That softens Claude's smile. "Well, I can't say I don't appreciate it, Dedue, but the thing is, I'm pretty sure these past few weeks have been difficult on you, too. That's kind of what concerns me. There's been a lot of emphasis on how Grant and Dimitri and I are doing, but I'm worried you've been kind of left in the lurch because of it. The people who left mattered to you too, didn't they?"

But Dedue's almost-joke gets a definite laugh. Claude's not yet back up to his full brightness, but by now...well, this isn't his first serious loss rodeo anymore. And he's been trying to lean into the philosophies of his own people, which he grew up in but until recently never had to personally try to practice - celebrate what you had, and what you still have, rather than sit around crying about what you can't get back.

And even a flicker of friendly teasing from Dedue? That's well worth celebrating.

"I guess you've got me there. All right, then; I'll accept your offer in the spirit you made it - that of a solicitous friend who makes better tea than I do. And then maybe you can accept my nosiness in the same spirit, how's that sound?"