Ben hadn't finished saying what he needed to say. "You and Elijah are close..." He said trying to sound casual.

Anthony felt even more awkward, now. Maybe he should just shut up for once. "Yeah, we...are, I guess," he shrugged. He wasn't really sure of that, anymore, but he wasn't going to burden this guy by saying that. "he's a...good friend."

"You..." But he didn't get to finish that sentence. Another coughing fit overtook him and Ben leaned against the wall again, coughing heavily, searching his pocket for a handkerchief with his free hand.

Anthony leaned back slightly as the man burst into another coughing fit. He was absolutely clueless as to how to act in this situation. "Are you okay?" That was the best he could manage, really.

But Ben couldn't respond. He found the handkerchief and pressed it against his mouth, his eyes shut as he continued to cough. When it subsided at last he clenched the hand with the handkerchief to a fist and put it on his hurting chest, catching his breath.

Anthony took that as a sign that he was not okay. He just stood there awkwardly and looked on. "Right," he nodded slowly as it seemed that the man's coughing fit had gone away, now.

Ben finally rose again, though he still leaned against the wall and had his fist on his chest. "Sorry..." he muttered. "I'm alright."

But a window above them opened and a woman shouted: "Oi! Take your consumption to a different yard!"

Anthony was about to say something, when he was interrupted by god knows who. That was...awkward, and he was basically yet again looking for an excuse to flee. He just took a small step back, extremely unsure of what he should do now. "...Yeah," he said, to noone in particular.

Ben looked up irritated, but picked up his basked and nodded at Anthony for him to follow him, and then began to walk, leading them - should Anthony follow, across a street and into a different yard. Ben still breathed heavily.

Anthony was a little bit nervous about this entire affair. Regardless of that, he began to follow after Ben as soon as he was given the okay to do so. Even when they had reached a different yard, Anthony had little on his mind except the awkwardness of this all. However, he still caught the fact that Ben was probably not okay. "Are you okay?"