Nathaniel draws his knees up to his chest and hugs them, laying his cheek atop.

"Do I disappoint you?" he asks softly. "I know Anita keeps trying to push me out of the nest, have me find a proper girlfriend, manage my finances, be an adult who thinks for himself... Is that what you want me to be, too? Am I supposed to learn how to not want to please you?"

It's asked with such plaintive desperation, wondering if his absolute trust and submission were not what Asher wants from him.