[The aching truth and realness of dreams is a blessing and a curse to palebloods, perhaps. Someone who desires those things while balking at their glare in the waking world might be tempted to dream too much and too deeply and cleave to it others cleave to shelter and love.

Paul being here reminds L of what he's trying so hard for.]

I have to.

[He blinks, seeming surprised that Paul even asked, given how obvious that is.]

It's not your fault. Most people are too close to themselves to see their own limits.

[He's so good at finding things, he thinks, because he's not too close to anything at all.]

I'm also not the only person looking out for you.

[Just maybe the most paranoid.]