I think that most mature males who genuinely care about the woman pouring her heart out to him would not be sporting a stiffy at that time. If it's inevitable that a man would, then shit, I've just lost some faith in the male sex.
Please, remember our animal part(s) are millions of years older, and have their own 'brains', which the recent civilized additions have little or no control over... [Yeah, i think that faith is misplaced.]
If I were in Marten's position, holding the trembling woman I loved and wanted all those years, in the middle of the night, in the dark, neither of us wearing pants, my SO having just bluntly told me to go away, ...
[Hey, isn't this the closest (& least dressed) these two (the whole early QC's romantic leads!*) have ever been, together? Not to mention (how to put this delicately) the only time Faye has set eyes on Little Marten...? ]
I am impressed with Jeph's ability to tease us yet again, dangling
(sorry!) possibilities in front of us that we thought were long discarded...
* back when QC was winning award(s) for Best Romantic Webcomic, if I recall correctly....?