Even the risk is mitigated by his knowledge of her. Yes, human reactions can shift in an instant, but Mayerling has known Sharon and paid attention to the minutiae of her feelings and reactions since they first met and every moment since. He paid attention while she hunted him and found peace with the forced situation much sooner for it.

Mayerling stands and lets Sharon settle herself against him before he wraps an arm around her to gently hold her against him, to support her. "I am too, Sharon," Mayerling says, "Even among all the people in Trench, you are a singular woman."

He only does emotions strongly and with a large heart. Mayerling doesn't know how one does caution—as he does with D perhaps? That's the closest he comes to it. Their connection runs deep but conflicted, there for what they need each other for but with distance as well.

Mayerling and Sharon still stand in the entrance way of the house. "Not to be forward," Mayerling begins, "Not to suggest—" He flushes. "So long as we must remain touching, might we be more comfortable somewhere else? My coffin could comfortably fit us if you don't mind this level of intimacy... lying down."