It seems so obvious, once Kylo says it, that Ronan feels twinge of guilt for leaping to the worst conclusion. That had been his own inadequacy at play, though. He hadn't believed Kylo meant to be cruel. Most people wouldn't know what to say if their favorite painting or piece of furniture suddenly proposed marriage. Pygmalion's situation is rare enough that there's a diagnostic name for the complex.

Ronan eases closer, steadier now that there's no need to chase. He closes his hand around the ring and the fingers presenting it to him, like a blind man capturing the whole picture of it.

"Well, now I fucking know."