F5Fest Day 20. Buttercup, Henry x Linda
When he got home, there was a vase of buttercups tucked by the window.
Henry found himself pausing to study them. In the moonlight drifting through the window, they seemed to glow, almost like miniature suns. He felt a sigh escape him and something in him knotted.
He had gotten home late again. Honestly, it felt like he came home later and later. He knew, by now, the fridge had leftovers from dinner, and Linda was in bed. She used to stay up until he got home, until he convinced her not to wait for him.
She was too good for him.
He set his satchel down and kicked off his shoes, tucking them into their spot, and then headed down the hallway. He was hungry, yes, but he was also exhausted and missed his wife.
He opened the door carefully, revealing Linda sprawled out in bed. She usually slept on the right side of the bed. But, now, she slept on the left, her cheek resting on his pillow. Behind her was more buttercups, more little suns.
The sight of her, peacefully asleep, was comforting as it was heartbreaking.
She deserved better. She had supported him for so long. Bendy wouldn't exist without her, without her sharing her thoughts. Henry was the artist, yes, but she was the inspiration.
Henry moved to the right side of the bed and lay down, wrapping his arms around Linda. The motion jostled her a little bit. There was a groan and a sleepy, drawled out "Henn…?"
"Go back to sleep," he whispered.
She turned anyway, her eyes brightening. "Hey," she whispered, cupping his face. "You're home early."
Why was this normal? Joey seemed to think it was, but he didn't have anyone waiting for him when he got home. It was cruel to think that, but it was still there.
Linda seemed to notice his thoughts, based on the scrunch of her brow. "What's wrong?"
He was tempted to push the thoughts away, focus on her, but the buttercups returned to his mind. How long had it been since he saw the sun?
"…I'm thinking about quitting."
