Anatoly's inevitable removal from the situation was part of what kept Roger silent. At that point, Roger figured it was better to have Anatoly around and silently pine for him than the alternative, since being with him was so very much not an option.

"You know how it is," Roger said, smiling a bit because he really did. "It's like you and chess. When you play..." Roger swallowed over that. He'd only seen Anatoly play once, but it was like a man not petrified, but complete. He figured the move of the pieces was the same as the swipe of a pick over nickel-plated strings.

"Anyway, uh, thanks." Smooth, Davis.