[He wants to argue that it's all well and good to say things like that, insist he shouldn't care what his father thinks. But Claude doesn't have to listen to the man day in and day out. Avalon, of course, is a welcome respite but he's going to go back eventually. And he won't have Claude's guidance or sass to spur him on then.

But that question makes him freeze, gaze snapping up to look at his friend once more. His expression shifts quickly and obviously from startled to guilty to something more sheepish.]

I suppose that is what I'm doing, isn't it? [He's spent so long insisting to himself and others that he wants things to be the way he's resigned himself to that he has trouble seeing the other perspective.] I just... want to do what's best for everyone. Even if that means... [A little huff, dark amusement that he at least has a way to allude to it without saying it.]

Never letting myself have the type of dance partner I want. [The slightest hesitation, face flushing darker and gaze firmly cast aside so he doesn't have to see whatever Claude's response to that might be.] I- I think, that is.