[ The smile returns to Gil's face as if it had never left. Rau can rile him up for small diversions (and truly, what's one small superlaser, it's fine), but he's determined to not lose the plot here. ]

Of course.

[ He's always good at sounding like he means what he says, but this one's genuine. ]

I knew you then as I know you now. I made the decision to help you, understanding full well what you would use your health for.

[ Maybe in the beginning, he hadn't understood just yet. Back in the very early days, when Rau had been an intriguing scientific oddity instead of an indispensable friend. But Gil likes to think that he soon understood the depth of Rau's abyss, and that he hadn't shied away from it. ]

I kept you alive because I truly desired it. There is nothing contrary about that.

[ And that's two fingers running gently across Rau's palm before resting on his fingertips. ]