i def think that rik has gotten more receptive to physical touch now that he's a in a more comfortable environment! i imagine being in stressful situations like living as a trainee, boys planet, etc., if you aren't a person receptive to physical affection to begin with, having that be something tossed on you could be more stressful than reassuring. now that he's debuted, you can very obviously see rik being more receptive to all forms of affection, and you also see him initiating it from time to time. rik is a "yes, and" person at heart, and when members get touchy with him i believe he's fully capable of returning the favor.

you're sooo right that it's cute that while rik can lean into the stoicism, he's also an impulsive, excitable baby cat......and so when the craving for the initiation of touch hits, it would be hard for him to reign it in. i think there's this internal thought process he has that even if HE isn't such a big fan of physical touch, gyub is and so gyub being touchy with him = gyub showing how much he loves him = he wants gyub to show him he loves him. that craving for validation in the moment would be easily given if he initiated the physical touch himself, which makes sense since rik is introverted in vocal expression of desire. so this dancing around wanting that expression of love in the moment, knowing how to get it easily, but also it being a way that can't be shown in certain settings and contexts....chef kiss.