[ Ah, Gabe thinks, and he sits with that for a long moment. Playing the words over, considering their meaning from different angles. He wishes this shit surprised him, but it doesn't. People do evil things to each other in every world he's ever heard of, or visited, or thought about. He thinks maybe that's just human nature at this point. An inevitability. ]

Sometimes your brain thinks something bad's gonna happen. Thinks it hard enough that your body starts to get the message, too. I could hear it in your voice.

[ He says it as gently as he can. ]

I just gave you something to focus on. You brought yourself back.