For a moment, Nathaniel is torn between love and duty. People need him at the perimeter--or else, they do not. Optimistically, they can manage one day without him. Especially when he is distracted as he is. No, this is a choice of the heart, a choice of what he will regret the least if he were to die tomorrow.

He leans in and presses his lips to Anders'. "All right. All right, I will stay today."