Eugene stood as she did, but stayed in his own space, giving her plenty of room. He needed an outlet for the nervous energy, no matter how desperately he wanted to cross the room to her and do something about it. Everything she brought up was a legitimate concern, many of which he shared and he had no real answer for.

Shifting his weight slowly from side to side, Eugene let his shoulders drop as if in defeat. "It doesn't make us anything but what we are; two people with mutual feelings stuck in an unconventional situation." He could ascertain that much from her reaction; he was not alone in his affections here, which is what was making it so difficult, or so he hoped.

"Unfortunately nothing can change until the spring." He knew that, no matter how much he wished otherwise. "Theseus does not know his own mother, he thinks it's just the two of us and my very capable, very necessary nanny." Thank Merlin for Nan. "I would never let it fall back on you or your family." Eugene would follow the steps to the letter, if he knew that she would wait for him. They had managed the summer in one another's company without anything more than a sideways glance Miss MacFusty hadn't even likely noticed. "My family is very well aware of the situation I am in with Theseus' mother." Even now he couldn't bring himself to call Astrild his wife. "And what will happen when the two year's time is up. Her parents won't contest anything." Eugene was certain that Ewart and Ailsa would just want what was best for Theseus and that included a maternal figure in his life.

"I just," He paused, unsure of what it was he needed to say next, but knew they were sitting on a very precarious precipice and could tumble any which way. "I wanted you to know everything, in hopes we could work through it, but I can understand if it seems too difficult or if there are roles you are unable to take on;" A stepmother in an unconventional family with extended relatives who were not really hers. It was a mess, truly, but he had to believe they could work through it with enough time. Eugene held his hands out to the side slightly in surrender, leaving the decision entirely up to her.