Flycatcher Downs if i ever leave, i could learn to miss you

honestly, it's his way out more than anything — so when alamar presses the matter, he feels only dread. he doesn't want to bring it up again, to face rejection directly, to lie and say he won't be upset while knowing full well that it would hurt more than anything has in a long time. but of course he can't get out of this easily.
when i asked you to stay close before... i meant, um, closer, it tumbles out all at once, without his permission, and his gaze flicks up again. he's embarrassed, but he doesn't take it back; he'd have ended up forcing it out anyway.