"Oh, I know you didn't do it on purpose," Adam assured him, teasing. He loved seeing Alec blushing and happy like this, and it was a thrill to know that it was because of him. Adam had never before had power like this over another person, to make someone else happy, and it felt incredible.

"There is no one hotter than you at the Institute," Adam told him sincerely, still grinning and blushing as he watched Alec's face. One of his thumbs stirred, rubbing lightly at Alec's side through the fabric of his shirt.