca, these novels usually concern spirited young women, either governesses or new brides, who go to live in large gloomy mansions populated by peculiar servants and precocious children and presided over by darkly handsome men with mysterious pasts. Popular practitioners of this genre are Mary Stewart, Victoria Holt, Catherine Cookson, and Dorothy Eden.
( source )

HOW TO PLAY
1. Comment with your character, info, and preferred role/trope or even setting. Is your character a bright-eyed ingenue? A tortured soul with as many skeletons in their closet as their are rooms in the castle? Hired help who has fallen for the mansion's newest guest and wants to save them from a certain doomed fate? How about a vampire, werewolf, or ghost? The only limit is your imagination!
2. Reply to others. Hash things out or go with the flow. Just get your gothic, creepy shipping on.
3. RNG the prompts if you need to. Otherwise, have fun. Treat this as seriously or as irreverent as you'd like.

PROMPTS
( change the gender/pronouns out for appropriate ones! | source )

1. Powerful love. Heart-stirring, often sudden, emotions create a life or death commitment. Many times this love is the first the character has felt with this overwhelming power.

2. Uncertainty of reciprocation. What is the beloved thinking? Is the lover's love returned or not?

3. Unreturned love. Someone loves in vain (at least temporarily). Later, the love may be returned.

4. Tension between true love and father's control, disapproval, or choice. Most often, the father of the woman disapproves of the man she loves.

5. Lovers parted. Some obstacle arises and separates the lovers, geographically or in some other way. One of the lovers is banished, arrested, forced to flee, locked in a dungeon, or sometimes, disappears without explanation. Or, an explanation may be given (by the person opposing the lovers' being together) that later turns out to be false.

6. Illicit love or lust threatens the virtuous one. The young woman becomes a target of some evil man's desires and schemes.

7. Rival lovers or multiple suitors. One of the lovers (or even both) can have more than one person vying for affection.

8. Dark (and brooding?) At least one member of the pair has a tragic past or experiences that have left them closed off to the world.

9. Less than ideal beginnings. It's an age-old story: falling in love with the person who locked you in the dungeon. Or the attic, if they're a bit more hospitable.

10. Supernatural elements. Strange dreams about a shadowy place or a mysterious face. Blurry figures that linger just out of the line of sight. And the master of the house, always indisposed around the time of the full moon.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only | Expand All

[A better reaction, if still a bit less exciting than Toby had hoped for.]

Your man let me in the other night to tour the place. I helped myself in through the window tonight. [He frowns softly.] You're a difficult man to wake, Mr. Gray, and I'm very disappointed in you.

[Well, not really, but he's just... so annoyed by Dorian ignoring his first attempt to wake a man. Well, that, and...

Look, this is a very un-sexy entrance, but apparently this is where they're at and Toby's just going to have to make the best of it. Sigh. Child, you are more of a problem than Toby was ever going to be ready for.

Setting all that aside, Toby crosses his legs primly as he rests a hand on the bed and leans closer to Dorian.] It's time you learned the truth about all your inquires tonight - and why you should never write down any of your thoughts where others can find them. [A slow grin spreads across his face, his fangs hanging over the corners of his lips long enough for even a sleep-addled brain to understand what's going on before they disappear.

Welcome to your nightmares, Dorian.]

[So his man either allowed this to happen, or Tobias has done something to Victor tonight. Fuck. This is the worst news Dorian could have gotten in this moment.

The immortal's heart knocks hard in his chest with dread as he watches Tobias' fangs extend. The vampire doesn't have to say anything further for Dorian to understand what's happening. Tobias has come here tonight to kill him. A sharp and chilling shock of fear races through Dorian's entire body at the realization, and he quickly pushes himself away from the other man. It's difficult to maneuver in his sleep clothes, but somehow he manages to struggle his way over to the edge of the bed close to his bedside table, all but falling off the edge of it as he tries to find the floor.]

Victor! [It's probably pointless to call for his man at this point, but he can't help it.] Someone!

[He steps away from the edge of the bed, trying to put distance between Tobias and himself.]

I haven't done anything to you! [Shouldn't that be worth something? Some people would have found out what Toby was and immediately told the police, or tried to have someone from the church destroy him.] Or told anyone about what you are!

