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[He smiles at her, letting himself get lost in the closeness for a moment. After all this time he's spent chasing her, sometimes it's hard to believe he actually has her, that she's right here, in his arms, and with him.

He touches her cheek lightly with his knuckle, pressing another soft kiss to her mouth. He can't help himself. He doesn't want to stop kissing her, ever.]

I can talk to him. We've a long history together. Perhaps I can set his mind at ease.

[He has her as much as anyone ever has, at least. Give her time and she'll warm up -- but even she can't ignore that whether or not it was a conscious decision, she made her choice awhile ago. He'd vanished from Wonderland immediately after -- but as complicated as things are, there are no words for how glad she is that he's back. None that she can voice, but he's always been good at reading her.

She takes just half a step back after the kiss breaks, the subject at hand making her feel just a little less inclined to be affectionate. It was delicate for all involved.]

I'm not sure Neal will be in love with the idea, but you can give it a shot.

[She presses her lips together, grimacing.]

I don't think he's feeling friendly towards either one of us right now.

Maybe not. But I don't wish to lose him again. [If Neal makes him choose, he's choosing Emma. There's no question of that. He can't abandon her just because Neal's jealous. But he doesn't want that to be the case. He wants to have his friend and his love. Neal had gotten engaged to someone else. Shouldn't that be enough for him to move on?

He hesitates.]

I don't have to go right now...

Maybe he'll come around.

[She doesn't sound totally convinced, but she's not going to try and talk him out of doing what he feels he needs to, either -- just like he wouldn't be able to talk her out of trying to make things right with Neal on her own time. It's something they both need to do for their own separate reasons, but in both cases, it's going to take some time. It's not something that can be rushed, but persistence -- that might pay off.

She pauses, raising an eyebrow.]

Are you asking if you can stay?

[He hasn't really spent much time in her room, up until now -- something that's just starting to sink in.]

[He nods his head, stepping in closer. He touches her face softly, caressing her skin with his fingertips.]

I know things are complicated. With Neal here, with... everything. But yeah, I am.

[If she needs an out, he'll let her have one, but he'd rather stay. He'll always stay with her.]

[Not that long ago, she would have taken the out. Would have taken any opportunity to keep this from progressing, but while it's still new for him, it isn't for her. The last time they'd taken a step forward, he'd vanished the next day.

She exhales slowly, offering him a careful smile.]

I think you should. I have conditions, though.

[She briefly closes her fingers over his hand against her face, an unusually soft display for her, but everything has been so damn difficult lately that she thinks she's allowed.]

Don't disappear on me afterwards.

[He leans his forehead against hers, holding her close. Don't disappear on her? Like he'd go anywhere if he had any power at all to stop it.]

Never, love. I'll happily hold you all night if it'll help assure you.

[It's not something he has control over. She knows that. It hadn't been his fault the last time, either -- but it still helps, a little bit, to hear it.]

Then I think we're square.

[She smiles again before leaning in to kiss him. Deal sealed.]

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