[Claude laughs, deliberately light, not wanting to let Lorenz get bogged down in deeper emotions again - not over this, at least. He wants Lorenz to be able to relax, to smile, to be happy again. He knows that won't be easy, and that it'll take time and work for Lorenz to get there...but the heavy issues can be dealt with in their own time and place. Right now, when it's just a matter of going out for a meal with a friend, he wants Lorenz to set aside those heavier things for a little while.] C'mon, Lorenz, it's just dinner. No need to blow it out of proportion.

[But he squeezes Lorenz's hand back, all the same.

Claude considers their choices carefully, and soon settles on guiding Lorenz inside a bakery. He knows Lorenz is fond of cakes and sandwiches and pastries - namely the sorts of things that go with tea - but also he can tell this place serves heartier fare, too. He's specifically eyeing the soup bread bowls. Something nice and hearty and filling seems like it'd do Lorenz a lot of good right now.] This place seems nice. Why don't you go get us a table while I order us some grub?

[That word choice was deliberate. He wants Lorenz to be a little less deferential, and he figures the quick way to that is to low-key annoy him with a word as inelegant as 'grub'. Just something to get him a little huffy, stir up that banked spark of Lorenz's spirit.]