He brushes a tendril of her long hair back from her cheek, tucking it behind her ear.

"I try," he says, a crooked smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. Behind the cushion clasped in his lap, he can feel that things are starting to settle down. "I meant it, before. I'm happy to do...whatever this is at whatever pace suits you."

He's not pretending that it'll be easy, but she's definitely worth it.