That last scene in the Shrieking Shack is so heartbreaking because it seems like they finally understand each other. Yes, you're absolutely right! Which gives fanon quite a jumping off point, I think. Although sometimes I think I liked it better when the writer has to forge out the understanding, instead of it now being sort of solved by canon.
I was thinking as I read your interview, what a diverse group of writers are in the Games. So many are worried about 'sex' in their stories, so it's great to see an author who cites this as their 'strength'.