There's a list of people who can get away with doing this and not have Tidus immediately fuss about it, and Taiki might be right at the top.

Because it's not a list that Tidus even knew had to be made, but while he pauses for a moment, he does relax; embarrassment threatening to colour his cheeks, but only tickling them instead. Gaze adrift, looking elsewhere, but nowhere in particular.

"I'll always say the same back to you, you know." A chide - but so light, so soft. The idea to do so doesn't come to him straight away, but he rests a hand on Taiki's knee, squeezes.

"You're still my favourite Taiki."