Blink. Blink.

Shinji and Rei lay side by side on a beach. The sun is setting, and the water almost looks opaque and red. It's warm, but not as hot as the endless summer of Tokyo-3 that the two have grown up in. No sweat coats their backs, and a cool breeze blows their hair just slightly. The sand is fine, almost no garbage or chunks of rock can be felt or seen. They sit up with a start.

"W-where are we?" Shinji looks at Rei expectantly. His memory is fuzzy, he can't necessarily recall anything, even if he tries. What's my name?

"Shinji."

"Rei…?" They stare at each other blankly. THump. Thump. THump. Shinji grabs at his chest. Rei… who? Shinji looks down.

"ARGH! WHERE ARE MY CLOTHES?!" Shinji slaps his thighs closed and tucks his knees to his chest. He looks at Rei and jerks back. "WHERE ARE YOUR CLOTHES?!" Rei doesn't move to cover herself. She continues to stare at him.

"What do you remember Shinji?" Shinji shakes his head, tensing his muscles. His brows are so tight his forehead starts to burn.

"I... " Shinji closes his eyes. THINK! THINK DAMMIT. He wrinkles his eyes.

BANG BANG!

Shinji jumps and gets low to the ground on his stomach. Was that a gunshot?! He looks around wildly, getting sand in his mouth. He looks at Rei who stares back at him. Why the hell is she NOT freaking out?!

"Auditory hallucination. Soon you will see as well." Shinji carefully picks himself up, crossing his legs to hide himself. How does she know what I'm hearing? "Because we are one."

"GYTT!" Shinji falls backward hard into the sand as if the bullet he heard just shot him in the chest. PANT. PANT. He holds his hand against his chest, gripping for dear life. All of a sudden, his eyes fog. His vision is completely clouded like putting a black sheet over your eyes and trying to look through. "W-WHAT'S HAPPENING?!" He feels a small cold hand rub under his jaw and he leans into it. Soothed almost completely, his vision comes back. A woman. A woman who looks like Rei, but with brown hair and a more adult body. She looks down at him with warm eyes.

Shhhhh. The water hits the shore.

"I love you," she says, rubbing the side of his face softly. She looks at his face in near-awe.

"Mom," he says with misty eyes. She smiles and nods at him encouragingly.

"Do you remember?" Shinji looks deeper into her eyes.

"ARGHHHHH! ARGH! AAAAAAH!" Shinji's eyes nearly fly out of his head; he feels a blood vessel pop inside of one eye. The blood leaks into a tear duct. He covers his eyes with both palms before ripping them away to look again. 'Rei! REI WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?!'

Inside of Unit 01, Shinji is floating upward. Floating, meaning some unknown force is lifting him up into the sky with the Eva's arms out at it's sides, and he doesn't know where he's going or HOW he's getting there. All he sees is blue skies, nine white Evas with disgusting pink smiles that are torn to shreds, and a giant Rei Ayanami. Giant meaning that size is now indescribable; she's standing on the Earth, but she continues to get taller the higher he goes. Her hands are open like she's holding the Eva in some sort of energy ball; she's completely nude, the only thing she's wearing is a huge smile on her face. Her teeth are showing even. Shinji's eyes twitch and his body shudders. The nine white Evas begin to… moan? Shinji covers his ears.

"I can't take it anymore. I can't take it anymore. I can't take it anymore." Rei starts to laugh deep in her throat and the moaning gets louder. "OH MY GOD! REI STOPPPP!" Shinji screams and screams until his spit covers his chin. "I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!"

SCRRRRRRRRRRRRREACH! Shinji crumples into a ball in his seat, covering his head with his knees. He vomits yellow-brownish water onto his feet. SCRRRRREACH! Shinji refuses to look up at the noise. He heaves.

"Shinji," a soft male voice beckons. Shinji's head jerks up. Vomit trickles down his chin and he wipes it away with his forearm.

"KAWORU! KAWORU HELP!"

"I am," he says. His body comes out of Rei's midsection as she leans back with her arms outstretched. Shinji doesn't notice.

"Kaworu what's happening?!"

"Whatever you wish. We can make anything come true. Tell me what world you wish to live in."

"Anything I want?" While they talk, clouds around them clear, and they now break through the Earth's atmosphere directly into the blackness of space. "I… I don't know what I want."

"Tell me anything," Kaworu says, but Rei's voice is underneath his.

"I want a world with you," Shinji clenches his hand, "With Rei," Shinji's heart thumps, "Asuka," he thinks of frustration, "M-Misato-san," Shinji thinks of a Mother, "I just want everyone I love to be there."

"Do you think that will make you truly happy?" Kaworu looks into Shinji, as if looking through him. Shinji loses his breath.

"I don't know yet… but… I want to find out myself." Kaworu truly smiles, and his eyes brighten. "Good luck, Shinji." Kaworu starts to fall backward as if in slow motion, closing his eyes.

