It was easy to feel how tense he was, to see how anxiously he twitched. It hurt his heart to see, to know he wasn't the calming presence he so desperately wished to be. At Ocarern's words, though, it was all he could do not to tear up.
"...What?" he choked out, his hand tightening involuntarily against the elf's leg. "No... No, Oca. I don't want- Please don't leave."
Aren bit at his lip nervously, unsure how he could convince him. It seemed obvious enough his confessions and pleading had had no effect on him so far. What could he possibly say to change his mind now?
"I don't want to make you uncomfortable, Oca. You- You're free to leave whenever you like, or come and go if you'd prefer, but... I'm not kicking you out, not sending you away," he tried to explain, smiling sadly and dropping his eyes away from him in shame. He knew he had no right to ask him to stay.
"I would be very happy if you can bring yourself to stick around more. Or...maybe come back home," he offered, rubbing gently at his knee but not knowing how he might possibly soothe the sensitive elf.