WASHINGTON — Before taking a seat at his father's funeral Wednesday at Washington National Cathedral, former President George W. Bush made sure to shake the hands of all the U.S. presidents and first ladies, current and former, in attendance.

He saved something special for former first lady Michelle Obama.

Bush appeared to hand Obama something small — causing her to chuckle — in what was almost certainly a call back to when TV cameras picked up the former president slipping her a cough drop at the September funeral of former Arizona Sen. John McCain.

Watch former President George W. Bush hands what appears to be a mint to Michelle Obama — similar to their exchange at Sen. John McCain’s funeral. pic.twitter.com/1rAvoncIEd — TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 5, 2018

That earlier exchange went viral online as observers marveled at the unvarnished and funny bit of bipartisanship.

Whether the latest gift involved a cough drop, a candy or something else, the friendly prank likely would've been appreciated by former President George H.W. Bush, who was remembered at his funeral Wednesday for a fun-loving spirit and a keen sense of humor.

"He loved to laugh, especially at himself," the younger Bush said later in his eulogy, noting that his dad "had a circle of friends with whom he shared or received the latest jokes."

"He could tease and needle, but never out of malice. He placed great value on a good joke."

The laughs Wednesday between the younger Bush and Obama also further highlighted the duo's budding friendship.

Former President George W. Bush, hands something to a laughing Michelle Obama as (from left) President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, former President Barack Obama, former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, look on before Bush took his seat for the State Funeral for George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States, at the Washington National Cathedral on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, in Washington. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

Obama has explained that she and Bush are "forever seatmates" at events that bring together all the former presidents and first ladies. That's because protocol says the seating order goes in couples, from the most recent White House inhabitants on down the list.

"He's my partner in crime at every major thing where all the 'formers' gather," Obama told NBC's Today show in October, recalling that the initial cough drop exchange came after she saw Laura Bush give George W. Bush one. "I love him to death. He's a wonderful man. He's a funny man."