How to help a man to relax (r18)

"What's wrong? Nadia asked, snuggling up to Mathew's side. Her worry was written all over her face, even though Mathew didn't really exhibit any behavior screaming he had some sort of problem.

"Is there a need for there to be something wrong for me to want to spend some time with you? Mathew asked, his expression souring a bit despite how comfortable he was with Nadia cuddling up to his side.

"There is no need for it at all," Nadia replied with a small smile only to change her position a little and snuggle her head up to Mathew's chest. "But I can tell."

The girl didn't elaborate on what she could tell. And Mathew didn't need her to say it out loud either.

The relative silence filled the area, with only the distant echo of the hunters working to gather the cores reaching them from the distance. And yet, Mathew couldn't find peace.

"I just dislike crowds," he finally admitted, sneaking his hand underneath Nadia's bloodied shirt and then running it up and down her spine.