Re: in-person: neil & mere
[After the hotel had spit him out, drunk and alone, the last thing he'd ever expected was a relationship. After things had ended, or not ended, with Sam, he'd been so very sure that becoming involved with someone just wasn't what he was cut out for. And, with Mere, he hadn't intended on moving past friendship. But it had happened, and Neil couldn't regret it. She'd helped him in ways no one would ever understand, and they'd had good years together. Happy years. That just all seemed so far away, disconnected from the here and now. He wanted those years back, he just didn't know if it was possible.
It was oddly soothing, her thumb against his skin, a squeeze of their joined fingers.] I know that's not you. I just... I don't understand, and I don't know how to stop it either. [He sounded, simply, sad. He watched as she turned away, wiping at her eyes, and he wished he could take her in his arms and make it better. But he couldn't, and he didn't want to make this any harder than it already was.] I'm no expert on relationships, but if that's what we want this to be, a break, why can't it be? Or do you think... [Now it was his turn for a shaky breath.] I don't know.