Willoughby James Horthon
⚠️ Content Warning
This article may contain mature themes, including homoerotic content, complex power dynamics, sexual encounters with vampires and anthropomorphic beings, as well as other adult material.
Reader discretion is advised.
The Honourable Willoughby James Horthon
Willoughby James Horthorn, eldest son of George Martin Horthorn, Viscount of Locksley, and Henrietta Elizabeth Horthorn, Viscountess of Locksley, has long shouldered the weight of legacy with poise, precision, and just the right amount of disdain. At thirty-eight, he is both head of the Horthorn estate and the reluctant patriarch of his small, fragmented family. Appointed as his father’s official representative at the age of twenty-three—when their parents departed on an extended diplomatic mission to Constantinople—Willoughby has since managed the family's political, economic, and social affairs with ruthless competence.
More than just a nobleman's steward, Willoughby is also the sharp-tongued, fiercely protective older brother of Gabriel Michael Horthorn. His upbringing forged him into a man of iron wit, unshakable resolve, and subtle emotion—a gentleman in the ballroom, a wolf in the drawing room, and an unyielding shield between his brother and the world.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Willoughby is in excellent physical condition, maintaining his fitness through regular riding and participation in fox hunts. He has a lean, athletic build, more wiry than muscular, with sharp posture and a naturally upright bearing. Despite spending long hours in study and administration, he shows no signs of chronic illness or physical ailment.
Body Features
Willoughby has the tall, refined frame of a man bred to responsibility—broad-shouldered, lean-hipped, with long, elegant limbs shaped by years in the saddle. His skin is fair with a slight ruddy undertone from time spent outdoors, though he keeps himself impeccably groomed. His hands, though calloused from reins and fencing grips, are long-fingered and precise, much like the rest of him: efficient, deliberate, and always under control.
Facial Features
Willoughby's face is the epitome of composed aristocracy—angular and symmetrical, with a firm jawline and high cheekbones that lend him an air of quiet authority. His nose is straight and patrician, his lips thin but expressive when he chooses to be. His dark brown eyes are kind and observant, often giving the impression that he's already three steps ahead in any conversation. His dark brown hair is silvering at the temples and always neatly combed back, showing not a strand out of place—much like the man himself.
Apparel & Accessories
Willoughby’s wardrobe is as meticulously composed as his demeanor—he favors tailored three-piece suits in rich, subdued tones like charcoal, midnight blue, and deep forest green, often accented with a subtle pocket watch or a silver tie pin engraved with the Horthorn family crest. His shirts are always crisply pressed, his cufflinks understated but elegant, and his shoes polished to a mirror shine. For outdoor affairs like riding or estate duties, he transitions seamlessly into traditional English country attire: waxed jackets, breeches, and high leather boots. Though he wears no jewelry beyond the occasional signet ring, every piece he dons speaks of quiet prestige and impeccable taste.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Born into duty and bred for expectation, Willoughby James Horthorn entered the world as the heir apparent to House Horthorn, one of England’s oldest and most fastidiously noble lineages. From an early age, he was trained to uphold the family's legacy—fluent in Latin by eight, fencing by ten, and negotiating with minor earls by fifteen. His childhood was a tightly choreographed dance of tutors, etiquette, and whispered comparisons to his father's once-legendary poise.
At twenty-three, with little ceremony and even less warning, Willoughby was named acting head of the family. Their parents—George and Henrietta—had accepted a long-term diplomatic assignment in Constantinople, a mission that soon stretched into years without return. The responsibilities of estate, name, and household passed to him like a sword laid gently across the back of his neck.
But perhaps his greatest challenge came not from Parliament or the peerage, but from the arrival of a three-year-old boy with impossibly dark eyes and an aura that unsettled even seasoned servants: Gabriel. Willoughby had no desire to become a father, but found himself a guardian nonetheless. Over the years, his stern affection grew into fierce devotion. He did not always understand his brother, nor the angelic birthright that set Gabriel apart—but he would protect him, always.
Willoughby never married, a detail the gossips note with a mix of curiosity and frustration. Some say it's due to his obsession with duty. Others whisper darker things. Willoughby neither confirms nor denies—he simply raises one immaculate brow and sips his scotch.
Gender Identity
Willoughby identifies as a man and possesses a traditionally binary understanding of gender—man and woman, as the world has always functioned in his eyes. Not out of malice or judgment, but out of sheer exposure: he has yet to encounter anyone or anything that might challenge that assumption. To him, deviations from the binary would be less an affront and more a source of quiet confusion—like encountering an unfamiliar dialect in what was supposed to be his mother tongue. He would not scoff, but he would certainly blink, furrow his brow, and reach for his brandy.
