"You don't hate Thad, though, do you?"
Maisie blinked, raising her head from her book to her boyfriend, who she just noticed had paused his game. Even her own speed wasn't able to catch up with Bart's leap of thoughts that make him ask that question.
Her boyfriend shrugged, "I was just thinking. You said you don't think you can forgive Prime because he killed someone you love. But you don't hate Thad, do you?"
"Well- no, of course I don't, but I mean- Didn't you say you learned it wasn't Thad who killed you in the end? That it was actually another clone?"
"Yeah, clone number four," Bart's face twisted and his body gave a small shiver, just remembering the misadventure that led to *that* discovery.
Maisie must've caught up on the discomfort, because instead of mentioning how (as he told her) Thad had also saved his life through the same misadventure, which changes *a lot* of things, she just decided to close the topic, "There you go then. That makes a pretty big difference."
"He still very much tried to kill me, though."
Maisie analyzed her boyfriend for a moment, trying to find anything beyond Bart's nonchalantry, a reason why he was insistent on this topic, but he just seemed curious, if anything.
A sudden idea made worry crip onto her. She did say she could hardly forgive Prime for murdering someone she *loves*. She was able to hold a grudge against someone who hurt her cousin, but not someone who hurt her boyfriend?
"Do you... Do you want me to dislike Thad?"
It was Bart's turn to look at her with confusion, "Of course not."
"Why did you mention him then?" She just wanted to understand what this was about.
"I- okay, let me reframe," Bart made a quick rewind gesture with his hands, probably to ground himself. "My point is, you're a pretty forgiving person, you're usually up to give people a second chance if they ask for it, but with Prime right now..."
Maisie couldn't help a frown, crossing her arms in a small defense, "I thought you didn't trust him either."
"I don't, he killed Kon-"
"*But* you and Kon are my only connection to this Super mess anyways. *I* can just not be comfortable around the guy who killed my best friend. You, though..." One of Bart's hands rested on her arm, causing the muscles underneath to slowly relax. "You're right in the middle of this."
Maisie uncrossed her arms, her hand taking Bart's in a handhold that he replied tenderly to. She was grateful for the tetering force, understanding now what Bart was asking. Why was it hard *for her* to give Prime a chance when others of her family already look so willing to?
Instead of pondering her words, Maisie tried to just voice her feelings; she was free to do so, around him.
"They don't get it. My dad, my aunt, I... don't think they get it. I mean, sure, if Prime really wants to change, to turn a new leaf, that *great* even, but like- just wanting to doesn't erase everything he did, no matter how long it's been, according to him, and Conner *doesn't* forgive him, so how could I??"
That was when it clicked to her.
"The difference between Thad and Prime. Not just was Thad out of his evil clone days for years by the time we met, *you* had forgiven him, you're comfortable around him, whatever you guys' past was. Conner... he isn't there with Prime, and I love my cousin too much to not be on his corner no matter how much that might make things awkward in between our family."