Adam stared at the hand, and then, more warily, at Alec. No one had offered him validation for what he’d done. Adam still believed that it had been necessary, and didn’t regret any of it. But he also still remembered Gansey’s face, and the sorrow on it. All of them had expressed regret and worry, and they’d all been careful with him after that, once he’d become strange and dangerous. Validation was alien to him.

Still staring at Alec’s hand like it was some kind of feral animal, Adam moved his own hand, touching his fingertips to Alec’s palm. He didn’t know what he was supposed to do, but his hand decided for him, choosing contact. Alec’s hand was warm. Adam felt his cheeks heat, and he very carefully didn’t look up, afraid that the compulsion to kiss Alec might be overwhelming if he did.