[ His head looks up, as if to be bewildered by the fact that 2B continues the conversation. This is how it has always been, since the day he met her, and it's not like he can change her. All androids act this way for the most part, and he has yet to meet to many like him who are a. Abandoning expectations in favor of frivolity or b. Willing to even give him a passing glance. 9S was made the way he was for a very specific reason, and while he's only aware of his curiosity being made for his Scanning capabilities, he can't help but feel out of place. ]

[ All he can do is offer 2B a shrug. ]

I can't? It's not like I haven't tried to pretend I feel nothing. Rejecting the reality of who I am doesn't change anything.

[ He shifts his gaze away again, lips pressed in a fine line. His tone soft and distant. ]

Lying to myself seems almost worse than outright being alone. They're both terrible, but I go with the lesser evil because it's easier.

[ He pauses. ]

I don't... I can stop reaching out if you want me to. What happened was a mistake. I get it.