[ When he cups her face whatever uncertain expression she has on her face turns into a defensive pout. He's not a mind reader. How would he know? ]

I'm not thinking anything.

[ The answer makes her heart sink in a way that it's been sinking ever since she had gotten wind of this new found affection between them. But this time, plummeting despair doesn't follow. After everything that had happened, it had no where else to go. It simply became heavier and heavier, making her remember part of the reason why she had been drinking in the first place. Hadn't she said that she wouldn't be so stubborn though? That she wouldn't be so greedy? Something else emerges from the sinking feeling in her heart: a bittersweet happiness that he and Claude had allowed themselves to open up to one another as much as they had is a good thing. It bodes well. And while she is glad, a greedy jealous heart doesn't change overnight.

Maybe with time, she thinks, with some level of grace that she doesn't possess, she won't feel the bitter sadness that coats her tongue. They didn't have to keep being kind to her like this, offering to wear something just because she was around. Sadness is inevitable in an ending. Maybe that's what the last several months have been culminating into and her body had known it was in some state of mourning all along. Her mind was just catching up to it now. As she brushes away Sylvain's hand, an understanding smile flutters to her face but it doesn't reach her eyes. ]

Good. I'm glad he made it up to you. And it's sweet that you're wearing it.

[ And she means it. There's genuineness to it. But that doesn't dispel the lingering sadness that had permeated her bones. Her gaze lingers on the earring and then his face ever so briefly before she lets out a yawn, stretching like a cat. ]

I guess if that's the case then I won't be too upset that you're wearing something I didn't make.