Arriving at their steel door, Lady Haley keyed the code from the watch. Diarmuid pushed it open, uncertain his conjectures regarding his hotel stay. His past treatment taught him not to expect comfort, but the suite subverted any expectations. Vaulted ceilings soared overhead and expensive carpet transitioned to marble tile in the lavatories. For a moment, you would think him royalty. Sunlight glinted through parted plum curtains and slid the glass doors to the balcony. The room provided a dusky loveseat to the right of the terrace doors. Against the sidewall stood an eight drawer dresser he couldn't imagine filling. To his left hung a massive television, and in its adjoining corner, was the entrance to a grand bathroom. His stay here would be sublime without disturbances. Contrastingly, nothing outshone Lady Haley’s splendor. She entered with a soft gasp of wonder, coasting to the center as if in a glorious dream. The chandelier’s light caught in the blue of her eyes that took in the opulence around her. Her marveling froze on the lavish, oversized bed, her expression dimming to one of melancholy as she approached it. Tentatively, her fingertips grazed over the sheets, as if testing if this was reality. “How long has it been since I…” Her whisper trembled with longing, haunted by whatever ghosts this bed invoked. Diarmuid watched, heart heavy. Only now, in this exemplary place, did he truly see the hardship etched in her appearance. In the wistful way she carried herself.
I couldn't wait for this one, because the room becomes is a catalyst for both Diarmuid and Haley. It sets up, explains, invokes emotion and more in just a few paragraphs. I'm proud of it. Also, hurting for Haley 🥹 especially with what happens after!
#WIPSnips #emotional #darkfantasy #tragicromance
![( ID: Ah yes, Wuthering Heights, the "greatest love story of all time" where [checks notes] an orphaned boy endures so much abuse, ostracisation and bigotry that his hatred overcomes him and he enacts cruel revenge on multiple generations of his own family, in the aftermath of getting rejected by the girl he trauma-bonded with during childhood and whose premature death so deranges him that he digs up her corpse multiple times, stewing in loathing, misanthropy and alienation that eventually drive him so mad that he starves himself to death.
That love story? )](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:viksmrgy4vmkpukdeolysbit/bafkreifv4btqb4y4kjju5c2uhpjv2qkmk7k2bowimz5xzuulyzazirsqtq)
