“Oh.”

There’s that syllable again.

He hates that look on Malcolm’s face. He hates that he put it there, but doesn’t know how.

Neal sets his tea back down without actually drinking any. “…Seriously?”

If it’s ever been more than a no, before, it’s always included a qualifier—when it matters, when you need him, when it’s important. He’s not sure what to do with simple, flat-out trust. He doesn’t feel like he’s earned it.