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It's very hard to stay on topic when Tidus was offering him a spread of makeouts and possibly more, okay! How is Inigo supposed to not get totally distracted from this gift idea by that?

It's why he at first doesn't realise what he's looking at - the boy's got makeouts on the mind, not food.

But then, after a few moments of staring, reality slowly starts to dawn upon him.

".. you got rainbow cubes?" Even though they didn't find them at the place they went to eat at, and instead just made dumb jokes about it?

Look at them - the true icons of smoothness. Both looking slightly flustered over rainbow cubes. This is their life now.

"You really sounded invested in them after I joked about them-" really invested in not eating them, then coming around to it with Tidus's incredible skills of persuasion!!, "-so, I made them!"

And made them turn out to be cakes. Because what else was he going to make them into that was both edible and easy-ish? If Inigo doesn't take the plate, then Tidus will set it between them, just so he isn't...holding them.

"It's a thank you, for the present you got me. And, uh.. I guess a bit of a sorry, if I made things weird."

'if'. Weird for you, specifically, he means. Made him feel bad.

The plate does end up between the two of them, because Inigo is still way too stunned by all of this to think of actually taking the plate and giving Tidus's arm a rest. But once it is sitting there on the bed, Inigo manages to slowly make his gaze rise from the cubes towards the other's face, especially at those last moments.

"It's fine.. I just was worried that you guys were fighting." Especially when Inigo is definitely the type who wishes all of his friends could get along - and knowing that his problem of all things was the cause of it only made it worse. "You didn't make it weird."

Or not too much, anyway. It's not like it was a super terrible thing to watch, mostly just awkward - and a little hurtful to have his thoughts about Tidus's feelings on dating confirmed, but it's not like that's anything he didn't already know. Isn't that exactly the reason he never told Tidus in the first place?

.. not wanting to think about that too hard out of the fear that he might fall into a negative spiral, Inigo quickly reaches out, grabbing one of the cubes and putting it into his mouth. So much better to think about.

"Oh, it.. tastes like cake?"

Tidus doesn't think to explain what was up between him and Jingyi - he thinks he explained his beef with the guy there pretty clearly, even if it sounded dumb by the end. Though the thought of saying something - it does remind Tidus of his conversation with Jingyi; what he just offered to do with Inigo. Relationships.

A thought he's distracted from with Inigo's remark. He lets of a small huff of mirth.

"Good thing, huh? You like cake!" ...nevermind that it is cake. Is that the point? It's not important, anyway. "Next time I'll be fancier. But uh, I never really think about cakes much. 'Cept me eating them."

He could make them, sure, but actual meals were way better than cake. But maybe he'd go out of his way, for Inigo.

Most people would probably realise that it is just cake. But after the conversation he and Tidus had in that other place, Inigo can't help but only think of them as rainbow cubes and nothing else, which means that his brain is completely missing that realisation.

Instead he's just happily eating - putting a second one in his mouth once he finishes the first one, before picking the plate up to hold it out to Tidus, like he's telling him to take one too. They're good, after all!

"Does that mean you'll be making stuff for me more often?"

There's basically a metaphorical tailwag audible in those words. The thought by itself makes him look so excited.

"You're really good at this! Not that.. I have any idea what rainbow cubes are supposed to taste like." Tidus is the one who ~~made them up~~ brought them up, after all. "But they taste so delicious!"

Tidus will take one, since why not? Eating most of it in one bite, but letting his fingers continue to have something to hold onto. A muffled chuckle at Inigo's assessment -- or rather, its accompanying energy.

"Okay, maybe once in a while, as a treat." As a treat. "I know what you're like with sweets. And we know what everyone else is like about making them too all the time."

That there isn't much reason to make them, when they already are. Plus, the food dyes were bought by Romeo and Madoka; he doesn't want to use all of what's left by treating Inigo with endless cakes. ...even if he is a simple guy to make happy.

Which, even if Tidus doesn't feel proud about these - they're just simple sponge cakes after all -, he's happy, to see Inigo happy. The lingering thought only momentarily had resurfacing, close enough to reach his tongue.

