[Visibly flinches and turns away again, his hand lifting to touch at his ring, not looking at him or seeming to respond at all to his words beyond that first reaction]
[There's so much he could say, to all of this, that he just isn't saying because this is already difficult and his decision is already made and he won't be cruel. And he won't beg him to stay. And he won't cry. Damn it, he won't cry. Maybe if he keeps telling himself that, it'll be true.]