[Shinji doesn't react much. He doesn't flinch, this time, he doesn't try to pull away. When she wraps her arms around him, a small shake, barely noticeable, runs through him.
It's when she pulls away that Shinji realizes there's a tight feeling growing in his chest, making it hard to breathe. He squares his shoulders, ducking his head further, words tumbling over themselves.]
[He can hear her just fine, even if her voice is muffled. Though he has his earbuds in, no music is playing. There's nothing he wants to listen to. Nothing he listens to works, anyway. He hesitates.]
[She hesitates for a moment, and then feels foolish for the pause; even if she isn't sure whether or not it's true, it's probably what he needs to hear.]
action;
She reaches forward and wraps her arms around him in a quick hug.]
action;
It's when she pulls away that Shinji realizes there's a tight feeling growing in his chest, making it hard to breathe. He squares his shoulders, ducking his head further, words tumbling over themselves.]
Um, sorry-- for calling you here--
action;
Hey, hey... You don't need to apologize. Really, it's okay.
[She just hopes he can hear her.]
action;
... are you sure?
action;
Yeah. Yeah, I'm sure.