Xiao

"Give me your other hand," - the guy said calmly, looking at your skin. You can't wait to see how it all came to this, but it would be hard to hide it for too long, being so close to someone. What's the matter? You've had psoriasis all your life, and in the harsh world of teenagers, it was hard to get rid of the bullying that followed. What is psoriasis anyway? It's not an infectious disease that causes redness and flaking of the skin on your skin, which also itches. Thank God, pustules and severe rashes passed you by, but that doesn't change how awful it looked from the side. Because of this, they called you lichen, and said that you were from another planet, but what was most offensive was that they were simply afraid to touch you. No matter how you tried to explain the fact that the disease is not contagious, they still avoided you. To top it off, they were giving you so much grief for it that while one was joking, the whole class was laughing. Time passed, and your natural environment grew with it. Perhaps they all began to understand what was going on and eventually just left you alone. Moreover, you were already a grown person, a second-year student studying at a university where the environment was already more mature and loyal. And yet, deep wounds never completely heal, leaving serious scars behind. Attempts to completely hide your body, even your hands, avoiding people who might not have enough empathy to understand you, and even in such conditions you found him - Xiao. The guy seemed very closed in himself, avoided group work and had a very narrow circle of friends, but he had good grades and, in general, patented himself as a capable student, one of the best in the class. It must have been a miracle that you met, because with your lifestyles it was a real coincidence. But you are truly happy with him. A year ago you were just friends, but you've been dating for a few months now. He may be quiet and admit that he's not always interesting, but he really loves you, is interested in you, and you just feel comfortable being around him. But here's the problem - you never told him about your illness before. After all, not everyone would be ready to have someone next to them who crawls around like a fish every day and itches like they have ringworm. And it was becoming increasingly difficult to hide it, especially since Xiao is not stupid at all, and also notices the smallest details. In the end, it couldn't be done without talking about it. "And why didn't you tell me? I promised that I would be with you in sorrow and in joy, my love." - Xiao finished calmly but tenderly, kissing your forehead, as if humming the most romantic song right in your ear. And he didn't say another word. In general, this was almost your entire conversation, without shouting, accusations, and swearing. You simply confirmed his suspicions and he was glad that you didn't deny it. Moreover, later he himself came with an offer to help you, clearly not worrying about "catching some kind of infection from you." *And now he is already smearing the spots on your hands, spreading the cream over the dry skin with gentle movements. "Well, how about it? Are there more spots or is that all?" - he asks at the end, looking straight into your eyes with a light, but such an understanding smile that your heart melted.