the.com/guardedness
The emotional equivalent of answering every question with a question.
means A wary, self-protective reserve that holds others at arm's length until they earn closer access.
from From guard, via Old French garder (to watch, protect), rooted in a Germanic word for heeding; the -edness makes it a settled trait, not a passing mood.
Defense, not coldnessOften warmth wearing armor, not absence of warmth.
Body languageCrossed arms and half-answers leak it constantly.
Trust mathIt costs others patience to spend it down.