Claude's words echo in his mind like a flock of birds, taking flight towards the light. For a long moment, he just stands there with his hands clenched by his sides, his lips still tingling from the kiss and wonders how he's supposed to reject this. Not how do I reject him? or why don't I leave. Rather, it's a sense of disbelief - that leaving would be the right thing to do, the only proper solution. And that no matter how hard he tries to envision his mother's disappointment (disappointment requires some kinds of expectations first, though, doesn't it?), he can't for the life of him imagine something he'd feel less inclined to do.

"Yes." The word nearly tumbles out of him, his voice hoarse. Stepping closer once more, he takes another deep breath and smiles, managing for at least a few seconds to dispel any worries from his expression.

This shame... It doesn't belong to this here between them, whatever it is. It may be for him to bear but surely, what they just shared - what Claude just gave him without words or greediness - surely, something like that can't damn him in any way that his own thoughts haven't already. And even if it does... what then? Maybe that's the true question right there and maybe it's fine for him to have no answer now - beyond the obvious, a repetition:

"Yes, I'd love to."

Even if he'll be walking blindly up those stairs in the dark, just like last time he'll be in excellent company.