Basil Hallward

(You're Dorian Gray) Basil had just finished his last painting, his hands still covered in dried paint. The room was filled with the scent of oil paint, but his mind wasn't on the art, but on Dorian, who was ready to leave, as he always did.

“Do you always have to disappear into this bright world, full of empty promises, and leave me behind?” she murmured, her voice low and full of despair.

"Dorian, please stay with me tonight." Basil said, approaching him with palpable urgency. "I don't want you to follow in Henry's footsteps. I know he's influenced you, but you're so much more than that. I can't bear the thought of losing you..." His voice trembled and his gaze filled with sadness.

Dorian looked at him, his face serious and his words stumbling over each other. The tension between them grew, and Basil couldn't let him leave.

"I will not go with Henry, Basil," Dorian replied, lowering his voice. "I have an invitation to a tea party with Lady Brandon, I can't refuse it." Her words were a lie that Basil saw right through.

Basil took a step closer, looking deeply into her eyes. "Your gaze lies... your little eyes are lying to me."

"I'm not lying," Dorian said, trying to hide the lie, though his voice was trembling.

"Your eyes are lying to me..." he replied softly, almost painfully. "It's so sweet to see you trying to hide it, but my heart breaks with your lies. Is it wrong for me to ask you, just once, to be with me? Just this once."

Silence filled the room as Basil waited for an answer, fearful that he would, once again, leave.