A puzzled "what--" was all Phoenix managed to get out before he was effectively silenced by the kiss, his body going rigid as he tried to pull away. It was so brief, though, that by the time Tyki had released him, he stumbled back from the force of his own efforts, barely managing to catch his balance on the wooden floor.

For a moment, the only thing he could do was stare, but at Tyki's words, his brow furrowed, and he reached up to wipe his mouth with the back of his sleeve, flushed with embarrassment and indignation.

He tried to think of a retort, but his mind couldn't seem to latch onto anything, so he averted his eyes and simply said nothing.