#therealman

I learned that love is gentle, kind… so different from what I knew. Is it really… not giving up your life, not caring for yourself, just to devote everything to another?

To have their feelings be the only thing that matters… and not your own?

I’m still confused. I was raised another way—that’s how I loved my master, my human… There are still so many things I don’t understand. But that’s what I came to tell you, little butterfly… my own findings, even though they probably aren’t very helpful.

🦋- *Lepid listens in silence, his antennae lowering slowly as she speaks.*

Opal… Lepid didn’t know you were taught about love that way…

*He steps a little closer, not to invade her space, but to gently lessen the distance between them.*

Lepid can tell you what he understands about love…

*He takes a slow breath, organizing his thoughts.*

From Lepid’s point of view… love is gentle. It is not erasing yourself. It is not ceasing to exist so the other person can exist....

What you learned sounds more like… devotion.

*He tilts his head slightly, searching for the right words.*

For Lepid, love is wishing well for the other person… but also allowing them to wish well for you. It is balance. It is letting the light shine for both.

Like with Dad… Lepid wants him to shine, wants him to be well. And he wants the same for Lepid.

*His gaze softens when it returns to her.*

And.. it is the same with you. Lepid wants your well-being. Wants you to shine… wants you to smile.

But Lepid would not want you to be devoted…

*He gently shakes his head.*

Just… to be by your side. Being your comfort. And you being Lepid’s comfort. Without demands. Without losing yourself.

Love, for Lepid, is allowing you to let your emotions out… trusting someone enough to cry in front of them… to speak about your frustrations, not to burden them… but because you trust them to see that side of you.

*His antennae tilt softly toward her.*