"Mm," Adam answers, and shifts off of Ronan, because the answer is too painful for the sweet intimacy of their embrace. He sits beside Ronan, tucked against his side but turned away. "I've been told many times that I'm worthless. And only rarely, through my own hard work and determination, that I've accomplished something of value."

Adam curls into himself, crossing his legs and resting his arms on his knees, closing himself off to protect his heart. "No one's ever suggested that I had intrinsic value."