Clarus used his weight and his hold to bring Cor down to his knees, so he wouldn't have as far to fall if Clarus ended up needing to choke him out. He was holding fast, restricting breathing just a bit, but still leaving plenty of room for air.

"If you'd shut th' fuck up for once and lissin," he slurred, his jaw still hurting and beginning to swell. "We were betrayed, you lil' shit. We got hit from the inside. That's why Regis an' I died. So ex-fuckin-scuse me for exercisin' caution with those 'round prince Noct."