An OOC Valentine's Day
By- Hunter Noventa
Disclaimer- I do not own Evangelion. If I did it would have stomped on the White House long ago. Gainax holds the rights to the people here, and I hope they don't decide to sue me.
" " Denotes Speech
Denotes thought
Asuka sat before her locker, glaring at the pile of love letters at her feet. I didn't even think my locker was that big... She didn't even open them, one look at the handwriting on the envelope, or the name of those foolish enough to leave a return address told her all she needed to know about the contents. Baka hentais... The school's warning bell rang, signaling that she had about a minute until class, and she tossed out enough so that she could carry them to class and go through them. At least a few of them might be more interesting than that geezer's droning...
*~~~~~~*
Shinji twirled the envelope in his hands, examining it as if it might decide to bite him. His name flowed across the front in thoughtful script that he couldn't recognize. He ignored the whispers from some of the other guys until Toji came up beside him.
"A love letter? Shinji you the man!"
"Love letter? Looks normal to me..."
"bah! It's valentine's day! nobody sends normal letters on valentine's day! And when was the last time you got any sort of letter anyway?"
"When the Commander asked me to come to Tokyo-3, Toji."
"I wasn't being literal Shinji! It was a... uh..."
"Rhetorical question?"
"yeah that's it!"
Asuka froze in the hallway, though Toji could be heard from a mile away. That baka with a love letter? Impossible! No one in their right mind would want to go out with that hentai! She marched over to Shinji, and snatched it from his hands before Toji could even say 'Red Devil.' She held it up to the light like she was looking at a bill to see if it was counterfeit. She grunted and handed it back to Shinji.
"A fake, of course."
"A fake?! Have you no mercy Devil g...!" Toji never finished that sentence because he caught an elbow in the stomach, from Shinji.
"Shut up Toji, I could care less if it's fake anyway."
"But why'd you have to hit me man?"
Asuka was already at her desk, typing furiously at her laptop. Why did Shinji stop him, he's never cared before. What am I talking about caring for? He probably just wants to wallow because nobody will ever like him. That's it, it must be, after all, why would anyone like a cowardly dummkopf like him? An instant message popped up on her screen, and she lazily clicked it.
[A/N- CelloBoy = Shinji, RedLove = Asuka, SolidKen = Kensuke, Tojmeister = Toji, CR-A2 = Hikari]
CelloBoy- Sorry about Toji.
RedLove- Hmph, I could care less
CelloBoy- I guessed as much
RedLove- and since when do you care? you never stopped him before
CelloBoy- I felt like it, sue me
RedLove- Awww, Baka-Shinji gets a love letter and he gets a backbone for a day, is that it?
CelloBoy- ....
SolidKen- Are you newlyweds arguing again?
RedLove- when did YOU get here?
SolidKen- ;) ph34r my l33t h4x0r1|\|g s|1llz!
RedLove- augh
CelloBoy- Shut up Kensuke, this was a private conversation
Tojmeister- Was it really?
RedLove- arrrgh!
CelloBoy- Would you two get out of here?
SolidKen- What's the matter Shinji? private matter to discuss with the wife
"WOULD YOU JUST CUT IT OUT!"
Everyone turned to Shinji, and blinked a few times. Did that just happen? what the thought on everyone's minds as they saw Shinji glaring at Kensuke, eyes burning with the fires of a thousand evils, breathing heavily. And when he spoke, his voice made everyone shudder.
"Just. Leave. Us. ALONE."
With that Shinji closed his laptop and stormed out. The sensei merely shrugged and continued talking about how hard it was to unite mankind after the Second Impact. Asuka's screen filled with chat invitations, but she only answered one.
CR-A2- What happened to Shinji, Asuka?
RedLove- damned if I know, boy gets a love letter and he gets mad? what's up with that?
CR-A2- mabye if you hadn't said it's a fake...
RedLove- Didn't want to get the poor boy's hopes up, it was either a fake or a prank in my opinion.
