It probably helped the Medicine Seller was supremely uninterested in money, distrustful of authority at the best of times, and had seen Arthur's better nature early on. The former two alone were enough to keep him from even considering betraying him, and the latter had him gladly deciding to remain at his side.

The Medicine Seller cradled his cheek as they kissed, his other hand on his shoulder as, once Arthur was turned, he could settle in his lap.

The water left him feeling warm and lazy, and Arthur was a solid and comfortable presence to lean into, and so he did, bare chest to Arthur's as he passed him the cloth.

"By all means, I am at your disposal."