Elijah wanted to take his hands to keep him from picking at his skin, but he didn't want to put Anthony more on edge than he clearly was. He had been prepared to just listen but the first thing he said cut like a knife. His eyes widened and the pain was clear. He wanted to ask for an explanation. How could he think he didn't care? Elijah wanted to protect his boyfriend, and help him progress past the trouble he'd had since they met, he wanted to listen to him and understand. He wanted to help him, for God's sake! Yet, it seemed he was always finding himself in a dead end when it came to getting closer or better understanding this man he'd found himself with.

His eyes fell to his hands and he curled his fingers together uneasily. "O-oh? is that.... I mean.. I am sorry you feel that way. I can promise you, I do care."