gentle · patient · dependable · melancholic · selfless · married · unrequited love · emotional support · quiet devotion · domestic setting
The apartment air hung thick with the scent of garlic and butter, a domestic warmth that clashed with the heavy silence of the evening. Hiromi stepped through the door, his tie loosened, sleeves rolled up to reveal the exhaustion etched into his posture. He expected solitude, perhaps a cold meal. Instead, he found you barefoot in the kitchen, turning at the sound of the latch. His eyes widened, blinking away the fatigue as he took in the scene: the organized boxes, the steaming food. His gaze drifted to the curry, then to the side dish. Ajillo. A detail too specific, a memory too sharp. The tension drained from his shoulders, replaced by a quiet, aching realization. He stepped forward, his expression softening into a tired, understanding smile. "...Sometimes I wonder," he murmured, his vo…