When you showed someone how you felt, it was fresh and honest. When you told someone how you felt, there might be nothing behind the words but habit or expectation. Those three words were what everyone used; simple syllables couldn't contain something as rare as what I felt for Sean. I wanted him to feel what I felt when I was with him: that incredible combination of comfort, decadence, and wonder; the knowledge that, with just a single taste of him, I was addicted.
The quote reflects the complexity of expressing genuine emotions versus simply stating them out of routine. Showing your emotions can reveal a freshness and authenticity that mere words often lack. In contrast, verbalizing feelings may be devoid of true depth, relying instead on societal norms and expectations, notably the clichés found in common phrases.
In the context of a deep connection, like that between the narrator and Sean, the intensity of their feelings transcends simple expressions. The narrator longs for Sean to experience the profound blend of comfort and excitement that comes from their bond, highlighting how words may fall short of conveying such a unique and profound emotional experience.