[ But he is protecting her. He's protecting her by staying away. He's protecting her from himself. He can't do that if she keeps moving closer. Can't do that if she refuses to listen to him.
Something new wells up inside of Maine. Something that weighs him down, pressing in on all sides like a vise. Something he fucking loathes, but that he's felt more and more in this place: helplessness. Helplessness and a sense of inevitability, like he's plummeting from orbit and knows the impact will hurt. Like he's on the wrong end of a gun and can do nothing but brace for the bullet.
It's only then that Maine identifies the cold sensation as fear.
Fuck. Fuck, he needs to get out of here. He needs to get away. Even if it doesn't last — even if Carolina tracks him down again — he has to try.
Maine doesn't speak again. Doesn't try to force out more words or convince Carolina that he's right. Instead, he takes action: he turns around and starts toward the exit. ]
no subject
Something new wells up inside of Maine. Something that weighs him down, pressing in on all sides like a vise. Something he fucking loathes, but that he's felt more and more in this place: helplessness. Helplessness and a sense of inevitability, like he's plummeting from orbit and knows the impact will hurt. Like he's on the wrong end of a gun and can do nothing but brace for the bullet.
It's only then that Maine identifies the cold sensation as fear.
He's angry. He's hurt. He's helpless. He's afraid.
Fuck. Fuck, he needs to get out of here. He needs to get away. Even if it doesn't last — even if Carolina tracks him down again — he has to try.
Maine doesn't speak again. Doesn't try to force out more words or convince Carolina that he's right. Instead, he takes action: he turns around and starts toward the exit. ]