[ The first time that Maine's power activated, he only realized it in retrospect. He'd been emotionally overwhelmed, stressed beyond his limits by a situation he didn't know how to handle. And so his power activated, freezing him in place until the source of his stress vanished. The next time his power activated was much the same. He was consumed by confusion and anger; his power turned it into mindless bloodlust — a desire to destroy that overrode all conscious thought. The time after that, his power caused him to flee, sprinting through New Amsterdam's streets while trying to escape the inescapable.
It wasn't until Maine's power forced him to attack one of his best friends that he started to figure it out. Wasn't until it consumed his mind again and again, forcing him to freeze, flee, or fight, that he began to make progress in controlling it. And the truth is, he still doesn't have full control of it. Still knows it's better to avoid situations that might push him over the edge. Still knows that it — that he — is more a threat than an asset.
So as he watches Larry's reaction to his power — the confusion, the panic, the disbelief — Maine finds himself uncomfortably conflicted. Part of him is sympathetic; part of him is wary; part of him is envious. He doesn't like it. Tries to shove his emotions aside, doing his best to focus on Larry instead of his own bullshit.
Larry asks a question; Maine nods an affirmative. Meets Larry's gaze without flinching, same as always. ]
no subject
It wasn't until Maine's power forced him to attack one of his best friends that he started to figure it out. Wasn't until it consumed his mind again and again, forcing him to freeze, flee, or fight, that he began to make progress in controlling it. And the truth is, he still doesn't have full control of it. Still knows it's better to avoid situations that might push him over the edge. Still knows that it — that he — is more a threat than an asset.
So as he watches Larry's reaction to his power — the confusion, the panic, the disbelief — Maine finds himself uncomfortably conflicted. Part of him is sympathetic; part of him is wary; part of him is envious. He doesn't like it. Tries to shove his emotions aside, doing his best to focus on Larry instead of his own bullshit.
Larry asks a question; Maine nods an affirmative. Meets Larry's gaze without flinching, same as always. ]
Saw.
[ A verbal confirmation as well, just in case. ]
You okay? Didn't hurt?