He should see it coming when Neal looks at him like that. Neal's kissed him impulsively before. It still surprises him in its intensity. He returns it, but before it goes any further than that, he presses a hand to Neal's shoulder.

"I can't," he whispers, the hand pressing on his shoulder switching to grasp his shirt. He doesn't want him quite so close, but he doesn't want him any further away. "It's not that... I wouldn't. But. You know why I can't."