He didn't like the note of exhaustion in her voice, like she was worn out from trying, and Nate worried that he was being too hard on her, was asking too much of her or the wrong thing entirely. He just didn't know what to do, and cared too much to back off.

"Okay," he said, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "..Do you want me to carry you the whole way?" he asked, keeping his tone light and his smile gently teasing.