Your man's fast asleep, Mr. Gray. I told him to have a very strict bedtime tonight. [The addition of earplugs to the routine was probably unnecessary, but Toby will stand for no interruptions tonight.

He rises to his feet as Dorian shifts and scampers away from him, his grin pulling wider.] No, but you've left behind evidence and would not get the hint when I told you to drop it. You've become a liability, and I can't have that in my life.

[He allows Dorian to get some distance from him before he starts a slow advance. The man will die one way or another, so no reason not to draw this out a little.] Have you any last words? Things you want the world to know when I've seen you out of it? I'll allow you that much, at least, but you'll forgive me if any of them are smearing my name or sharing my secret.

[Oh Christ. So Toby really does mean to kill him. Dorian backs up until he meets the wall, startling at the feeling of the chill of it pressing hard up against him. He's stuck- trapped, and the only person who might be able to help is sound asleep.]

I was just curious! Is that really worth taking a man's life over?! [It's hard to focus when his heart is beating in his ears and his skin is prickling all over with the cold draft of horror that washes over him as he watches Tobias approach. He's seen what Tobias is able to do to a man, and the idea of that happening to him-

Dorian's hand scrabbles over the bedside table beside him, his fingers clumsily finding a single metal candlestick. He grabs it up without thinking, and holds it out in front of him in a semblance of self-defense.]

I won't... I won't let you do this! I know your kind can't stand anything holy! Stop now, or I'll- I'll speak an invocation!

[Toby barks out a laugh at that. How absolutely quaint. For all his curiosity, the young man certainly didn't do any real research to find out about vampires. The rest of tonight's encounter is going to be deliciously easy.]

You can try, but I can already tell you it won't work. [He laughs again and reaches for the candlestick, laying a hand on it and giving it a good tug. He's expecting it to come loose immediately, but instead he ends up tugging it and Dorian closer. Toby curses a few times and tries to shake the candlestick loose from the other man's grip, cursing louder when the man clings to it for dear life.]

Will you bloody let go already?! I'll not have you stab me while I'm feeding. [He growls softly and shakes both man and candlestick once more, then reaches out to grab hold of Dorian's shoulder. While he pulls the candlestick toward himself, he pushes the young man's shoulder against the wall, trying to force the makeshift weapon far enough out of reach that Dorian will release it. It should not be this hard, but Toby's very distracted by the intoxicating sound of the younger man's racing heart.

God, why are they stuck scrabbling right now when he could be feeding instead??

As he continues the game of push and pull he and Dorian are locked in, Toby grunts and shifts his feet beneath himself.] Come on, just give up already! The longer you draw this out, the longer I draw your death out. Now give me the candlestick!

[Seriously. This should've been over by now. How the Hell does this kid keep thwarting him like this?! Now Toby's frustrated and a little hungry, so he's going to start pushing harder on Dorian, even if it means throwing the man around a bit more to get to what he wants.]

[As soon as Tobias lays hands on the other end of the candlestick, Dorian starts tugging back on it in turn. It might be futile, but it's the only thing he has going for him right now. If he can just trip the vampire up, get the weapon loose, and hit Tobias over the head with it, maybe he can make a run for the door. Dorian pulls hard on his end of the candlestick, even kicking out a leg to try and knock at the vampire's knees to throw him off as they struggle. He thinks he feels one kick connect, but the benefit is short-lived. Dorian's balance is thrown off, and one hard tug is enough to make him stumble hard to the side.

The only thought that echoes through the immortal's mind as he's thrust against the wall is that Tobias is strong. A sharpness that he can't place pierces through Dorian's torso from the back at the impact, and a jolt of pain races up through his side and down the corresponding arm as his mind tries to wrangle with what's happening. There's warmth and agony building above his right hip, and it's all he can really do to look down and try to piece together what's happening.

It's the Poseidon trident from the statuette he insisted on having moved down from the attic. The statuette itself is small, but the prongs of Poseidon's trident are long, and the points sharp and thin enough to have given his guardians reason enough to keep the statuette away from him when he was younger. Now, in a twisted way, Dorian understands why.

