They kiss, pressing lips in a way that Neil hardly recognizes, and something shifts within the younger man. Something opens up to clarity, the precise and perfect reasons. When Alex breaks away, Neil is silent. He listens to the other's explanations, feels his own, and sorts it all out in his broken head.
The truths involved are things that Neil understands now. Knows more clearly than even the back of his hand. His father is dead. Killed in a dramatic way, but ultimately, dead. There was never enough attention from that source, never the care that Neil craved, and whatever hope he had placed in Dad-- It's gone. All gone. No home on the Wastes. Nothing.
Alex is alive. He offers hope to someone who has learned to never expect hope, patiently despite the constant opposition. But it isn't just that. It's--
"You care about me," Neil murmurs sadly. "That was enough."
no subject
The truths involved are things that Neil understands now. Knows more clearly than even the back of his hand. His father is dead. Killed in a dramatic way, but ultimately, dead. There was never enough attention from that source, never the care that Neil craved, and whatever hope he had placed in Dad-- It's gone. All gone. No home on the Wastes. Nothing.
Alex is alive. He offers hope to someone who has learned to never expect hope, patiently despite the constant opposition. But it isn't just that. It's--
"You care about me," Neil murmurs sadly. "That was enough."