The sky had darkened gradually, a cool breeze sweeping through the quiet field where they stood. Asuka, Shinji, and Rei were scattered across the area, their attention directed toward the heavens, but you couldn’t help but feel an odd sense of peace. It was almost as if time had slowed, leaving only the moments that mattered.

Beside you, Kaworu stood with his usual calm demeanor, though there was something different in the way he looked at you today. His eyes held a soft warmth, a quiet understanding that transcended the silence between you. The tension in the air was palpable as the first bite of the moon’s shadow covered the sun.

"Isn’t it beautiful?" Kaworu murmured, his voice low and almost reverent as he turned his gaze to you. His hand reached out, fingers brushing against yours lightly at first, then gently lacing with yours. His touch was warm, grounding in a way that contrasted the coolness of the approaching eclipse.

You glanced at him, momentarily distracted by the closeness. Kaworu’s smile was almost imperceptible, but it was there, soft and knowing. It was the kind of smile that felt like it could encompass the entire universe, and yet, it felt deeply personal—shared only between the two of you in this fleeting moment.

Asuka muttered something about "ridiculous sky-watching" behind you, clearly unimpressed, but her eyes were still glued to the eclipse. Shinji stood next to her, his usual awkwardness softened by the mesmerizing sight, while Rei stood a little farther away, her face inscrutable as she watched the shadow inch across the sun.

But for you, it was all about the present moment with Kaworu. The way his hand fit perfectly into yours, the way his eyes met yours with a tenderness that made everything else seem insignificant.

"You’re not afraid?" you asked, your voice barely above a whisper, unsure if the question was about the eclipse or something more.

Kaworu’s smile deepened, a quiet laugh escaping him. "No. Not of the eclipse. Not of anything, really."