[She watches the exhaustion in his expression and almost laughs, in a desperate sort of way; what a pair they make. He's far too expressive, everything written in his body, the shape of it, the fluidity, while she may as well be carved from stone.]

I know.

[Most people haven't asked Max to save them, they have their superheroes, after all. It's never mattered to her whether people asked, there's always been something selfish in her. If she helps enough people, does it undo all the terrible things she's done?

Max takes a breath, steadying, and straightens herself up a little. She misses her wardrobe from home, another layer of armor, another mask.]

Think of me what you will, but don't pretend you don't need me for what I am. [Always what, never who. And there's no anger in this, it's all buried under the surface, now she just sounds as tired as he looks.] No matter what happens, I won't break. And I'll always do what people need me to do. Just ask Julian.

[She doesn't think anyone else here could have done what she did, to carve away the infection. This is the point of the ice queen, to be so cold that nothing hurts her. The others might crack, might give up, but she won't falter, not while someone still needs her.]