The enthusiasm is new, something that makes something stir in Alex, not lust or want or amusement-- It feels like hope and it fucking scares him, but there is nothing in him that would reject the interaction, not in him that would stop. It's better to experience this, he knows. Better to have held this in his arms and have once claimed it as his own, than never have had the experience.

He backs up, pulling Neil with him, not breaking the kiss; backs until he hits wall and pulls Neil into him. He murmurs into lips, in between breaths of air, mumbles affection and love and appreciation in the moments in between.