Between the closeness, Akiha's hands on her, and the look on her face, Nico can't care one bit when she's being made fun of. Her own smile only broadens in turn, the pull of muscle enough to make her cheeks ache -- but she can't care about that, either.

"I don't need to hear that from you," she coos, voice halfway to a sing-song. Leaning down, she lightly bumps their foreheads together. Rather then pull away afterwards, though, she stays just like this.

Would Akiha have cried, really? Just because of something she said...? The thought tugs a distinct strum in Nico's chest. The jab that follows the admission is wholly too warm to sting, but it still evokes an urge: she wants to make this perfectly clear.

"That conclusion was totally serious, okay? Like, have you seen cactus flowers?" The words carry a playful ring still, but then she tips her head, touching her lips to Akiha's cheek. Nico's eyelashes flutter, and her voice comes softer, after.

"They're really, really pretty."