I am trying to understand responses that my partner gives when we talk about separating. We have been together for years, during which little to no effort was made to communicate. Truthfully I feel uncomfortable, sad, and like I don't even know myself let alone him at this point.

Anyway, when I finally get the courage to start a conversation about us and how I feel he generally has two reactions. "What am I going to tell my family/friends?" and "Do you want me to leave?". I usually interpret the latter as in right now, and I respond with "No, where will you go?", as we live in a house together and these talks happen late at night.

He has also responded from the angle of "What's wrong with me? Are you attracted to me?" as well as "I'm not a robot. I thought you understood me." The understanding refers to how he comes off as emotionally neglectful.

Sorry if there is not enough backstory here, but I do appreciate any responses that you may have. I'm especially curious about his first reaction being about disseminating information rather than dealing with the issue at hand. Thank you in advance.