Caspian looked at him emotionlessly for a long moment. He pulled off his shirt, turning his back to Tyler to show the scars that criss crossed his skin. "I'm allowed to not want to be hurt again." He said quietly, before pulling his shirt back on.
"Of course you are! No one can tell you that you're not allowed to be hurt. It's human nature to hurt."
Caspian shook his head. "Just…" He closed his eyes. "I don't see why you would want to hang out with me." He looked over at Tyler.
"I've already told you. I have no friends, and you're the first time who's tried to at least tolerate me without knowing my social status."
Caspian sighed. "I see." He said simply.
Tyler's brows furrowed. "Why don't you let me in? I'm not gonna hurt you. I'm not gonna be like the person who gave you those scars"
"I know." Caspian replied simply.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Tyler asked.
"I am saying things." Caspian replied softly.
"Not a lot! Why are you scared of letting me in?"
"Because everyone dies!" Caspian snapped. "They die or they try to kill me. So which category are you going to fall into?"
"You don't know unless you trust me! I'm probably gonna end up going off and getting myself killed somehow anyway, so why not at least have a friend?!"
Caspian shook his head. "I don't…I would be a terrible friend. I'm not used to people, I'm not…I…"
"Stop doubting yourself. Did I have to try and be your friend? No, no one was forcing me. But I tried anyway, because I wanted to be your friend."
Caspian bit his lip. "…okay." he said softly.
"So are you gonna let me in or not? Because I can't help you unless you do."
"Sure." Caspian said with a shrug.
"That's not a definite answer. Look, I've dealt with people like you before. My father is one of them. I'm sick of them if they don't trust me. But unlike my father, you seem like I would actually benefit from knowing you."
Caspian sighed softly, raking his hand through his hair. "Just…I'm sorry. But I'm allowed to be hesitant." He said quietly.
"Haven't you been hesitant enough already? It's been half an hour, and you still don't know what you want to do."
Caspian sighed. "What, am I not decisive enough for you? I don't hardly know you, but you want me to make a split second decision."
"You call a half hour decision split-second? Something is really wrong with you then."
"Yeah, something is." Caspian snapped, bracing his hands on the counter.
"You've been hurt too much. I have too. And I'm not saying that I know what has happened, but I'm saying that I know what you're going through."
Caspian sighed softly. His hair drifted in front of his face. "Fine. I'll give you a chance. But if I tell you to back up and give me space, then I mean it." He said.