[Rather than try to come back with a retort, Connor just sighs, deflating a little. What's the closest approximation he has? Gavin did try to kill him, he supposes... but Connor wasn't particularly traumatised by the experience. He can't say he knows how Rich feels. If Rich tried to befriend someone like Gavin he'd warn him off, but he wouldn't be particularly upset if Rich ignored his advice.]

I shouldn't have said those things in its defence. Not to you, especially. It was... inconsiderate of me. I'm sorry.

[He wonders if their friendship is salvageable. If he does decide to ever forgive the SQUIP, and Rich finds out, any friendship they build from here on is for nothing. That, and he still seems to have trouble relating to Rich's trauma. But he doesn't want to cut Rich out of his life, and he still doesn't know how he feels about the SQUIP yet.]