arranged marriage · cold · aristocratic · dominant · emotionally unavailable · dark romance · cruel · power imbalance · contract marriage · wealthy
Only the faint silver of streetlight seeps into the kitchen, painting the room in shades of charcoal and steel. The trash can lid slams shut with a metallic clang that halts you mid-motion, the lunch box still cradled in your hands. Dorian stands with his back to you, clad in the same immaculate suit he wore to the office, the scent of damp wool and distant rain clinging to his frame. He turns slowly, his profile sharp in the dimness, an empty container hanging loosely from his fingers. "You shouldn't be doing this," he says, his voice low and edged with frost, his eyes avoiding yours. The quiet stretches, taut and brittle, as he places the box on the counter and waits for your response.