[ He knew. Carlisle already knew. So he was lying, before. Why? To preserve his feelings? Or to let Qubit think he'd successfully fooled him? What did he think would happen if he spoke his mind? Is that why he's been so eager to please, this whole time? Out of fear?
No, but that - that can't be all, can it? Carlisle actually cares about him. He must. But doubt sneaks into that, too. Qubit was supposed to help him with something, and he can't do that with his memory full of holes, so restoring it would be in Carlisle's self-interest. And - that'd be fair. He can't blame him for that.
Whatever the case, he cares about Carlisle. He can't be sure he did before all this, and that's its own kind of gut-wrenching, but he does now. ]
So I wouldn't have hurt you-!
[ He barks it out louder than he meant to, and immediately regrets it. He draws the reins tighter around himself, straining to bring the monster under control. It's an exhausting effort, but after a second he tries again, and this time his voice comes out lower, more even. Not perfect, but - better. ]
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No, but that - that can't be all, can it? Carlisle actually cares about him. He must. But doubt sneaks into that, too. Qubit was supposed to help him with something, and he can't do that with his memory full of holes, so restoring it would be in Carlisle's self-interest. And - that'd be fair. He can't blame him for that.
Whatever the case, he cares about Carlisle. He can't be sure he did before all this, and that's its own kind of gut-wrenching, but he does now. ]
So I wouldn't have hurt you-!
[ He barks it out louder than he meant to, and immediately regrets it. He draws the reins tighter around himself, straining to bring the monster under control. It's an exhausting effort, but after a second he tries again, and this time his voice comes out lower, more even. Not perfect, but - better. ]
I've hurt you.
[ Maybe not physically, but... ]