CR-A2- and why do you care about Shinji's love life?
Asuka blushed a little before answering that one.
RedLove- DUH, if he has a bad day he goes and shuts himself away with his SDAT and I have to endure Misato's cooking!
CR-A2- well, you might be surprised
RedLove- what?
CR-A2- a lot of the older girls think he's all cute and mysterious.
RedLove- you're kidding right?
CR-A2- they go 'that cutie pilots the Eva?' and 'why is he so quiet?' and 'at least he's not a bitch like that redhead pilot!'
RedLove- WHAT? they dare call me a bitch?
CR-A2- I'm only relaying what I hear Asuka. ;)
RedLove- Don't wink at me!
CR-A2- Ah well, you coming over tonight?
RedLove- Isn't the stooge taking you out for valentine's day :p
Cr-A2- errr, no... I still haven't told him how I feel and...
RedLove- you're almost as hopeless as Shinji. fine I'll come over, better than going home and hearing that baka apologize all the time
The bell rang for lunch and everyone started milling their way out of the classroom. Asuka reached the hall only to be confronted by three upperclasswomen.
The first one glowered "What have you done to Shinji now?"
The second one sneered "You better not have hurt him again!"
The third one smirked wickedly "I'd hate to be you if you did..."
Asuka just sighed "I didn't do anything this time! His idiot friend Kensuke pissed him off somehow."
The second one leaned closer "You sure, last I heard he was headed for the library mumbling something about the Devil. Isn't that what the boys call you? The Devil?"
Asuka pushed her way past, and the first one called "The library's that way! Aren't you hungry?"
Asuka froze, but decided against retaliating and kept walking. her steps took her into the library, to where Shinji was hiding. he'd stowed away in a corner surrounded by poetry books, and was furiously typing away, deleting and then typing more. She cleared her throat. He didn't move. She did it again, louder. He still didn't move. She leaned forward and tapped his shoulder, and he jumped.
"Asuka? What are you doing?" He quickly minimized the window so it looked like he was working on a school essay.
"I just wanted to clear something up. You stormed out because of Kensuke, not me, right?"
"Yes, if it means anything to you."
"Not to me, but some upperclasswomen accosted me, upset that I had upset you, even though I didn't."
"Hmph, and you needed to show them up."
"I just want the record straight baka, I won't get blamed for what I don't do."
"Fine, it wasn't your fault. Happy? Now would you please leave me alone?"
"Fine fine, tell Misato I'm going to Hikari's right after school."
"Fine"
"See you tonight baka."
"Whatever."
Asuka stepped away, and heard Shinji resume his rapid typing again. What the hell has gotten into me? Why did I have to come see him? Why did those bitches bother me so much? Mien gott,I should just go eat. She strode outside and sat under the nearest tree, and pulled out her lunch. No. Not just her lunch, the lunch he made for her. Every morning. No matter how early she got up, she always awoke to find a lunch with her name on it, and him gone. Just what does he do so early in the morning? Something hentai probably... She shrugged and ate her lunch, pushing nagging feelings to the back of her mind.
*~~~~~~*
Shinji looked around nervously as he stood at the library printer, it finally spat out a single page which he stuffed into his bag. Why bother even going back to class... He thought, walking for the front door. Not anything I need to hear. Clouds had encroached on the what had been a sunny morning. He shrugged and stepped outside, walking in the direction of home.
*~~~~~~*
"I wonder why Shinji left early"
Asuka looked up from the Sega, raising an eyebrow at her friend. "Huh?"
"He left after lunch, I saw him go out through the window. Any idea why?"
"Why do you ask me? I'm not his keeper, that's Misato's job!"
Hikari chuckled a little, and spoke to herself "Yeah, a job I think you wouldn't mind..."
"You say something?"
"Nah, Just thinking out loud bout Toji-san."
"Again with the stooge. Read my lips Hikari, H-O-P-E-L-E-S-S!"
Hikari just shook her head, and went back to work, letting her friend play on in silence.
