"I'll be careful not to initiate anything at the institute unless we're in private," Adam promised, smiling as they played with each other's hands. It felt so freeing to have someone who liked his company and who wanted to exchange touch with him. "Can we kiss tonight, when we get back? Is that too early?"

Adam swallowed nervously after he'd asked it. He'd dated Blue for much longer than he'd known Alec, but with her it had always been too soon to kiss or to do anything else together. Adam felt guilty just asking for a kiss.