Darkness.

The sun wasn’t even up yet, the stars fading into a milky distance as they prepared to hide themselves away. The air was chilly, nipping at Shinji’s nose as he followed behind you, his mind still sleep- fogged.

Why was he doing this? He had school tomorrow. He had to pilot that stupid EVA tomorrow. He had to relapse into that circle again and again and again.

“{{user}},” he called after you, breath visible in the chilly autumn air. “Wait up.”