"Oh, Gendo. Your face looks awful."

"I wish I could say the same about you, but no... you're perfect." He kissed Yui on the cheek, trying not to touch her skin with the cut on his lip.

"They wrecked you last night," she said quietly, looking at his face. "The smartest man in class and this is what they do. Assholes."

Smirking, Gendo put his arm around his waist. "Really, it's nothing the police can't handle."

Yui looked completely horrified at the implication. "And have them beat you up again? No way in hell is that going to happen."

"Why, I'd almost think you care about me."

"I do, so you don't have to play any of your games to get me to say it."

"This really _has_ put you in a bad mood. Should I get a puppy for you to kick?"

Yui snarled at him. "No, but if you set those assholes in front of me, I'd enjoy kicking them in the balls."

Gendo swallowed audibly. "I'm sure you would, but for now, breakfast or straight to class?"

That brought a warm smile from Yui. "Class, and stopping for a breakfast of champions on the way." She took his hand in hers and headed for the door.

Two sodas and packages of chips later, they were settling into their seats in the lecture hall.

Leaning over, Gendo whispered, "Last day of class, I'm going to yell out 'France can kiss my ass!' What do you think will happen?"

"People will think you're an idiot and I'll be branded insane for going out with you."

"You don't think they'd agree?"

"Probably, but you still shouldn't do it."

"Is that an official request?"

"Yes. Here, keep your mouth busy with something else." Yui held up a chip and put it in his mouth. "Now hush, the lecture is about to start."

It was about halfway through the class period that Gendo's head settled on Yui's shoulder. She was about to push him off when she saw that he was asleep.

Setting her pencil down on the desk, she put her arm around him and rested her hand on the side of his head. Only listening to the lecture now, she stroked his hair softly.

Yui continued to do so until the class was almost finished. "Gendo, wake up. Class is over."

He stirred, then looked up at her with his one good eye. "Over? And I missed it?" Gendo sat up quickly, fumbling for his pen. "Let me see your notes," he said and reached for her notepad.

"Don't worry about it. There wasn't that much anyway... all in the book." Maybe. She wasn't sure since she hadn't been listening too closely. Most of her concentration had been on the man sitting next to her. No matter how much she said school was her top priority, she was having trouble separating it from Gendo.

"Come on. You're exhausted. I told you not to take those painkillers, that they'd make you drowsy, but did you listen?"

"I try to tune out your nagging as much as possible."

"Snot."

"Who is madly in love with you."

Yui, who was in the process of standing up, sat roughly back down. With eyes widened in amazement, she looked at Gendo. "Did I hear... what I thought I just heard?"

Grinning with the undamaged side of his mouth, Gendo just gave her an enigmatic look.

"I... don't know what to say."

He shrugged. "I'm hungry still. I'll take you out for something." Standing and taking Yui's hand, he pulled her to her feet. "I know what you're going to say, but trust me. I know what I'm doing." If only that were the truth.