And the Answer Is...?

[windandwater]

Shinji pulled away from Makoto, breathing hard. He looked down into those storm-grey eyes that were currently filled with confusion, disappointment, and love. No! It couldn't be love! It couldn't! He broke out of the smaller boy's embrace and took a few hurried steps backwards.

"Ma-Makoto... I'm so sorry! I... I shouldn't have..."

The purple-haired boy smiled slightly. "It's okay, Shinji-kun. You didn't do anything I didn't want you to." He placed a slim hand on the brown-haired boy's arm.

Shinji flinched at the touch and, shocked, Makoto took his hand away. "Did I do something wrong, Shinji-kun?"

"N-No! It... it was me. I shouldn't have done that. I shouldn't have... k-kissed you."

"I told you that it was okay--"

"No! It's not!" Shinji yelled, throwing out his arms. "It was wrong! I wasn't in control of myself. I shouldn't have let my feelings... overwhelm me."

"I was the one teasing you. If I'd have known--"

"Dammit, Makoto! Don't you see?! I don't... I don't want to lead you on!"

Grey eyes widened. "What... what are you saying, Shinji-kun?"

Furious brown eyes burned into Makoto's soul. "I... I... I don't love you!"

Makoto's heart stopped.

Shinji shook his head. "No! No! That's not what I mean. I mean... dammit! I'm so confused! Hoshino... I've always loved Hoshino. She... I've just always loved her. And now... now she's... not here... and I don't know what to think anymore! I don't want you to think anything bad about me, Makoto. You're my friend. I don't know if I could think about you in any other way."

Makoto fisted his hands. His head bowed towards his chest and purple locks swung down to hang over his eyes. "Then why..." he said thinly. "... why did you kiss me?"

Shinji turned away. "I... I don't know."

"Damn you..." Makoto hissed, his eyes throwing sparks. Shinji jerked and faced his friend. "DAMN YOU! How could you do something like that and say you don't know?!"

"Ma-Makoto... what...?!"

"Damn you, Kazeno Shinji! I don't care what you feel about me but we're damn well going to find out right now!"

And Makoto sprang at Shinji, slamming him against the wall and pushing his lips against Shinji's open mouth.