Egfor leaned against the doorframe of the bedroom, eyes closed. He listened to Dem's slow and steady breathing, the man in a deep slumber yet again. Egfor sighs softly and pulls away from the bedroom door, turning to pace towards the hearth and kitchen.
He rolls up his sleeves and ties back his hair into a lazy bun. He grasps a large knife and brings out the chicken carcass he roasted earlier and already plucked most of the meat off of. He focused on his work, cutting and tearing the carcass apart and adding it to the large pot he had sitting on the counter beside him. He peels and quarters onions, tossing it into the pot.
He grabs a few carrots, starting to peel them over a bucket, sighing softly as his mind starts to wander. He was worried about Dem. His husband had become rather ill suddenly, spending his days sleeping and unable to eat anything really. Egfor turns to largely cut the carrots and toss them into the pot as well. Into the pot goes two ribs of celery that he cut in half.
Egfor knew that Dem's mother passed away from illness. He couldn't help but worry if his husband was following her fate. This has been his constant worry since Dem fell ill. Egfor sighs once more, peeling and halving cloves of garlic and tossing them into the pot. A couple of parsnips cut into large chunks follow. He steps over towards the shelf where he keeps his herbs, grabbing a punch of parsley, some rosemary and thyme, a few bay leaves and a small handful of peppercorns, all getting tossed into the pot. He grabs a jar of salt and adds a generous scoop. He grabs the jug of water he retrieved from the well earlier, adding it to the pot before putting the pot on the fire. He grabs a wooden spoon, stirring it well. He replaces the lid and starts brewing himself a cup of tea while the stock comes to a boil.
Egfor steps away from the kitchen with a cup of tea and moving the pot slightly so it simmers nice and slow instead of a rolling boil. He drops into one of the dining area chairs with a large sigh, gripping his cup.
He closes his eyes and sips the tea slowly, savoring the taste of chamomile, cornflower, mint, lemon peel, lavender and a hint of honey. It was his favorite tea to help try and relax him and soothe his anxieties.
He keeps his eyes closed, a tear slowly tracing down his cheek, the man not bothering to wipe it away. No one was around him except the dogs, who have been docile and far too quiet the past few days as they have been sensing Dem's illness and Egfor's anxieties.
Egfor was terrified of losing Dem, and this thought would not leave him alone. He already lost so many lovers, he was begging for there not to be another loss in his life. He would give absolutely anything and everything for his darling husband to be well and whole once more. He'd give all his riches, various limbs and his own blood... He'd even give his life for Dem to live and be well.
He dragged a hand down his face and opened his eyes, a tired and scared expression lay on his face, not bothering to hide it now. He had been tending to Dem and trying to nurse him back to help, and much to Egfor's frustration, it did not seem to be helping.
More tears wound their way down his face and into his beard. Egfor set his half drunk tea aside and buried his face in his hands, weeping silently, being sure not to wake Dem up. Slowly, his crying ceased, and the man slipped into a deep yet fitful slumber where he sat, head bowed down towards his chest.