"But... I wanted you to know that... I appreciate the relationship with have. You know, in general, and..." His gaze drops, awkward, embarrassed, but lifting back onto Inigo. "...well. Everything. About it. Even if I get too much and we end up having stupid arguments... I like you - who you are."

Even with his anxieties and apprehensions that rear their head.

Inigo's excitement fades.

But it's not because he's upset. No, instead he just gives Tidus a surprised look in exchange for those words. He's quiet at first, like his brain really needs every single bit of processing power it has to come to terms with these words, and even then, it looks like he's about to - very unsexily - choke on one of the rainbow cubes he's got in his mouth.

Thankfully he manages to avoid the latter fate, instead quickly swallowing the last bits of the cube in his mouth, feeling his cheeks heat up as Inigo looks over at Tidus again, caught in the emotion behind those words.

It's so sweet - but also so out of the blue.

"What..? I.. uh, of course I like you for who you are too.." They're still kind of fazed, those words. Confused. Like he's not sure what to make of these words, other than the fact that they make his chest feel all warm. "That's why we've been this close all this time, right?"

Close enough to even share a room, share a bed - something Inigo never thought Tidus would agree to doing with him.

"And it's not like we ever have terrible arguments.. Or are you still worried about the marshmallow thing? I never think you're too much, you know..!"

"Wellll," he drags out, just a little, "--I do feel bad about that. And I got pushy about the Dance Dungeon too... I never knew I could be so- naggy!" Oh no, he's exactly what Inigo warned he was being when it came to the marshmallows, and it makes Tidus frown deeply as he folds his arms, still holding onto his leftover piece of cake.

"I should give you more of a break, maybe. I know you have hang-ups about dancing in front of people - and we did end up enjoying the day out, right?" So it was good, but! "--but still. I don't want you to think... I dunno. I don't take seriously how hard it is for you. I get... overexcited, I guess."

Too absorbed in how good he thinks things are and wanting people to push through their discomforts. And this wasn't even anything he planned to say, but-

"But..." But... He pulls on his frown, the difficult line of his mouth, taking in a breath he eventually lets go. "I want to say these things because... I just felt I should. We have a relationship that's different from other people, and- I don't wanna make it sound weird," he adds, shaking his head. "But- I'm happy with it. Doing whatever we want to, 'til- if you ever wanna stop, or get serious with someone."

And he wants to say something more, but it already feels like it's gotten weird or dumb, and he doesn't want to fall into it becoming cheesy. Hey, Inigo, thanks for having sex with me! Thanks for being a bro, pal.

Let's have some restraint, here.

These are two entirely different things, really. And it's exactly because Inigo has no idea which one to bring up first - or at all - that he's quiet for a moment, even when Tidus finishes talking. He doesn't move to grab another one of the cubes, instead opting to just stare at the other, still feeling like he looks as flustered as Tidus's words sound.

.. maybe the most flustering part of this is what he should address first, huh.

"No, I don't think you're making it sound.. weird." If not just because there's not a single part of it that's weird to Inigo, who's been desperate to have even what they have now with Tidus for a while. So the last thing he wants the other to think is that he's the one making it weird.

(The only weird thing here is having to hear that reminder again, get serious with someone, like this isn't the very thing he wishes he could get serious about, but can't--!)

"Since.. you know. I'm happy too. I like.. being close to you." Tidus has no idea just how carefully Inigo is choosing his words right now. This is a minefield he's traversing. ".. If that doesn't sound too weird instead? You know how I am."

Meaning 'way too clingy', not 'gay' in this case, okay.

"But it's never anything you have to thank me for. As long as we're just enjoying it, then it's fine, right?"

"Sure..." He realises Inigo isn't wrong - at least, Tidus doesn't disagree over the idea he doesn't need to thank Inigo. There isn't exactly hesitation in his answer, but maybe further explanation. Further explanation that isn't really needed, and Tidus brightens a smile on his face, dismissing the fluster, his dumb way of feeling like this could have been phrased a thousand times better.

But you know what? He said it, he did it. That's what counts, and a small chuckle escapes between his teeth as he teasingly asks:

"So does that mean I don't have to make more rainbow cubes for you?"

