"I just thought - " Potemkin blurts out his would-be rationale, but it seems pointless. After all Ky isn't really rejecting him, and has not once shown him disgust. Imagining that, he sees how out of character it would be despite his fears. Maybe he got the idea from how the military would have turned its nose down at excessive fraternization. Or, Potemkin thinks in merciless analysis of himself, he thought Ky would consider keeping a secret a breach of trust.

"Thank you. For the hospitality and your trust."