[ Waiting for Wanda's answer feels like an eternity though it must be seconds at most. It's trust he's extended and trust he means, but there's still the tiniest exhale of relief at the mention of no rumor mill. There's a joke on the tip of his tongue to move the conversation along to something else, something far lighter than seriousness he'd dropkicked into their meal.

Before Claude can do that, though, Wanda surprises him enough that he goes still even if he wasn't moving much. The mention of loneliness - tracks, yes, in more ways than he'd like to think about. But it's the way she reaches across the table which really startles him into silence, as in confirmation of what he already believed. Maybe what he should really be doing is apologizing for ever giving her the impression it was otherwise.

Maybe he can do that after swallowing hard like it'll get rid of the lump in his throat. ]

I know that. I- [ probably shouldn't be talking without thinking first, but for once - maybe the first time since being in Abraxas - Claude finds himself at a loss for words. Which is a poor reaction to what Wanda's extended to him in return, and in an attempt to not send any more mixed signals about the silence he lets his free hand rest on her wrist as well, lightly enough to not send a different signal nor keep her from pulling away. ]

There were a lot of years where who I am was used against me so I learned to hide it. Some old habits are hard to shake. [ A wan smile because that's an understatement. It's also not what's important here. ] I say that so you know it's not personal, just... difficult for me. But I hope you know I consider you a friend too, no matter what.