Shrugging, he focused on the next nail, surprised at the chips. Usually Izzy was more careful than that. He'd return from a mission looking like someone had tried to tear him apart and she always looked perfect. Slowly, he began to explain what had happened during the past few days, omitting what had happened with the ley lines. That he glossed over, saying that Adam was researching the lines and the Institute's systems.

He told her about the college classes and everyone assuming that Alec was Adam's boyfriend. The fight when Adam had warned him of the damage he could do if he wanted. Their talks and how Alec thought that he was getting better at interacting with others. Adam staring and his own reaction to that attention he kept to himself. "He thought I'd be a good choice as Head of the Institute. He wants to help me earn it back." Another reason why he'd thought it was working out better than Alec's usual interactions with others outside his family.

"We talked about the things we'd done for our friends and family." Sacrifices had started the conversation's downward spiral. "He asked me what I wanted and I told him." Kind of. "Then everything - " He set aside the nail polish remover and reached for base coat. "Then the second lecture of the day."