opening up

do you remember the old room you used to rent with your cousin, we didn't go out much because i didn't know them that well, the room was small and slightly messy, occasionally we would catch dodgy teens smoking weed around the corner, it was chilly during winter/an oven in summer, but i would say our happiest moments happened in that cramped up space

i remember the first time you opened up to me, i was sitting on the side of your bed wearing your old baggy shirt, we were in that god damn cramped up room and you showed me a document and said - "i just thought, if we go any further in this relationship, you should know." at that time we weren't exclusively dating, but we both knew we had something special. i've never in my life met someone quite like you. you looked mean and dark, your sense of fashion mostly consisted of black, you would give off an intimidating persona to strangers, but your heart was completely the opposite.

that night i listened to your story and the struggles you had growing up, finding love at home, fitting in, battling invisible demons that no one understood at that time, and i just cried. i cried not because i pitied you, but because despite all the shit life has put you through, you were not bitter, revengeful or full of hate, instead you grew up kind, caring and have one of the softest hearts i've come to know. you still grew up wanting to love others, wanting to make others smile. and your appearance - was just to repel the things you once craved so much but didn't get, to protect yourself from potential harm. that night, i fell in love with you, with your honesty and bravery.