[and byleth smiles - a genuine, very blatant smile. his gaze relaxes, warms, as he looks at the man he's fought beside and fought for.]

There's nothing to thank me for. I know you- even if I don't know your past or all your thoughts, I know who you are as a person. And that's enough for me.

[he returns the shoulder squeeze with a little back pat.

....then he hits his fist into his open palm, as if just remembering something.]

Oh- if we are to be bonded, should I also wear full Leicester Alliance regalia? [though they are fighting for a better overall world and not something as small and petty as nations and patriotism-- he wonders if claude would like it if he wore his colors.]