Of course, the moment Grant voices their shared reason for being here, he's questioning his own approach. Claude doesn't like barreling into things that way, he knows that-- maybe he should have let Claude set the pace. But... then again, if they'd taken too long, they could have stressed Byleth out more. Maybe he should have only mentioned what he was here for and let Claude add in his part? Fuck. What if he's about to get them both rejected, just like that, and he didn't even give Claude the chance to cushion himself against it?

There's another degree of tension winding up in his shoulders when Claude replies. Fuck. He rubs his thumb over the surface of Claude's knuckles, hoping desperately that that... somehow communicates an apology.

And then they just have to wait for a reply. It doesn't take too long, at least - he can't quite let himself hope at first, no matter how cute Byleth's fluster is, but-- just moments later, there's not much room left for doubt.

Grant swallows, staring down at both his hands as he struggles to form words, but-- yeah, there are the tears, words aren't gonna happen. He just nods, instead.