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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..!"

If there wasn't a plate of rainbow cubes in front of them, Tidus would...--psyche, he's moving them and doing exactly where that was going: inching himself closer to Inigo, getting onto his knees to do so.

"So you would?" Tidus asks, the obvious - to the last of what Inigo said. "I thought you told me you weren't like that? You got some other guys you're seeing?"

Where is he going to take this? Please, as if Tidus plans as far as 'tease Inigo'. The ends of their knees bump together.

"You dress up for them too?"

The moment Tidus moves closer like that, Inigo is trying to move away. Not that he has much space to do so on the bed, but he is trying to scoot backwards.

For how long that's going to be possible without him falling right off the bed.. well, we'll have to see about that.

"N-No!" Inigo sputters once more, apparently not having thought of the implications of what he was saying until this very moment, his face still brightly red as he shakes his head. "You were the one who told me you'd like it if I just dressed up and did that stuff with you..!"

And it's not even like that's the main reason as to why he just does it with Tidus, but he's flustered, and it's the quickest excuse he can think of in this moment to instead hide behind.

Look at him, trying to escape Tidus. As if he can't continue to shimmy himself, following Inigo along. Is he paying attention to the edge of the bed? That would mean paying attention to anything other than making Inigo wilt.

(Wasn't there something about being nice and appreciating Inigo earlier in this thread?)

"What do the other guys tell you to do? Do they get all close to you?"

Which he asks, leaning in to Inigo, putting his hands on his shoulders for support and to do as he's suggesting. A laugh to give away his games, 'cause he can't help himself; watching Inigo get like this, how fun it is. Tidus should resist playing with Inigo's heart this way, but he can't...!

Should he be glad that at least the topic has shifted from his sister to him? Maybe, but this is just as bad, especially when Tidus gets so close. Even though Inigo can tell that all of this is just one big joke from the way the other guy is laughing, it's still-- it's so much for his little heart!

Urgh.. he can't take this! The only way left to go now.. it's a counterattack, right? He can't move further away when Tidus is already holding onto his shoulders, after all..!

"W-Who knows!" Okay, maybe this counterattack would be a little more convincing if he wasn't still nervously sputtering, but he can't help that part. "Maybe they're b-better kissers than you!"

B-

B-bro?

It's a super effective counterattack, where the chuckling stops, and Tidus knows this isn't a real scenario that's currently going on, but still-

Inigo can witness it, as Tidus's face goes from a paused glee, to easing into confusion, to turning into something less confident, and more- betrayed. If there were dog ears on this boy, they would currently be drooping.

"There something wrong with the way I kiss?" Bro? Pal? This is the look of someone who isn't so sure of himself, and knows he shouldn't be taking this seriously, and yet-!

Is there something you want to tell him??

.. maybe that counterattack was a little too much.

Not that Inigo thought of that in the moment he said it. To him it was just a last ditch resort to try and get Tidus off his case. He wasn't even sure if the other would back down at all - so the scene he's witnessing right now is something he didn't even consider as a possibility! Why does he suddenly look like a guilty puppy when he was the one harassing him to begin with?!

Though he doesn't get angry. Of course not. In the face of Tidus looking like this, there's only one thing for Inigo to do - and that's nervously ramble, of course.

"W-What?! No!" He quickly waves his hands, as if to try and jedi-handwave make the thought vanish from Tidus's mind. "You're.. fine. No! You're great! I was just making a joke, Tidus! Y-You know I love kissing you!"

BRO, B-BRO, DON'T LOOK SO SAD...

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