Kaworu's hands have rested in his lap when Shinji gives his review. Playing this song has left him with a sticky, wonderful, swarming mess inside his chest.

It's because Shinji is here next to him. Although his compliment is such a small statement, it's piercing.

"I can do anything with you near me," he breathes, talking just above a whisper. "If it's amazing, it's because I'm always thinking of you."

They have to play together. They must. Turning his head towards Shinji, he leans gently towards him until their shoulders touch. The piano bench creaks gently as Kaworu's weight shifts.

"There's another arrangement of this song that I've always wanted to play." His gaze is locked with Shinji's. That subdued excitement from before is back. "It's a piano-cello duet."