Adrian got up as soon as Stephen told him to, wondering what Stephen was up to this time. He followed Stephen, staying close, and felt himself relaxing as they moved away from Midori and Sean, much more himself by the time they stopped.
"I can't- I don't know if I can do this," he said when Stephen had him alone, looking up at him and searching his gaze. "I want to do this, I want to be good but- I can't speak, not with them around. They just make me want to reply and it's easier if I don't because if I don't then I can stay in that space but if I reply, I get too comfortable and then I'm baiting them without even meaning it."
He closed his eyes, breathing deeply. "Stephen, I want to do this but I don't know if I'm strong enough... I-" He opened his eyes, smiling a little at his next words. "And I'm hard and it's making me cranky. That's hardly helping."