[ Cisco experiences a lurch of surprise, like the feeling of expecting another step in a staircase that never comes. He feels wrong-footed by Eddie's response - the small laugh, the obvious relief. He doubts himself. Had he been too ambiguous, in how he spoke? Did Eddie misunderstand him? That must be it. So Cisco clarifies, face just as hurt and tender as before, if not more: ]

You were just trying to mind your own business, but they were waiting for you. They- they cornered you, and you were bleeding, and- Eddie the stuff they were saying...

[ He reaches up, touching Eddie's face - his cheeks, his nose - then running his fingers through Eddie's hair, as if he were looking for some wound, some trace of it on him still. Which is silly, and Cisco knows that. But he can't get it out of his mind's eye - Eddie, alone, and bloody, and quietly enduring it all. Cisco's throat is suddenly too tight to say any more. ]