"It's a... protective brother who is skilled with sharp blades sort of thing," Cyril explains. "Merrick knows I make my own choices when it comes to my body, but he may be wary around you if he knows. There's no need to lie to him though. He has very little patience for that sort of thing."

He pretty much ignores the insinuation that he and Merrick might be lovers. That's a whole layer of complexity he doesn't want to get into.