"You've got other places to be now," Ronan points out, but again his voice isn't accusatory so much as... resigned.

The feel of Noah tucked in close isn't unusual. There'd been more than a few times back in Henrietta when Ronan had woken with a start, heart in his throat and blood ice cold only to find Noah curled up against his back, petting him and whispering things Ronan could barely make out, quiet and soothing. It'd always made him feel a little bit stupid and a little bit protected both at once.

Sometimes he'd pretend to be asleep a little longer even though he knew Noah could always tell.

He takes another breath, chest aching when he speaks again, the burn of truth. "It's okay if you do. I know things are different here."

Because here Noah has options. Here Noah isn't confined to Monmouth or the Pig or anywhere else he or Gansey or Adam or Blue happen to be. He has a whole city of people who can see him, talk to him, be with him. It probably feels a little like being released from a cage.

And Ronan let Chainsaw loose months ago. He can't expect to keep Noah locked up forever.

Or anyone else.