[ Neil stayed quiet for a moment, in turn, then pressed his lips to Tieria's hairline, long and soft. ]
You aren't expecting it of me. I'm offering.
[ Because there was a difference, a pretty big one at that. And yes, Neil knew. He knew that going back alone - well, without Neil - would hurt. But it had been so long and Tieria had not stopped trying, and so the last question was only partially true something Neil could confirm knowing.
His hands stroked up and down Tieria back, his breathing just a little ragged. ]
I know that you don't want to give it up. I know that you can't and won't stop trying, too. I know - I know that even when you belong with me, you don't belong here.
And I know that you will do what needs to be done, no matter what you want.
It is part of you, and I fell in love with all of you. That, too.
It's... It is all right.
[ He breathed out softly. Fully aware that what he was suggesting would horrify Tieria if he thought he was offering himself for the experiment. Which he might, if it came to that, but he was going to try to offer different angles and ideas.
Innovades were brilliant, and Tieria was particularly so, and more human than what Neil had known of the rest, but it sometimes took a particular human kind of stupidity to reach a breakthrough. ]
Have you tried to focus at a time when you know somebody is returning to their body?