"It's okay," he reassures him, carefully leaning in and sliding his hand around Kai's back to grasp at his shirt. Of course, he wanted to have them both back as soon as possible, but, "You were doing what I couldn't. It was a big job, so I didn't mind waiting."

As if it wasn't an agonizing wait, or something. Still, there's no reason to make Kai worry more than he already has, and he can probably figure out as much without Shinji even saying it.

"Thank you."