His gaze settled on Clark's hand, his mind almost taking a step back as he listened. It was easy for him to near-dissociate. Easier than facing the images his mind had put before him. And listening to Clark gave him something beyond the sound of his own heartbeat in his ears to listen to.

"You're a better person than most," he said, though, once he could speak again, and it was as truthful as he could be. Clark and Steve. Both of them were better people. Definitely better people than him.