1. By the time you have moved close enough for him to
hold, you will have no doubt noticed the scars. They were
there long before you. While you did not create them, you
also cannot fix them – resist the urge to try.

2. He will often be nervous as a slipped stitch, afraid his
hands are too full of ocean for you to want to touch. Take
his fingers into yours. Show him you are not ashamed to
swim.

3. When he kisses you, he will do so as if the first will
also be the last. He will kiss you hard. When he is not
expecting it, land a butterfly wing softly on his cheek,
in the space below his eye. Plant it gently. Catch him
by surprise.

4. When he stares down vacant railroad tunnels, his
thoughts a thousand yards distant, take care – do not
let yourself get lost in the hollow of his eyes.

5. He doesn't honestly believe he is broken. Remind him
of this each time he tries to convince you otherwise.
6. When you kiss him, kiss him hard. Use teeth.
Catch him by surprise.

7. In his head you are always leaving, from the moment
you first touched sparks to palm. If you must leave,
do it honest. He is already prepared for a clean kill.

8. He will tell you from the start about the wasps, how they
build nests among his thoughts. He fears your reaction to them
far more than he ever fears their sting.

9. Sometimes he moves too slow. He is a glacier of spun glass.
Beneath the layers is a rocket, primed and ready. Add heat,
melt the ice, light the fuse you find there. He will discover
his fast soon enough.

10. He will fall in love with you before his voice allows him
to acknowledge the fact. To confirm this, look for the first
night that doesn't start with him securing an exit strategy
for every room, considering the placement of windows and
doors, finding safety where his spine runs parallel to every
wall.

11. If his limbs grow restless, if his muscles are nervous ghosts
and not even the feather of your touch can prevent him
from becoming river, let him go. He is searching for the
familiarity of motion, not seeking strange comfort in
new arms. He will come home in time.

12. Late at night – when others would be able to blame their
thoughts on too much wine – insomnia will creep into
your bed. It will awaken the wasps, who will try to
convince you both that he is broken. Remind him,
remind yourself, that this is false.

13. When you kiss him, like every time will be both first and last,
like you are unashamed to be seen swimming in the oceans
his palms create, catch him off guard – use teeth. Kiss him
hard.