Without thinking on it, Dorian tightens his grip on his end of the candlestick (still firmly curled in one of his fists) as the wet warmth above his hip continues to build in the front of his sleep clothes.]

P- please don't-- [God, but the pain is terrible. Worse even than when Dora ran right into him with her makeshift bicycle and broke two of his fingers and one of his ribs. With pleading eyes, he looks up at the vampire standing before him.] I didn't... I didn't do anything to you.

Edited 2021-11-08 00:59 (UTC)

[Dorian's kick definitely knocks the vampire off balance, but it isn't until Toby sees the young man has impaled himself that he lets go of the candlestick. This was the desired end result of their scrabble, but it wasn't supposed to come about like this.]

I-- [The vampire hesitates. He still wants Dorian dead at the end of all this, but this isn't the kind of suffering he had in mind. Hell, his bite would get the kid high enough that he wouldn't even be that upset as he was drained. To let it end like this feels... wrong. He can still kill Dorian in a bit - or drink from him while his blood is still flowing after his heart stops - but he can't let the poor man struggle like this.

Without really thinking about it, Toby steps forward and puts his hands on either side of Dorian's hips. He flashes the young man a smile as he firms his grip.] Normally I'd do this under better circumstances, but I hope you find my practice pulling men around like this helpful. [As soon as the last syllable falls from his lips, he tugs Dorian forward with one smooth motion, removing him from the Poseidon statue with very little additional pain. He quickly moves them over to the bed, then lays Dorian out on the edge it, letting his feet and knees hang over the edge. He won't save the man, but he can make this next part a little easier.]

I've had people throw themselves at and away from me, but I've never had anyone impale themselves to end a fight. [He chuckles darkly, leaning over the other man as he sits next to him on the bed.] You're a lot of firsts for me, Dorian Gray. I won't have many more of those after tonight, and I'll always remember you for it.

[It's a small taste of the romanticism that runs through him, something he gets the impression the young man will appreciate given the art and literature in his home. With any luck, it'll get him a desire for death that will let him ease Dorian's suffering further before the man expires.]

[Dorian isn't sure what's happening, but shortly after Tobias pulls him off the statuette and lays him out on his bed, the pain above his hip begins to slowly subside. It has to be shock of some kind, but in the moment the immortal is simply grateful for the pain lessening at all. Dying in agony is the worst possible fate that he can imagine, and for the moment, Tobias has at least kept that from happening. (Probably to kill him himself, the terrified part of the immortal's brain supplies unhelpfully, but at least he isn't going to die impaled on a damned statuette right now.)]

Stop. [He chokes the words out, tears building involuntarily in the corners of his eyes. Dorian reaches up to push the vampire's face away, in a vain attempt to buy himself room to try and make his way to the door.]

I don't want to be remembered like that. You- you're a murderer.

[It's strange, the way he feels strength building in his limbs again as he argues with Toby, but Dorian's grateful for it. Perhaps this is a desperate burst of strength, brought about by some kind of animal instinct, that he can take advantage of as soon as he can find his feet.]

[A sudden hand to the face is unexpected when Dorian's bleeding out. The vampire flails a little and pushes the offending hand away.]

Only when I need to. Most of the time people stumble home in a drunken state and are fine after a few days' recovery. I may be a monster, but I have manners.

[Toby bats again at the hand near his face, frowning. Seriously, what is going on here? That hand has a lot more strength behind it than someone bleeding out could possibly have. Why is Dorian able to fight him like this? And why--

Hang on. Is his heartbeat getting stronger?

His gaze immediately shifts to the hole in Dorian's side and he sucks in a gasp, his eyes wide. That hole is not as big as it was a minute ago. Does that mean Dorian's not human? He smells human and - after a brief check of the blood on his fingers - he tastes human, so he should be dying, not getting better.

The vampire blinks a few times in surprise then roughly grabs the other man's jaw with his clean hand, fixing him with a sharp glare.] What the fuck are you? Why aren't you dying?!

[It's a surprise to Dorian too as he's able to wrap tight hands around the offending one clenching his jaw, strength pouring back into his limbs at a rate that feels like much more than a last, desperate grasp at life. The pain in his side is almost completely gone too, and the realization is striking enough that the immortal has no idea what to make of it. It's something to wrangle with later, though, as all he wants right now is to get Tobias off of him and to get as far away from this room as he can.]

