The paper napkin ripped a little bit from the way Ashton was gripping it for dear life, and Ashton dropped it into his lap, gripping the table instead. He stared at Claude, trying his best to gauge his reaction (and if he needed to quickly apologize again for who-knew-what.)

But at least it could have been worse. Claude wasn't hitting things or throwing things or screaming or anything else. Not that Claude would have done any of those things, but. One never knew when it came to this sort of thing. Matters of the heart changed people.

Even so, hearing Claude say he'd still be Ashton's friend, even though it seemed.. kind of forced and awkward.. made all the difference. He was still a little shaky, but he nodded. "I.. I mean..." Why had he been hiding this from Claude? Because.. well, because of a lot of things. A lot of things that had to do with Claude feeling more alone, and just embarrassment in general, and.. well, other reasons too, but.. "I mean, it's.. nothing's really official or anything yet, but you know I was going to tell you when it was, eventually, right?"

He sighed, fidgeting nervously some more. "I mean, I'm just not sure that you would have appreciated it if I kept you updated with every single new thing that happened with your rival, so..."