"Oh," was the first breathy reaction from Shinji, and for a moment, it's all he can manage as his heart jumps right up into his throat.
There was a part of him that was very convinced that he might not ever hear that sentiment echoed back at him. And that was fine! He had been knocked off guard the first time it had happened, and it was easy to hold that memory as a one-time thing. Kai treated him well, and made him feel safe and cared about, and that was more than enough for Shinji. That's all he would have asked for.
Hearing it again nearly bowls him right over. All the warm fondness in his chest, simmering quietly under any more turbulent feelings, positively ignites at those two murmured words. His face heats right up, and his hold on Kai tightens like it's the only thing keeping him anchored to this spot.
"Ah," he finally remembers to take a breath in, moving in to bury his face in the crook of Kai's neck to hide whatever undoubtedly ridiculous look was crossing it at that moment. "I love you."
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There was a part of him that was very convinced that he might not ever hear that sentiment echoed back at him. And that was fine! He had been knocked off guard the first time it had happened, and it was easy to hold that memory as a one-time thing. Kai treated him well, and made him feel safe and cared about, and that was more than enough for Shinji. That's all he would have asked for.
Hearing it again nearly bowls him right over. All the warm fondness in his chest, simmering quietly under any more turbulent feelings, positively ignites at those two murmured words. His face heats right up, and his hold on Kai tightens like it's the only thing keeping him anchored to this spot.
"Ah," he finally remembers to take a breath in, moving in to bury his face in the crook of Kai's neck to hide whatever undoubtedly ridiculous look was crossing it at that moment. "I love you."