[ When Sylvain moves Claude doesn't keep him where he was in that flop of mock defeat, instead studying his face for a second as the other stands back up. Whatever flippant response was on the tip of his tongue fades away as he does so. Whether it's the expression or what was said with nothing else behind it - nothing to make it seem like it was quite like the playful fishing for compliments each of them do now and then to lighten a mood or make the other laugh.

This is something else, he thinks, and as if he simply can't decide where to place his hands for enough contact when now he moves it to cradle one side of Sylvain's face with a genuine smile as that feeling swoops in to tug at the edges of it again. ]

But there was more than just one surprise, wasn't there? Between everything you put into dinner, all the gifts... I'd hate for you to sell yourself short, Sylvain. I loved all of it.