The nickname had been admittedly something of a gamble - whether or not Kai's given him confirmation that it's an okay thing to be using, it had still kind of felt like maybe Shinji shouldn't be the one using it. Would it be a reassurance in this instance? Or would it ruffle some feathers? He just couldn't be sure.

That shift in their hands reassures him that any worries he may have had were just worries, nothing that really existed outside of his own thoughts. Unsurprisingly, Kai accepts it warmly, and Shinji feels relieved for it.

He lets his hand settle comfortably in this new position, a faint pink dusting his cheeks. This... this is good. Despite everything, this is good.

"After this, did you want to go home?" He asks gently, continuing to inspect the plants with his free hand. "Or go somewhere else?"