[text]

[looselips]

you know, it's kind of funny.
The first day I woke up here, they were serving heart-shaped pancakes.
and now, after my little forced vacation, what's the first thing I see?
the same ridiculous, twee pancakes.
happy anniversary to me, I guess.
I'd say try harder next year, but I guess that won't be an issue anymore.

FYI, anyone still hanging onto the hope that your home is really okay? don't bother.
and the people crowing about how they're going to "fix our dead worlds" sure as hell better, since I'm in no hurry to go back to THAT.
I was so bored I thought I'd go insane.
I hate to think about how the rest of you bleeding hearts would fair.
sheesh, just THINKING about how pathetic it'd be is making me cringe.

[Since it's not like he was bothered or anything!!!]

[Shinji can also be found skulking around the libraries and the media room, should anyone want to stumble across him in person.]

Comments

[bowandblade]

[Archer pulls one hand out of a jacket pocket and reaches out to settle it on Shinji's head, eying his defensive expression before snorting dismissively.]

Well, at least you still sound like yourself.

[Then his fingers curl into a fist as he raps his knuckles against the boy's skull.]

You broke the contract by leaving.

[looselips]

[His face reddens, but he doesn't bite back again, not even when Archer knocks on his head.]

[...Well, doesn't bite back immediately, anyway.]

I just said I didn't do anything! Sh... Sheesh, it's not like I would have broken our contract on purpose, you know.

[bowandblade]

That had better be the case. I was greatly displeased.

[He leans a bit of weight onto Shinji's head, as if he could shove him through the ground with his hand alone. But his tone is more sulky than anything else.]

[looselips]

[He continues to endure the hand on his head, regardless of how comfortable it may or may not be.]

Please. I'd have to be an idiot to do something like that. [And he's definitely not an idiot, thank you very much.] If you want an apology for it, though, we could figure out which one is responsible and make them give us one, though.

[bowandblade]

[There's a long moment of silence as he considers Shinji's suggestion, his stance remaining the same as he deliberates.]

That would be acceptable. I have a feeling it would be the boy administrator, and he would at least not be immediately killed on sight.

[looselips]

[It's only when Archer speaks again that Shinji tries to squirm out from underneath his hand, one of his own coming up to grab at his wrist.]

Alright, then. It's settled.

[bowandblade]

[He smirks, allowing Shinji to grab his wrist while lifting his hand away--

--but only long enough for him to poke at Shinji's forehead. It's been over half a year since he's made the next command, and many things have happened since then, but there's still that easy confidence that carries through with each uttered syllable.]

Say the words, boy.

[looselips]

[Ugh!! Shinji doesn't comment on the poke to his forehead, but he sure does make a face, blushing all over again. He's still scowling to himself as he grabs for Archer's hands with both of his.

(If Shinji were being honest with himself, he'd admit that he feels happy and relieved by that kind of casual gesture right now, but he isn't in the habit of being honest with himself.)

This time, when he seizes Archer's hand, he just holds onto it. The frown and the blush don't disappear entirely, but as he looks up at Archer, he sets his jaw and does his best to look serious.]

Will you accept me as your Master?

[bowandblade]

[When Shinji boldly holds on to his hand and doesn't let go, Archer's smirk widens into a full smile; to see that willingness and eagerness intact despite the boy's ordeal made him feel ... proud.

He shifts his hand in Shinji's grasp, meeting that gaze that still struggled between the innocence of a child and the maturity of one who had seen many things in such a short length of time.]

I will allow it. Consider yourself honored to have the King of Heroes as your Servant twice.