Sorry about the overly aggressive affection of your dog, Shinji. The worrying just came from the loving, so it was going to happen whether there were tears or not. What good were shoulders to cry on if they weren't offered? Hiding those tears just didn't feel right. Kai was sure Shinji wasn't going to be the only one crying in this room for too long.

That simple lean did wonders for the anxiety that was tightly coiling unnoticed in Kai's chest, letting go in another slow exhale. "I know," Kai assured him. Shinji would be fine. He wasn't alone, he was so strong, and they'd tackle this like everything else. "You will. It's still okay though, to not be okay."

Hand still steady at his back, Kai turned his head so he could catch Kyoko's eye too. "None of us need to be okay tonight. This sucks."