Get off of me! [Gritting his teeth, Dorian turns his head and throws his hands up at the vampire in an attempt to shove him off and as far away from him as possible.]

Bloody hell! [Toby jumps back suddenly, up on his feet and huffing with annoyance. Dorian may have just died and then suddenly not, but the vampire is watching all this shit happen without any knowledge of what the fuck is going on here. You don't get to tell him to bugger off right now, little human!]

I'm not the one who's miraculously recovered from impaling themselves here! I think I've a right to know what the fuck you are after all the Hell you've put me through!

[Time for dramatics? Very much yes, thank you. This is weird on a level Toby's never seen before, and he's nearly 200! He's seen more than his fair share of strange and inexplicable things in that time, so something new is going to trip him up.]

[That surprised jump is the boon that Dorian is hoping for, and he takes advantage of it. Pulling himself back up to his feet, he reaches for the closest object at hand (a small and stout glass candle holder) and brandishes it at the vampire.]

The Hell I've put you through? You just tried to kill me! I don't owe you anything, let alone answers of any sort! [Even if he understood what was happening well enough to even give answers. This is as fucked up of a moment for Dorian as he can imagine, let alone for the person who came here to confront him in his bed.]

If you know what's good for you, you'll leave my home now- [He seems to have Toby surprised and on the run in a certain sense, so Dorian is quick to jump on that advantage.] -before I do something worse than you can even imagine.

Edited 2021-11-08 02:10 (UTC)

[Somehow they keep swinging back around to Dorian saying things that aristocratic women would giggle at and call adorable in high pitched tones. Toby barely stifles a laugh before he manages to answer.] I didn't get to anything like what I wanted for this evening. And since you've asked after what I think is good for me, let me give you a taste.

[With a laugh, Toby grabs hold of Dorian's free arm and shoves the man back against the nearest wall. No matter how many hits the younger man may land on him, he's not about to give up. He presses his whole body into the younger man, holding him still as he reaches down to touch the completely unblemished skin now exposed by the hole in Dorian's nightshirt. It defies everything he knows to feel it, to know there was a wound that went completely through the man merely moments ago, and yet the reality is there, right beneath his fingers. It's incredible and mystifying all at once.]

How did you do it? Some spell? A potion, perhaps? [Toby leans closer and breathes his next words against the other man's neck.] I'd like to try just a taste to find out. You in, Mr. Gray?

[Dorian coughs out a harsh breath when his back contacts the wall again, a chill running through him as cold flesh presses up against his own. The hand exploring his freshly-healed skin is as chilly as the rest of the vampire is, and Dorian feels a thrill of fear -and fuck, excitement- at the sensation. This is wrong in so many ways, and although Tobias doesn't seem as intent on killing him now, Dorian's not ready for this to happen without him leveling another challenge.]

If it means ending up how the man I saw you bite did, I don't want anything to do with it. [He raises his hand clutching the glass candle holder on high, preparing to hit it against the back of the vampire's head as soon as he feels the need to.] Whatever's happening, all I ever wanted was to understand what you are. That's all I wanted.

[That answer only makes Toby grin as he drags his teeth across the pulse in Dorian's neck. Just a tease, just a taste of the thrill he knows will come.]

You caught him while he was still reeling from blood loss, but I can assure you he went home sated. The man was high on something better than alcohol or opium. [He trails his lips up the younger man's neck to his ear, not kissing or tasting, but suggesting what Dorian could have if he wanted.] You think you can see the brightest colors, enjoy the finest details of the art you surround yourself with. I can promise you so much more. All it takes is the smallest of tastes.

[Slowly, he draws his face back enough to properly take Dorian's face in as he lays a hand on the man's cheek. God, he's so beautiful, and if not for this moment, Toby might have missed it entirely. This night's been a weird clash of circumstances, but this is something he's grateful for. There's not much chance for romance when he's only after a meal, but this indulgence in searching it out is incredible.]

