As she attempt to make herself smaller and draw closer to him, he reacted by wrapping himself more fully around her, as if he could physically protect her from everything by just enveloping her completely.
Well, he could try anyway. Wasn't likely to work, but it was the best he had for the moment. That and letting her get it out. This had already been a hard trip for her, she was entitled to a few tears.
Unfortunately, Nikko was whining and still hurt and it was still bloody storming and they hadn't found her puss and well, it just wasn't time to curl up yet. They could do that after everything was sorted.
"Come on," he encouraged softly. "Let's fine Gregory and see to Nikko. I-I need your help with that." She knew, but it didn't really make it any easier. That said, he let her go first. That way she could keep him from walking straight into something that'd make him faint uselessly.