"Well, I don't know if this helps or scares you more, but you would be able to touch me, if you wanted or needed to. My blood is still an issue, that hasn't changed, but anything else--skin, saliva, waste, anything else is safe. So I'm basically a big alien dog? Sort of. I'm still your boyfriend, let's be clear: I'm not your pet, but you get what I'm saying. I look scary, but I'm me."

Newt crossed the room to kneel down in front of him and reached for Hermann's hands, trying to draw them away from the nervous gesture.

"I don't expect it to be easy, but, uh... It's me. It's me in there and if you want a signal, a Drift thought to reassure you? Just name it. If it helps to have a safe word or whatever, it's yours. Okay? We're totally not gonna be defeated by this."