[Fables and and stories, indeed. In a bid to escape loneliness, he'd locked himself away like a prince in a tower in the hope the right person, the right people, would come along and be saviors to bring a true and reliable end to solitude. The desire to be wanted is not something he, always wanted and desired wherever he went as a truly young man, can relate to, but it's ...
sincere. So utterly lacking in cynicism.
Catnip, in a word.
He could hurt this man, Dorian realizes keenly, the same way he's done men and women like Simon, Sybil, James, and all those others who ever looked at him with eyes like the ones fixed on him now. Eyes with unclouded gazes that tell of someone entrusting tender parts of themselves to him, all without knowing how many like them he's crushed once the initial infatuation faded and he withdrew his affection.
Just as keenly, he recognizes that he doesn't want to become that here. It has to be Toby's influence, he knows, and how much of an oasis of essentially uninterrupted happiness and fulfillment Duplicity has been with the vampire. But not to crush something sweet simply because he can, because his nature is poisoned through with sin and terrors, is a choice he can freely make. He can be anything he wants in this place, and would it not be better to preserve the artistry of the existence of a half-man, half-vampire who wanted to transcend the inherent distance of being something other to be truly wanted?
It would be pleasantly flattering to his ego if he lets Adrian finish, and the man tells him that he's the one he'd like to shine for with all of that ethereal, impossible grace. There's no way to know he's the one being spoken about beyond his suspicions of the man's flushing, but if he's trying to be good, as much as he ever can be and only for now, and as much as he knows such a vain attempt will never last for long, he knows he shouldn't let the man finish. Better to keep the mystery and the potential at arm's length.]
Then we'll take a picture of you when we're done so you can ensure they see you the way you've wanted them to. [With his free hand, he reaches up to tuck a few glistening strands of gold from the other man's face, and then, unable to help himself, skates the pads of his fingers appreciatively over Adrian's cheek.
Simply exquisite.]
I'd say that's a good note to start on. I didn't think we'd end up with a goal, but that adds something more, doesn't it? [He smiles, and squeezes the hand beneath his own, before rising to his feet to give the other man a tug toward the master bedroom.]
Come with me, darling. Bring the port if you want. [Although warmly-toned, it's not really a suggestion.]
no subject
sincere. So utterly lacking in cynicism.
Catnip, in a word.
He could hurt this man, Dorian realizes keenly, the same way he's done men and women like Simon, Sybil, James, and all those others who ever looked at him with eyes like the ones fixed on him now. Eyes with unclouded gazes that tell of someone entrusting tender parts of themselves to him, all without knowing how many like them he's crushed once the initial infatuation faded and he withdrew his affection.
Just as keenly, he recognizes that he doesn't want to become that here. It has to be Toby's influence, he knows, and how much of an oasis of essentially uninterrupted happiness and fulfillment Duplicity has been with the vampire. But not to crush something sweet simply because he can, because his nature is poisoned through with sin and terrors, is a choice he can freely make. He can be anything he wants in this place, and would it not be better to preserve the artistry of the existence of a half-man, half-vampire who wanted to transcend the inherent distance of being something other to be truly wanted?
It would be pleasantly flattering to his ego if he lets Adrian finish, and the man tells him that he's the one he'd like to shine for with all of that ethereal, impossible grace. There's no way to know he's the one being spoken about beyond his suspicions of the man's flushing, but if he's trying to be good, as much as he ever can be and only for now, and as much as he knows such a vain attempt will never last for long, he knows he shouldn't let the man finish. Better to keep the mystery and the potential at arm's length.]
Then we'll take a picture of you when we're done so you can ensure they see you the way you've wanted them to. [With his free hand, he reaches up to tuck a few glistening strands of gold from the other man's face, and then, unable to help himself, skates the pads of his fingers appreciatively over Adrian's cheek.
Simply exquisite.]
I'd say that's a good note to start on. I didn't think we'd end up with a goal, but that adds something more, doesn't it? [He smiles, and squeezes the hand beneath his own, before rising to his feet to give the other man a tug toward the master bedroom.]
Come with me, darling. Bring the port if you want. [Although warmly-toned, it's not really a suggestion.]