There's a tilt of his head at that, partially in acknowledgment and mostly in entertainment since - Claude has no way of arguing what Jesper's said. He could, of course, but it'd also be somewhat empty and for the sake of being difficult. Years of dodging around this topic or that to redirect conversations where he wants them to go certainly have created a bit of a disconnect with the idea of being forthcoming. All the time, at least; when directness is called for then it's simple to lean into. Mostly.

"Sounds a little bit like realizing you're in love with someone in the middle of a war," Claude adds dryly and totally not from experience. Definitely not. It's close enough to the actual dates involved, anyway, and he's really only saying this to commiserate - a bit - and for Jesper's amusement. "I get that, though. That's the kind of danger you can't overlook quite so easily especially when it comes to being a leader and keeping those you care about safe."

Among other things; from their talks of Ketterdam and from what he's lived through himself, danger can take many forms when it comes to either yourself or loved ones. That's also part of what makes it so easy to grin right back at Jesper when the other man flashes one first. "That also sounds familiar considering being here is what changed things for all of us too, I think. Now it's just a matter of seeing if they'll align, though I'm glad to hear it has for the three of you no matter what else happens."