Neil holds to the feeling, that bitter heat. His heartbeats slam against his chest, and he lets it. Finds a form of stability in that force of will, his proof of existence.

But Alex speaks. He reminds Neil of the parallels between them, and like a candle flame, everything snuffs out. What remains is overrun by regret. Sorrow. The younger man clenches his eyes shut and prays for that simplicity once more, knowing that it will not return to this place in time again.

Everything finally settles, helped along by a hand rubbing against the vicinity of his heart. Neil breathes out and tries for calm instead. "Yeah," he says quietly. "Yeah. I'm sorry. I--"

Went off on a wild tangent. "--interrupted your story."