[ No, damn it! He was just trying to point out that it is dangerous to get riled up right now! He knows Carlisle doesn't want to hurt him - but rather than taking the hint, Carlisle's taken offense.

The accusation cuts deep, because it's essentially true. Qubit has been emotionally manipulating him. Not without good reason - it was clear early on that Carlisle's powers are tied to his emotional state, and also that he has very little control over his emotions. If he'd freaked out during the Shift, Qubit could have died. He had no choice.

But what gets him more is the hurt in his friend's voice. The hurt of being tiptoed around, handled with caution, like -

- a ticking time bomb. ]

I did not! lie! to you!

[ No no no this is all wrong don't escalate you're making it worse ]

You came to me for help! I don't know the first thing about magic, what else did you expect me to do?!

[ Can't you keep your head for half a god damned minute ]

You've already done something you regret! I'm trying to keep you from doing something that can't be fixed!

[ The Jackson Plague. Sky City. Respectively. No. Stay in the present -

Oh. No, it's too late. He's not sure when it happened, and the change in his expression was gradual, too - but the anger's gone, turned inward, leaving Qubit's face contorted with anguish. ]