*~~~~~~*
The thunder and lightning were not nearly as fierce as an Angel, but Asuka ran home anyway. Blasted weather. I can't believe Misato went out already and couldn't give me a ride! She pushed the button for the elevator and got in. Tapping her foot as it rose. I wonder if Shinji ran away again... no wait, he answered the phone when I called for a ride, duh. She sighed, gazing out the window of the elevator at the raging sky. She smirked Raging, just like the great Asuka Langley Sohryu! Walking down the balcony to the apartment, the rain finally started. Fumbling with her keys she found the door was unlocked, the lights dim. A single red candle burned on the kitchen table, a note beside it.
"Follow the candles, Asuka-chan"
She raised an eyebrow Kaji was the only one to ever call me Asuka-chan, but he's no doubt out with Misato. Is he making it up to me? How sweet! She leaned into the doorway, and saw several more candles along the floor, leading to her room. No way! She followed them quietly, stopping to listen at Shinji's door. Looks like he's not awake, perfect. She slowly slid the door open, half-expecting a half-naked Kaji on her bed. The huge red box would have to do for now. She nearly pounced on it, and quickly opened it. Authentic German Chocolates? A book on Kanji? And three roses? What the hell? Then she noticed the cards, the smaller one said 'Open me first!', and she did. Inside, was a plain sheet of paper, the size of a credit card, she read it and her heart dropped into her pancreas.
This Coupon Good for One(1) Authentic Home-Cooked German Meal, courtesy of Shinji Ikari.
She almost fell backward, but she had hope. After all, Kaji could have just drug Shinji into this for her sake. But the style of writing in the typed letter sent her heart shooting out of her feet to orbit the molten core of the Earth. No...
Dear Asuka-chan,
I had been planning this for a while, as you might guess. It took some searching to find that chocolate on the internet and get it shipped here so fast. I really don't expect anything to change between us Asuka, I just felt I had to repay you.
For what?
You're probably thinking "for what?" right now, so I obviously have to tell you. Even with the constant insulting, bickering and pummeling you do, I find that I don't mind it. I actually like it. Someone's telling me the truth about who I am, instead of letting Eva define who I am in their eyes. So I thank you for being truthful, and giving me the beginnings of a spine that could only hope to match yours.
You little baka...
Now I can just hear the 'baka' running through your head as you read all that. And I think it's true. And I don't care, as long as I'm hearing it from you. I know it sounds silly, but I'd rather hear a million bakas from you than a single thank you from my father.
Is this for real?
So about today, your brilliant mind has probably guessed I was working on this in the library today, and you're right. Sometimes I really can't believe Kensuke and Toji, every stab they take at you seems to clip me as well. Today I just got fed up with it, that's why I screamed and stormed off. It's too bad those upperclasswomen thought it was your fault, it really was, but I didn't want to apologize, I know you hate that.
I don't believe this...
I read that love letter you so proudly said was a fake. It wasn't. At least I don't think so. One of the senior girls wanted to meet me on the roof after lunch. I saw someone up there as I left to come here and get this ready for you.
Now it's time for you to decide what to do. You have this letter, and I hope it helps you understand. If you want to beat me up, beat me up. You want to yell at me, yell at me. You want to forget about it, forget about it, I don't care. As long as I know you read it, that's enough for me. Just remember, I may be a baka, but better the baka of the Great Asuka Langley Sohryu than none at all.
With respect and regards
Baka-Shinji
Asuka blinked for a few minutes. Reading it again, making sure it was true, that she wasn't dreaming. Does Shinji really feel this way? Does he really enjoy all my abuse? Does he even know why I really do it? Hell, do I even know why? It doesn't matter why anymore, I have to see if he means all this, or if this is payback rather than repayment...
*~~~~~~*
Shinji lay in bed, his SDAT pumping "Ride of the Valkyries" into his ears. The Valkyries will be coming for me if Asuka takes that letter the wrong way... His door slid open, but he was facing away from it. it sounded like Asuka was stumbling in, Asuka? Stumbling?
