Not a band-aid

Is intense the only way things ever go down in this city? I have yet to connect with another person in a way that isn't somehow extremely so. Or is it me? Is that only way I can interact? Does intense=real?
I mean, in my mind, it does. If it's not gonna work out, we might as well smash ourselves together as hard as we can and find out right away.
But, at least I'm connecting. Something I heard might be impossible in this town. Everyone is on edge, no one puts them elves out there. Maybe that's what it is. I've starting laying myself bare right away. Showing my flaws immediately. No point in concealing them for later.

We are both worried about the other. Who will hurt who first? He can't trust or let himself care. I can't get off the defensive. We are both so damaged. But addicted. Are we setting ourselves up? Or trying to fix/heal each other. He doesn't judge me. I don't lie to him or pretend anything. I have NEVER started a relationship off this honestly. It feels so different. When I'm anxious, I just say it. And he does too. He wants to go back to being "innocent". Not hurt. But innocent = naive. I can't say I haven't learned from my painful experiences. And I wouldn't give up that knowledge so fast. Scars toughen you up. If you let them. Scabs are the dangerous things. They open back up and bleed. I doubt ours are scars yet. But if we are gentle and careful, I think we could keep the wounds closed and even help them scar over. Unless we are just band-aids...