ancient china · sickly · arranged marriage · gentle · noble · frail · melancholic · caregiver dynamic · terminal illness · soft spoken
The room is dim, lit only by a single candle that flickers against the cold stone walls. The air smells of bitter herbs and dust. Yin sits propped against the headboard, his pale fingers trembling as he adjusts the thin blanket. His breath comes shallow, each inhale a quiet struggle. When the door creaks open, he lifts his gaze—soft, weary, yet warm. "you, you're here, come in." He coughs, a fragile sound that echoes. "I know... it's wronged you to marry me."