A/N: For Yun Fei-Yan Lan and Shinn x Stellar lovers out there.
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Colorblind
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Shinn Asuka learned long ago that he could only move forward in life.
In a life surrounded by strangers, he could easily pinpoint his next safe landing, which one of them could be a friend or foe. He divided the world in black and white, experienced life when he stood in the center of a crowd on day, people who smelled like watermelons and jasmine whirled past him like flashes and still couldn't find where he belong. At night, he replayed the voice message over and over like a lullaby, and he would hear his family again in his dreams. Shinn never grew to dislike or get bored at it, and the next morning he'll woke up with tear stains on his pillow and a pink cell phone with an empty battery in his hand. He chose to fight in the war he loathed and learned how to kill with unmoved eyes, and he would close his eyes and ears as hangar rumors flew through him like a breeze. Minerva was not a home, she was a battle ground for pilots and technicians alike, Captain Gladys reminded him. He was glad he kept his entire sentiment (safe one) stowed away safely in a pink contraption every time he went out for battle, and unleashed only his rage on his enemies.
And then Stellar came, whose naivety and puppy-dog eyes started haunting his dreams, and reminded him of trust and reliance. He found comfort in her dance and dependence in her eyes, things he had forgotten when he was waging war in Impulse and he kissed the sakura shell good night since then. Devotion was his only consolation and love was her only remedy.
All he saw was white water draining her out of life as he bid her good night in the lake, and black water pouring out of his eyes.
Stellar loves you, Shinn, he heard her whispered to him one night, arms circling around his waist, embracing him from the back. It was morning when he turned around to look at her, and he woke up from his dream.
Shinn Asuka simply knew how to move forward, and he got up to prepare for war, as destroying Freedom was his only solace now.
