[ Sylvain just laughs at the joke, leaning in to steal a kiss of his own, shifting and spreading his legs to either side of Claude’s knees as he leans in close from the chair beside his, although he’s facing Claude now more than the table itself. ]

Hey, that was a very useful present! I used it this afternoon, in fact.

[ Still, there’s something in the way Claude’s hands linger against his jaw that has his own flush deepening a shade, something he mentally curses, because he is way too old to be blushing like a virgin over a compliment. But it feels… different, even if he can’t put his finger on how right now. It does have his sheepish smile softening into something fond and warm, though, even as he gives a quiet chuckle at Claude’s comment. ]

Well, I wasn’t about to make you play yourself. Although I definitely caught you doing that once or twice back at the Academy. And I definitely don’t expect you to make anything easy on me by this point, so that doesn’t come as a surprise either. I would hardly expect you to start with this.

[ The hint of relief in his gaze over Claude’s delight at his present, however, is still visible as he grins at him. ]