The response takes him aback. It fucks something up within him. Alex has never shown concern over Neil's welfare before; he'd seemed perfectly fine whenever Neil hopped over to a random locale. They're adults, after all. They do adult things like taking care of their own shit.

Well, at least until Neil fucked his own shit and ended up here. Now, there's concern. There's a potential of loss written behind Alex's eyes, and Neil can't recall. He can't remember if there was ever someone who desperately didn't want him to go at it alone.

He blinks and attempts a word. Why? It comes out weak, inaudible, and Neil slumps from where he is, exhausted by that little bit of effort.