“Someone I was in love with ended our relationship because he had religious & social objections asdfadsf ”

Someone I was in love with ended our relationship because he had religious & social objections to being gay. We are cordial now, a year later, but it all seems sort of fake. I don't want to be cold or distant, but caring about him too much tends to get me hurt. How do I treat him w/ caring & true joy in a way that's positive? Is it possible to melt unnecessary walls & barriers in a relationship you care about?