"...And today marks the hottest day of the summer we've seen so far - our high this afternoon in Tokyo-3 being 44.5°, and our low looking like 31.4° later tonight. Just like every other day this week, our sky looks clear and sunny. Additionally, humidity is quite low at 15%, and as you can see here, warm, low impact winds can be felt moving northward from the Pacific.
"Now, to everyone out there looking for ways to beat the heat, make sure to stay tuned for our very own presentation on summer activities and indoor events coming up next. This has been your news team at NHK, hoping you have a-"
The weatherman's voice stuttered away as Shinji flicked off the TV with a sigh, mostly just looking for an excuse to stand up and stretch his legs a little. Although, he resignedly crossed his legs and sat in front of Kaworu's table again after a few seconds, staring down at his homework.
Shinji had been planning this visit to Kaworu's place for about a week, and he'd been really looking forward to it. It was hard organizing it when both of them were busy with pilot training and synchronizing, not to mention the chores Misato tasked Shinji with all the time, not to mention the schoolwork he had piling up from skipping days. He was so happy he'd finally be able to spend some time relaxing with Kaworu alone, and he was determined that nothing and no one would get in the way of their plans...
...Not even the breaking of Kaworu's air-con, which, paired with the blazing heat outside, meant that his little Nerv bedroom was filled with unpleasant, constricting warmth that made Shinji feel like he was actually melting.
It wasn't like he could complain. Even after Kaworu let him know that the air conditioning wasn't working, and suggested that maybe they should spend time together another day, Shinji had completely brushed it off, assuring Kaworu that he'd be totally fine, and that he would come anyway.
"Well, I suppose if you're really sure..." Kaworu had hesitated over the phone, "Then I'd love for you to come. I am excited to see you, Shinji-kun."
At the time, Shinji thought that just getting to hear the happiness in Kaworu's warm voice had been worth it enough to bear with the heat, but at this point, he wished he would've thought things through a little better.
He wiped his forehead beneath his sweat-drenched bangs, grossed out by how oily his skin was. It was really hard to concentrate on his work when the air felt heavy enough to weigh down his important thoughts, replacing them with lazy fantasies about snowy nights and cool, windy autumn afternoons. What he wouldn't do to go swimming right now...
He picked up his pencil, idly doodling in the margins of his incomplete math problems. His arm left a sweaty imprint on the wooden surface of the table.
He looked up from his poorly drawn Pen-Pen with another, heavier sigh. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Kaworu's figure. He furrowed his eyebrows.
He was lying in bed reading a magazine. He was still wearing his entire school uniform, which Shinji found impressive, considering how he'd taken off his button-up already and rolled up his pant legs as far as he could, and still felt as hot as ever. And what was more, he realized then that Kaworu wasn't even sweating at all. If anything, he looked quite comfortable. He couldn't have made more of a contrast from Shinji.
"Aren't you hot, Kaworu-kun?" Shinji asked irresistibly, unable to keep the disbelief out of his voice.
Kaworu turned to him, tearing his eyes from the magazine. "Hmm?" He blinked, surprised at the sight of Shinji. "Oh my... is it really that warm in here, Shinji-kun? You look dreadful..." he said sympathetically.
Shinji shook his head, confused. "What do you mean? We're in the same room; you don't feel how hot it is right now?" His eyes roved over Kaworu's face. He wasn't even a little pink. "How are you so cool?"
Kaworu hummed thoughtfully. "I suppose I haven't told you about that have I?" He sat up in bed, smiling calmly. "Well, you see, us angels are far more efficient at regulating our internal temperatures than the lilin are. As you know from those who have come before me, our beings are able to withstand severe pressure and temperature, like that found within the Earth's core or out in the vacuum of space."
Shinji listened open-mouthed as Kaworu drove on.
"We're able to survive quite easily in conditions like those because our powerful A.T. fields - as you lilin refer to it - lend us the energy we require to cool ourselves down or warm ourselves up depending on the situation. Therefore, I'm quite well adapted for a hot day like this, even without indoor air conditioning."
Shinji's half heat-melted brain processed all the information sluggishly. He always felt rather taken aback whenever Kaworu casually spoke about his being an angel. He knew already, of course, but it was disconcerting nevertheless to hear his friends speak as if he was an alien. Kaworu watched him as he recovered.
"R-really? So, you don't feel hot at all right now?"
Kaworu laughed lightly. "No, I don't. I feel rather cool, actually. I might even need a jacket," he said musingly.
Shinji grinned humorlessly. "Well... too bad I'm not an angel. I-I know I said I'd be fine but... honestly this feels awful" His grin faded, and he stared guiltily at the ground. "I'm sorry, Kaworu-kun. I probably should've just stayed home. I don't wanna make you fuss over me..."
"Shinji-kun..." Kaworu murmured sadly, giving him that familiar, empathetic look. "To think I've allowed you to suffer this way...Hmm..." He hummed thoughtfully.
