[ Those questions cause Claude to still where he was fidgeting with the towel once more for something to do with his hands now that the all too brief distraction of cleaning Dimitri's face is done. They've circled back to something too familiar, the puzzle pieces still connecting and now that he casts a glance at the picture Claude doesn't like what's coming into focus.
What is he supposed to do with that grave tone? Argue about something he barely understands? He wants to, but if Dimitri chooses to tell him some variation of what he did before, has already with the words all brittle and hollowed out with sincerity -
Better to just not. ]
You can't set yourself on fire to keep others warm forever, you know.
[ Claude's too tired to care that his words come out blunter than he means with each syllable clipped at the edges in worry, too weary to mind they'll be rejected all over again much like the first time he impressed this upon Dimitri to no avail. It won't be successful now either, he knows. It won't stop him from trying regardless, apparently.
So instead he sighs to let it go, summons up his own stoic mask in the form of a smile into place, ready to force cheer for the Deer's sake upon their return - not without a flicker of guilt for not checking in with them before walking out here, something he's sure Lorenz will be quick to snipe at him about as yet another mark of being a poor leader - and shoves everything aside mentally. He focuses on how much he wants a bath, dinner, and then to steal away to some rooftop to think this over with all the emotions wrung dry, and holds out a hand to Dimitri. ]
Help me up, will you?
[ He could easily stand up the same way as he sat down heavily to begin with, but all he can think now is gods, I'm exhausted and that it wouldn't be the worst idea to draw on some of Dimitri's strength momentarily. Even if it's a moment of weakness in asking for some kind of contact, one where he won't let go of Dimitri's hand if it's offered in return until the other lets go first. ]
no subject
What is he supposed to do with that grave tone? Argue about something he barely understands? He wants to, but if Dimitri chooses to tell him some variation of what he did before, has already with the words all brittle and hollowed out with sincerity -
Better to just not. ]
You can't set yourself on fire to keep others warm forever, you know.
[ Claude's too tired to care that his words come out blunter than he means with each syllable clipped at the edges in worry, too weary to mind they'll be rejected all over again much like the first time he impressed this upon Dimitri to no avail. It won't be successful now either, he knows. It won't stop him from trying regardless, apparently.
So instead he sighs to let it go, summons up his own stoic mask in the form of a smile into place, ready to force cheer for the Deer's sake upon their return - not without a flicker of guilt for not checking in with them before walking out here, something he's sure Lorenz will be quick to snipe at him about as yet another mark of being a poor leader - and shoves everything aside mentally. He focuses on how much he wants a bath, dinner, and then to steal away to some rooftop to think this over with all the emotions wrung dry, and holds out a hand to Dimitri. ]
Help me up, will you?
[ He could easily stand up the same way as he sat down heavily to begin with, but all he can think now is gods, I'm exhausted and that it wouldn't be the worst idea to draw on some of Dimitri's strength momentarily. Even if it's a moment of weakness in asking for some kind of contact, one where he won't let go of Dimitri's hand if it's offered in return until the other lets go first. ]