Avon smiled, as he remembered that there was no trickery here, no manipulation, no double-speak. That he could explain because Data would try to understand, and more importantly would not judge.

"This was a profound experience for me - a level of trust I didn't think I was capable of, with anyone. I didn't expect it to be quite so...intense, emotionally." He leaned forward to brush his lips against Data's. "Most of the relationships I have experienced before involved power, control, manipulation. It has been...difficult for me to learn that not all love comes down to a struggle for dominance." He smiled again, with a touch of rare self-deprecation. "I hope you realise just how much you have taught me about humanity, Data."