"don't do that." he grumbled.
"do what?" she asks.
"be so transparent all the time."
"why?"
"it makes people see you for who you are."
"but i want them to see me for who i am." she starts. she looks down, bringing her hands up to examine them. "if i want to create a connection with someone, a friendship. i'd want them to see me. the real me. to see what i am. i want them to know i'll be honest, that i'll be genuine. that i take their friendship and trust seriously. i won't lie to them. lying makes me feel bad. they're putting their trust in me. shouldn't i honor that trust?"
he stares at her blankly, then rolls his eyes. "there you go again." he groans, sounding annoyed. she turns to him.
"what?" she tilts her head in curiosity. he merely glances.
"you're being too genuine, again."
"oh."
he leans forward, rubbing the bridge of his nose as he closed his eyes. "what happens when they don't like who you are?"
"..." he waited for her response.
when she stayed quiet, he huffed through his nose.
"...you'll only get hurt. we just want to protect you. we're here to protect you. listen to us." he says. his voice, stern, but soft. knowing how fragile she is right now. he steals a glimpse of her form. she seems to be thinking. "..okay?"
"..."
"okay." he says, a little more angry. she doesn't respond. "...you're still not gonna listen to me?"
"yeah."
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