There were certain core traits that Danny possessed, no matter what universe he was in. Stubborn loyalty to his friends, an overprotective nature, and a complete inability to ignore a cry for help.

That story right there? That triggered almost all of them. And more than that. Just before this, Danny had been reading about his past self in the library. He'd meant to talk to Varian about it, since there had been a Lot to unpack there. And well, there was one part, that Danny hadn't been able to bring himself to talk or even think about.

And the memory slams into him, filling in what the book had only hinted at. A future path, the deaths of his family and friends, the despair and pain that led to begging to have his humanity removed, because he couldn't bear to keep going with the guilt and loneliness. The day his ghost half had become a monster of grief and rage, and the fate of his human half was lost. Some things, the old man had told him, are better left unsaid.

Danny breaks out of the memory, and ruthlessly shoves it down. This was not the time. He had to worry about his friend. He could take some time to have a breakdown over all of THAT later.

He shifts anxiously with worry and overprotective concern over his friend, and tightens his grip on his shoulder.

"You don't still feel like that, right? You know there's lots of people here who would miss you?"

Varian might have just gained himself a ghost guardian for the next few months.