[ There's enough time for Claude to catch the nervousness written across Hilda's features, something he's come to know in brushing up against anything about this very topic and then some, and without realizing it he curls the fingers of the hand resting idly in his lap into his palm. It turns out that's a good move, as if he'd somehow sensed to brace himself for something, because when Sylvain speaks?

He listens, certainly, but it immediately chafes and especially so the assumptions being made when he felt he'd been rather clear about the why involved. Giving Hilda space to decide what she wants was - is still the right move in his mind, and Claude can't help but feel this is taking that away, just a bit. The smile on his face doesn't physically shift, but whatever humor was in it certainly fades away until it's only the expression left. ]

That's an interesting assumption especially when, if I'm recalling this correctly, you're well aware of why that is. But if we're being honest here, then let me add this: both of you can stop offering me outs I don't want.

[ Now he pauses to take a sip of wine before setting it down on the table nearby in order to lean forward in his seat. If Sylvain wants to call them both out, then the reverse is only fair. Or something like that, though Claude's careful to keep anything out of his voice so it remains even as ever; if the spirit of this is to pull things together, that's more important than whatever else he's feeling. ]

If I didn't want this - whatever we're about to define 'this' as - then I'd say so and I mean that. Look, I understand that... there's a lot I didn't do in going about this in ways that would've been better. But I'm not telling either of you anything different, and as long as this, all of us, is something you both want then it's what I want, too.