[The question stopped him dead in his tracks, like the crack of a whip - he may even have flinched, he couldn't tell with the way his heart was twisting under that tone of voice. The way it choked and cracked and if he'd known it was this bad he never would've left, or at the very least he would've come back sooner. It's too late to think about now either way.]
I wasn't tryin' to punish you. [Eyes on the floor, ashamed. It hurt, to hear that Helix thought he'd even be capable of such a thing.] I just... I couldn't--
[Up until now he'd been submissive. Passive, struggling for words but now that they've started it's easier. A small pause, and then his head whipped up, green eyes locked on Helix and agitation coloring his voice.]
I couldn't stay here an' pretend everythin' was fine, okay?! I didn't leave you, I left th' apartment because I couldn't stand bein' alone in it! [Sharpness crept into his tone. Hurt.] I figured you'd call when you came back.