[The instinct, again, is to become indignant. Offended. To say he would never and that's not fair. But the thing is that it sort of is, in its way, because that's the kind of thing he does. Sometimes on purpose, sometimes not, but he does, because . . . he wants the best for the people who are his, whether or not it's truthful.]

[He can't fault Carlos for having good instincts.]

[So he swallows down the hurt and just shakes his head instead.]

I've always known he had some level of independent . . . thought, or perspective. But it was never so pronounced at home. Not until he saw Star Platinum, and I don't know if he's just imitating or not, but.

[But Star never wrote anything down. He drew and texted and had cards, but not this.]

[Giorno fiddles with the end of his braid, brow furrowed.]

I think I treat other people's Stands . . . differently than I do him . . . and maybe that's why, because he never had a reason to think anyone was interested in listening, so.

So maybe you should tell him yourself. Since he can understand.