Maybe it took him this long to finally set Topher straight because he could see a little too much of himself in him. If things had gone differently with his life.

"Just think about it, okay? I--" He sighed, closing his eyes tight to regain focus. "--I know this hurts. Trust me, I've been there. Everyone has been there. But you pick yourself up and move on stronger than you started."

Or brood a lot. While beating up people in a robotic suit of armor.