[ Eliot licks and chews his lips to buy himself some time from answering. He can’t be too plain about what he thinks, but... ]

I. Don’t know that it feels that way right now. [ The words are soft and unsure as they were earlier. This is territory he doesn’t like because it terrifies him, and everything Quentin has done in response has really only proved why he should be terrified of it. Even people you love can do horrible things to you when you give them trust. ]

If you need someone here, then I will stay. I could never leave you to suffer alone. But I’m not doing this because I think you really want me here.