Ah, a laugh! That's... maybe still not the best thing to be hearing given the context, but Shinji's not about to call too much attention to it. "Don't I come to you for stuff kind of like this lot?" If this makes you a sad sack, what does that make him, huh? But, no, he's not out to make this a competition or anything, so he keeps his tone even and gentle, and as long as that bit of movement isn't going to stop him from it, he keeps those reassuring little pets going, too.

"So, I'm glad you came to me this time," those little words of gratitude, in spite of the situation, warm his heart up a good deal. He leans his head in a little bit, resting it against Kai's. "I'll listen to you any time."