The world of monsters isn't all bad, Dorian. [He purrs the other man's name, dropping all formality to heighten the intensity and intimacy of this moment.] Let me show you something new, and we'll worry about everything else another night.

[Christ, this is such a strange night. First he and Tobias are trying to kill each other, and now... this? He must have slipped into a nightmare or lost all sense for this to be how the night is concluding. The vampire is making a bizarre offer that is strangely in line with those things that Harry has told him he needs- that he deserves, as a young man on the precipice of adulthood and poised to enjoy the ample fruits and sensations that life has to offer. Dorian shivers as fangs press delicately against his neck, and plush lips come close to the spot just below his ear, cold breath dusting against him in a way that's both decidedly frightening and exhilarating. The suggestion of what could happen in moments is invigorating in a way he's never known before, and right now, as patently insane as it is, if it wouldn't make him a fool to trust a man who admitted he came here to kill him...

It takes swallowing back the fear and uncertainty still gripping his heart, but eventually Dorian manages a reply. He tries, with some success, to not sound as shaken as he feels.]

Why are you offering something like this now? [As Tobias touches his face, Dorian realizes just how alluringly, and overwhelmingly beautiful the vampire's own countenance is. It's as breathtaking as it was the moment they first met at Lady Dunbridge's party and yet somehow, as Tobias' expression softens into a look that he can't easily define, that sublime beauty is all the more significant. (Fuck, he must have hit his head if these are the kinds of thoughts he's having now.)] W...what changed in the last few moments we shared?

Edited 2021-11-08 10:55 (UTC)

[It's intoxicating in a way he always craves, but rarely gets, to hear Dorian tiptoe closer to the edge of giving in. Corrupting innocents can be fun, but Toby knows this man isn't the wilting flower others of his age might be. He knows the circles Dorian frequents, the type of people they hold, and their influence is already on display. The young man wants this as much as the vampire does. All Toby need do is help him across the line.]

You're not the same as everyone else. You're different, special, and I need to know how. [He snakes his free arm around Dorian's waist and pulls the man flush against him, shivering with excitement as he tilts the young man's head to keep hold of his gaze.] I've never met any other human like you. You're more like me than I'd thought possible. [That ability to heal, whatever it is, lands Dorian firmly on the more monstrous side of life than the regular mortal one. It makes Dorian unique from all the others Toby's ever wanted, makes Toby crave him more than protecting himself. He's never felt this with anyone and it touches that deeply romantic part of him that he hides away from the world.

There's something happening here, and Toby needs to know what it is.]

What I'm offering to you is a gift, one you can have as many times as you want from this night forward. If you want this, [if Dorian wants him,] you can have it for as long as you live. Keep my secret, stay at my side, and I can bind us together, forever. You as what you are, and I the monster who shows you what you've been missing.

[He takes a small, necessary breath to steady himself, his hand sliding down Dorian's face to his neck. Just a few moments more, then they'll both be satisfied.]

All it takes is one taste. One small bite, and a whole new world is yours.

[Gods is all of this music to his ears. Even before he began discovering the secrets of his portrait, Dorian knew that he was special because Harry opened his eyes to that truth. His beauty and youth entitle him to the world, and knowing that, the idea of not tasting every part of it has become an unbearable and unacceptable thought. Of course there is a special world that only someone like the dangerous and unusual man holding him now would have access to. Harry has always told him that such things existed for the enlightened. That thought, combined with the sweetness of Toby's warm tone, helps to drain much of the fear Dorian feels. A gnawing curiosity and hunger begins creeping up from within instead, along with other, more quietly insistent, feelings that have been become increasingly familiar ever since Harry started taking him to his other club.

He's not sure why he didn't recognize it before ~~probably because he'd been busy running for his life~~ but he is more like to this man than any of the people either of them encounter at parties and in clubs. As Dorian considers Tobias' words, he reaches up to run thoughtful fingers over the breathtaking sharpness of one of the other man's cheekbones. Yes, now that they've reached this point together, him hunting down Toby and the vampire confronting him in turn does feel oddly like fate.

But, the part of him that remains a touch skeptical, the part Harry hasn't reached yet, is enough to keep him from plunging over the edge right away. As good as all of this sounds, is this idea actually insane? Dangerous? His fingers trail appreciative to the line of Tobias' jaw, and then Dorian pulls his hand away slowly.]