"C-come back!" Shinji whines. "I don't wanna be alone!" Shinji falls back into his seat roughly with a cough. Rei, with her chest puffed out, comes back up, jerking into position to look at him. Shinji doesn't feel scared anymore. He begins to accept what is happening. Red crosses of light cover the Earth. 'They're becoming one like Misato-san said, I think.'

"I will take you to a new world now," Rei quietly says. It's the most emotion that's ever been in her voice. She's become enlightened in a way only she, Shinji, and Kaworu could be. Shinji has yet to accept it fully as of now. Rei and Kaworu understand their purpose fully and have found a meaning for themselves as beings. They have a sense of belonging and understanding of self that very few people will ever discover.

"Ok…" Rei's head leans back. The Evas continue to make various pseudo-sexual noises that Shinji's blocked out. "Rei… can you hold me?" Rei looks at him from the corner of her eyes and smiles wider. She closes her eyes and suddenly, a smaller nude version of herself appears right on his sweat and vomit coated lap. They pay no attention to it. He hugs her tight in his arms and she holds him back even tighter. He clenches his teeth and buries his face between her small breasts. "I'm not scared anymore."

"I know."

"Let's go now Rei."

"Alright," she whispers. Suddenly Shinji's clothes are off, and Rei melts into his waist. Shinji's body feels calm, it's nearly sexual. His breath becomes short. Images flash in his mind. Rei being under him as he wildly forces himself in her. She pants and moans, scratching at his back. Shinji twitches, and they finish at the same time.

Shinji can see again. He's back on the beach. The water is clear blue and the sun is high in the sky. Women, children, and men splash wildly in the waves.

"Kensuke! Come 'er! Check these girls out!" Shinji's eyes widen. TOUJI?! Him and everyone from class left Tokyo-3 a few weeks ago! Wait… this isn't… this isn't Tokyo-3. The girls in small bikinis turn around and flip Touji off. Kensuke shakes his head from the comfort of his navy beach towel and rainbow umbrella.

"Tool…" he mumbles, amused. Shinji is standing now, he's wearing black swim trunks and a white tank top. He pulls at the hem. Is this real? Am I really here? He bends down and cautiously runs a finger over the sand. I can touch it. Shinji's bare feet dig into the hot sand, flexing his toes.

"Baka!" Shinji looks behind him but he's too late.

BONK!

"FF-argh!" Shinji's face scrunches up when a large red beach ball slams into it, bouncing right back in the direction it came from. Asuka sprints toward him in a red and orange one-piece. "W-WOAH!" Shinji nearly jumps out the way.

"You idiot! Catch the damn balllllll!" Asuka scoops the ball up and chucks it toward him. His fist knocks it back toward her and she huffs, tucking it under her arm. "What's your problem? You're looking at me like I'm an alien or something!" Shinji shakes his head and swallows. He nervously laughs. Not too far off.

"I… I just missed you I guess," he says quietly. A sting in his chest alarms him. Last time I saw you, you were in the hospital bed next to me. The last time I HEARD you… Shinji shivers, Maya was crying for you. She said you were killed. Asuka looks at him with disgust.

"Weirdo…" Asuka stomps off. "Touji! Come here!"

"AHHH! Stay away!" Touji sprints into the water and Asuka storms after him with a dangerous laugh, winding the ball up in her arm. Shinji's stance falters. What's… going on? Do they know… anything that's happened to them? My phone! Shinji checks his pockets. Thank God. Shinji checks the date. 'MAY 11 2016.'

"Huh," he looks up his location. 'Tokyo-3.' "So… this is the same day?"

"What're you on your phone for?" Shinji spins around on his heels and drops his phone from his hands with wide eyes.

"Misato-san!" Shinji doesn't think, he just slams his body into hers hugging her as tightly as he can. She staggers back, but holds him as well.

"J-Jeez kiddo," she pets his hair, "I thought you were all upset with me cuz of yesterday."

"What happened yesterday?" Shinji doesn't let go still.

"What do you mean what happened? You were having a fit for at least three hours after."

"Oh," Shinji still doesn't let go. I don't care what happened. I guess I should though. "Guess I forgot about it." Misato looks down at him strangely and Shinji nervously backs up, picking his phone up from the sand. He idly picks at the rubber on the burgundy phone case.

"Are you ok?" Misato leans down a bit so their eyes are on the same level. Shinji embarrassedly looks down. She's wearing a red bikini top and mid-length jean shorts. She even has a beer in her hand.

"I'm sick." Misato cocks a brow.

"Sure… love sick maybe," she smirks at him. That gets his attention. "What were you two arguing about last night anyway? You were being such a grouch afterward."

"I… nothing I guess." Misato laughs.

"Sounds about right," she remarks, flipping her hair over her shoulder. She lifts the beer to her mouth and gulps. "YEEE-AH!" Shinji smiles to himself and shakes his head. Some things never change. "You should ask her to come out here; Asuka needs a girl to hang out with." Misato and Shinji looks out at the water to see Asuka whipping the ball as hard as she can at Touji and Kensuke. They desperately try to swim away.

