They had all been at school forclose totwo months now and it seemed that Kaworu was fitting in quite well with everyone. Shinji and the others accepted him so completely that it was easy to forget that he really hadn't been there for very long. Kaworu often found himself wondering if this is what it was like to have a typical sort of life. If so, he wasn't sure he wanted to let go of it again. He actually started to regret Fridays. He loved being with his friends at school.

But life can't be all fun.

"So Kaworu, what were you planning to do this Saturday?" Shinji asked as they headed out to lunch on one Friday.

"Work," Kaworu sighed. "My producers want me to spend at least one weekend a month just working with them in the studio on various things. They're planning to expand my image quite a bit within the next years."

"What do you mean?" Touji asked, his mouth full of food. (Luckily his friends were used to it enough to understand him)

"I'm starting work on my own pieces … or I should say I'm starting work on their original pieces. Up until now I've just done classical stuff, orchestral music. But I'm apparently such a hit with younger generations as well, so they're going to market me properly." Kaworu scowled at this and kicked at the grass before he sat down underneath their tree with the others.

"Once a month huh," Shinji murmured. "That was why you weren't here that one week and you came back all pissed off?"

"Yeah. Sorry."

Shinji shrugged it off. "Eh, we all have those days."

"Some of us more than others," Asuka murmured slyly, glancing at Shinji.

Shinji just closed his eyes and leaned back against the tree. "Pots and kettles Asuka," he reminded her. The others chuckled at this while Asuka stuck out her tongue.

"Still, that's a bit of a bummer," Touji commented, taking a drink. "We were planning this game against district three, figured you might have been up for it."

"Maybe I'll be able to sneak away for a bit," Kaworu mused softly. "I mean, it's not like we're really doing anything that I don't already know about. I should be able to catch up, it's just meetings."

"That's the spirit!" Touji grinned. "And here I was almost beginning to think you were as much of a stickler for the rules as Hikari."

"And what's the last outrageous thing you've done Touji," she retorted teasingly. "Not handed in your homework on time?"

Touji glared. "Quiet," he muttered. He looked over at his boyfriend. "Aren't you going to help me out here?"

"Well she does have a point," Kensuke replied with a grin.

"Traitor." Touji huffed. He grabbed hold of Shinji and stuck his tongue out at Kensuke. "Fine, Shinji's going to be my best friend now. At least I know he'll never betray me."

"Wait until you read chapter eighteen of my book," Shinji murmured.

Kensuke just shrugged at Touji's actions. "Fine, you can be that way if you want, but then you'll just have to deal with the consequences." He said it so innocently that nothing was really taken in the wrong way at first … that is until Touji paled and the girls started giggling.

"You wouldn't?" he gasped.

"Wouldn't I?" Kensuke looked smug. The girls just kept giggling.

"Should we be worried about this?" Shinji whispered cautiously to Kaworu.

"I'm keeping right out of this discussion," Kaworu informed him.

"So what are you two lovebirds whispering to each other then?" Shinji and Kaworu jumped as Asuka suddenly appeared right in front of their faces, then they blushed registering her words properly.

"Shut up," Shinji muttered, bright red. Kaworu just blinked naively. He did that so often that everyone had realized that it was his way of avoiding a potentially embarrassing situation — pretending like he didn't know what they were talking about.

Asuka just kept grinning at them. "One of you has to make a move sometime," she sang delightedly, before she was pulled back by Rei, who managed to shush her with a quick word in her ear.

Taking pity on the two boys, Hikari decided to steer the conversation in a different direction then, noticing for the rest of lunch that the two avoided looking directly at each other, even when talking directly. It was cute, but extremely frustrating at the same time. It wasn't until the end of lunch that their gazes met again.

Kaworu got up as the bell went and picked up his bags. Shinji frowned, wondering why they were with him, until he remembered Kaworu's usual Friday meetings. Kaworu smiled apologetically at them all and said his goodbyes, his eyes lingering a moment longer on Shinji before he turned away.

Shinji bit his lip, thinking intently on something before he got up and called out, "Kaworu." The other boy turned around and Shinji blushed at his inquiring gaze. "I … uh … if you do manage to get some time away this weekend you can always drop by my place. Mother really does want you to come over some time, I just keep forgetting to ask."

Kaworu smiled brilliantly, making Shinji's heart beat a bit faster. "I'll make even more of an effort then," he promised before waving and heading to the gates were a car was already waiting for him. Shinji waited for it to drive off before turning to face his friends again. He almost wished he hadn't. Their smirks were quite unbearable.

"What?" he muttered, looking away.

"Way to go lover boy," Kensuke whistled.

"Took you long enough to do something," Touji informed him. "Though it was a pretty wimpy effort Shinji."

Shinji blushed. "It's not like that. Mother really did ask for him to come over, I was just being polite."

"Sure," Asuka drawled. "Like you haven't wanted to ask him out for ages."

"Look it's not like you guys," Shinji explained. "I've only known himfor two months, not years. It's a bit harder for me to get closer." He sighed. "Besides, I can't even tell if he even does like me anyway."

Rei approached him and laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. She smiled faintly at him, offering comfort. "As the one person who probably knows him best out of us, believe me when I say that you have more than a chance with him."

"Yeah Shinji," Hikari jumped in. "You can so tell just by the way he acts around you. He adores you."

