Ronan's scowl doesn't waver even with Noah's cupped hands smooshing his cheeks. He can't see any indication in Noah's expression that he doesn't mean every word he's saying, but it's still difficult for Ronan to fathom.

It's... it's entirely selfless. Ronan may still think Krem is an asshole completely unworthy of Noah, living or otherwise, but it's clear how Noah feels for him. A pure, selfless, unconditional... fuck, Noah's in love.

"Don't fucking talk like that," he snaps, swallowing down the heavy weight in his chest, the overwhelming, suffocating realization that he's let himself cling to a gift that isn't really his for too long, kept Adam in a cage just like the one he tried to fashion for Noah. "You're a ghost," he says, frowning harder when his voice cracks. "You're not going anywhere."

Noah isn't going anywhere, but Ronan is. Ronan will.

And Adam deserves someone he can choose for himself.