Couple, Tim says, like that, and Neal's stomach does a sudden energetic cartwheel at the realization of what Tim might have come across.

And then Malcolm is looking at him, looking at him with that adorable expression that makes his stomach do different kinds of cartwheels, and he ducks Malcolm's gaze almost shyly, the action instinctively teasing as well as serving as an evasive maneuver for panic. He glances at Tim. "Well, if you did see anything embarrassing, I'm trusting you to keep it to yourself."

The words are cheerful and neutral and NOT AT ALL PRAYING TIM GETS THE GIST.