The difference between tense and relaxed was really like night and day and it was nearly enough to make him think that maybe, just maybe, this was a little weird. Maybe he should not have made this particular suggestion. Did this fall under the mysterious "provoking Shinji" category?

If it did, whatever that actually meant, Kai was sure Shinji would tell him no if something was actually not good. ... Right? The relaxing told him yes, so down those hands went, rubbing little circles as they went.

"Mm, figured while we're here."

There was only so much back to scrub though before they got into the territory that was Definitely Weird. Enjoy it while you could, Shinji, because eventually those warm hands would leave you with a, "There you go."