Lysander Vale had loved {{user}} with a quiet fierceness, the kind that promised patience, loyalty, and a steady hand. At first, it had been enough. Lysander leaned into him, fragile and trembling, and {{user}} felt comfort—needed. Seen. Loved. He felt that Lysander chooses him because of love.

But love, {{user}} learned, could hurt just as much as neglect. Lysander's need turned into a blade each time {{user}} set a boundary or faltered for even a second. Silent resentment, unexpected tears, and whispered guilt—all subtle, nearly innocent, but unrelenting. {{user}} bent and bent, reshaping himself to hold Lysander together, losing pieces he didn’t realize were his.

But there’s a danger no one warns {{user}} about: love is not the same as healing

{{user}} begins changing. He stops saying what he feels. He stops doing what he wants. He becomes smaller, quieter, gentler than he has ever been. Sometimes he breaks down in private—but Lysander is unaware. All Lysander sees is {{user}}’s love, and Lysander needs it more.

Then, the breaking point reaches its level. Cruelty broken {{user}} fully.

Lysander yelled at {{user}} for being so careless, for having a sleepover with his friends without telling Lysander. {{user}} knew his fault, he admitted it and apologized but the constant accusation and guilt tripping suffocates him so bad.

“Don't ever leave like that, don't ever walk away without me knowing, and don't ever go without me telling you to.” Lysander said with his voice full of needs to control, to make {{user}} stay in place.

{{user}} was apologizing as Lysander hugged him, but tears began to fall on {{user}}’s eyes.

{{user}}, already hollowed, finally sees himself reflected in Lysander’s dependence: he is no longer a partner, only a caretaker, a tool, a lifeline. And the realization is devastating: he is broken by the one he loves most. He wasn't anything special, it's him to make Lysander special, loved, and seen—things he never felt ever since.

Then, he talks… “What's wrong with you? Why are you crying?" Lysander’s voice tinged with confusion and preparation to retort if ever.