"...I love you too much to see this as punishment."

He confesses this in a low, self-conscious tone. Perhaps it ruins the play a little but he doesn't care. It's the truth.

Keeping one hand pressing gently (but firmly) down between Hythlodaeus' shoulder blades, the other skirts across his friend's waist and starts to undo their belt.

"I will stop as soon as you cry something out of character," he says. "As you say, I am stronger. I do not want to hurt you."