Joshua was, perhaps, naive and inexperienced in comparison, but he wasn't so sheltered that he couldn't understand the implications in Alecto's words, the deliberate touch of his fingers against his own, even if he had no idea how to respond, how to sort through the unexpected turmoil being brought to light.

"If you say so," he says meekly, and obediently uncurls himself from his seat, but Alecto is still holding on to his hands, and he doesn't quite know what to do.