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[Kaworu will be waiting dutifully around the entrance to the med bay. It's not long ago at all that the snows began to dispel, but Kaworu is dressed awkwardly: grey flannel pants (pajamas?), a thin purple t-shirt, and one long scarf all coiled around his neck and shoulders. His hair is a little fussier than usual, like he's been combing through it with his fingers. While he's waiting, he seems to realize this, because he slides one hand from his pocket and pats at his fluffy hair half-heartedly. It doesn't help much.

But at least he doesn't look like he's been missing sleep. He slept on Day 75, allowed himself a nap after Christmas festivities on Day 76, and then has been awake all through the biohazard fiasco. His body's definitely fine; he boasts no panda eyes, and he's no paler than his usual chalky self. If his body language is a little sharper, a little more angled, well, he's trying to rein that in. He wills his shoulders to be loose, and succeeds, mostly. He wills his brow not to crease. That's a work in progress.

His face doesn't hold its usual contentedness, but his muscles don't twitch to reveal the psychosomatic illness he feels. The nausea is well suppressed. His eyes are closed, and now his raised fingers are feeling along the hairline at the back of his neck, catching a lock that sticks out carelessly. Could use a trim, maybe...

Overall, he does look okay, if perhaps not in pristine condition.]

[Sasuke gives him a good look over when he arrives. In fact he's staring at him as soon as he's within view. When he stops the look just intensifies.]

... Better.

[He'll concede that. He's not going to assume that Kaworu can't hide it if he's feeling worse than he looks, but he'll at least give him points for not appearing to be half dead and distracted this time around.]

But I'm going to continue to worry for your mental health.

How's Shinji?

[It doesn't make sense. It just does not make sense to him. Nobody has worried "for his mental health." Nobody should be worrying; Kaworu can bear everything that he sees and experiences. If he can't, it's his own failure. Stranger still is how Sasuke's single utterance of Better makes Kaworu feel almost like a child. Kaworu glances to Sasuke's face, his discomfort only mildly evident, but then his eyes soften considerably, and he brings his hand down from his hair to slip back into his pocket.]

He says he's feeling much better, [he concedes, looking ahead of himself.] And his body isn't showing those symptoms anymore... just fatigue.

How long was he sick for?

[He doesn't have to ask how long Kaworu had been watching him, as both answers would be the same.]

He started showing symptoms when the majority did. He's very... [Kaworu shifts, giving his weight from one foot to the other, fingers twisting in his pockets. One shoulder raises slightly.] He didn't really have protection. But as soon as the treatment was broadcasted, he received it.

I thought greens had some safeguards. Maybe I was wrong.

[He'd only been certain of their own.]

Everyone should invest in masks the next time the store opens.

[He should have invested in some himself, then he could have passed them out.]

There was equipment, but by the time a biohazard had been announced... [His expression twitches: it's subtle, but he's making a face.] He just breathes so much, [Kaworu says, verging on sounding helpless.] It only took a little time between the realization of danger and finding him something to wear. But "a little time" is all it takes for someone fragile to...

Most people here breathe. It's an unfortunate side-effect of being human. Or whatever other species is here.

[He watches Kaworu carefully still.]

Have you been frantic?

I'm used to people breathing. I like that he breathes. It's just never been this much of a problem before.

[Human beings can die from lack of oxygen; a clot in their blood; too cold, too hot; a rotting tooth. It's miraculous that they stood against Angels and triumphed. Knowledge really trumps Life, huh?

He tucks his chin into his scarf.]

I'm not frantic now.

But you were.

[Kaworu really needs to stop wording things that way.]

[Kaworu finally looks at Sasuke properly, and he sounds somewhat tired and very gentle when he says,] You've done a great deal for me, Uchiha-san.

It doesn't feel like it.

[All he has to offer are words that he isn't even certain are true half the time. He doesn't usually initiate friendships.]

You have. It's immeasurable to me. I would not have myself add to your burdens; you have, after all, helped to lessen mine.

[For how he talks about love, camaraderie, it seems like he hasn't quite grasped that it's meant to be a two-way street. He encourages people to face their sins and atone for them, but he still feels better when he's the one bearing crosses. Even if there's no real cross to bear.]

Would you tell me if I could do something for you?

No.

[Simply.]

You're the one who needs the support right now, not me.

[At this, Kaworu wears visible surprise. It isn't shock; he doesn't pale. But he's taken aback, tilting his head, the red of his eyes very deep and searching all over Sasuke's face. Either he finds something or he doesn't; but he drops his stare, raises his eyebrows, and nearly laughs, shoulders drawn up slightly in an approximation of a shrug.]

I've become very needy, then, like a child.

No. Because you're not asking.

[He points a finger at Kaworu's chest.]

I'm just insisting.

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