"I appreciate that," Alec said, sounding sincere. He knew that many people had walked on eggshells around him, gently encouraging but never pushing because they knew before even he did that he had to make the decisions, make the hard choices on his own. He'd struggled with taking risks because there was such a large margin for pain and disappointment.

He'd managed though even if he still felt the slight trepidation that came along with doing something you'd been afraid of doing for so long. He was managing though. He was.

"The dinner I can understand. I like to eat, I'm sure Magnus does too. He'll love being the center of attention but why the sweaters? Do I need better sweaters?"