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But you haven't even heard what it is yet!

[ Claude looks absolutely aghast like that denial is a personal offense and not something he'd brought entirely on himself. Not aghast enough to not get another forkful of food or to commit to faux sulking - yet - but. Maybe close to it. ]

Besides, I think you would've liked this one. Think of it as doing a public service and also a little research all at the same time. A two for one deal's pretty good when it covers both of those.

No.

[ The word is just as succinct as the first time, but there’s a smirk playing around the corner of his lips now and laughter lurking deep in chocolate eyes. ]

I don’t need to hear what it is. I saw that expression on your face. I remember what happened the last time I let you talk me into something with that look on your face and I’m pretty sure neither one of us wants to repeat that particular adventure. Stick to the research that involves the mountains of books you have in your room instead. You end up with far fewer new holes for me to fix that way.

Now I know I've spent too long around you when my only instinct after listening to that was to make a comment about holes.

[ Ruefully, like this is of great pain to him rather than something to entertain Sylvain as he dolefully takes another bite of food while considering this and how to further play it up for the other man's amusement as something else he never tires of doing. More like the rest of what was aid, really, because: there are numerous comments about holes to be made. Sylvain's just going to have to guess at which he'd say. Or rather, which he'd say first.

He's not going to linger on it too long considering he's been provided another opportunity for mild mischief, such as: ]

Is that you offering to accept the amount of books I have in my room? I knew you'd come around to seeing the value in them being there someday.

[ Sylvain breaks into a grin, quick and unrepentant, a hint of his dimple peeking out at one corner of his lips. ]

I’ve been such a bad influence. I’m so proud right now.

[ Popping a bite of pasta in his mouth, he chuckles as he props his cheek on his palm. And then rolls his eyes at the following comment. ]

Accepted? No. More like resigned myself. At least I can close the door and pretend I can forget what it looks like in there.

[ There's an amused snort from Claude when it comes to being proud since he's in the middle of taking another bite and, even though multiple comments to mind, enjoying the meal Sylvain's made still takes priority over that.

Until the book slander, anyway, at which point he scoffs playfully and reaches for his drink. ]

That's a bold statement for someone who comes to borrow those books just as often as ending up in there with them. [ Is he using his glass to hide a smile still likely visible thanks to the substantial amount of mirth on his face? Maybe. (Definitely.) ] I dunno, Gautier. Sounds a lot more like acceptance to me when you factor that in, too.

[ Sylvain just gives a dismayed sigh as he lets his head fall back against the back of the chair, letting his eyes roll upwards towards the rafters. ]

And he still believes I come in there for the books.

[ As for what that means? He knows. He absolutely knows, but when given a chance to insert a little (or a lot of) mischief into a situation, there's basically a zero percent chance Claude won't take it.

So even if Sylvain's not looking at him right then, having inserted his own dramatic flair into there first, that won't stop Claude from pausing with a forkful of food halfway to his mouth and immediately widening his eyes like he just can't believe what it is he's heard. ]

Oh? What else would it be?

[ Books, yes - that's definitely what they're taking about as he takes that bite and looks at Sylvain with an expression of innocence no one who resides - here, in the loft, Cadens, probably - would believe. ]

[ Sylvain’s head comes up and he just gives Claude the most knowing smirk he’s capable of. ]

If you don’t know what makes me come by now, we’re definitely doing something wrong.

[ That just gets a noise of consideration from Claude like he's giving this Deep Thought rather than being completely proud of himself he didn't actually break out into laughter like the extreme temptation to do so insisted. Something he's noticed not for the first time when it comes to Sylvain being all too good at getting past the guards he usually holds everyone else to and behind - or that the other man's long past made his way past them, really. Maybe he could blame it on that smirk, or maybe he could blame it on all those lines they've traded playfully - but the reality is it's something he's seen in Sylvain far past any of that in return.

Right now, though, he's committed to this round of teasing and though the innocent look fades slightly, he nods slowly afterwards. ]

You know, I think I have a book on that, too. Maybe I'll give you a prize if you can find it in with all the others.

[ The teasing smirk melts into an expression of scandalized shock in the blink of an eye. ]

Did you just admit to having illicit literature in your room, Claude von Riegan? Seteth would be so disappointed in you right now.

[ Alright, that almost gets him. Quick as ever, Claude disguises it in setting his fork down and suddenly sitting very upright while mirroring the look on the other man's face to match the shift. ]

Seteth disappointed in me? The Church's most devout believer? And after all I've done for them?

[ Here's a hand pressed to his chest in mock outrage, disbelief, and with a touch of (faux) tearful bafflement. ]

It's a good thing I've done so much penance since I know just how to fix this.

Oh?

[ His lips twitch as he props his chin in the palm of his hand and waves his fork in Claude’s direction. ]

And just what sort of penance have you done? Because you don’t seem very remorseful about this at all.

That's for me to know, and for you to find out. If you can find the book.

[ Because Sylvain's right: there's zero remorse here. Not for allegedly offending Seteth, or for illicit material, or - well, anything. That's why he follows this up with twirling the fork in his hand, all too pleased in feeling like he's found the upper hand in this would-be scheme. ]

Think it's the sort of thing that requires penance being done together, now that I think about it. Otherwise, how can we very faithfully report back to Seteth what to censor out of it?