Say I said yes, and that I did accept this... What will that mean for me, really? [He locks a calculating and curious gaze on Toby's beautifully alluring face.] What you've said sounds like- like to a marriage vow, or something else of that nature. Surely that isn't what you mean?

[Because that would be crazy, right? As tempting as Tobias' offer is, there's still the truth that they hardly know each other. Committing to a grand and thrilling new journey with someone is certainly romantic, certainly the kind of life that someone as enlightened as he or Harry are deserve, but is it... right?]

[That wasn't quite what was on Toby's mind, but now that Dorian's mentioned it...

Well, they're still getting to know one another. One usually knows more about someone they're proposing marriage to than their name and occupation. This is simply their true introduction, something that could lead to many prosperous and fun years together. That's more than enough for Toby to pursue this idea further.

Besides, who's to say they won't fall for each other in time? Stranger things have certainly happened in his lifetime, and Toby's still got plenty of time ahead of him for more.]

It doesn't have to be. Not at first or even completely. You're so young and have so much left to experience from the world, and you should have all that. But if you stay with me, take me with you when the night allows, I promise you everything will be that much more fantastical. [The corner of his lips curl into a grin.] Your friends may boast they know the most exotic places and entertainments, but I assure you one thing: they are mistaken. They can show you the best places in the light, but you know as well as I that the best places linger in the dark.

[The vampire leans in close, pressing the smallest, most chaste kiss along Dorian's jugular.] What does your heart want, Dorian? To push me away and forever wonder what might have been? Or to pursue the highest heights you've only wished you could imagine?

[Well that certainly packages all of his lingering concerns up and ties them in a pretty bow. How incredible all of this is. First his portrait preserves his youth and beauty and now this man -this exceptional being- comes along and offers what he's been looking for while asking for nothing in return but his company. True, their initial meetings weren't ideal, but strangely, things seem to have worked out in the end. The way things always seem to for him. This is a grand and romantic adventure stretching out before them both, and something like this is better done with a companion who understands, anyway.

All Tobias wants, for now, is his companionship? Easily done, and with pleasure.]

I can tell you truly that I don't wish to die without experiencing all there is for people like us.

[In a small way though, now that he has Tobias' interest, isn't it his turn to get something else from their encounter? What he was looking for to begin with, perhaps? Softly, almost coyly, he cards his fingers gently through the other man's mass of hair as lips press gently against his throat. Their circles would say this is forbidden, but ...why, really, he wonders.]

But I would appreciate knowing a few more things, too, if you please. [He's earned as much, hasn't he? He lets that request hang in the air for a moment, before adding:] How old are you, really? And... have you always been this way?

[Oh-- bloody Hell. This can't wait until later?! Toby groans, frustrated, into Dorian's neck before pinning the man to the wall again. He'll answer these questions, but that's it until after he gets a good taste.]

178, and no, not always, but I have been since I was your age. [Twenty, and still so stupidly young. It was painful for a long while after Ivor abandoned him so suddenly, but he's made his peace with things. Assuming things go well with Dorian tonight, he's certain he can finally tip the scales into true enjoyment of this monstrous life he now leads.

Getting impatient, but still attempting to be civil, the vampire presses his lips down the younger man's neck, starting just below his ear to his jugular. It's more insistent this time, and he's not sorry for it. Now is the time to move forward. Now is the time for them to grasp what's dangling within their extended fingers.]

Are you ready for your taste of true decadence?

[178. Tobias is 178? Dorian blinks in shock as he tries to wrap his head around what being that old would even mean. Queen Anne would have been in power, Isaac Newton would have still been alive and publishing his work, and the vampire would have lived through an incredible amount of English history, wars around the world... It's overwhelming to think about.

There's so much more to ask about there, but having his back pinned to the wall and cold lips pressing against his throat does a good job of distracting Dorian from questioning the vampire further. The people who have touched or kissed him like this since he arrived in England have all been women from Harry's clubs, but this- this is something else. Toby's beautiful face is so close, and soon enough his body starts catching up and pushing all thoughts that aren't narrowed to the contact between him and his new companion aside. He's not about to let this opportunity slip from his hands. Meeting their contact, Dorian wraps hands around the vampire's jaw and, tipping his head so their eyes can meet, presses their lips together.

