He didn't really have trouble accepting her comfort. It might have been incredibly unseemly for a young man his age, but if he had felt such a way at home his mother would have been at his side in no time. It was just the sort of thing he missed having: someone gentle, but reliable. Maybe he could confide in her without worry after all. If she could reach out to offer some of her strength to him, it meant she had enough to spare. It might help them both, even if they were from different mindsets. Falina was full of surprises. Still, he would be careful.
The corners of his mouth pulled back up as he watched her hand cross the gap between them, staying still, as if in danger of frightening a rabbit. Gingerly, he raised his own arm in response to her touch and held her shoulder, thumb sweeping back and forth to stroke it in a carefully non-intrusive way. He didn't want her to think he was trying to touch her.
"Think nothing of it," he reassured. "One day all will be set to rights. It's our duty now to make sure of it."