"How old are you?" Adam asked, curious. He knew that Alec was older, but he didn't know by how much. It did make him feel a little better to know that nineteen wasn't unreasonably old to have his first kiss.

As they entered the food court, Adam considered for a moment, then made a decision and turned them toward the burrito place. It was still an active stumbling block in his head, the idea of letting his friend--boyfriend?--pay for him, but Adam forced it down again. He was choosing Alec, and that meant that they both had to compromise and try to overcome their pride.

"Do you need to tell me about the things where you won't compromise, or are they the things you've already said?" Adam asked, as they waited in line. "Your duty, protecting your siblings."