Alec's words, his sincerity and direct honesty, touched Sebastian so deeply he placed both hands over Alec's and let the tears fall again. Not that he had any control over them. He never had. Unless he was closing himself off completely and he didn't want to do that. Not with Alec.

He nodded his understanding and acceptance, despite the nervous fear still lingering within. Everyone had left him. Slowly or in one sudden devastating blow, eventually they had left him. He had thought he never wanted to be close to anyone ever again.

But then he'd met Alec.

"I like you, like you." He repeated, smiling through warm tears that weren't full of heartbreak for the first time in a very long time. "I don't know...what this is either...I just know...no matter how scared I am, I don't want it to stop. I want to know you, Alec Lightwood."