Last time he told this to someone, it was Mark, and Mark had started something in him that still burns, still questions his lack of personhood and whether he could actually be one-

He doesn't want to do that with Leo. Leo doesn't need to know what he is, or carry that burden, or have to answer those questions. Leo is a kid with enough on his plate already.

"I've been a soldier all my life in a war that doesn't end," he says, and it would be the truth if not for the gaping hole in the middle where I'm a homunculus should be. "I got used to the idea." He puts a hand on Leo's shoulder. "You have family that you need to get home safely to, and you have family here. I'm not going to let you put yourself in danger for problems I can handle - not when you have them waiting for you." That much is a full truth. He's also well aware that it's a cheap shot.