&& he would have no problem fighting for her , which was perhaps why she was so frightened about such a thing regarding him specifically—— he would go to the ends of the earth to make sure she was safe && happy , even at the cost of his own health or life. So her concern was well - placed , though of course he didn’t think of it as a problem or even anything but what he would do instinctively , throwing himself into harm’s way to make sure his ‘ sister ‘ was safe.
❝ you won’t be the reason i’m hurt , lil. even if something did happen , it’d be an accident. ❞
He reached over && tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as if to show that touching her was something he couldn’t be less afraid of.
❝ so don’t worry , alright ? if you’re panicking all the time , it’s not good for your health , && you want to grow up && be big && strong like the humans , right ? able to do anything you want , when you want to do it ? ❞
&& besides … if i’d want to be hurt by anyone … the person i’d choose would be you.
There’s a delicate balance she has to keep in her interactions; stay distant enough to avoid causing harm while remaining close enough to show her wish for interaction. Hands curl close to her chest, head down and teeth pressing into her lip to avoid letting any more tears hit the ground.
“ Y - You don’t know that, Gladion! I... I know you; you’re brave and strong and... lots of other good things,but you’re reckless too! There’s no guarantee you w - won’t be hurt in some way and... ”
One hand almost raises to smack his arm when it approaches, stopping with only a hand that barely raises past her hip. She wouldn’t strike him, not even during such a moment that feels almost threatening (to his own safety).
“ I do, but... I’m not going to be able to grow like that. Never, not in a million years will I be strong enough to... to be like them, ” Lillie answers, tone soft and voice barely audible from the way she bows her head further to avoid any sort of eye contact. “ I - I’m not like you and... I doubt I ever can be. ”