He can sense Annabeth's adamance on the issue and knows better than to think she will back off about it. Gansey's grief at losing his best friend is deep and something he doesn't necessarily want to acknowledge.

Gansey lets out a deep sigh and a hand comes up to rub his eyes--the first crack in his veneer. All the rubbing does his make him look more tired. He hates feeling this vulnerable, and fights back the initial surge of resentment he feels. It isn't Annabeth's fault that the two of them are so similar.

"It's...been difficult," he starts.