The comment about his father gets a sudden wracking, helpless gut laugh that tapers off into a chuckle, the smile from it not going away after. It does sound ridiculous now, trying to keep Rendon Howe from seeming callous after all his famous crimes. Instead of letting Anders take his hand, he turns and wraps his arms around him, carrying him to the bed, feeling night and day from the way he did a moment ago. Anders is right. This is their world, not only his.

"You really will be the reason I make it through this sane, my darling boy," he says, kissing Anders on the temple twice.