[ It takes considerable restraint for Claude's expression to not flatten out into something unamused as Sylvain seems to still be puzzled over what the meaning of all of this is. And sure, Claude could grant that they've not - at least the two of them - teamed up to make this happen before, but that solidifies that it was absolutely needed in his mind.
Though his face doesn't betray what he's thinking behind the same genial enough face he'd put on with fully meaning it at that point, another question clicks into place. This is far from the first time Sylvain's protested any of what was said, but it feels like the first time he's done so with the point of refuting it rather than it being just bashfulness. It's not difficult to make the leap to that face pulled at one statement in particular - you're a good man - and narrow it down to that being the cause of the rest.
Which is curious, kind of, though more in a way which makes Claude feel particularly bitter about what's happened in Sylvain's past, all those things they know now, causing him to not believe something he and Hilda can so plainly see. The bitterness comes from a place of protection, however, even if he has nowhere to direct it when it certainly shouldn't be pointed anywhere near Sylvain.
But that's a knot which will take so much more time to untangle than tonight alone, and so Claude easily shifts into a bigger smile when Hilda's gaze catches his and he's quick to wipe away any of that intent peering he'd been doing mere seconds before for only lightness. ]
That's right. And the reason for all of this, even if you're also trying to be a little oblivious as our word of the day. [ Just saying. ] Fortunately for you, we're persistent and we're sticking to your Crest being the absolutely least interesting part about you. Now if you're done gardening here, what do the two of you say to going to try a new tea blend I found? It won't hold a candle to Sylvain's creations, I'm sure, but it's supposed to be good iced.
[ And with a glance back over his shoulder at the frozen over loft exterior, he turns back to them with a grin and adds, ] And fortunately, I've got a way to make that happen quickly.
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Though his face doesn't betray what he's thinking behind the same genial enough face he'd put on with fully meaning it at that point, another question clicks into place. This is far from the first time Sylvain's protested any of what was said, but it feels like the first time he's done so with the point of refuting it rather than it being just bashfulness. It's not difficult to make the leap to that face pulled at one statement in particular - you're a good man - and narrow it down to that being the cause of the rest.
Which is curious, kind of, though more in a way which makes Claude feel particularly bitter about what's happened in Sylvain's past, all those things they know now, causing him to not believe something he and Hilda can so plainly see. The bitterness comes from a place of protection, however, even if he has nowhere to direct it when it certainly shouldn't be pointed anywhere near Sylvain.
But that's a knot which will take so much more time to untangle than tonight alone, and so Claude easily shifts into a bigger smile when Hilda's gaze catches his and he's quick to wipe away any of that intent peering he'd been doing mere seconds before for only lightness. ]
That's right. And the reason for all of this, even if you're also trying to be a little oblivious as our word of the day. [ Just saying. ] Fortunately for you, we're persistent and we're sticking to your Crest being the absolutely least interesting part about you. Now if you're done gardening here, what do the two of you say to going to try a new tea blend I found? It won't hold a candle to Sylvain's creations, I'm sure, but it's supposed to be good iced.
[ And with a glance back over his shoulder at the frozen over loft exterior, he turns back to them with a grin and adds, ] And fortunately, I've got a way to make that happen quickly.