I’ve never faithfully reported a thing to Seteth in my entire life and I don’t intend to start now.

[ He’s snickering at that equally-unremorseful confession as he goes back to taking a bite of the dinner. ]

But as you do look so attractive on your knees, I think I’ll go along with this plan anyway.

[ There's a flat look barely holding back amusement from Claude, and then - ]

You know, having to explain the joke of reporting it for the sole purpose of horrifying Seteth and nothing else really takes the humor out of it all.

[ Or, more accurately: it wasn't a good joke in the first place. Seteth's the last person he wants to think about in this lifetime or the next, however, and with newfound ire for the saint in question after some of those revelations in the pit now feels like as good of a time as any to continue blissfully forgetting about Seteth's existence.

Fortunately, Sylvain gives him an opportunity to do just that as he arches an eyebrow playfully. ]

First dinner, then strip chess, and then I'm on my knees? You really have planned out a full night here.

I’m pretty sure involving Seteth already took the humor out of it.

[ His tone is lighthearted and joking as he quips the words back. Although they ring a little too true all the same.

But his expression doesn’t dim, his grin still playful and teasing as he pops another bite of pheasant into his mouth, looking smug. ]

Hey, you can never accuse me of doing things halfway. Of course I went all out.

Hm. I'm starting to see that.

[ Starting being an operative term there; a placeholder for a different thought going unsaid about just how much effort Sylvain's put into tonight. The evidence of it is clear in the meal they're enjoying, the dimmed lighting around, and in the gifts resting safely to the side. All of it's more than Claude expected though he's not so sure why he hadn't. Not when as much as Sylvain wants to claim there's nothing there beneath that surface, there's several times that to show just how much there is.

But. Claude's also familiar enough by now with observing how quickly Sylvain will back away from being presented with that if even a trace of it appears, so he'll have to leave that unsaid in favor of reaching out to squeeze the other man's nearest hand again. Or he means to, but then he follows it up with lingering there paired with a serious look the other will likely recognize as yet another sign of mischief - even if Claude's using it to disguise another sentiment twined through it like it's merely for the going all out of it part. ]

That just means I'm roping you into any and all plans from now on, you know.

[ Sylvain gives a scandalized gasp at that, as if in horror, his free hand coming to clutch at his chest while he lets his other remain in Claude’s grasp. ]

What? You mean you haven’t been doing that already? I’m crushed!

[ That gets laughter from Claude, muffled as it is around his mouthful of food from continuing at finishing his plate which has him reaching for his napkin just in case. ]

Stealing my lines now, are you? I think that's one straight out of my playbook.

[ Right down to the gasp and everything, and though there's a mild attempt to sound equally scandalized by this revelation - as if they haven't traded methods back and forth in all these months - it's far from believable. So is the thinking expression he puts on after setting his napkin down and taking another bite in an echo of considering how (incredibly) good this meal is. ]

I suppose I could make a little more effort in including you. How about starting with another trip out into the dessert for some scorpions when I go tomorrow?

[ Now it’s a sound of disgust as he stabs his next bite of meat with his fork. ]

Nevermind, I changed my mind. You make terrible plans and I want no part in them.

[ Dramatic? Him? Never! ]

Oh? Does that mean I should cross strip chess off the list for tonight?

[ Never mind that it'd been a joint suggestion, or really Sylvain's in what might've been a passing comment now run with because he's just going to use that to tease with a wide grin at that dramatic display. Something he can appreciate in more ways than one, that Sylvain's always ready to play along with a bit of ridiculousness or fuel it further.

Claude takes yet another forkful of food to chew in faux thought like there's something deep and serious to mull over and he's not looking for another way to double down on it. ]

Noted, Gautier, noted. I'll make sure to apply that to any strip chess adjacent ones, too. Wouldn't want you to suffer any further at the hands of my bad ideas.

[ The smirk on his face really isn't smothered by continuing to eat like that's any sort of proclamation he's ever going to stick to. ]

[ There’s no way Claude would ever make that statement true, but Sylvain plays along anyway, indulging in the ridiculousness further. His fork is waved in Claude’s direction once more before he plucks up one of the little rolls he’d baked. And promptly lobbed at Claude’s head in “outraged” protest. ]

Strip chess was my idea, thanks. Clearly my plans are the far superior ones here. We should just use those from now on.

[ Quick reflexes come to save him as always since when Claude sees Sylvain pick up the roll, he's already lifting a hand. The action comes in time to deflect the roll up into the air rather than it hitting him, and he catches it easily on the descent with a grin. ]

Considering your plans involve pelting innocent bystanders with bread, I'm gonna have to disagree. What's next if I mention scorpions again, then you bring out a whole loaf? Or maybe start off with a baguette before escalating?

[ The options are truly endless! In the meantime, since Sylvain's helpfully served this one to him Claude's going to take advantage of that and split it in half before taking a bite. ]

[ Sylvain lets his jaw drop open, as if in disbelief at that audacity of that accusation. ]

I would never pelt an ‘innocent’ bystander.

You say that, but look what you just did!

[ Complete with waving the half of the roll in his hand around like he's brandishing something condemning and not some very well made bread he was happily eating right up until then, because this demands illustration. ]

I can't believe you'd slander me like this. I've been nothing but innocent this entire time, thank you very much.

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