Slowly and gingerly he pulled his knees towards his chest and rested his chin on them. The shaking wasn't getting any better, but he felt a little more secure as he pulled himself into a smaller target. Protected.

"I'll wait, if that's ok?" he said softly, watching for a sign of anger or frustration from her at his refusals. The idea of being somewhere where he couldn't see or defend himself if they came...