The touch is soothing. It helps him to better consider what she's saying and he finds himself agreeing with her despite his low appraisal of himself. "I'd be happy if I were in his shoes." He goes quiet as he works up the nerve to ask something. He knows they're no longer in secluded, but he still wants, needs, contact with her even knowing they have others to factor in now.

"Can you hold me? Just for a little while."