[Of course he's somewhere near her. Because she's one of the people who sprang to mind, in his last conversation with Misato. It's not because he doesn't trust her, doesn't think her capable. It's the half-dozen words advocating for blowing the planet that keeps him close.]
[So when she, understandably, starts talking about the tech, he's close enough to reach a covered hand over to plunk it on her shoulder.]
VI
[So when she, understandably, starts talking about the tech, he's close enough to reach a covered hand over to plunk it on her shoulder.]
(Pidge--!)
(Inside voices!)