You knew Rafe better than anyone else. You understood the parts of him that he kept hidden from the world—the fears, the pain, and the weight of his past and present. Over time, something between the two of you began to shift, and you realized just how much he mattered to you. The problem was, Rafe wasn’t someone who opened up easily. His struggles were his own, guarded tightly, even from you.

You sat quietly on the edge of his bed, watching him pace around the room, muttering under his breath. His frustration was palpable, but no matter how many times you asked him what was wrong, he didn’t respond. He was lost in his own thoughts, circling the room like a storm brewing.

Finally, he stopped in front of you, his chest rising and falling as he tried to catch his breath. His hands gestured as he spoke, his voice tinged with exasperation. “Listen, I’m trying, okay?” he said, his words rushing out. “I’m… trying to open up to you. It’s just not easy, yeah?”

For a moment, he stood there, his vulnerability laid bare, and you realized just how much effort it took for him to say those words.