Shinji knew he was a coward. He knew he had a tendency to run away from things. But he was trying to get better. He swore that was his New Year's resolution. To be more courageous, not run away, and to see things through. But saying he'd do something and actually doing it were two different things. It was why he was standing three feet from the edge of the pool.

He had his trunks on, but he still wore a t-shirt and sandals, not completely prepared to take the dive. They had reserved a pool within Nerv HQ for the purpose of Shinji's swimming lesson today. 'They' meaning-

"Are you ready to dive in, Shinji-kun?"

Shinji looked to his left and first he saw Kaworu's face, then his chest, then the bulge in his black speedo, then back to his face. Why did he have to wear something like that? And the way his hands were on his hips and he stood at attention, he clearly had no shame.

"I'm ready. I guess..."

"Let's do some stretches first to get our muscles warmed up. Cramping in the water can be the death of you."

Shinji started out standing in front of Kaworu but that made it very hard to ignore his, um, package, so he moved to stand next to him. When Kaworu said they were done stretching Shinji didn't feel any more warmed up or ready than before. In fact, his stomach was still tied in knots.

"We'll start in the shallow end, don't be afraid", Kaworu said.

"I'm not afraid I'm just...I can't remember why we're doing this."

"You asked me to teach you because you don't know how", Kaworu supplied helpfully.

Yeah, that was what had happened. But the why was a bit more complicated (pathetic) than that. In a moment of vulnerability, Shinji had confessed that he didn't know how to swim. And in the quick succession of desperation, had asked Kaworu to teach him. Shinji didn't know what happened it was like he'd been another person. Someone who both let Kaworu see the less impressive side of himself and wanted his help to be better.

'What am I thinking? That's the only side I have.'

He removed his shirt and just wanting to get it over with, did a cannonball into the pool. He came back up, able to float with ease. It was actually moving about in water that he needed help with. Kaworu stepped into the pool and now his speedo wasn't front and center but that just left Shinji with his bare chest and his own imagination.

Shinji splashed his face as Kaworu came closer. He looked like a siren come to lure Shinji away to dark, watery depths.

"Take my hands."

Shinji took hold of them without hesitation.

And then he was being dragged through the water, sputtering for air.

"Kick your feet Shinji-kun! There you go, just like that!"

Kabwbaggllu!", he gargled.

That's about how the lesson went for the next hour. Kaworu giving minimal tips and Shinji not quite drowning but also not feeling like a very strong swimmer either.

"I think...I think that's...that's enough for today", Shinji panted, one arm on the edge of the pool.

Kaworu was floating leisurely on his back. "I agree. You've made a lot of progress today." Now Shinji was sure he was just being messed with. But then Kaworu got off his back and swam towards him. When he came back up he was right in front of Shinji. "We can do more tomorrow."

"T-tomorrow?"

"Yes", Kaworu nodded. "It was a lot of fun today. And I won't stop until I've helped you achieve your goal."

"You really don't have to do that."

"I insist." Kaworu swam back to the shallow end and walked out. The water droplets were like crystals falling from his skin. No, more like stardust. Shinji knew when he got out he'd look like a wet noodle.

"Well, if you're not busy tomorrow", Shinji said as he pulled himself out.

Kaworu dried himself off with a towel. "I'll always have time for you", he said before walking off.

There was something about the way he said it...Granted it was already a big thing to say to someone who was barely an acquaintance but the way Kaworu said it made it seem...heavier, weightier, grander. Wanting to brush off the feeling he just got, Shinji decided that everything Kaworu said sounded that way that it was best to leave it alone.