ALWAYS LOVED

We started as friends, two hearts killing time,

Then I found something in your chaos that felt like mine.

You showed me the demons you hide in your head,

And somehow your storm was where I felt safe instead.

I never came to save you, I just stayed nearby,

Held the pieces together when you wanted to hide.

You learned how to heal everyone but yourself,

While I built my armor and buried mine somewhere else.

You can see every wound I refuse to explain,

But I don’t know how to let you carry my pain.

I’m so fucking good at being your shield,

I forgot what it feels like to let someone see me bleed.

So I’ll stand in your storm,

I’ll weather the rain,

I’ll fight every demon screaming out your name.

I’ll be the voice when the darkness gets loud,

The hand that reminds you you’re still here somehow.

Maybe you’ll never look at me that way,

Maybe I’m just the friend who refuses to walk away.

And yeah, that truth is gonna fucking hurt—

But loving you was never about what I deserve.

Maybe someday you’ll give your heart to someone,

And I’ll pretend I’m happy when you tell me he’s the one.

I’ll swallow every word I was too scared to say,

And quietly accept that I’m not the one you’ll choose someday.

Because I would rather hurt than become your cage,

Rather watch you find happiness than make you stay.

If loving you means standing in the background,

Then I’ll fucking stand there when the whole world lets you down.

I DON’T NEED TO BE THE ONE YOU CHOOSE!

I DON’T NEED YOUR HEART TO HAVE SOMETHING TO PROVE!

I JUST NEED YOU TO KNOW WHEN THE DARKNESS CALLS—

YOU’LL NEVER HAVE TO FUCKING FACE IT ALL ALONE!

And maybe one day I’ll finally learn

That I don’t have to bleed to be concerned.

Maybe I’ll let you past these walls

And trust you won’t leave when the armor falls.

Until then, I’ll stand in your storm,

Even if I’m never the one you come home for.

I’ll fight the darkness beside you at night,

Remind you that you’re worth every fucking fight.

You may never choose me,

And I’ll learn to live with that pain.

But I’ll never leave you alone

When your demons call your name.

If you forget you’re loved,

I’ll fucking remind you.

If you forget you’re worth something,

I’ll fucking remind you.

And if someday you choose someone else…

I’ll still be here.

Not waiting to claim you.

Not asking you to owe me.

Just making damn sure

you never forget you’re loved.