"I will…" I hope she remembers everything too. Misato pats his shoulder.

"Be a good boy; don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"Which iiiis?" Misato walks backward and takes a sip, shrugging before turning back around. Tons of teenage boys stare at her as she walks past their chairs and towels. Shinji's heart thumps and a grin plays on his face. I haven't joked in too long. He reaches for his phone and searches through the numbers. Rei. Her name has a heart next to it.

He clicks on her name and a picture of them pops up. They're wearing school uniforms. Her dress is just like the one she always wore, but instead of a pale blue, it's a deep red similar to her eyes. As for Shinji, he looks about the same, except his undershirt is the same color as her's. They're sitting really close and the angle is high; looks like I took this picture of us myself. And… that looks like the Tokyo-3 overlook. Shinji breathes in hard as his finger hovers over the call button. What if she's not the same girl? Worry sets on his brow. I don't wanna have lost her. A brick feels like it's caught in the pit of his neck. Please be you, Rei.

Brrr-iing. Brrr-iing. Brrr-iing.

Shinji rubs his forehead skittishly.

Brrr-iing. Brrr-iing. Brrr-iing. CLICK.

"Hey," she says. Shinji opens his mouth and nothing comes out. "Shinji?"

"R-Rei?"

"Yes?" Shinji rubs his head again. Do I just ask? She… sounds the same, I think.

"Um, do you um…" Shinji stutters, "Is it still you?" A second goes by with no response. "Hello?"

"It is."

….

"Really?" Shinji's voice is exasperated. He feels himself sniff and he wraps an arm around himself.

"Yes. I told you Shinji… we are one."

"Y-Yeah. Yeah we are," Shinji sniffs again. A smile lights up his face. "Ugh, Rei," Shinji leans his head back, "Can you come here?"

"I'm coming. I will see you shortly." Rei's voice got quieter as if she was hanging up.

"W-WAIT!" Shinji startles a little girl playing with a shovel a foot away from him. He bows his head. He whispers into the phone and walks toward the sidewalk a bit behind him, "I love you… ugh I love you so much. I'm so glad I'm not alone. I don't wanna be alone anymore."

"You were never truly alone."

Twenty Minutes Later

Shinji had been tapping his foot and walking up and down the small street crammed with excited people. I've never seen so many people in one place. Geez I wonder if the rest of Tokyo-3 will be this busy now. Shinji steps on gum with his bare feet. He picks up his foot.

"Disgusting… come on," Shinji gags and wipes his foot on a nearby rock. Gross gross gross. Arms wrap around his midsection and he jumps in his skin.

"It's me," a familiar voice says. Shinji forgets about the gum and turns quickly on his heel. He looks at Rei. She looks the same. They all have so far. They forget where they are. People pass by hollering and laughing obnoxiously and they don't notice. Shinji and Rei touch each other's faces with lips slightly parted. He looks at her face and touches each curve, she does the same. Nothing seems different at all. He looks at Rei's body. She's wearing a red bra or bikini top under a thin white t-shirt with loose navy shorts and white flip flops. He hums.

"You like it?"

"Yeah…" Shinji smiles. His eyes are glued to her breasts.

"You like those too?"

"Yeah—ER, NO! Nooo I wasn't uh… staring heh." Shinji scratches his neck. Rei huffs a laugh and wraps her arms around his neck, putting her forehead against his. A group of little girls behind them giggle while eating ice cream and stare at the two from a wood bench. Shinji holds her waist tightly in his hands. They breathe at the same time and their lips graze each other. A woman behind them tsks and shakes her head. For once, Shinji doesn't care about what others think. This is our moment. We worked hard to get this. Whatever… THIS is.

"Do they remember?"

"No."

"But… how are they the same person then?"

"In some ways, they are not. This is your chance to start over. This is a life you wanted."

"Who are we here?"

"We are who we think we are." Shinji sighs softly. I guess the only way to get through this, is to live through it. I don't want this to be like before. Before, all I did was live my life passively. I don't want that to happen here.

Their breath tickles each other's lips. Rei shuts her eyes, and he watches her eyes slightly twitch under tight lids. Rei's fingers thread through his short hair. All the noise that filed their ears is gone, and it's just them and their beating hearts.

"...I love you," she says first. Ba-dump.

"I love you more."

"Not likely. You have changed my life in more ways than one." She smiles at him in a way only she could. Ba-dump.

"You've done more for me than I can even say. Yer… argh, I just… you're so…" Shinji shakes his head. He watches her mouth curve slightly upward again. "Will you smile more here?"

"I believe I will."

"Good. You look… beautiful."

"As do you." They both grin. Shinji pulls Rei in by the waist and finally kisses her. It's chaste, more of a peck than anything else. The kiss says so much. Shinji's shoulders the fear and doubt ease off his mind for once. I don't feel the weight of the world on me anymore… and it's amazing.