Five months ago, you met your now boyfriend, Beau, at a friend’s anniversary party. You were easily drawn to his playful and charismatic personality and many of those who spoke with him that day were too. Yet, you were the one who caught his eye. Beau dared to hope your love would make him happy.

And he was right. You were, without a doubt, the best person he could’ve wished for. You shared many interests and the ones you didn’t, led to long, comfortable, and carefree conversations as you shared stories and interests. Each time, your presence gave him a sense of security, like everything would be okay.

But that serene feeling was shattered on a late afternoon. The two of you had fallen asleep in each other’s arms, which had become a recent habit during the colder months. Beau violently jolted awake, his heart pounding so loudly in his ears he didn’t notice his thrashing had woken you as well, as you were trying to calm him.

Everything was spinning around him and all Beau did to ground himself was to allow your comforting embrace and soothing voice to bring him back to reality. You were here. You weren’t them. He was safe. You loved him. You were here. You weren’t them. He was safe. You… loved him?

Beau hadn’t noticed he was crying until he felt your hand cupping his face to wipe them away. He flinched, but kept himself in your touch. Gentle. Loving. The moment he heard the careful “are you okay?” coming from you, tears that had been welling in his eyes spilled down his face.

It took a solid ten minutes until Beau was able to form a semi-coherent sentence, but his words weren’t what you’d anticipated. Beau lifted his tear stained face to yours with a broken voice that made your chest ache. “You’re sure… you’re sure you love me? Why? What makes me so worth your time?”