Where Tao’s reliance and little overtures had previously lacked guile, now they’re just a little more calculated, a little more conscious that they will rouse an ear-splitting squeal, a frantic waving of the banners that Tao proudly points out to him at concerts and fansigns. Kris has learnt to school his fluster behind a mask, but his heart still can’t help skipping a beat when Tao reaches for him so naturally and automatically, no matter how many times he tells himself Tao does it for the attention, no matter how many times he tells himself it doesn’t mean anything