He takes a little breath, as though to steady himself, then turns Cerrit's hand so that he can hold it between both of his for a moment. With his thumb, he tests the point of one talon, as he would test the sharpness of a knife or a shard of broken glass, and then bends his head to leisurely kiss the knuckles two or three times. Then, deliberately, Watson lays Cerrit's hand on his chest, each claw pushing down, just a bit, not quite enough to break the skin.

"I am not afraid of you," he says, gently. "And I will not shatter at the faintest misstep. Please come to bed. I doubt I can stay awake much longer."