Asuka was terrified. She was terrified and she wanted more at the same time - this was what she'd always pushed away from herself, it was what she'd tried to avoid. The physical contact, the raw emotion of it - it cut through her, tore her apart and exposed her and she was frightened. She couldn't be this close to someone - she didn't want to be (but she did) and she almost jerked away. Instead, she stared at him, with wide, wide eyes and a mouth that opened and closed as she tried to find the right words.

She trembled, throat working as she swallowed and leaned back (just slightly) as his fingers brushed her cheek, "...you're going to leave me again. Everyone always does. My mother didn't stay, Kaji won't stay - Shinji just runs away-!"

Don't, don't, don't-

It'd be easier to push him away now and go back to living on her own. It'd be easier to pretend she doesn't want anything to do with him or the pure, selfless love that he offers. But if he loves her - if someone, anyone loves her - she's worth something.

Isn't she?