Ben can compartmentalize, but he cannot rein in his thoughts entirely; when Cole apologizes, offers to pretend he isn't hearing what he's hearing, it's impossible not to think of Klaus. To feel the same wrench of concern and sadness Ben feels any time he thinks about how his brother's powers have hounded him all his life. He shakes his head, within that anti-radiation suit.
"If you can't help it, you can't help it. Why lie?"
Perhaps, if there is anyone else in this place who is from the same place as Cole (Thedas, it would seem?), they can explain to Ben sometime just what all this stuff about spirits and demons and possession really is. But he keeps in mind Cole's words, that he can't do what he has to if Ben keeps asking questions. So he lets it be for now.
"No, I don't want to. I want to go back to my room and hide until all this-" he gestures to the door that will lead them to the outside, indicating the red shift, the meteors, the monsters, the stranger in need of distress, "-is over. But I'm not going to. 'Cause this is the right thing to do."
Responsibility. It means something, to Ben. And he has a lot of practice setting aside his own comfort and wants, in favor of his duty. In fact, doing the opposite would probably be more difficult. Ben checks that Cole is steady enough, that he doesn't look on the verge of another imminent breakdown, before pressing the button on the panel that will lead them into the airlock.
"If anything attacks us, just make sure you give me enough space, okay?"
Cole should understand what he means, Ben thinks. With the exception of his panicked intervention at the concert hall, it's been a long time since Ben used his powers. His ability to control them, to direct and limit their violence, was always partial. He needs a healthy buffer of space, to feel certain of Cole's safety.
no subject
"If you can't help it, you can't help it. Why lie?"
Perhaps, if there is anyone else in this place who is from the same place as Cole (Thedas, it would seem?), they can explain to Ben sometime just what all this stuff about spirits and demons and possession really is. But he keeps in mind Cole's words, that he can't do what he has to if Ben keeps asking questions. So he lets it be for now.
"No, I don't want to. I want to go back to my room and hide until all this-" he gestures to the door that will lead them to the outside, indicating the red shift, the meteors, the monsters, the stranger in need of distress, "-is over. But I'm not going to. 'Cause this is the right thing to do."
Responsibility. It means something, to Ben. And he has a lot of practice setting aside his own comfort and wants, in favor of his duty. In fact, doing the opposite would probably be more difficult. Ben checks that Cole is steady enough, that he doesn't look on the verge of another imminent breakdown, before pressing the button on the panel that will lead them into the airlock.
"If anything attacks us, just make sure you give me enough space, okay?"
Cole should understand what he means, Ben thinks. With the exception of his panicked intervention at the concert hall, it's been a long time since Ben used his powers. His ability to control them, to direct and limit their violence, was always partial. He needs a healthy buffer of space, to feel certain of Cole's safety.