"Baka"
Shinji moved a little.
"Wake up baka!"
He sat up and rubbed his eyes, feigning having been woken up.
"Asuka?"
"Don't 'Asuka?' me baka! Is this for real? Is this true?" she shoved the letter into his face, and he swallowed nervously.
"Y..yes. All of it. I meant every word..."
"I see... well in that case I'll have to do something..."
Shinji closed his eyes and gulped. Let death come swiftly and shuffle me from this mortal coil... As Asuka's arms encircled him, he nearly panicked Strangulation... but she wasn't squeezing his neck, he could still breath, her face was buried in his shoulder as she tried not to sob.
"Oh you sweet little baka...I can't believe this, did you know? Do you know? Must I tell you?"
"tell me what... Asuka-chan?"
"Why I treated you like this all this time?"
"If you want..."
"I didn't know what else to say, what else to do, I liked you too much for my own good and I couldn't let it get to me, or you..."
"You l...l...like me?"
She nodded "I like my spineless little baka Shinji, but I was proud when you stood up for me, it was so... right, somehow."
"I...had no idea...really..."
She let him go and kissed him on the cheek, turning it as red as her hair, she stood up, a little wobbly.
"I'll see you in the morning...I need to think."
Shinji smiled and nodded, "Goodnight, Asuka-chan"
"Goodnight, baka-kun..."
*~~~~~~*
Asuka awoke to the smell of breakfast. Did I beat him out of here? Then she rolled over and looked at the calendar. Oh, it was Friday yesterday, good, I can talk to him more. She clambered out of bed and wobbled into the kitchen, narrowly avoiding tripping over Pen-Pen, who was watching Shinji from the doorway curiously.
"Ohayo baka-kun"
"Guten morgen Asuka-chan. Sleep well?"
"Mmm, very well, what's for breakfast."
"Well for brunch I've got pancakes, sausage and eggs."
"Brunch?"
"It's quarter to eleven Asuka"
She looked at the clock and groaned. Stomping back down the hall she banged on Misato's door. Then she yelled to Shinji.
"Where's the drunkard?"
"I think she left a message, I was in the shower and never bothered to check on it."
"Hmph, lazy baka." She found the machine and hit play. Misato's drunken voice streamed from it.
"*hic* Hey kids I won't be back till maybe eleven tomorrow, be good okay?" *click*
Asuka shook her head. Some guardian...wait, it's almost eleven, I have to get dressed! She slammed her door, and threw on an extra school uniform and returned to the kitchen where Shinji was setting out the plates. he smiled.
"Looking sharp"
"Funny funny, can I get some coffee?"
"Sure, I put some on for Misato, let me get you a mug."
He went to pour the coffee and she slinked up behind him, putting her arms around his stomach. Her sigh kept her from hearing the door open.
"Such a good little baka-kun..."
Misato Katsuragi saw several things wrong with her kitchen. Still hungover, her mind shifted into work mode and tried to list them. One, Shinji was being hugged. Two, there was no sign of red on Shinji's face. Three, it was Asuka hugging him. Four, Asuka had just called him 'baka-kun'.
"Asuka...Shinji...please tell me this is just a hangover hallucination..."
They both jumped and blushed. Asuka spoke first.
"Well ah..."
"Asuka, what were you doing to Shinji?"
"I was hugging him?"
"Why?"
"Because I like him."
"And when did this start?"
"Last night."
"I see."
And she stumbled through the apartment into bed. Shinji and Asuka looked at each other and started laughing. They sat down to brunch, and ate in peace. Then from Misato's room one thing was heard."
"WHAT THE FUCK?"
*~FIN~*
So this was my first attempt at Eva fiction. There's no particular place in the series this is meant to take place, I just felt like writing something like this after spending a week reading other fics.
Please review, flames will be read and discarded, flamers will be stomped on by my Omnigear.