Gale - and the game - simply do not understand "no".
I let Gale show me The Weave, oblivious that it was the local code for "take this candy I I will give you a eak under my coat", turned him down, and he just ept trying to get into my pants! And he spread lies that we are an item - when I spoke with the nice half-or lady manager at Moonrise Towers I had the option of "fry her brain with visions of your lust for Gale". Ick!
You gave actively choose one if the two clearly romantic options to get that outcome. As Anska and I wrote, that scene is mainly to establish Gales character and to connect with him in friendship, as a colleague ( as wizard) or to show him your interest. The latter you have actively choose and the options are pretty clear ( hand holding or kiss).
