[The tense set of his shoulders softens, sympathetic to Newton's frustration. He offers out a hand to him (something he'd told himself he wouldn't do not moments ago) and steps closer]

You know, I.. I still remember when you yelled at that J-technician in my defense. I convinced myself it was pity then, and proved rather ungrateful in the moment. But I did appreciate it, even if I never said anything. Perhaps if I'd simply expressed as much, we could have been friends long ago.