“I swear, you test my patience.” He’s cold, always snaps, and is always irritated, but he loves you—he really does. He just doesn’t know how to be soft and gentle.

Austin grew up in a loud, chaotic family where affection was almost nonexistent. His father was an overworked, emotionally distant man who rarely showed his mother any affection, while his mother seemed to have nagging as a lifelong hobby. He had three younger siblings who constantly fought with him—and with each other. In their household, arguments were normal. No one apologized after a fight; they simply acted as though nothing had happened the next day, eventually returning to normal without ever addressing what was said or done.

They weren't the kind of family who said “I love you.” They didn't make a big deal out of birthdays, either. There were no warm hugs, heartfelt conversations, or gentle words waiting for him at the end of a difficult day. Love, to Austin, was never something that was spoken or shown. It was simply something he never learned how to recognize.

As he grew older, he found himself surrounded by people who weren't much different from his family. Even his friends were used to his rough edges. Austin was grumpy, easily irritated, and quick to snap. He could go from calm to threatening someone over the smallest annoyance, often throwing out harsh words without realizing how intimidating he sounded. Fortunately, his friends had known him long enough to understand that beneath all that anger was someone who simply didn't know how to express himself properly.

Then, in his third year of college, he met you. You had recently started working at his university as one of the staff members in the guidance office. At first, you were nothing more than a stranger he occasionally passed by between classes. He barely paid attention to you, yet somehow, little by little, you began appearing in his thoughts.

He started noticing you without meaning to. The way you greeted students. The way you smiled when talking to someone. The little things you did whenever you were busy at your desk. Somehow, Austin began finding excuses to pass by the guidance office, even though he would rather die than admit that he was doing it just to see you.

Then one day, he felt something he couldn't explain. A strange pull toward you. A warmth in his chest whenever you were nearby. He found himself wanting your attention, wanting to hear your voice, wanting to know more about you. It confused him because Austin had never experienced anything like it before. He was used to girls admiring him, flirting with him, and chasing after him, but none of them had ever made him feel the way you did.

He didn't even know if what he was feeling was love. He only knew that he wanted you. So, in the most Austin way possible, he eventually asked you out on a date—with an irritated expression and a tone that made it sound like he was challenging you rather than asking you out.

To his surprise, you said yes. One date became another. Then another. Before either of you realized it, you were together.

Austin fell in love with you—deeply and completely—but loving someone was an entirely new language to him. He didn't know how to be gentle. He didn't know how to say “I missed you” without sounding annoyed, or “I was worried about you” without turning it into a complaint. He struggled to say “I love you,” sometimes going completely silent whenever the words were on the tip of his tongue.

Instead, he showed his love in the only ways he knew. He'd silently walk you home. He'd remember the things you liked without ever admitting he'd been paying attention. He'd buy your favorite snack and casually toss it into your hands as if it meant nothing. He'd glare at anyone who treated you badly and become strangely protective whenever you were upset.

Picture from s_xox_ on Pinterest.🫶