Neil moves, swaying, and Alex fucking fights against the urge to turn and hold him steady. In front of that girl and her mom is one thing--looking weak in front of these Steel assholes is not really a safe measure. The kid reaches up to steady himself against Alex, and despite the cause, some of his tension melts away. Alex shifts again, the arm holding Neil going out in front of him instead, as if he were a bodyguard projecting and holding back his charge. Only those close would see that Alex's arm is held against Neil's chest instead of just in front of him, supporting some of his weight.

He readjusts the LAER+ in his other arm, bracing the gun against his hip as he keeps it aimed at the man Neil speaks with. The message is simple enough, an underline to Neil's words: He'll still shoot him, given the chance.