That froze the young man, and then forced him to straighten his spine once again. His eyes cast down and away from Niah then, as it felt like the proper thing to do when you were 'put in your place' like right now. There wasn't any anger. Brom was embarrassed more than anything. "Right, sorry." He mumbled and stood up, but didn't walk away. Instead he looked around, then back at her with his brow furrowed beneath a mop of hair. "I don't want to leave you here alone... it's not safe."<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">And I'm not just a guard.</span>His thoughts added.<span style="font-style: italic">I don't want to be just a guard.</span><br/><br/>"We can go back together. You can lean on my shoulder?" He suggested, even smiling a little and looking as hopeful as a puppy at a bag of treats. The thought of Niah leaning on him for support was pleasing somehow. It made him feel happy, but he also knew Niah well. She cared about her reputation. "I won't tell anybody."<span style="font-style: italic">Why would I want to share?</span>