On one hand, it could be an awkward, tentative support network. A silent sitting side by side on the steps outside the Barns, shoulders hitting every time someone breaths a bit too deeply - sights?, sobs? - and low whispers of my dad did this, my dad said this, he was so fucking wrong, you’re worth much more. And later on, in Washington, Declan taking Adam to buy his first tailored suit - and getting him a discount without letting him know - and Adam kicking Declan’s ass back into humbleness in debate class, that fucking smirk. Declan keeping Adam up, shielding him from the white trash comments; and Adam hitting Declan on the nape, call your brother, call your girlfriend, stop being an asshat. And the constant between them, the agreement like a thread tying them, that there’s one important thing in this world of lies and it’s Ronan, Ronan, Ronan.
On the other hand, they love Ronan very differently. Adam fought for his freedom and would never try to tie Ronan down; while Declan has the sight of his father’s brashness and magic tied far too tightly with the memory of his death, and his biggest fear is that the same people will come for his brother and Ronan will be just as cocky as Niall and end up the same. They both want Ronan safe and happy, but they have different views on how to get that.