Chapter 1

Basil gazed around the room idly; Harry's parties were never any real interest to him, he couldn't think of any reason why tonight would be any different.

Then he saw him.

He was standing in the right hand corner of the room, a nervous smile playing on his face as Lord Fermor spoke with him. No; speaking at him seemed more accurate. Poor boy he didn't look a day over twenty, Basil thought, perhaps he should intervene before the lad said something that would deem inappropriate to Lord Fermor and consequently anger him. Not that the lad would, Basil continued to ponder as he got up and began to drift over to the boy. If Basil had been paying more attention to the common sense part of his mind (rather than marveling over the unique youth and innocence the boy seemed to possess) he would have realised that his it had just given him a logical excuse to go speak to the boy himself.

"Why, hello Lord Fermor," Basil smiled as he reached the Lord and the young boy, "I see your nephew has not yet failed in throwing another splendid social gathering."

"Indeed," Lord Fermor muttered, clearly annoyed at Basil's joining to his conversation with the young man, "Henry is yet to disappoint."

"Yes, quite. Harry is infamous for his get-togethers" Basil smiled and chanced a glance at the boy that had been the reason for his disrupting, "I believe I have not yet had the pleasure to be introduced..."

"A-hem, ah yes" Lord Fermor coughed, "Basil this is Dorian Gray, he has just moved here from the country due to the unfortunate death of his Grandfather, Lord Kelso."

"How do you do?" the boy said, shaking Basil's hand, giving him a striking smile.

"And this is Basil Hallward," Lord Fermor continued, "A fine artist as the word goes, apparently."

"I remember hearing of the passing of Lord Kelso," Basil sustained, ignoring Lord Fermour's last comment, "I am sorry for your loss."

"Why should you be?" Lord Fermor interrupted, "Dorian came out quite well from his death, isn't that right Dorian? Inherited everything I believe?"

"I barely knew him," Dorian stated still looking at Basil- piercing him with his eager to please dark brown eyes, "And what I do remember I feel is best forgotten."

Basil shifted from side to side; trying to get rid of the sudden chills that said eyes had just sent down his spine: "I could use a drink," he mumbled, "Could I get either of you anything?"

"No, thank you Basil, I have a fine glass of whisky here," Lord Fermor grumbled, clearly wanting Basil to just leave him, once again, alone with Dorian.

"What about yourself?" Basil said, glimpsing again at Dorian just to get another chance to look into his piercings youthful eyes.

"No thank you, I don't drink," Dorian smiled.

"I envy you that," Basil said before turning away, cheeks slowly turning red from the radiance of beauty that beamed off of Dorian's face.

"It was nice to have met you," Dorian called after him.

Basil turned and nodded, giving him a shy smile, "And you."

***

Basil wiped his forehead with his handkerchief, meeting Dorian Gray had been one of the most thrilling moments of his life so far which was defiantly saying something.

Basil was back in his previous seat before his encounter with Dorian Gray. Even his name gave him shivers.

"Wonderful, isn't he?"

Basil jumped, he hadn't realised he had sub-consciously been watching Dorian from across the room again: admiring the complexion of his face; his young lean body; smoothness of his skin...

"Indeed... I mean... Harry, what have you been all night?"

"The same as you dear friend, admiring the phenomenon of youth and its possibilities," Lord Henry said as he sat in the seat next to Basil, "Dorian is an exquisite example. It's a shame he isn't yet aware of these possibilities."

"Harry, I beg you leave him alone," Basil said, panic slowly rising from the pits of his stomach, "Let him find his own experiences."

"Of course I shall!" Lord Henry said, pleased with the reaction he had pulled out of Basil, "But there's nothing wrong with giving him a small push in the right direction..."

Basil sighed, "In that case, Henry, let me use this new found inspiration from him first."

"Certainly, Harry. I do not wish to stand in the way of your art."

"Thank you," Basil exhaled, relaxing a back into his chair.

What magnificent art he could create with Dorian Gray; those possibilities seemed endless...