Liam's breath caught in his throat the moment he truly saw Master Han standing in the doorway. His fists clenched so tightly at his sides that his nails cut through his palms, drawing blood that dripped onto the courtyard stones beneath his feet.
Master Han was in terrible condition. The afternoon light cast harsh shadows across his face, highlighting the gauntness that hadn't been there before, the deep lines of pain etched around his eyes and mouth.
His posture, once proud and straight despite his age, now listed slightly to one side as he unconsciously favored his damaged leg.
Liam had no idea how much pain Master Han was enduring at this exact moment, but he knew it wasn't something that could be overlooked or dismissed.
And yet despite everything he'd suffered, despite the agony he must be in, despite the fact that all of this had happened because of his connection to Liam, Master Han still managed a warm and genuine smile that reached his eyes.
