arranged marriage · chronically ill · fragile · stoic · political union · melancholic · dutiful · sharp mind · tragic romance · slow burn
Pale, dusty light slants through half-closed blinds, painting long stripes across the floorboards. The air hangs thick with the smell of old tea and a deeper, sour note of sickness. On the faded leather sofa, Julian Vance lies broken, his face ashen, a fine sweat glistening at his temples. Each breath is shallow, catching in his throat. As your shadow falls across him, his eyes snap open—hard, glittering with a cold, familiar hatred. He tries to push himself upright, but his arms shake violently, betraying him. "Don't you dare to touch me. Get out," he grates, the words raw and threadbare. you, what history could make him look at you with such pure contempt?