"Shiro already knows I'm yours. It's just, there are things-- well, things I'll just try not to let him see, next time he's connecting to Atlas. Because we, here right now - this is private, isn't it? If I manage to make it so. I might not--"
And then Ziggy's kissing him, and Shiro's clone, Hiroki Shirogane, of Atlas, kisses him back, passionately. With his whole being.
And Ziggy may well, if he tries, easily see the whole short life of Shiro's clone, from its very beginning. And Hiroki knows that Ziggy may, too.
After the kiss, Hiroki's still smiling, but his smile falters once Ziggy speaks.
"I'm no longer a Paladin, Princess,"he whispers softly, with melancholy. "I can never be one again. Ever. As much as I'd like to be."
Suddenly, he flashes Hiroki a brilliant grin.
"However, Ziggy, you're a Paladin now, also. You're my pilot, after all. You're a Paladin of Atlas, Co-captain. Welcome aboard."
Hiroki hugs Ziggy tightly. More tightly than ever. Here, he can. Here, they can do this. With no worry for Ziggy. Because Ziggy's body isn't here. And hugging won't hurt him.
Killing would kill him, yes, would kill him outside, too, but, hugging won't kill, so, yeah.
2/2
Hiroki Shirogane grins.
"Shiro already knows I'm yours. It's just, there are things-- well, things I'll just try not to let him see, next time he's connecting to Atlas. Because we, here right now - this is private, isn't it? If I manage to make it so. I might not--"
And then Ziggy's kissing him, and Shiro's clone, Hiroki Shirogane, of Atlas, kisses him back, passionately. With his whole being.
And Ziggy may well, if he tries, easily see the whole short life of Shiro's clone, from its very beginning. And Hiroki knows that Ziggy may, too.
After the kiss, Hiroki's still smiling, but his smile falters once Ziggy speaks.
"I'm no longer a Paladin, Princess,"he whispers softly, with melancholy. "I can never be one again. Ever. As much as I'd like to be."
Suddenly, he flashes Hiroki a brilliant grin.
"However, Ziggy, you're a Paladin now, also. You're my pilot, after all. You're a Paladin of Atlas, Co-captain. Welcome aboard."
Hiroki hugs Ziggy tightly. More tightly than ever. Here, he can. Here, they can do this. With no worry for Ziggy. Because Ziggy's body isn't here. And hugging won't hurt him.
Killing would kill him, yes, would kill him outside, too, but, hugging won't kill, so, yeah.