Nathaniel's eyes close at the gentle touch; Anders' fingers running through his hair is soothing, and he leans into the touch.

He doesn't speak for a long time, just enjoying this closeness and the sense of security that comes from it. Finally he voices the thought that's been running through his mind for hours now.

"I feel so helpless," his voice is soft, barely more than a whisper. "I feel weak...and utterly useless."

There was a long time when he would never have admitted to such vulnerability, and even now, Anders is the only one that he can be so open with. It's still hard to give voice to such thoughts, but he knows Anders won't think less of him, or--even worse--pity him.