If he hadn't had years of experience with Jace, he probably would have been insulted by how Adam looked at him. But being ten years old and having to deal with a wild, angry boy who was grieving for his father, he'd learned not to take things personally and to be patient. If Adam wanted the contact, he'd accept it. If he didn't, it didn't mean that he didn't want Alec near him. It was just how he felt in this moment, or while caught up in the past.

He remained still as Adam explored his hand, forcing himself to keep from curling his fingers beneath the light touch. At least not until Adam decided he wanted the contact, curling around Adam's to help anchor him in the present. Noticing the color that had spread across Adam's cheeks, he made sure not to comment on it or move his hand. Or ask if he was blushing over holding hands with him or because he'd told Alec something personal. "I've never had to make a sacrifice like what you did, but I've given up everything I've wanted since... Since I can remember. Even the wedding was a sacrifice.

I don't want you to have to make the kind of sacrifice you made before for us. If that's what it takes to fix the ley line, we'll leave things the way they are." Or Alec would make that choice instead of Adam.