He exclaimed suddenly, making Shinji jump. He smiled widely, giving Shinji an eager look. "Oh, that's it, Shinji-kun! I could help you cool down, couldn't I?"
Blinking bemusedly, Shinji replied, "Wh-what do you mean 'help?'"
Kaworu's sweet smile widened as he swung his legs off the bed. He descended to the floor on his knees behind Shinji, who was starting to feel achy from twisting around for so long. He felt a very subtle waft of cool air breeze against his neck when Kaworu moved.
"Wha...?"
Kaworu laughed comfortably. "Here, Shinji-kun..." Without further preamble, Kaworu leaned forward and rested his chin on Shinji's shoulder from behind, shuffling closer so his chest was pressed to Shinji's back. He gasped.
Goosebumps broke out over his skin at the sudden contact and change in temperature. A pleasant coldness spread across his skin from the points Kaworu touched him, making him let out an involuntary sigh.
"How is this?" Kaworu asked in a soft voice, lacing his arms around Shinji's waist and hugging him, letting one hand rest on his chest, another on his stomach. "I'm lowering my temperature a little more for you. You certainly feel quite overheated. Poor boy..."
Even though he was being cooled off very quickly, Shinji's face was burning worse than ever. "K-Kaworu-kun! You r-really don't have to do this for me... I'm all sweaty and gross, you don't wanna touch me right now!"
"Oh, nonsense Shinji-kun, I'm always happy at the chance to touch you, even if you are sweating." Kaworu giggled, the sound vibrating within Shinji's shoulder as he snuggled closer into the crook of his neck. "I quite like your scent, you know..."
Shinji's insides squirmed intensely. It was embarrassing enough listening to Kaworu's blunt way of speaking usually, but when paired with such intimate proximity... Shinji has no idea how to act.
He just clenched his hands and shut his eyes with a small whimper. It wasn't that it was unpleasant - far from it in fact. It was just that physical touch like this always left him feeling flustered and embarrassed, even if it was from someone he trusted.
"...Are you alright, Shinji-kun? You're all stiff. Why don't you try relaxing a little?" Kaworu said soothingly.
"O-okay, sorry..." He shook out.
"That's alright, take all the time you need. I'm here to help you..."
Shinji focused on breathing steadily as Kaworu gently ran his hand up and down his chest. He relaxed his shoulders, realizing after a time how luxurious it felt to have something so nice and cool pressed up against him. It was like the first few seconds after getting into bed, except unlike the way the coolness of sheets dissipated after a time, the coolness of Kaworu's skin could last hours.
Shinji let his head fall back into the side of Kaworu's, resting his hand over the fingers on his chest, wanting to cool off his arms. "You feel really nice," he murmured with a small smile, "It's like I'm being hugged by an ice pack."
Kaworu laughed sweetly, tightening his embrace. "And you're just like a warm teddy bear." He sighed happily. "You're so cute, Shinji-kun."
Shinji blushed, turning away from Kaworu's hair. He hadn't realized until then how soft it was, or how really nice he smelled - exactly like roses. "Th-that's not something to call a boy, Kaworu-kun..."
"But it's true," Kaworu responded easily. "You're so comfortable. It's as if you were made for my arms to fit around you."
Shinji flushed even harder at that, although he couldn't ignore the pleasant fluttering that'd suddenly started up in his chest. Honestly, he could see what Kaworu meant. This was incredibly comfortable. He wouldn't mind if he could just stay like this forever.
Almost on autopilot, Shinji felt himself turning. Kaworu loosened his grip curiously as Shinji repositioned himself, his legs half curled up as he pressed his face into the exposed skin of Kaworu's neck. He let out a soft, gratified noise. The chill of his skin was like the most rejuvenating breath of life he could imagine.
Kaworu offered a little, almost teasing laugh as he wrapped his arms around Shinji's back. "This does feel quite nice... How cuddly you are, Shinji-kun." He rubbed his hand over the nape of Shinji's neck. "Although," he added, "I'm not sure you'll be able to continue your homework like this."
Shinji opened his eyes, the whimsical sensation of lying in a chilly rose field evaporating, being replaced with embarrassment. He sighed, turning his head to stare at his work.
Being an Eva pilot, he did have a certain degree of flexibility when it came to schoolwork. He could always have Misato write personally to his teacher to excuse him for the sake of his own wellbeing... although he usually refrained from doing so, on account of his conscious.
Right now, though, he was finding it hard to think of much else than soft, pale skin and soothing chilliness. He knew his brain was far too fuzzy with relief to feel properly guilty. He smiled gently, resting his head against Kaworu's collarbone.
"Um, I think I'd just like to stay like this for a while... If that's okay with you?"
Kaworu laughed softly, running a hand down the back of Shinji's neck. He shivered pleasantly.
"Of course, Shinji-kun. We'll stay like this as long as you'd like." He pressed his chin to the top of Shinji's head with a sigh.
As Kaworu comfortably wrapped his arms around him, Shinji found himself hoping that Kaworu's AC would break more often in future.
'Maybe summer isn't so bad after all...'