AU; ain't no rest for the wicked

[nooses]

i've got bills to pay, i've got mouths to feed
there ain't nothing in this world for free

STARRING:
THOSE BORN INTO FORTUNE - Shintaro Kisaragi. Shinji Ikari.
THOSE CAST OUT BY FORTUNE - Masumi Seki. Monica Campbell. Guy Cecil.

Comments

[substitutable]

Well, we were hired together for a reason. We're not really useful by ourselves, you know? You ready to go for the briefing?

[imusntrunaway]

[He's got his own reasons brewing in his mind as to why Shintaro would've been hired with Ene, but he's too polite to mention them. Instead, he gives a nod and stands up.

It's time for their jobs. They both need to focus. Already he's moving towards the usual conference room out of habit.]

Yeah. [He stops, looks back to see if Shintaro will come.] I hope... it doesn't get too bad.

[substitutable]

[He drains the last of his coffee and throws it into the nearest recycling bin. Recycling. It's a messed up town, and this little bit of ecological awareness is almost a laughable attempt to pretend that things were better than they really were.]

Ene's watching our backs. Don't worry. We'll have your blind spots covered.

[imusntrunaway]

[Learning to trust and rely on others was a gradual process for Shinji. Growing up, he didn't have anyone. Schooling was limited to his tutors. He had no friends outside of his guardian. And his father certainly spared no time to so much as even look his way. There had been someone at first--two people--but they were gone when things in this town got bad.

Don't get close. You won't get hurt. He isn't sure why he's breaking this time-old lesson with Shintaro and Ene, of all people.

Maybe, though, it would be nice not to be lonely for once.]

I know. I'm counting on both of you.

[substitutable]

[He lets himself nod before he motions to Shinji to head toward the office now. Being friendly with Shinji didn't come that difficultly; for someone with so little friends, Shintaro thinks he adjusted to having the younger kid in his everyday life rather smoothly. Perhaps it was because Shinji Ikari himself had such an obvious air of mistrust.

It was easier to be with someone who didn't seek his attention was much easier to keep around. They only had to share the air.]

You too. [He doesn't say he's counting on Shinji. He trusts the kid would shoot down anything that's behind him anyway, but saying it out loud might put some weird pressure on him and they didn't need that. A thanks after the threat is already taken care of is probably the best tool.]