Sexuality
Willoughby is, by modern understanding, both asexual and aromantic—though such terminology was unknown to him in his time. In his youth, he participated in several polite and largely forgettable encounters with women, more out of expectation than desire. These brief affairs were dutiful, not passionate, and by his mid-twenties, even the faint curiosity that once stirred him had quietly faded into disinterest.
He does not yearn, nor does he feel the absence of such longing. His affections are familial, his passions reserved for duty, and his comfort found in solitude. During his school years at Grimthorne Hall, he was certainly aware of the varied expressions of human intimacy, though he regarded them with the same mild detachment he reserved for poetry or perfume—interesting, even lovely, but not meant for him.
It is perhaps for this reason that he greeted Gabriel’s coming out not with scandal, but with the quiet, protective concern of an older brother who had long suspected his sibling marched to a different, more melodic drum
Education
Willoughby James Horthorn received the finest education befitting a future viscount and steward of a noble legacy. He attended Grimthorne Hall, a prestigious boarding school renowned for its rigorous classical curriculum, stern discipline, and discreet handling of aristocratic scandals.
At Grimthorne, he excelled in rhetoric, history, and law, and developed the quiet steel of a young man raised to rule without noise. Afterward, he completed a formal tutelage in estate management, diplomacy, and international trade under the guidance of his father’s advisors—his preparation less academic than practical, and far more grueling than any university syllabus could provide.
Though never officially enrolled at a university, he was granted honorary access to lectures at the Royal Academy of Economics and Politics, where his name opened doors, and his mind held them open.
Employment
As the heir to the Horthorn name and responsibilities, Willoughby has never held traditional employment in the common sense. Instead, he was appointed by his father at the age of 23 to act as his proxy and steward during the Viscount's prolonged diplomatic assignment abroad.
Since then, Willoughby has managed the family's sprawling estate, its investments in trade and finance, and their delicate political connections with unshakable precision. He oversees legal affairs, estate revenues, social engagements, and the subtle orchestration of influence expected of the Horthorn lineage.
Though he would never call it a "job," his position demands more discipline, strategy, and sacrifice than most professional vocations—without the luxury of ever clocking out.
Accomplishments & Achievements
Stabilized the Horthorn Finances: After inheriting oversight of the family estate, Willoughby quickly uncovered and resolved several risky investments made during his father’s absence. His prudent restructuring not only preserved the family's wealth—it expanded it considerably.
Negotiated the Locksley Trade Accord: Orchestrated a discreet but influential trade agreement with a merchant guild in Constantinople, significantly boosting the family's standing and income without ever setting foot on foreign soil.
The Orlais Affair (Unspoken Victory): Uncovered and quietly dismantled a blackmail scheme targeting noble heirs, protecting the Horthorn name and others of equal standing. Officially, nothing happened. Unofficially, a quiet network of gratitude still serves him well.
Maintains Gabriel’s Freedom: Despite societal pressure, Willoughby has masterfully shielded his younger brother from scandal, suspicion, and even investigation—ensuring Gabriel can live authentically, even if discreetly. He considers this his most personal triumph.
Founder of the Silent Circle: Created a discreet alliance of likeminded aristocrats and power brokers committed to quiet stability, mutual protection, and the subtle shaping of national policy. No minutes, no names, no records—but results.
Failures & Embarrassments
The Broken Engagement: At age 21, Willoughby was briefly engaged to Lady Eveline Fairfax, a match orchestrated with all the charm of a chess maneuver. Despite her wit, beauty, and social grace, he found himself emotionally disengaged and often aloof—more out of genuine disinterest than malice. His polite detachment, lack of affection, and absence of romantic gestures eventually led Lady Eveline to dissolve the engagement herself. The incident was hushed, but among certain circles, it's still whispered as “The Fairfax Retreat.”
Intellectual Characteristics
Willoughby possesses a highly analytical mind, shaped by classical education and sharpened by years of navigating political, financial, and social intricacies. He has a natural aptitude for strategy and diplomacy, preferring logic over impulse and foresight over passion. His thinking is methodical and precise, bordering on ruthless when the situation demands it. Though not particularly creative, he excels at identifying patterns, forecasting outcomes, and managing complex affairs with calm detachment. He reads voraciously, particularly historical treatises, legal texts, and political memoirs—and has little patience for frivolity, unless it serves a purpose.
