Not knowing what to say isn't ideal. It's certainly not what Dorian wanted. But it was a start. And, right now, he would take starts over anything else. He gives Toby a weak smile, a smile that he hopes is calming and reassuring.

"I'll take uncertainty over actively trying to push me away," he says with a small little laugh. "We don't have to jump back into how things were when you...back in the eighties. We can take this slower if you want." If you want. Dorian's consciously putting the choices and decisions on Toby.