[ That's the tricky question. Though Gil's wish to hold Rau close is selfish in nature, he wouldn't be pursuing it if he didn't think at his core that Rau would also be getting something out of it. If he didn't think that Rau could... well, maybe Rau would never fall in love with him the way he fell in love, but he could find a contentment with this. Pleasure. Amusement. Companionship beyond what they already provided to each other.

At the same time... ]

I can't guarantee that it will.

[ Honesty has carried him this far, maybe he will grudgingly allow it to carry him a little further. A certain amount of calculated vulnerability has always done wonders for him, in life. ]

I would have to be quite naive to assume that simply this is enough.

[ It's an amusing thought though - all this, and the solution was getting laid? Maybe in movies. ]

But for just now... well, you don't need me to list the physiological benefits. So let me ask a question instead: why did you allow me this much, if it doesn't give you anything at all? You're not the type to humor me, and you don't owe me anything.