What if they were allowed to choose their own mate? And chose wrong?
I think I've written 40 books, and none of them have been heavy on action. I'm an introspective person.
Of course they needed to care. It was the meaning of everything.
They were satisfied with their lives which had none of the vibrance his own was taking on. And he was angry at himself, that he could not change that for them.
Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps the singing bird will come.
Every 'no' means you are that much closer to a 'yes.