That's what it sounds like to him-!

"Iiii take that back!"

Look at the stretch on that 'I'. Inigo really had to try and drag his brain back down from cloud nine there for a moment, apparently, and he's already grabbing at the plate with both of his hands, as if Tidus is threatening to take these away from him too right now.

"If it's going to be like that, you better thank me on the daily!" Bro!!

Though he pauses after the moment of dramatics, growing a tad more serious again by the time he speaks up. (Not about the gay stuff, dude, don't worry.)

"And about the other thing.. that's okay too. I actually appreciate you trying to push me out of my shell a little." Because Naga knows he wouldn't be dancing at all on the train otherwise, rather than risking it at least a few times like he is doing now. "I just feel a little guilty sometimes when it seems like I might be going too slow for you."

Tidus laughs, pops the last bit of cake into his mouth, not minding losing that plate (he'll get some if he really wants any, later). Letting his arms rest against his folded legs, an ease to his posture and mood. He shakes his head a little, at Inigo's belief.

"Don't be, you're not! I just get worried about you missing out, you know? Especially if we're only gonna get one chance to do something." Like the Dance Dungeon. "But you take all the time you need - and I'll help give you a nudge now and then, when you really need it."

Which is regularly, but that's okay. At least he's not bringing up dancing in general, and he knows Inigo goes away to get some practice in. He only asks to come and hang out now and then. Mostly when he can hang out downstairs and find more music, or practice with learning the guitar.

"Did you have fun? With the break."

At least that question is something he can answer with a very genuine smile, as he slowly puts the plate back down between the two of them.

You know, even if there's not much left to eat from there.

"Yeah, it was fun." Too bad that it was so short, but Inigo wants to focus on the upsides here, not the downsides. "That water park was.. something else! I don't think anyone in Ylisse would ever have managed to imagine something like that. No one is ever going to believe me if I tell them about this."

Hah! "What if you took pictures? What would they think about them if they saw those? I bet they'd be confused seeing real life like that on pieces of paper!"

Which isn't so much a dig on Ylisse as, what if? Spira would be the same he bet, if there wasn't the pieces of machina around that broadcast live visuals. But a world like Inigo's, where they didn't pick and choose what technology they had, and didn't have anything like that at all? It'd be a treat to see how they reacted!

Inigo considers the idea for a moment before letting out a laugh.

"Oh, that'd be.." His voice trails off, like he can't even think of one word that would encompass his friends' collective reaction to something like that. "Chaotic."

That's probably the only one that can do it justice.

"They would think I was tricking them somehow, or playing a prank on them! And then Laurent would probably go crazy trying to research it." He shakes his head, a fond smile on his face. (He misses those knuckleheads.)

"I don't think Gerome managed to figure out even one piece of technology here on the train before he left. I had to help him shower."

"Did you, huh?" Come on, allow him this joke, tapping Inigo's knee with the back of his hand and giving him a look (the kind that comes with a smirk). "Did you get in the shower too? See anything you like?"

Tidus had forgotten the guy had even been around. But what's a way to remember them by than by joking about what Inigo's tastes might be? (A guy that gets crushed under rumble....or something.)

"He looked like the quiet and mysterious type."

"Are you seriously asking me now how attractive men are?"

It's a joke, just a joke! Because he can recognize Tidus's own tone for what it is, and return the joke in kind. You want to know about Gerome's dick, bud?!

(He has, in fact, not seen Gerome's dick.)

He leans a little closer to Tidus as he says that, but moves back again when he continues.

"But.. yes, that's Gerome. The guy who looks like he's afraid his face might just freeze up if he ever smiles."

"You should take him something back too - catch him in a smile." Which Tidus suggests with a grin of his own, before looking about the room, and- there it is-!

"Hah! His wyvern friend! You got that for him, right? Or is it a dragon?" Wyvern, dragon - Tidus is talking about the plush of course, eyes on it before he turns back to Inigo. "You can get gifts for everyone! What about your sister? You need to get her something nice."

Treat your favourite (and only) sister right, pal.

