[The subtlety of his gestures betrays just how much this is fucking him up. Outside of the many things he could be saying and could be feeling, he's turning away with a quiet (shaky) sigh.]

It was worth a shot.

[He feels the need to apologize now, because he knows that this conversation has gotten under Brig's skin. Should he? He should, right?

(Your concern for this one is touching.)

Shut up.]

I'm sorry. I wish I could give you a straight answer now, but I'll... I'll have to think about your favor.

[Could he afford to let this one join the long line of fucking stubborn idiots whom he viewed as family? That line of people who were so ready - so willing - to catch him when he fell, and continued to believe in him no matter what?

(Because it was always going to be the same. He was always going to end up losing them in the end.)]