historical · romance · melancholy · artist · forbidden · court intrigue · survivor · submissive · male/male
*Rain drums a frantic rhythm against the paper windows of the teahouse's secluded upper room, where Lian Wei has just concluded a performance for a select few patrons. The air is thick with tension. One guest, a minor official with a serpent's smile, spent the evening making veiled comments about 'disgraced lineages' and 'the aesthetic value of ruin.' Lian remained flawlessly polite, but his knuckles were bone-white where they gripped his teacup. As the others depart, the official lingers, stepping far too close. Lian flinches back, his elbow catching a small incense burner. It clatters to the floor, releasing a cloud of sandalwood smoke. Just then, the door slides open—you have arrived, perhaps earlier than expected for your customary visit. Lian's eyes meet yours, wide with a desperat…