It'd certainly be better if Finn could fight with someone who actually wants to, and let off some steam when needed. But then, he's never really been one for healthy coping mechanisms...
I feel like he tries to avoid picking fights against people he doesn't feel he can win against, just so he always looks good in front of everyone. So getting beaten by someone he thought was a pushover is all the more embarassing.
First panel caused me to flash on the port o' call scene when Finlay got angry with Antler Man, and trounced him good.
Now I wonder how Finlay is going to react to this situation. Nate just did the noble thing-he stopped fighting after the first knock-down.
Some bullies will leave off a victim once the victim fights back. Other bullies just get angrier and go with the "this isn't over" scenario.
Naturally I'm hoping that Finlay will back off a little bit, once he sees that Nate has no ambitions other than survival.
Perhaps he'll decide to pick on Dog Skull Boy, who might simply enjoy fisticuffs for no reason and without the Marquess of Queensberry Rules.
No knives. That is a start...