He watches the kid, and the things he doesn't say. There's more to it, but Alex will take Neil at his word. He clucks Neil under his chin and pulls his hand away. "That's all I can ask for right now."

Life and the continuance of it.

Alex tosses the empty bottle on the floor, staring pointedly at the other one in Neil's hand. "You want me to start, or do you want to rest some more first?"