Patrick suggests he was in some mode of self-destruction, rejecting help from William. However William did not give in (as perhaps most of Patrick's other lovers did) and waited it out, maintaining his warmth. Patrick finally recognised William loved him; wasn't going to abandon him, and so he turned his body's functions, he switched, he adapted and relinquished his barriers (self-destruction, pushing loved ones away) and allowed William to Conquer him.
I'm surprised no one's commented this yet.
Patrick suggests he was in some mode of self-destruction, rejecting help from William. However William did not give in (as perhaps most of Patrick's other lovers did) and waited it out, maintaining his warmth. Patrick finally recognised William loved him; wasn't going to abandon him, and so he turned his body's functions, he switched, he adapted and relinquished his barriers (self-destruction, pushing loved ones away) and allowed William to Conquer him.