[ Neil's eye widens as his heart clenches in his chest, tight, hurting, but after just a moment, he ducks his head. It's not what he wants, not what he needs, and yet.
Yet every instant more spent around her is better than anything else.
His answer is soft, barely more than a breath. ]
Of course. I promise. And we can spend time together otherwise, too - you can give another try at teaching me how to make pie.
[ Because that's been such a success, this far. (No, no it hasn't. It's been disastrous.) ]