He's well aware that he shouldn't give a fuck what anyone else thinks. He told himself he didn't, once it became clear that such an attitude was expected of him. But it wasn't quite true. He does care. Not just her, but a vague and vaguely defined audience, faceless and profoundly judgmental. Not his father, not his mother, not Merle, not Rick - who he doesn't think would be that way anyway - not any of the rest of the group. All of them and none of them. He'd like to be able to shake it. That day hasn't yet come

But with her, it's a little easier. A lot easier, maybe.

"Guess it don't matter," he says quietly, and strokes the kitten's back again, smiling very slightly to himself. "Alright. Anthony."