An uneven progression has Neil attempting to gain more reactions. He follows what he knows and what he's been taught: to overwhelm without breaking. To enjoy the taste of Alex's kiss without barreling ahead, to hold firmly without letting his natural strength take over. He slips his lips over the other's every instance there is a pause for breath, his hand moves against Alex similarly to how Neil had done so in that locked building back in Illinois--tightening whenever he edges toward the tip.

They're both flushed, their breaths coming in hard and broken, and it's only a matter of time before the end, but it's fine.

They are together, and even a change like this is only an expression of that.