Kyle and Claire are on the outs but Michael Mealor believes the couple could go the distance.

The Young and the Restless‘ Michael Mealor is on the same page as fans concerning Kyle’s efforts to reunite with Claire. In an interview with Soap Opera Digest, he acknowledged the couple can’t go back to the way things were before Kyle’s actions with Audra. Mealor also explained what makes the pair such a good couple and why they have the potential to go the distance.

The Recent Damage

It’s been an uphill battle for Kyle to earn Claire’s trust back. He tried to seduce Audra for leverage, and in hiding his behavior from his girlfriend, he wound up fracturing his relationship. His proposal to Claire blew up in his face. The contract he signed with her grandfather, Victor, wasn’t well-received. Predictably, she wasn’t enthused to learn he’d owe $5 million and be forced to leave town if he broke her heart.

So why does Kyle keep chugging forward?

Kyle Is Trying To Fix What He Broke

It’s clear that Kyle’s (Mealor) connection to Claire (Hayley Erin — why she wants Summer to return) is strong. He loves her, but he’s so fearful he’ll lose her that he’s making poor decisions. Mealor shared what’s motivating his character and what’s keeping Kyle from succeeding.

There’s no doubt in his mind. Kyle just believes he needs to find the right words. I think if he just figures out how to put the words together in the correct order, it will all go back to normal…. And you know, unfortunately, that’s not how life works. But he does wholeheartedly believe that he can fix all of this.

But the genie is out of the bottle. And, it seems that Kyle hasn’t truly wrestled with the root of Claire’s issue with his actions. So far, he’s been making moves to prove how much he loves her. But what’s broken between them is trust in their partnership. Kyle made a decision that affected both of them and didn’t consult Claire. He did it again when he proposed out of guilt and panic. And he did it once more when he made that deal with Victor (Eric Braeden).

If Kyle and Claire are to be partners, then Kyle needs to recognize that he can’t make moves, cloak his motivations, and then expect Claire to understand and accept his choices without having her own feelings or opinions on them. He knows she’s a straight shooter. It’s what Mealor believes Kyle appreciates about her. So Kyle needs to be straight with Claire.

Why Kyle And Claire Work

While the couple has their differences, Mealor thinks they could have a long-lasting romance on Y&R. His perspective stems from how they complement one another. He said, “Claire steers Kyle in the right direction with every single thing. She calls him on all of his stupidity, and I think that he appreciates that. She always kind of sets him straight, brings him back to reality, and pushes him to do the right thing.”

As viewers have seen, Claire isn’t a shrinking violet. For every action that Kyle has taken that’s hurt their relationship, she’s made him very aware of her position on his behavior. Not letting Kyle sweep things under the rug has been key to showcasing why the Abbott heir needs someone like Claire in his life. Mealor also delved into the beauty of their romance.

What’s beautiful is that they are two completely opposite people, and with that, it kind of creates a whole picture within a relationship…. And I think together, they make a beautiful couple.

Kyle has gotten in his own way in this latest obstacle for them. As a Newman/Abbott pair, there will always be family drama to contend with. There’s also Claire’s more-than-friendly bond with Holden to consider. But, right now, Kyle and Claire’s biggest issue is Kyle himself. If he can see beyond his fear and take responsibility for his own behavior, he may yet have another shot at a life with the woman he loves.