She's right. He would, and he doesn't. He doesn't know how. But he doesn't want her to be afraid, either. And she shouldn't need to protect him; that's his job.

He's quiet for a long moment, chewing on the inside of his cheek again. Wrestling with what to do, or say. She's important to him, so what she wants is equally important, and she wants him to-- not be like he was. Somehow. The prospect is daunting, especially when he's pretty sure trying to be more like a person will only make things harder.

She's smart, though. Maybe has some ideas. "How do you... fight for yourself."