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?
[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.]
[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.]
[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.]
[Action]
He hesitates.]
I don't have to go right now...
[Action]
[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.]
[Action]
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.]
[Action]
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.
[Action]
Never, love. I'll happily hold you all night if it'll help assure you.
[Action]
Then I think we're square.
[She smiles again before leaning in to kiss him. Deal sealed.]