He hadn't wanted it to be another declaration. Not from anyone and least of all from Fell. He wasn't even-- even if there had been a strange thought or two, there was nothing in him that wanted that or had hoped for it and he probably would have hated himself if anything so foolish had blossomed.

He tried not to groan as Fell kept talking. He got it. The man was sincere. Thanks, he hated it and all the emotions that pecked at him with it that had nowhere to go. The only part he was glad about was that people were being kept at a safe distance. And the only reason Fell had gotten so close to begin with was because Anthony was because such an idiot.

He sunk further into the pillows about Fell being happy knowing he was in the world. He wanted to snarl at him to stop talking. That he had no idea what he was talking about. It was a sympathy he didn't need or want. He knew just what he brought to the table. Still the man was trying so hard he couldn't let himself even grumble at him, even as his cheeks stung with second hand embarrassment.

"Thanks."