[As the atmosphere becomes heavier, Jayden struggles to resist the urge to look away and study the wall, the floor, anything to avoid both his own emotions and potentially any of Claude's. But that same empathy he's trying to avoid is what makes him decide not to, instead giving Claude his full attention while he talks, even if Jayden might not manage eye contact the whole time.

It's not good to hear that Claude went through something serious shortly after his own arrival, especially not to have done so and now also have to deal with this, not to mention whatever might've occurred between. But it's reassuring in at least some sense that Claude seems to understand, at least as much as possible with different situations, and the sentiment he offers about checking in is kind.

But it's also something Jayden has very little confidence in--not for any reason specific to Claude, just in general--and isn't sure he wants anyway. He doesn't know how to respond to it, what he would say, what to do going forward; it all seems so overwhelming.]

I'm sorry you went through somethin' early on too. It's not exactly the warmest welcome to a whole new world.

[The condolences are genuine and sympathetic, despite his weak attempt at a joke directly after. He considers leaving it there, or deflecting the topic further, but again it's empathy that prevents him from doing so.]

I'm definitely not gonna' object if you want to stop by at some point, but don't feel like you have to. You've got your own problems to deal with, and I'm sure your friends are going to be keepin' you busy anyway.

[At the very least, he can only imagine how much fussing Hilda might do.]