Adam considered the question, though he didn't know how to answer it. Why didn't my parents love me? Because I'm worthless. Why haven't I ever felt happy? Because I'm broken.

Trying to come up with an answer he could bear to give was excruciating, and Adam gave up on it quickly enough, nestling against Ronan's side and pressing his face to Ronan's good shoulder. He watched Ronan's hand for a minute before taking it, pressing Ronan's hand back down so he wouldn't strain himself. Squeezing Ronan's hand once, Adam kept their fingers entwined, breathing slowly as he curled close against Ronan's side. The closest he'd ever felt to being okay was when he was with Ronan. Adam just wanted to be able to enjoy it while he could, before Ronan realized that Adam wasn't worth caring about or, worse, before the war took Ronan away from him.