He listens, eyes on hers and he nods. He was not expecting anything more, and in fact, expected far worse. At her words and the way she says them, he nods again.

Taking a long breath, he speaks softly.

"I respect that. I will do my best to give you that space." He cares for her too much to do anything else.

Taking a breath again, which always strikes him as odd since he does not need to breathe, he speaks softer, not wanting to say what he has to say next, but feeling he has to.

"I... I do not think I can continue the benefits part of our previous situation with how I feel now, but... I would like to continue our friendship, if that is okay?"