Personally I don’t really find it awkward, it’s more I’m not really sure what to say after so I just stay quiet and nod or like just go “hmmm” until he says somethings else. It’s not because I dont don’t know what to say, it’s more like “if I say this, is it rude” or “will this hurt him” even tho I’m like 98% it won’t. I just like being careful cause he doesn’t talk about his emotions fully unless it really gets him down