It's a testament to how deeply he believes in the strength of his relationship with Luke that Reid doesn't argue with that, merely smiles to himself because he can identify the truth in what Alec has said. Loving someone is different from acknowledging worthiness of another's love, and it's the latter Reid has always had so much more trouble with, at least up until he'd fallen for Luke. Being together is so easy, and that only serves to help remove any insecurities he might have had about being with his boyfriend. He doesn't question their connection like he might otherwise have been prone to do, and Reid feels a sudden surge of affection for Luke that brings a wider smile to his face.

"To be fair, I think the same could be said of how Magnus feels about you," Reid counters. "And I know it's not quite the same thing, but-- but I can be your Aunt Ethel." He pauses, frowning, because that hadn't come out quite as nicely as he'd hoped. "No, forget I said that. I just mean that when you end up somewhere like Darrow, the only real choice you have is to choose your own family. That's what you've become to me."