003. text + action.

[astrobleme]

[network.]

[Shinji isn't mincing words today:]

This is totally outrageous.

I got a ticket from the local police for going 'too fast,' even though it was only - only!!! - by an infinitesimal amount. Literally a couple zeroes after the decimal point right here. I'm not a great pilot, I'll just say that, but there's no way I should be getting ticketed for this freaking crap. [Freaking crap. That's how you know he's really annoyed.]

So the other pilots should be aware that these so-called police are more interested in filling quotas for speeding tickets instead of actually protecting people. Whatever.


[action, aboard various ships in the Fleet.]

[Shinji and his bad mood can be found on the Red Fish, standing outside Asuka's room; on the Vanquish, in search of Kaworu; and on the Heron, his home ship, where he's trying to nurse a bruised ego with the coffee maker in the kitchen.]

Comments

private text.

[astrobleme]

Yeah, I think so.

[In which case...]

The A.T. Field. That's what I want to learn about.

I want to have the power to protect you.

private text.

[paraclete]

[It hits him, center of the chest, like something that could fracture his core.]

Shinji-kun, I want you to do this for your own sake...

The A.T. Field is for your heart and soul.

private text.

[astrobleme]

Kaworu-kun is my heart and soul.

private text.

[paraclete]

[Kaworu covers his mouth with his hand. It's not exactly that he's embarrassed by Shinji's words; he's generally composed enough to absorb most things people say. But he can't imagine being worthy of—Shinji's heart and soul, they're the most beautiful things, and—

Anyway, Kaworu's glad Shinji can't see the prickly flush overtaking his face. Though... Isn't it true that Shinji wants to see even these parts of Kaworu... ...]

I'm completely charmed. I can't resist you.

[Shinji's heart and soul, what they really are, are much more precious than Kaworu ever could be. Delicate, too. Kaworu will protect them, but more than that, he'll give Shinji the tools to protect them as well.

But this new feeling, being considered a part of something so wonderful... Kaworu wants to take the time to cherish it.]

private text.

[astrobleme]

[Equally out of sight, Shinji feels like turning around and burying his face against his pillow. It still isn't the easiest thing to speak from the heart, unfiltered. It's embarrassing. Even when he has a screen and keyboard to separate him from Kaworu...

But he hesitates only a little before he writes,] I love you. [Followed by,] I'm trusting you to show me the way.

Please be patient with me.