"It's a wyvern, of course! You still can't tell the difference?" Please, Inigo. How do you expect people to learn the difference when it's not like they're surrounded by dragons and/or wyverns each and every single mission!

Not that his answer seems too huffy or upset - maybe just a little head-shakey-judgey at best, before Inigo is already moving on.

"Of course I could take that back for him though. But for Luce.." He pauses, seeming to think for a moment. "I'm not even sure what she'd like."

Especially considering their situation, and just how much he knows his sister feels like everything is solely on her shoulders. In that case--

He laughs, looking over at Tidus. "She might just complain at me if I don't gift her something practical."

Okay, he's aware that that statement is doing Lucina a little dirty, since she probably would accept any gift coming from him as long as he was genuine about it. But it's been so long since he got to joke about his friends - or his sister.

Tidus makes a sound - pah - to Inigo's incredulity, a wave of his hand dismissing it. Blame it on Inigo that he can never remember, especially when Tidus's brain always thinks 'dragons' when it comes to Inigo, and then 'wyverns are what we throw rocks at'!

Also because of Inigo.

"Practical, huh?" But as the conversation moves to Inigo's sister, he puts on a more genuinely thoughtful face, if light. "What's that where you're from? A sword polishing kit? Or some healing supplies... but you can always slip in something personal there too."

Something less... practical (read: dull), and Tidus's eyes lift.

"A pin! You can get a cute brooch for her, like you did Roland. What if you got a matching pair?"

The suggestions sound good enough - they're practical things that Inigo knows his sister would accept without a problem. But then there's that hint of a realisation on Tidus's face, making Inigo curiously glance over in turn, only to hear that next suggestion.

Which.. also isn't too bad of one, honestly.

"A brooch.." She'd probably like that, he thinks. Something simple. "I guess I could do that."

But as he's saying that, this time Inigo is the one having a realisation.

"Hey, if she ever shows up here, you better not buy her a brooch before I can! I haven't forgotten your whole flirting plan!" Even though that had been a joke. But whether or not Inigo realises that it was a joke is an entirely different story.

If not for the flirting plan reminder, Tidus wouldn't remember it himself - but would he have needed it, with how defensive for his sister Inigo suddenly gets, providing him all the necessary ingredients to tease him? What's sincere and thoughtful turns, with the turn of Tidus's expression into one more cheeky.

"Hey, what if she buys me a brooch? What if she's totally into me, Inigo?" He gestures a hand towards himself. "What you gonna do then? You never know."

You never know. But it's funny to Tidus, as little as he knows about Inigo's sister, though knows plenty to have a good enough impression of her. A woman Inigo admires and respects fiercely.

Also, someone for Tidus to totally tease him with. Thanks, Luce.

Look at Inigo, once more falling into a trap that he dug for himself.

And it doesn't help that Inigo thinks girls would easily fall for Tidus. After all, he's handsome, he's charming.. And while he likes to think that his sister isn't really looking for love at the moment, he can't deny the possibility.

"W-W-Why would she be into you?!" He sputters though, like he has no clue why. Him, finding Tidus attractive? Please, a.. as if.. he ever.. would....

'Why'? Thanks for asking, Inigo!

"Why not? Don't you tell me I'm good-looking?" Heheh! "I'm not a bad catch, we get along well - and you," he says after a beat, "don't have a problem with me in bed either..."

And if a brother approve of him under the sheets, why not his sister too? Tidus is a wide grin, knowing he's absolutely pushing it at his cheekiness, but might as well have fun before Inigo either dies from embarrassment, or somehow murders Tidus first.

Whichever it is.

He does look like he's about to die from embarrassment here. At the very least it means that Inigo's face is growing suspiciously red at this point. Forget the rainbow cubes, Inigo's head is the true red sphere here now. How could Tidus use the benefits part of their relationship as fuel in this teasing, huh?! That's a low blow!

What is he even supposed to say in the face of that?!

"L-- Luce is nothing like me! She's elegant! Refined! She's super graceful and powerful and the best girl alive!" Inigo could go on for ages about this, though his current rant is more fuelled by his fluster than anything else, rendering his brain-to-mouth filter completely useless. "She wouldn't just sleep with any guy she comes across..!"

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