Adam smiled a tiny, fleeting smile at the way Alec fell apart into babbling at his suggestion, but the smile faded almost as quickly as it had come. "I wouldn't like being treated like a gift or a possession. I think I'd like dating a guy. But not if he treated me like shit."

Adam released Alec's hand and reached for the other one, starting to heal it the same way. He kept his eyes on Alec's hand because it was safer and easier than looking at his face. Adam didn't want to see Alec's feelings. "I do think you'll hurt me. I'm afraid you'll hit me, if I don't behave the way the temple thinks I should. I'm afraid that if I give you anything of myself, you'll scorn it like you did before, and make me feel worthless. I have plenty of people to make me feel worthless. I don't need another one."