"Forgive my presumption," he murmurs in a low tone, like sliding velvet. "I would not take any choices away from you. But I would like you to... know your options."

Much of it really is life experience, but partly, it's just that Jon reminds him in a certain way of himself when he was very young. Oh, Jean-Claude had been a wanton, reckless thing when he was alive, and the dual tragedies of his wife's death in labor with their stillborn child had plunged him headlong into seeking a different life. Immortality and power seemed as different as could possibly be, he'd naively thought at the time.

It was those years after his turning, where he'd been reduced to nothing more than an animal until Belle Morte took him in hand, that he is afraid would happen to Jonathan without his interference. Right now, Jonathan wonders how long he will remain as human as he is. Jean-Claude, as a new vampire, experienced so much degradation and violence he could not retain even the illusion of his humanity. What he has now, he has clawed his way to regaining.

And, more simply, he doesn't often find someone interesting that he can both afford to be compassionate toward, and might deserve that compassion.