"Hyne above," he whispers, feeling that desire echoed in Billy. That, more than anything, is what makes him break the skin-to-skin contact. Dammit, he's trying to control himself here, and he knows, especially after all he's felt, that it's the worst choice to want to lean in and kiss him. To pull Billy close and promise him everything. Because he would.

He would.

And he knows now more than ever, that right now isn't the moment for that. For either of them. The hand that was holding Billy's goes back to nervously rake through his hair, and yeah, it's shaking a little. He is shaking a little. Because he can't imagine anyone's ever felt like that for him before, and there is no way to pick that apart, to deny what Billy showed him, intentionally or otherwise. There was an absolute certainty that came with that connection, and it's really getting to him. To the point where he swallows hard before he speaks again.

"Well, at least now I know that I really don't have to worry about being only a rebound. Thanks... for wanting to be that serious about me. If you don't get there, if you don't... if it turns out that isn't something you can do or want with me, that's okay too. I've seriously got to say that out loud here, because you need to hear it. Before everything else, I'm your friend. And that will always be true. No matter whether we stay here or we're dragged apart, I'm your friend. And you're... someone who helped me realize what it's like to really be more than I was made to be."

Some things need words, and Nida feels that's one of them.