[ Gold knows if he opens his eyes, it's not like Carver could see anything in them in this moment. That his looking and further engaging with the moment would only change something on HIS side, and he wouldn't be betraying any more vulnerability that his own words didn't. And yet he still can't do it. ]

...Tell me it's not just that. I don't care of it's a lie.

[ Frown. ]

I don't need you to make any vows. I don't need you to tell me you love me. None of that. But don't say it's because I'm here.

[ Because now that he's said it out loud, he won't be able to do anything else if that's in his head the whole time. ]