It was immediate that Henry had heard the low, threatening growl. Hearing the primal sound coaxed something from deep within, something that made his own eyes narrow and a low growl meet her own. It wasn't her place to judge him. He had never done such a thing â€" never offered any negative thoughts or comments her way. And yet, here he was asking for help from Raven and she was focusing on small aspects, judging him for things he knew she didn't understand. Quite honestly, it pissed him off.

But he was silent, letting her finish her words, saying things that he did not want to hear. He didn't see Malia in a romantic way, he didn't think he ever could. Malia was like his kid sister â€" he would always be there for her and protect her like family, but he could never give her his heart. His heart was reserved for Sterling and Sterling alone. "I suppose he could see Malia in a romantic way, but I certainly do not. And don't think for one second I'm just going to toss Sterling aside because my kitten has feelings for a woman." There was agitation in his voice, agitation and aggression that was currently going unchecked. He didn't ask to be a wear and if he had a choice, he might mute that part of him. He loved Sterling and he wanted nothing more than to be his forever. His panther would just have to learn to love Sterling too...because Henry was not going to give him up.

Eyes watched her as she stood up and began to pace, almost as if she was trying to hold back from telling him what she really wanted him to hear. And then it came â€" the words she wanted to say before. He could feel the growl start low within his throat, reverberating through gritted teeth as she continued. The more words that came from her lips, the angrier he became. She didn't understand the dynamics of his relationship with either Sterling or Malia so really, she had no right to judge. "I might have once been that man...but I had been faithful to Sterling â€" I never even looked at anyone else. I was wasn't willingly unfaithful to Sterling. When I thought he was dead, Malia was the one who asked me to sleep with her. She wanted to know what it felt like â€" to be completely human." What Henry did not, and would not, tell Raven was that the second time, he had been unfaithful. He hadn't done it to be malicious. He wanted to give himself completely to Sterling. He wanted to show him just how much he cared for him. But the scars that littered his body ruined any erection that might have been. He couldn't perform. He had tried on Malia the second time to rule out a medical issue with himself. Was it the best idea? No. But he had no intention of sleeping with Malia a third time â€" both he and Malia understood that, or at least that's what he thought.

He stood up and began to walk around the room, trying to calm his raging nerves. He needed to settle himself because he was afraid of what it might mean if he couldn't control himself. Tetradore wasn't here to control him. As his breathing began to return to normal, he sighed as he stood near the porthole to look out at the dock. "I can't...I just can't sleep with Sterling just yet. I thought my feelings for Sterling and spending so much time with him would be enough." Raven was already in a judgmental mood and admitting that he couldn't get it up around Sterling would not help matters. She would laugh, or judge, or god knows what else.

Eyes shifted down to the water, watching the waves lap up on the sides of the giant ship. "Look...we're meeting in the pits on Monday. Come if you want to help, don't if you don't care or don't want to." His voice had softened. This wasn't the way this meeting was supposed to go. And honestly, it wasn't leaving a very good taste in his mouth. If Raven was going to be so quick to judge...perhaps he would just keep to himself. Opening up to her was kicking him in the ass. "Good night." It was final. He was done talking to her, done listening to her chastise him for things she didn't understand. He was closing himself off to her once again, unsure of if he would ever be able to open up to anyone again.