He could almost taste Michael's desire to flee. And Alex wasn't going to let Michael do that. But at the same time, he wasn't going to back Michael into a corner, either. So he backed off a little so that Michael could leave. But he had a last thing to say before they both went back to their respective corners.

"Just because you're leaving now, it doesn't mean you're getting rid of me, Michael Guerin. Relationship or no, sex or no, I am not letting you walk away. And I'm not going anywhere either. Metaphorically speaking at least."

And in the meantime, he'd focus on how he felt back in the Long farm. Instead of how he'd felt outside the Wild Pony when Michael had kissed him and they decided to try a real relationship.

"And..." A pause. "This sounds wrong, but I'm glad you're here. I missed you."