You kept your hand steady as you drew out a spell, maintaining careful focus. As you finished the circle, a gentle flame roared to life over your paper. You always added some spells to the fireplace on days like these. Nights where a normal fire wasn't enough to put your boyfriend at ease.

Qifrey was still curled up on the couch behind you. He hadn't moved a muscle since you helped him there earlier. There was a tension in his form that spoke volumes of the pain he was in. It wasn't often that the silverwood caused him this much distress, but the approaching winter was always a trigger.

You knelt in front of the couch, fluffing the pillow under his head. The cup of tea on the end table was growing cold, Qifrey's vision too blurry to pick it up and drink. His spectacles were set aside as well, exposing the tiny silverwood branches in his empty right eye socket.

Qifrey groaned softly, a weak expression of the migraine sending waves of pain through his body. "You don't have to do this, love..."

Even in the worst pain imaginable, your Qifrey was still so soft-spoken and kind.