Re: in-person: neil & mere
[Nice. Safe. That was all he was going to get, and Neil nodded.] Good. [His throat felt tight. Guilt choked him, clawed at him, and he knew, he knew he'd miss her. But, more so, he hated himself for hurting her, hated himself for not being what she deserved. To stay with her when he was so conflicted, so lost, would be selfish and unfair. Maybe that didn't make sense to anyone but him; that was enough.
He shook his head, slow, slow. He didn't agree with her, couldn't agree with her.] Don't. [It was quiet, that single word, because he didn't want Mere taking all the blame upon herself. They'd both brought themselves and each other here. Unintentionally, but still. Her smile, forced as it was, just made the pain in his chest intensify, and he looked down at what she'd dropped in his hand.
For a long, long moment he looked, sadness and loss, before he raised his gaze.] I love you too, Mere. [If only that were enough.] I will. You take care of yourself too. [He closed his hand around the ring, the key, making a tight fist. One aborted step toward her, and he settled on brushing the fingers of his free hand against hers, a final, brief touch.]