Hi, Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my q.
I'm assuming AL is male. Here is what I got for you:
First the 8 of Swords fell out while I was shuffling, this rarely happens to me so I think it is significant.
Four of Cups-King of Swords-Four of Wands
I think he is overthinking things a little bit, he might even feel tied to some sort of responsibility that isn't you (work, status, family). Whatever it is, it weighs on him pretty heavily and I don't think hes happy with the way things are going with that situation. Has he been low energy recently or have the two of you been fighting recently? The initial cards indicate being withdrawn and maybe even depressed. However, I do think he comes out this. King of Swords shows me hes going to be ready to make decisions soon and followed by the Four of Wands (one of my favorite cards to get in a relationship spread) I think he will be ready to move forward to a happy future with you. He wants a future with you and even to live with you (if you aren't already) and marry you. But he needs to sort out whatever is binding him in his personal life outside of you.
Please let me know how this resonates.