[ethan does remember, and he knows alek never did, that he didn't know adam even existed until... the two ran into each other.

they should have told him from the start about it all. ethan knows that now. he is old enough, wise enough to know keeping information from people doesn't save them. it doesn't make it better for them. it doesn't change the truth. the truth always catches up with you eventually. no matter what.

he swallows a bit at alek's answer in turn, and he lowers his head a bit further, releasing a breath, closing his eyes.] Think that's helpless at least eventually. [he lost a lot because he lost himself in his fear over that to start with. he lost time. time he couldn't afford to lose with people he loved. he lost--] I don't know. Hopefully somewhere that could completely obliterate him from existence.

Might be wishing too hard, huh?