I was thinking after I wrote that that maybe it wasn't so much that he does it's just that he does it a lot and seems like a completely different character.
If he let himself slip once or twice but then locked it all down, became a little more vigilant it would work better. Then later he could have another smaller slip and work up to him losing his mask around Calla.
That's actually pretty much how I'm writing the relationship between Zoe and Colby. The start out with a mutual animosity but Colby is going to start feeling comfortable with her and some personal stuff he has no intention of telling her will slip out. Each time he's going to open up more until Zoe starts trusting him so she opens up and before they realize it they have an actual friendship (even if they still fight all the time).
I think the relationship between Calla and Devin could be fun to explore (the friendship thing... I'll just keep dreaming the shippy dreams). :)
Re: some more thoughts
I was thinking after I wrote that that maybe it wasn't so much that he does it's just that he does it a lot and seems like a completely different character.
If he let himself slip once or twice but then locked it all down, became a little more vigilant it would work better. Then later he could have another smaller slip and work up to him losing his mask around Calla.
That's actually pretty much how I'm writing the relationship between Zoe and Colby. The start out with a mutual animosity but Colby is going to start feeling comfortable with her and some personal stuff he has no intention of telling her will slip out. Each time he's going to open up more until Zoe starts trusting him so she opens up and before they realize it they have an actual friendship (even if they still fight all the time).
I think the relationship between Calla and Devin could be fun to explore (the friendship thing... I'll just keep dreaming the shippy dreams). :)