[ Peter's reactions are all delayed and distracted; Ben has too much experience with people being Not Okay (including himself) not to recognize that Peter is shocked. He's reeling, not thinking straight. Fortunately, because he has that experience, Ben has at least some idea of what to do. He transitions seamlessly from letting Peter control the situation to suggesting, firmly: ]
You need to sit down-
[ A quick glance around, and Ben steers Peter over to something that is meant to be a stairwell, but is a perfectly good place to sit for the time being. Once he's got Peter sitting down, Ben laces his hands together and concludes: ]
no subject
You need to sit down-
[ A quick glance around, and Ben steers Peter over to something that is meant to be a stairwell, but is a perfectly good place to sit for the time being. Once he's got Peter sitting down, Ben laces his hands together and concludes: ]
-and tell me what that was, so I can help.