Somehow, the observation fills Neil with embarrassment, even in his feverish state. He bows his head as his skin soaks up the radiation from the substance dripping down his hand. "I like science," he mutters nonsensically.

He likes science enough, apparently, to fight through his shame and listen. Alex presses lightly into the back of his head, and Neil thinks to tell the other about Nuka-Cola Quantum. How he discovered it has strontium-90. Instead, he leans back into the touch, a tired sound escaping from his lips.