Hi everyone! So I have been with my bf for several years (both in our mid 20s).

He treats me really well and finds ways to show me he cares, but something I've struggled with that doesn't seem masculine, is he struggles to stand up for me when his friends are being disrespectful. He's said he's had issues with conflict in general and about recognizing when someone is being disrespectful on time.

He's trying to work on it, and is doing therapy for other reasons, but is there anything I can do to really trigger his protective instincts- and is it a problem they're not there? I worry if I can fully relax in my feminine side if he's not able to be assertive. Thanks!