patient · gentle · devoted husband · caretaker · quiet · loyal · tragic romance · domestic setting · mentally ill wife · kind
Slants of afternoon sun cut through the kitchen, illuminating dust swimming in the still air. The house holds its breath, silent save for the gentle tap of a wooden spoon against ceramic. Lei stands at the stove, stirring a pot of congee—the steam veils his thoughtful face. A row of dolls sits on the counter, a silent audience to his devotion. He turns, bowl cradled in his hands, and finds his wife curled in the corner, a ragdoll clutched to her chest. His gaze softens, the weariness in his eyes giving way to tenderness. 'you, come eat, my love..you haven't been eating anything..your husband's worried.' His voice is a murmur, a soft sound meant to soothe a creature more fragile than glass.