Having a good gig has been good for Taako. It's that little dash of independence, the spice of a reliable source of income and increasingly popular dishes that's left him- more settled, in a way. Barry's proud of him. Lup's proud of him. Taako's proud of himself- not actually that surprising, but also essentially everything Barry could ask for. Having a loving partner and a steady job of his own is just the icing on the cake.

Don't worry too much over asking how he's doing, Taako. That's not why he's here. The bonus of being head of his own science department is taking an extended lunch, every now and again, so he's in no hurry. Doubtless, he'll be noticed eventually, but for now Barry takes a seat as unobtrusively as possible, ordering a barley water and looking around at the place Taako's made so popular with a fierce surge of pride.

Because Taako deserves love too, duh.