His chest hitches like he’s about to hyperventilate, staring up at the older man. “Kelly—James, please...you don’t have to d-do this — we,” He stutters for a breath, “We can figure it out. Honey—cher, please y-you don’t have to g..go—“ Damien whimpers, reaching out for him, hand jerking a little as if Kelly might slap his hand away.
Kelly ignored the pang his chest gave seeing Damien crumble so easy with so few words, but his expression remained forcibly stony.This was all the confirmation he needed to believe this was the right thing to do, seeing how twisted up within each other they’d become over the months and all somehow without his notice. Somehow they’d become dependent.
“I think I do,” Kelly said sharply, if only to stop Damien before he said too much, before he had a chance to convince him to turn around and change his mind. The more Damien protested the harder it felt and the more that dark urge in him reared up, wanting to push back if only to make the break clean and immutable. “Just stop, would you. Don’t make this hard. Can’t we be adults about this?”