[Rei cannot stop himself from going unusually still as Kate crumples against him. It's an alien sensation, after all. How long has it been since someone leaned into him for comfort? Years, a decade? His reaction is too slow, his arms rising to embrace her an afterthought-- the motions are rusty with disuse. It's been a very, very long time.]
...
[He knew this already, but Kate is very small.
He lifts her hand, holds it in his own, runs his thumb over the skin she'd broken on stone.]
AND ME
...
[He knew this already, but Kate is very small.
He lifts her hand, holds it in his own, runs his thumb over the skin she'd broken on stone.]
A meathead to the end, huh. [Physical girl.]