"No doubt," Gaius said, reaching out to caress Gaia's cheek with a finger, giving his namesake an affectionate smile. Then he sobered slightly, his eyes turning to seek out Regulus across the room. "He also doesn't know how deeply I feel about him. He was so pleased at having 'won' me away from someone else that I've not wanted to burst his bubble, especially once the initial euphoria wore off and reality set in." He gave Severus a rueful glance. "I wasn't expecting him to seduce me, to be honest - I thought I'd have a long road ahead of me to win his interest, but he caught me by surprise. I don't regret it, but it means that we're having to come to grips with certain realities after getting involved, rather than before. I dont' regret it, though - I love him, and I'll do what I must to earn his trust and make him secure in the knowledge that I'll not leave him or hurt him. No matter how long it takes."