And it feels absolutely and entirely right.

Dorian holds their first kiss a few moments longer, savoring the strangeness and the promise in it, and then wraps an arm around the other man's neck, drawing him closer. Tobias' question gets a breathless nod, and fingers in vampire's hair as he draws the other man back in again.]

[Now this is a distraction Toby's happy to handle. He leans eagerly into the hands on him, meeting every kiss pressed to his lips and then stealing a few of his own. Dorian is eager and relatively inexperienced, but with a hunger behind both to make this incredible. The vampire hardly thinks about how long they stand their kissing the life from one another until the house clock strikes one.

Time to make things more heated between them.

As their lips part and allow Dorian to take a breath, the vampire leans in and presses a last kiss to the younger man's neck. With both their attentions on this one place, Toby draws out his fangs and plunges them into the soft, pale flesh that is finally his. All at once, he feels the warm, restorative red liquid flow into his mouth and across his lips. More than that, he can taste Dorian better than he could from a short lick of his fingers. The man's young - so very young - physically untainted even by everything he does with those in his social circles. He's almost sweet, with his body on the precipice of adulthood and yet retaining those last drops of childhood. It's intoxicating, and had tonight gone differently, he wouldn't hesitate to enjoy every drop of Dorian's blood until the man was gone.

Luckily for them both, they have far better things to do than kill one another. Even better for Toby when Dorian tastes so damn good.

With a small, gasped, and momentarily necessary breath, the vampire pulls back from the other man's neck. He spares a moment to lathe his tongue over the small wounds in Dorian's neck, then stands tall again, staring down at the exquisite beauty in front of him. This is the first time Dorian's been high from a vampire's bite, and the older man wants to enjoy every second of this experience, especially when there's no major blood loss slowing down the younger's limbs.

Toby reaches out a warm hand and draws it slowly across Dorian's cheek, a grin splitting his blood-soaked lips.] Tell me what you see. What you feel. I want to know everything.

[Tobias wants to know how his very first vampire bite is?

It's ecstasy. Raw, intense and throbbing. More powerful than even the best opium high, and an immediate rush that comes on faster than anything he's taken, drank, or otherwise interrupted his body's natural chemistry with. The burgundy drapes at the edges of his bedposts practically burn the air around them, and the sketches of models and his own body and face seem to quiver in their shining frames. The night air trickling through the windows sounds like so much gentle music, and the crickets just beyond a symphony playing a backdrop to the other elements of the night chorus outside. As soon as Dorian can catch his breath (this too is even delicious, as if there's never been a more revitalizing draw of air in his life) he leans back into the cool of the wall behind him as he throws himself wholeheartedly into embracing this onslaught.]

So much. [How does he even begin to explain what he's seeing, feeling, and hearing to the vampire?] There's a night chorus of crickets and bustling outside this window, and-- and the drapes on the windows are a sea of purple. Sultry and decadent... [That's not nearly the whole of everything, but how could he explain it all in a single night? There aren't even enough that are gorgeous enough.] A man could get lost.

[The vampire wasn't lying about this being... everything.]

Edited 2022-03-03 00:25 (UTC)

[A beautiful, articulate description of at least some of what the young man is seeing. It's a good start, but there are other, better things to bring Dorian's attention to.

Resting his hands on the other man's wrists, Toby runs his palms up the length of his arms and then down his chest. As he exhales a shuddering breath - God, the way his heart is racing in his chest is music to the vampire's ears - he brings his body close again. As his hands come to rest at the top of Dorian's thighs, he presses himself into the other man. Now that he's warm, he wonders how this kind of friction and heat will be described.]

What else? [he whispers close to Dorian's ear. He trails slowly cooling lips across a pale cheek, drawing one hand inward the young man's groin.] What do you feel now, when I come this close? When I put my hands on you? [Another pause as he nips at Dorian's neck.] When I taste you...?

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

cw: blood, biting (that usual vampire feeding stuff)

no subject

no subject