He's surprised, how reassured he is by that promise. In the various ways he'd played out this scenario, with different people, different disasters that ended up in the secret being spilled, he would never have imagined he could put his faith in a promise like that. But... this is Ginsberg. And Ned has gotten to know him, gotten to value him for his good heart. There's that honesty of his, which is a worry, but Ned knows it is not entire. He has secrets, too.

"Thank you," he whispers, hoarsely. That should be enough. Should be as much as he requires. But he's shaking even worse, now, can't make himself look at Ginsberg or even sit up properly. It's all happening so fast, not following the script he'd expected, and Ned doesn't know what to do, what to say.

"I understand," Ned says, voice cracking around the word, "if you d-don't want to see me again after this. It's not like I can blame you, I mean, this isn't what you signed up for, is it? You thought I was some cute guy who made pies and I'm this- I'm this freak. So if you wanna go, it's okay. I get it. I won't be mad."

There's a resignation to his voice, an absolute certainty that Ginsberg will take him up on his offer. Because why wouldn't he? There's no way he could want anything else.