Equius took deep, shuddering breaths to try and get himself back under control. No. He would not fall apart in front of Nepeta. He would not let his own weakness get the better of him. That was, to him, always and completely unacceptable. Any loss of control at all, but especially where she was concerned. He would ge through this, and get past this, without falling to pieces.

"I understand," he said, turning back around. "I shall respect your feelings. Trying to force a moirailship when one of the partners is unwilling wouldn't work, after all."

And he couldn't just command her to feel a certain way. He'd tried before.