Alfred felt as though his insides had been tied in knots and were being tugged tighter as he waited for a response. He wasn't sure whether he ought to keep talking, but was silenced by his utter lack of ability to find anything reasonably articulate to say. Besides, her face was showing that she was having some sort of reaction to his words, though he was finding her rather difficult to read. At the very least, she wasn't blinking at him in confusion. When she finally did reply, a wave of relief hit him and the knots in his chest loosened just slightly. Not that this situation was ideal, by any means, but those two words made things so much easier. She understood, which meant he wouldn't have to try and find another way to say it without saying it. She understood, which meant she probably either knew or could guess at the reasoning behind his hesitation. Maybe she even shared his reservations. At the very least, she wouldn't be expecting him to pop 'round tomorrow afternoon with a wedding ring, which was a start.

"I wouldn't want to get — you know, tied up in anything — and then leave again," he continued quietly. "Given what happened last time."