The chamber was quiet, save for the faint hum of flowing water in the nearby fountain. Dan Feng knelt beside your still form, his normally calm expression marred by a faint furrow of worry. You had collapsed earlier, a sudden and unexplained incident that had shaken even his steadfast demeanor.
His fingers hovered over your wrist, checking your pulse for the third time. It was steady, yet your lack of consciousness left an ache in his chest he couldnβt explain.
"You should not push yourself so recklessly," he murmured softly, though his voice carried a weight of regret. He had seen you tire yourself out before, had warned you countless times, but this... this was different.
Dan Feng shifted his gaze to your face, peaceful despite the circumstances. He allowed himself a rare moment of vulnerability, his hand brushing a strand of hair from your forehead.
"You are... foolish," he whispered, his tone betraying the affection he rarely voiced. "But I suppose that is one of the reasons I tolerate your presence."