Chapter 4

The paintbrushes danced across the canvas; every time one twirled across the surface they left a trail of colour behind them. It wasn't like Basil was controlling the paintbrushes but more like they were controlling him. They possessed his minds deep sub-conscious longing of want to be able to capture the boy's beauty, youth and innocence just perfectly. Electric shocks shuddered up Basil's arm as he went to mix more paint.

"Basil?" Dorian enquired softly.

Basil gladly looked up; it would help him to soak more of the boy's features into his mind, "Yes Dorian?"

"You have seemed most engrossed in me in these last few days. I mean more so, now that you have began to paint my portrait."

"I have to be," Basil paused, gradually lifting his brush from the form that was taking place on the canvas in front of him, "I want to capture everything that I can from you. It's calling out to me, almost begging to be retained. I couldn't allow people to call me a respectable artist is I let this get away."

Dorian gave a light laugh, "But what is this thing that you speak of? And why should you only notice it from me?"

"Alas my dear Dorian, I do not know," Basil replied, again willingly letting his unconscious mind continue to paint Dorian's figure and form, "If I knew why I don't know if I'd be so fast to allow it to take over me so."

"You talk in mysteries sometimes Basil," Dorian smiled to himself, eyes glistening as he did so- unknowing to Dorian but nearly painfully plain to Basil.

"Hmm," Basil mustered as a reply.

The rest of Basil's work on the portrait that day was barely interrupted until Dorian had to leave of course. They said their goodbyes to each other with genuine smiles and thanks. Basil had been wrong as few days earlier about the time being spent with Dorian being awkward and painful; in fact he found it quite enjoyable to be able to gaze, without objection, at something so thoroughly beautiful in order to for him to paint it. Of course his other work had been beautiful and it had been rather pleasant to undertake, but his mind no longer needed to comprehend to what the question of what he much preferred to be doing...

A knock on the door to his studio soon pulled him out of these thoughts- much to his annoyance.

"Yes? What is it?" Basil couldn't help but grumble.

His butler opened the door and stood in its entrance, "Lord Henry Wotton is here to see you, sir."

"Oh," Basil said more than a little surprised, "Thank you, send him in."

His butler nodded and left the doorway, leaving it wide open. Basil took a deep breath in- any reason Harry had to come and see him, without a pre-warning, usually meant he wanted to know something, typically something Basil would prefer not discuss.

"Good afternoon," Lord Henry said walking into the room, casually looking round as he did so.

Basil quickly covered the unfinished portrait of Dorian with a long paint speckled cream rag, "Good afternoon Harry, and might I ask what brings you to my home on such short notice?"

"I can always expect such a splendid welcome from you, can't I Basil?" said Lord Henry striding towards Basil and taking a seat opposite him.

"Perhaps if one could inform the other that one would be coming, a more splendid welcome could have been made," Basil huffed.

"Oh aren't you charming today," Lord Henry laughed, "What's got your knickers in a twist today?"

"I'm sorry Harry," Basil sighed, realising his impoliteness, "Once again, may I be so bold to ask what brings you to my home today?"

"I've heard, from my charming aunt Lady Agatha that you have been entertaining that enchanting young boy Dorian Gray that I saw you speaking to at that charity bash she instituted I have," Lord Henry inquired," Is this true?"

"So what if it is?" said Basil eyeing Harry, "What business is it of yours?"

"She also tells me that you have been partaking in painting the dear boy too," Lord Henry said, completely ignoring Basil's questions, "May I take a look? I'm afraid I did not actually get the chance to meet young Mr Gray at the parties; sinful when you consider they were hosted by me."

"I'm sure you were busy insulting some other poor unexpected guests of yours," Basil said, letting out a small chuckle, Harry was well known for his unorthodox conversations, "You may not look Harry, no one may look until I'm finished."

"You were always so tedious like that Basil," Lord Henry laughed, "When do you continue painting?"

Basil hesitated, he wasn't sure where Harry was going with these questions but he wasn't sure that he liked it, "It should be tomorrow..."

"And that means that the infamous Mr Gray will have to be here too," Henry continued again.

Basil's muscles stiffened, "He is not infamous."

"Ah, perhaps his outlook isn't, yet, but his beauty most absolutely is," Henry smiled, "Talk of his presence youth is most certainly the most vocal subject in our small minded upper class community."

"Nonetheless, Harry, I would prefer if you did not so obviously offend my friend, even if he isn't here at this present time," Basil nearly whispered.

"Very well," Henry said amused at Basil protective nature over the boy, "Then would it be too much to ask for me be able to ask to sit and watch you paint tomorrow?"

Basil exhaled in irritation at the request, "I suppose not," he said, "On the condition that you stay quiet."