When Adam comes to, he is curled up on a bed with no idea how he got there. He opens his eyes groggily, and the face of a worried archangel comes into focus. Michael thought he hadn't got to Adam in time; that the boy would die before his grace could heal him. He hasn't moved from the seat next to Adam's bed since they got back, almost two days ago. "Michael?" Adam croaks, his voice ragged. He tries to swallow, his mouth dry, and Michael silently hands him a glass of water, which he drains. He drops the empty glass on the bed in front of him and risks a guilty look up at the archangel. Michael's face is stony as he stares at Adam. "You shouldn't have come back."

Adam tilts his chin up as defiantly as he can considering that he is in bed and he's just woken up, and he's pretty sure that any second now his stomach is going to growl as loud as is humanly possible. "I had to. I couldn't leave you." His blunt truthful words startle Michael slightly. Whatever the archangel was expecting, it wasn't that. "I told you to." Adam tilts his head to the side. "Yeah, but, see, I think that was stupid. I wasn't going to listen, come on." In an instant, Michael is leaning over him, their faces inches apart, his hands braced either side of Adam as he stares at him. The boy is slightly startled, his breathing hitching as he holds Michael's eyes for as long as he can before he has to look away. "You could have died," Michael growls, his eyes flashing. "You could have died and there would have been nothing I could do to save you. Have you ever watched someone you love die?" He stiffens the minute the words are out of his mouth, and backs away abruptly.

Adam stares at him, leaning forwards as Michael moves away. "Say that again." Michael shakes his head, trapped. He doesn't want to leave, but to stay means facing more awkward questions that Michael shouldn't, can't answer. Human emotions are supposed to be beneath an angel, let alone an archangel. "Michael. You know I'm not going to stop." Adam's voice breaks into his thoughts and his eyes snap back to the blond. Adam sits in the bed, one eyebrow raised, a small smirk ghosting over his face. Michael opens his mouth to speak, but his voice dries up, and the usually composed archangel stammers out a broken sentence. "I- well, you... I think- died." Adam's mouth twitches and he laughs softly. Michael gives him a dark look and he smothers his laughter. "Sorry, I'm sorry. Try again, I promise I won't laugh." Michael shakes his head and turns away, and the boy grabs one of his hands. "Michael." He was convinced that it was a joke, but now he's not so sure. "You were joking, right?" The archangel doesn't meet his eyes and he covers his mouth. "Fuck." Michael flinches at the curse and he apologises distractedly. This is Michael, literally the archangel, and sure Adam's dated guys before but wow, this is completely different.

Michael lets the all too human feelings run through him, surrendering to them. "Love?" he says quietly, tasting the unfamiliar word in his mouth. "I didn't think I was capable of love." Adam's eyes shine as he watches Michael, leaning forward unconsciously. The archangel sits on the bed next to him, avoiding his eyes and staring determinedly at his hands. Adam turns his chin to face him, places cool hands either side of Michael's burning face. "Say it."

"Love," repeats Michael obediently. "I think- I think I love you." Dimly he wonders what his Father would think of him, the good son, and he whispers a prayer for forgiveness; until Adam cuts his words off with a tentative kiss.