It's rather like Eri, the way Kaworu flinches. Even during the good times (just weeks ago, but it feels longer) when Midoriya reached for Kaworu, it was because Kaworu was already reaching for him with his eyes or his arms.

He takes in a breath through his nose, and it gets stuck somewhere in his throat. His chest hurts. Tears prick the edges of his eyes as he listens to Kaworu try different ways of distancing himself. His own shoulders rise a little as if to protect the vulnerable pulse in his neck beating in time with the ache under his ribs.

"You've never called me that. Don't call me that," he says in a tight voice.

He's never protested what Kaworu called him before. The tears slip down his cheeks. He wants to take his hand in his. He doesn't want to touch him without permission.