It's not about pretending. Isn't this nice, spending time with someone you like and knowing they feel comfortable around you? So, why not give them more of a reason to feel that way and be as happy as you can possibly make them? If you like a person, you should want to be the one who inspires those feelings and not simply let them happen.

[ He pokes Alhaitham's neck with his nose. ]

Does that make sense?