To be perfectly honest, Gerard would be overwhelmed no matter who it was flirting with him. For all his insight and experience and hardened resolve, he had lived a hard, strange life full of truths not worth knowing and scars left by monsters. Then, he died, and he couldn't honestly say that in his 30-odd years of life he'd ever had anything resembling a friend, nevermind a relationship. Even Gertrude betrayed him in the end. It was hard to view himself as worthy or capable of such things, even in his newfound freedom.

Maybe someday. But for now, friends are a welcome boon, and he'd be glad to count Mary among them.

"I get the VIP treatment, then, do I? I'm starstruck!" He half-teases, though he is flattered. "If you’re sore, though, I can give you the papers to sit on for a bit."