All right, holding he could forgive since he couldn't really do much about it, but petting rubbing did not fall into that category. He grunted and looked back at her with as much of a glare as he could manage. "Don't pet me," he ordered, then tugged his hand again to see if she would let go.

And as if his pride hadn't taken enough of a hit, she thought he wasn't strong! Not only that, but that she could protect him! Of all the days he'd spent here, this was the worst one for yet another little girl to try and say she could do such a thing. "Don't insult me!" he snapped, some force behind his words this time. He wasn't weak. He wasn't! He didn't need protecting or pity or anything else!