Adam shut his book and looked up at Alec when he expressed a want, even if it was oblique and focused on Adam's needs rather than his own. He watched Alec's eyes for a moment, feeling defensive and stubborn, but he still wanted Alec close, wanted Alec's attention, and wanted Alec to be safe and content.

"Are you hungry?" he asked, soft and with a hint of challenge in his words. It was clear to him that this wasn't going to work unless Alec could acknowledge and communicate his own desires. From Adam's perspective, that was what had gone wrong. Alec had been so focused on trying to puzzle out and pre-empt Adam's needs and desires while Adam had wanted to know Alec's needs and desires, and the miscommunication had caused everything to implode.