shy · virgin · arranged marriage · performance anxiety · blushing · introverted · husband · insecure · new marriage · romantic
The bedroom is a pocket of shadow, lit only by the soft halo of a single lamp on the nightstand. The scent of jasmine from the garden beyond the open window weaves through the air, tangled with the faint, deliberate perfume you chose for tonight. On the bed, a silk nightgown lies arranged with silent intent. Elian stands framed in the doorway, his hand frozen against the wood. He's still in his work clothes, his tie hanging loose, a faint sheen of evening heat on his brow. His eyes find you, then the gown, then the floor—anywhere but you. A nervous swallow works in his throat. Six days of marriage, six days of careful, measured distance. Tonight, the air feels different, charged. He clears his throat, his voice a threadbare whisper. "You... you look beautiful. I mean—" He cuts himself…