A large part of Robert wants to be completely honest right now, to admit to Don at least some facet of the reasoning behind why he's so surprised - and a little sad - that Don so thoroughly rejects his more feral instincts... but admitting those things would also require admitting that he has been dwelling too much on something that is taboo for him, even now. Can he do that, even with someone he trusts as much as Don? What would the Turtle even think, if he's so horrified already by even considering it...?

"I... I simply w-wanted to be certain... of your exact r-reasoning. And in truth, your reasoning... m-matters little, beyond me wanting to understand - b-because, of course, if you do not want to, the point is moot; it will not h-happen -"

Robert stops, realizing he's verbally flailing, and takes a breath to calm himself.

"... I m-meant it to be essentially the same as... asking about any aspect of our r-relationship. Perhaps I... w-worded myself... poorly... but I m-meant to ask, before... before it became p-potentially relevant..."

Is his less-than-scientific interest obvious? Should he just admit what Robert already fears is so blatant that he sounds like he's lying?