Re: in-person: neil & mere
I did want to see you. [His voice softened. Despite her actions, despite him not liking some of the things she'd said and done, Neil didn't hate her, not even close. No one else had seen the side of her he had; maybe that changed things. He knew she wasn't a bad person. But this place... it just brought out the worst in all of them.] I know the easy path. I've taken it before. But... I owe you more than that. You deserve more than that. [Sam or no Sam, Mere wasn't just some fling. She wasn't meaningless, easily cast aside. This? Was the opposite of easy. It wasn't something he wanted, no, he'd never wanted this, but he didn't know what else to do.
He nodded slowly.] I'm glad you stopped. [If only so they could say what needed to be said.] I know. I wish we could go back, I do, but we can't. And moving forward, that isn't working either. [He reached out to take her hands in his.] I do love you. I just don't want to keep hurting you. [His expression became something pained.] People do this kind of thing. They... take breaks. Spend time apart. It could help, in the long run.