[ Start over sits thick and toxic in his chest, and he can't say why it rings wrong. There's other things to say, touch, and when Neil looks pained, Alex looks the opposite--sideways. Sad and resigned and something more.

He would doubt it, but this place won't let him. Instead he speaks without heat. ]

...What the fuck. You couldn't get enough of it? I sincerely didn't think for a minute that you liked me. Not in Vegas, not traveling to the Capital. I thought it was only after staying in the memorial--

[ And he means to stop, but his throat won't let him. ]

--And only because I was there when you needed help.