[ The look Sylvain shoots him is utterly bewildered, as if those are the craziest words he's ever heard come out of Claude's mouth.

Maybe they are. ]

Why would I leave?? Claude, this is... it's one of the best things that's ever happened to me. Ever. So much so that I keep pinching myself, expecting to wake up. Or maybe for you to wake up. I'm not going anywhere. Not until you get fed up with me, anyway. [ Not if, but when. It's always when. ] I thought I'd made that clear.

I mean, I know things got muddled with Hilda, but the only reason I would have walked away then was because I really thought me trying to hang on as I was, was only making everything worse. For both of you. That's the last thing I want.