"I understand that." He wished he understood all of it more. No, he wished Axel wouldn't do it. He wished he'd not feel so stupidly possessive. Hartley kept holding Axel, understanding that he had to look away from him, but watching his face himself. He wished he had the means to keep Axel from having to do this. "I know you don't enjoy that shit, I'm not an idiot about that. You... I don't look down at you for this. You know that, right?"

It was very important to him that Axel did know that. "I don't care what anyone tells me. I know what you're like."