It was like when he had gone off on his own, the first time. At first it had been freeing. No hands wrapped around his neck, no ghosts plaguing his dreams. The nightmares had gone away. Only this time he had the most important thing with him—the person that he had left behind the first time. As Adam leaned against him, he kept his arms tight, resting his chin and staring at the wall. It was the biggest mistake of his life, leaving behind this precious person. Adam loved him. He loved Adam. If they had run away together the first time, where would they be now?

It didn't matter. They'd make their new life together. He'd give Adam all the things he deserved. Food, clothing, love. No more worn and tattered rags that barely kept him warm on cold winter nights. Brothers in arms, people would call them. Yet they would always share a bedroom, and a bed.

Adam's fingers were distracting, soothing. Exhaling, he buried his face a little more. Yes, he was hungry. No, he didn't want to go down to the hotel restaurant. He was tired of being around people that weren't Adam.

"I don't want to be around other people," he admitted, still steadily breathing in Adam's scent, "but I could eat, yeah." It was early, and he wasn't tired, merely concerned that Adam might be too wiped from the emotional whiplash.

"Wine would be good." Something to take the edge of the day off. Stepping back, he cups Adam's face in his hands before dropping them. "Let's take it easy, all right? We don't have to rush." Even if Declan knew where they were, it would be too embarrassing to chase after them through town. Ronan knew his brother well; he would send an angry letter at best.