He'll take the excuse to stop talking. Even if he can't believe that, that John thinks he deserves sympathy, at least it means he doesn't have to press the issue, tear himself further open and convince John that he's just as much of a monster in some small, personal way.

He's wrong, but Arthur's not in a state to fight it. And he's resigning himself to be tired and loathing of John, when he says that about their charges so bluntly, when the actual, workable suggestion comes, and he pauses to actually think about it.

"That sounds... yeah. That seems practical," he agrees, softly. "I don't know if he'll accept it, but I doubt he'd say no if I told him to keep it on him."