[ Wait. Waiiit a minute. That expression. That quip.

Felix is teasing him.

With him, it might be a fine line between his customary brusque disregard, and this sort of mockery, but it's a nuance Claude can appreciate. He isn't a bit sensitive, able to comfortably take aim at himself, and besides... a smirk like that looks good on Felix.

So Claude grins back, shrugs. ]

You got me. Hey, that means you can't blame me, right?

[ With the terrain breaking into rock, there's more care to take in where they step. But after months here, he's able to do so without paying much attention. At least at this juncture, before the incline really sets in. ]

I do.

[ Remember, and he's still amused. And he hasn't forgotten about the taste of Felix's mouth. (Uh. There might be better ways to put that.) ]

Instead of rejecting me outright, you challenged me to a hike. I was very flattered. But, didn't you say, "the sooner we get to where we're going"?