[ He knows he has to tread carefully here, but if Riku's talking about it... then maybe... He purses his lips, thinking, and puts his knee down so that he's in a cross-legged position and Riku can clearly see his body language in all its complexity, if he can see through that blindfold. It sure seems like he can. Arden puts both of his hands on his ankles and forces his shoulders down, losing the tension there. ]

You may not believe me if I tell you this, but... yeah, he's happy. He's happier lately... because you're here.

[ His brows furrow, as if willing Riku to understand. ]

Get it? You have no basis for comparison. You're just going off how he's acted since you got here.