In the first part of the song, The Weeknd reflects on their relationship with the person they are singing to. He acknowledges that they used to be a hero to this person, and that he wore their heart as a symbol of their love.
However, The Weeknd realizes that he couldn’t save this person from his darkest truth, which was ultimately his downfall in the relationship. He admits that he’ll always be less than zero, meaning he’ll always be seen as the one who couldn’t save the relationship.
The Weeknd also recognizes that the person he’s singing to tried their best with him, and he acknowledges their efforts. He couldn’t face them with his own darkness, which he believes was the main reason for the breakdown of their relationship.
The Weeknd mentions a feeling that crawls in his bed and won’t leave him alone. He tries to hide it and fight it, but he can’t shake it. He believes that the person he’s singing to knows him too well, and that he’d rather be free from this feeling, even if it means being apart from them.
The Weeknd asks if they can meet in the middle, acknowledging that the person he’s singing to was once just like him, but now they’d rather leave him than watch him die in their arms. He admits that he can’t shake the feeling that crawls in his bed, and that he tries to hide and fight it, but he’d rather be free from it.
In the final part of the song, The Weeknd repeats that he’ll always be less than zero, despite the other person’s efforts to save the relationship. He acknowledges that they tried their best, but he’ll always be seen as the one who couldn’t save the relationship, and who couldn’t face his own darkness.