The help can't be, well, helped. Neil would have flopped down on the bed without Alex's arm, and that would have been quite messy. The younger opens his eyes and grins despite himself, despite the pain pulsing in his skull and tightening in his chest.

It widens when Alex misses an obvious cue, reminding Neil of the moment before everything fell apart when they went to visit President Dave and his ill-gotten Republic. "You missed your chance," he says lightly, "but I guess things aren't that funny anymore. And don't fret. I'll keep to your plan, Doctor."