[ ah, so that's how it is. it is not the idea of her taking from him, but him taking from her, that chafes down to the bone. addition of any kind could be tolerable, for the mere fact it expands the territory she occupies like a ballooning star. subtraction of any kind could not permit, like chunks of herself breaking off and leaving her thin, top-heavy, or cold.

or maybe it's simply the idea of him. him taking. him loving. him doing much of anything except giving.

somehow having misato finally cognizant of the risks, in all her agitation, feels like less of an improvement than kaji had hoped. he holds her unescapable gaze and stills under her unescapable grasp. misato's selfishness has a foundation, as loath as many people are to admit. ]

I have to say, I'm moved by your generosity. You're still as stingy as ever, so I don't think you have anything to worry about. [ a grim flicker of a smile crosses his mouth. the joke challenges her to mock the pace he's willing to move forward at. ] I wouldn't know. That's something only you would know.