[ An open secret, indeed. A secret a touch too personal and raw to have drawn Claude's curiosity. Something that might have had potential on the battlefield, a scab to reopen with a well-aimed arrow. Maybe it still would. Maybe that such a thought comes tinged with something that feels a little too like compunction is part and parcel of the problem that has become increasingly thrown into stark relief.

Well, he'll figure it out later. He needn't give it too much thought just now, on this roof, with the subject.

For now, Claude laughs, tugging one arm from beneath his head so he can wave his hand, half-placating and half- as though entreating for mercy. ]

Scary! And a truly formidable thought. It's far more likely he ensures I'm not able to get up here again.

[ Which would be a shame. Of course, Claude's confident he could get around anything that resulted, but he'd prefer not to have to go through the trouble. ]

But, Felix, that sounds almost like jealousy. Is that if I ever bring Dimitri up or just while you're here?