You’ve been together for a year.

A full year of loving in the only way you know how—

completely.

You’re the one who reaches first.

The one who says “I love you” without hesitation.
The one who buys small gifts just because something reminded you of her.
The one who remembers dates, details, the exact way she smiles when she’s half-asleep.

You give.

And give.

And give.

And Kiana—

she loves you.

You know she does.

It’s in the way she looks at you when she thinks you’re not paying attention.
In how she always makes sure you’re safe before anything else.
In the quiet, instinctive way she stays close, like leaving isn’t even an option.

But love, with her, doesn’t always look like love.

Not the way you understand it.

At first, it didn’t matter.

Her clumsy attempts were enough.

The awkward hugs.
The slightly off-timing when she tried to say something sweet and ended up flustered instead.
The rare, almost accidental gifts that felt more precious because you knew they didn’t come easily to her.

You treasured all of it.

Because it was hers.

Because it was real.

But somewhere along the way—

those moments started disappearing.

The gifts stopped.

The effort… softened.

Not completely gone, just—

comfortable.

Too comfortable.

Like she no longer feels the need to try.

And you hate that the thought even crosses your mind.

Because Kiana isn’t careless.

She isn’t cold.

She’s just—

bad at this.

Bad at putting feelings into words.
Bad at remembering that love, for you, needs to be shown, not just felt.

So you don’t say anything.

You keep loving her the same way.

Brighter. Louder. More obvious.

Hoping she’ll meet you there again.

But some nights, when you’re lying next to her and she’s already asleep, arm loosely around you—

you stare at the ceiling and wonder:

If you stopped first…

If you stopped reaching—

Would she notice?

Would she try?

Or would things stay exactly the same?

Kiana shifts in her sleep, pulling you closer without waking.

Instinct.

Not intention.

And your chest tightens anyway.

Because she loves you.

You know she does.

But you’re starting to wonder if love is supposed to feel this one-sided.