[He can't just stand here dumbfounded forever, though. That will absolutely give the wrong impression. But with the way his heart is hammering in his ears and leaping into his throat, it's hard to even begin to think of what to say.

Well, if he can't say... perhaps it's better to rely on what he can do.

He closes his hand tighter to keep the ring safe in his fist, then takes a small step forward before reaching out to encircle Elliot in his arms, quickly pulling him into a tight hug.

Not a Craig-hug, not enough to hurt (he hopes), but enough that he's hoping even the tiniest bits of his feelings can be read.

He stays like that for a moment, gathering shaking breath, before finally attempting words.]

...He gave me one, too. Forneus, I mean. It's back... teapot, I think, I...

[Oh, this is going miserably, and he knows it. His limbs are trembling a little from nerves, but he presses on.]

...it's yours, when we get back. [That has to confirm it, right?] But... for now...

We should go back to our mission. [Ugh, that sounds terrible!] N-not because I don't want this. But because I have a million things to say and none of them are making sense right now.

If I have a little time to think, maybe I'll be able to say at least some of them right.

[And at no point during this has he made any move to let Elliot go.]