There is a part of him, removed from the situation, that can see where this is going. Both in the current, perfectly ruined moment, and some place unknown down the line. This is the start, he thinks, something in his broken brain. This start of some kind of ending.

At the moment, though, he is not removed, and nowhere near the place of distance he should be in this kind of situation--well-known and unwanted. Neil radiates shock but has not pulled away. Alex doesn't think Neil understands.

But that tone. Alex knows that tone well.

He drops his arms from Neil, takes a step away and forward, face shuttering closed. Words hover at the edge of his tongue, but-- Maybe he's wrong. Maybe this is different from what he thinks. Maybe--

Maybe this is none of his business, like the kid keeps telling him.