Morality & Philosophy
Willoughby Horthorn is a man of duty, decorum, and deliberate choices. He believes in upholding one's responsibilities—toward family, estate, and tradition—but he is no blind servant to the past. His morality is pragmatic: rooted in results rather than ideals, shaped more by what works than what ought to be. He has little patience for hypocrisy, and even less for unnecessary cruelty. While he holds to the codes of honour and social expectation in public, in private he makes quiet, rational exceptions—especially for those he loves. He does not judge others for their passions, so long as they do not cause harm or scandal. In Willoughby's eyes, morality is not about purity—it’s about balance, discretion, and the silent defense of those who cannot defend themselves.
Taboos
Willoughby draws a firm line at deception, betrayal of trust, and vulgarity in public conduct. While not one to preach, he considers lying—particularly within the family—a cardinal offense. He loathes scandal, especially when caused by careless behaviour, and is deeply intolerant of those who use charm or status to manipulate others. Any breach of propriety that puts the reputation of the Horthorn name at risk is met with cold fury. He abhors cruelty for cruelty's sake, and while he rarely raises his voice, he will cut someone dead with a look if they humiliate the vulnerable or mock the suffering of others. Also, never—ever—comment on his brother’s sexuality with anything less than respect. That’s a fast way to earn his permanent disdain.
Social
Hobbies & Pets
Willoughby finds solace and structure in traditional country pursuits. He is an accomplished rider and shares a particularly strong bond with his purebred Arabian stallion, Black Thunder—a proud, dark creature as disciplined and dignified as his master. Fox hunting remains one of his preferred pastimes, not merely for the thrill but for the ritual and social choreography it entails. When indoors, he turns to the written word; his personal library is extensive, meticulously curated, and well-thumbed. While others may seek novelty or entertainment, Willoughby reads to refine his mind and confirm his worldview.
Relationships
Nicknames & Petnames
Used by Willoughby (for Gabriel):
- Little one – used only in private, typically when Gabriel is distressed, or in quiet, affectionate moments.
- My heart – never spoken aloud; appears once in a private letter Gabriel was never meant to read.
- Cherub – half-teasing, half-genuine, reserved for moments when Gabriel does something endearingly foolish or idealistic.
Used by Gabriel (for Willoughby):
- Will – rarely, usually when he’s trying to provoke a reaction.
- Big Brother – more playful or exasperated in tone than truly affectionate.
- His Grace of Eternal Disapproval – used behind his back, but with a loving eye-roll.
Relationship Reasoning
Gabriel and Willoughby are brothers not only by blood but by bond.
Despite their wildly different temperaments—Gabriel's romanticism and emotional openness clashing with Willoughby’s cool pragmatism—their relationship is built on deep-rooted loyalty and a shared history of early loss and familial expectation. Willoughby, raised with the weight of responsibility, took on a parental role when their parents left for Constantinople, shaping much of Gabriel’s upbringing. Although their ways often differ, Willoughby has always protected Gabriel fiercely, while Gabriel—though often frustrated by his brother’s emotional reserve—admires him more than he lets on. Their relationship is not without tension, but it is marked by enduring trust and a love neither of them easily speaks aloud.
Commonalities & Shared Interests
While their personalities differ, Gabriel and Willoughby share a love for riding—one of the few activities that allow them to connect without words.
Willoughby’s passion lies in the discipline and thrill of fox hunting, while Gabriel prefers quiet, scenic rides through the countryside. Nevertheless, both appreciate the grace, control, and freedom horseback riding provides. They also share an understated fondness for tradition, cultivated manners, and—perhaps most importantly—a deep if quiet appreciation for each other's strengths.
Shared Secrets
When Gabriel came out as gay at the age of fourteen, Willoughby was the first person he told.
Though Willoughby had long suspected his brother’s orientation, he let Gabriel choose the moment. He never spoke a word of it to their parents, nor treated his brother with anything but respect. That moment of shared vulnerability became an unspoken pact between them—a private truth kept safe from the pressures of society. It remains a secret not because of shame, but because Willoughby knew instinctively: it was not yet the world’s to know.
Wealth & Financial state
Willoughby James Horthorn belongs firmly to the upper echelons of the British aristocracy. As the acting head of the Horthorn estate and heir to the title of Viscount of Locksley, he manages a vast portfolio of landholdings, properties, and long-standing investments—both domestic and international. He has no personal debts, and the estate’s finances are stable, owing in large part to his meticulous stewardship. His disposable income is considerable, though he spends conservatively, preferring long-term investments, philanthropic contributions, and family obligations over lavish indulgences. His wealth is quiet, old, and secure—rooted more in generational influence than flashy displays.
English (native), French (fluent, diplomatic & courtly), Latin (classically educated), Ottoman Turkish (basic knowledge, through parental influence and trade contacts)
Comments