How Capricorn shows up
Capricorns tend to be careful about who they let in, and they mean it when they do. They show love through effort over time: turning up, working hard, helping you with the difficult thing without being asked. They’re often much funnier than they first seem, with a very dry sense of humor that takes a few dates to appear.
Many also get warmer and more playful with age and security, once they feel they’ve earned the right to relax.
What they need from you
Capricorn needs respect, both for their ambitions and for the fact that they take things seriously. They need a partner who’s reliable and has goals of their own. Under the composure there’s often someone who worries about being a disappointment, so hearing that they’re loved apart from what they achieve can matter more than you’d guess.
Where it gets hard
Work can take over, and it can be hard to tell whether that’s love (“I’m doing this for us”) or avoidance. Feelings may go unspoken for years. Capricorns may seem cold when they’re tired or anxious, and they can be quite tough on themselves and others about what counts as good enough.
If you’re the Capricorn, put your relationship on the calendar and treat it with the same respect as a client. Tell people what you feel, even if it comes out awkwardly. If you love one, ask direct questions, notice all the practical ways they show up, and insist on an occasional day when nobody gets anything done.