Atticus hesitates for just a second as he considers responding. But the moment passes quickly. He takes the plate and discards it on the counter immediately, opting instead to close the small distance left between them.

There's no more hesitation in his movements, and no room left to misinterpret his intention, but pauses for a moment just shy of actually kissing him. He has a hand on Neal's arm, but doesn't actually pull him closer. If he wanted to step away, it'd be easy. He's not expecting him to, not really, but has to give him the chance.

But that moment only lasts a second before he presses his lips to Neal's.