Phillip doesn't interrupt him, lets him think and take his time. "I certainly hope that's the case," he says, voice a bit wry as Gustavain finishes. That is certainly a distinction he's thought about quite a bit, in the time since they're run into each other again.

"In case it's not clear," he says after another pause, and it's obvious that it is not easy for him to say it, "it doesn't really change how I feel about you."

Ah. 'Feel.' That's why it's hard for him to say.