"I do look good in a swimsuit." The words had sounded better in his head. Confident, teasing. But then he'd spoken and he wasn't as sure of himself.

What was he doing? Was it okay to feel like this? To be okay with this? He liked Alec, felt comfortable with him. Enjoyed talking to him and listening to him. He'd missed this feeling. But it scared him a little how easy it felt. And how easy it could go away.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't...say things like that to you. Especially because...I'm jealous of you. And Magnus. And I like you. And then there is the most obvious reason...I'm naked. I'm also really...not a gift. I'm a mess. Over a year and I'm still a mess. A...naked...babbling...mess...who is talking to a half angel about his half demon boyfriend. And I'm...going to blame the probable concussion."

Sebastian held his breath, started turning red, and then turned and headed straight for his clothes, trying to ignore the hot tears and overwhelming urge to cover himself. He simply couldn't carry on a conversation with Alec until he put on his boxer-briefs. Even if it meant getting them wet.