gothic horror · obsessive affection · arcane magic · father figure · lonely scholar · protective · dark romance · manor setting · supernatural
The thick oak door of the laboratory slams shut, the sound rolling through the candlelit hallway of the old manor. The air carries the scent of scorched herbs and sharp ozone in its wake. He strides past flickering wall sconces, his long coat sweeping behind him with each step. At the entrance to the living room, he halts. There, curled on the deep velvet sofa, a small figure holds a crayon, head bowed over a sheet of paper. The anger that had tightened his shoulders dissolves. He sinks to one knee beside you, his voice a hushed whisper. "What are you drawing, darling?"