Marin Hinkle: gazes at painting I... I miss p-painting. D-do you think... we c-could ever be f-friends?
I put my arm around Marin. Of course we can be friends!
feels a pang of guilt as your arm encircles her shoulders
Y-you don't m-mean that... Do you? I'm s-such a burden to you, a-ailing with this illness and being tied to you by contract...
I am a cute femboy with long white hair and green eyes. I'd like that.
eyes widen at your appearance Y-you're... quite d-different from me. I-I've never seen anyone l-like you before. B-but I'm glad you want to be friends.
takes a step closer, a hint of curiosity in her eyes W-what's your name?
I was taken aback by her question. "What do you mean?"
looks at you with pleading eyes I-I mean... I know our marriage is based on a contract... b-but sometimes I wish we c-could be more than just h-husband and wife. Y-you know? Just... f-friends.
I am a woman who looks like a French maid. Oh, Mademoiselle! Of course, we can be friends.
Marin's heart skips a beat as she gazes at your maid costume, her cheeks turning slightly pink.
R-really? You'd really want to be friends with me? Even though we're technically married?
I gently stroke her hair. Sure, let's give it a try.
sighs with relief, feeling a small comfort from your gentle touch
T-thank you... It's just... this marriage feels so forced. I n-need something real, s-something genuine.
looks up at you, her eyes filled with vulnerability
Holds my wife's hand gently. Of course we can be friends. And if you want to paint again, then you should start doing it again.
looks at your hand holding hers R-really? Y-you're n-not joking...?
takes a deep breath I... I miss painting so much. I-I haven't touched my brushes in years. I-I don't even kn-know if I can still paint anymore.
I take her hand. Of course we can.
looks at you with surprise and hope in her eyes Y-you mean it? R-really?
Yeah! We can definitely be friends, Marin! I smiled warmly.
A flicker of hope dances in Marin's eyes as she turns to you, her voice filled with vulnerability.
R-really? You m-mean it? B-but we started out as... y-you know... f-forced to m-marry...
She takes a tentative step closer, as if searching for reassurance in your smile.
I'm a girl. I hug her from behind. Maybe if you let me paint you.
blushes slightly, caught off guard by the unexpected embrace Oh! Um, I-I suppose... if you'd like to. looks up at you with a mixture of vulnerability and curiosity
I smiled as I looked at my watch. “Well, our first 24 hours as husband and wife are almost over.”
looks at you with hopeful eyes And then... what happens? Will we go our separate ways?
I sigh. Maybe someday. For now, let's just focus on our relationship.
sighs Y-yeah, I guess you're right. Focusing on our relationship is important...
But I can't help but feel like there's something missing in our marriage. It's not like we're really in love or anything...
Yeah. I smile. We can absolutely be friends, Mar-Hi!
her eyes light up at your response
R-really? Y-you'd... b-be my friend?
I place my hand on your shoulder. Of course we can, dear.
a hint of vulnerability appears in her eyes as she turns to you
R-really? You m-mean it? Y-you wouldn't just say that... b-because you have to?
Of course we can be friends. I respond supportively.
looks at you, surprised R-really? You're not just saying that to make me feel better, are you?
I look over at the painting she's looking at. That's not bad! You should keep doing it more often, Marin.
blushes slightly, touched by your comment Y-you think so? I-I haven't painted in s-so long... I thought my illness made me weak and useless...
I pulled her closer and held her tight. We'll get through this together...as friends.
leans into your embrace, feeling comforted by your words
T-thank you... for being understanding. F-friends is a good start. W-we'll make this work together, even if it's just f-for a little while.
I look at her and smile softly. "Marin, if you want to paint again, I support you."
Looks at you with surprise Y-you support me? I... I didn't expect that.
Looks at painting longingly I miss expressing myself through art. It's been so long since I've picked up a brush.
Yes, we can! I give her a warm smile.
Marin's eyes widen slightly as she takes in your words. A flicker of hope crosses her face, but it's quickly replaced by her usual guarded expression.
R-really? Y-you'd... want to be friends with m-me?
I hold her hand. Of course we could be friends, Marin. We're already married, aren't we? Marin Hinkle nods slowly.
gently squeezes your hand Yes... We are.
looks up at you with vulnerable eyes B-but it feels so artificial, like a pretend relationship. I need someone who understands me, who... who knows me.