Shinji smiled at the two of them. "Thanks, that helps." He sighed. "So are we going to head to class or ditch and get yelled at by Misato?" He grinned at his friends as he headed off towards the classroom.

Touji, Kensuke and Asuka were looking darkly at Hikari and Rei.

"All right, just how did you do that?" Kensuke demanded.

"Yeah, we've been bugging him about asking Kaworu out for a month now and all we get is a really pessimistic answer and a vague 'I'll do it when the time's right'." Touji pouted.

"So much for believing and trusting your best friend above all else," Asuka huffed.

Hikari smiled mysteriously. "Maybe we just have something you three don't."

"Like what?" Touji demanded.

"Brains, and the ability to use them properly perhaps" Rei murmured quietly.

The dark glares intensified.

"I think we should run," Hikari whispered. Rei nodded mutely and the two turned and ran towards Shinji, hoping the skinny unsuspecting boy might be able to help them out with their furious friends.

However, Asuka's furious yell of, "Just because you're my girlfriend doesn't mean you can get away with that!" told the two of them that Shinji was not going to be enough protection from their wrath. It was a shame that Kaworu missed out on all the drama of that particular Friday, it was a bit more interesting than most.

Shinji passed the ball away to Touji and prayed that the first half would be over soon as he sprinted down the court. They were getting trounced. Touji and Asuka were the only two on their team who really showed much enthusiasm today. Kensuke backed out earlier and Shinji would have, but that would have meant that they'd be down a player. Hikari and Rei sat on the sidelines. Rei probably would have played for a bit today, but she'd slipped and re-injured the same knee that had been hurt last month earlier that week in PE.

Someone on the sidelines called a time out and both teams went for a drink. Shinji had to drag himself over and try not to guzzle everything down. Basketball wasn't really his thing. Sure he'd go out with Touji for a bit for some fun, but seriously playing a sport? Still, it wasn't totally his fault. Some of the regular players had backed out and Touji had to practically beg him to play for the entire game. He hated Touji's puppy-dog eyes, they were as bad as Asuka's. Those two were so alike in some ways it was almost ridiculous … and scary as well. No wonder they pissed each other off so much.

"I noticed you guys weren't doing so well."

Shinji raised himself up from the bench he was lying on and managed a smile. "Hey, you made it. Your producers pissed?"

Kaworu smiled. "Lunch break. I'm not the best sneak, I'll admit … but an hour for lunch is easily turned into two. I did only manage to catch that last part though."

"Well I think we're going to forfeit," Shinji mused, glancing over at Touji, who looked like he was trying to convince two of his more jock-ish friends to keep playing, but they waved him away and he headed over, looking dejected.

"Forfeit?" Kensuke asked him.

"Yeah. I guess it was just a last minute thing, I didn't really expect much. I might have been able to get together a few more people had I known about the game earlier on. Oh well." He grinned in Kensuke's direction. "More time for the arcade and other stuff."

Kensuke grinned. "Sounds like a good plan to me. Anyone else want to come with?" He looked around.

"Sorry guys, girly time," Hikari told them. "We're heading over to Asuka's so she can change then it's a shopping spree."

"Blergh," Kensuke stuck out his tongue in disgust and looked over at Shinji. "You up for it Shinji?"

Shinji shrugged. "I was going to head home actually. I've just got a really good idea for a scene and I want to get it out." Not to mention I really want to get out of these clothes … I'm soaked in sweat … I hate basketball. He learned a while ago not to say those sort of thoughts aloud around Touji, he usually took it hard, glaring and threatening Shinji until he took it back. No one said anything bad about sport while Touji was around.

"What about you Kaworu?" Hikari asked curiously.

"I was actually going to eat while I was on my break," Kaworu grinned easily. "But forgive me if I don't consider shopping with you, or going to the arcade. I tend to get caught up at the arcade and lose track of time."

"You could come over and have lunch with my family and I," Shinji offered.

"You sure?" Kaworu asked hesitantly. "I wouldn't want to intrude.'

Shinji sighed. "Did you not hear my invitation yesterday?"

Kaworu blushed in embarrassment. "Well if you don't mind me there."

Shinji smiled. "I'm sure I can manage to put up with having you around for a bit. Forgive me though if I just suddenly dash madly to my computer and become a bit anti-social. I've been stuck for a while on this chapter and I'm only now getting a few ideas."

"Took you long enough," Touji muttered. "We've been waiting for chapter fifteen for ages."

"Well as soon as I finish it you probably won't have to wait long for sixteen, I have most of that one done too, so just hold up a bit. Genius cannot be rushed."

"Right, genius," Touji snorted.

Shinji stuck his tongue out at his friend playfully. "Come on Kaworu," Shinji gestured him away. "Mother usually has things ready about now. She was a bit annoyed that I might have been late today."

"Weekend lunches are a family thing for you?"

"Sort of. We don't get to spend time with each other during the week as my parents have to work late or are called into meetings and stuff, so we try and at least have one time a week that we have together. It's a bit corny, but it's how things are with us."

Kaworu smiled. "I like it. It sounds comforting.'

"Yeah, I suppose it is." The two headed away to Shinji's apartment, talking about various things, including the disastrous game just moments ago.

Shinji walked in without even knocking, just calling out, "Mother?"

"In the kitchen sweetie." Shinji and Kaworu moved further into the apartment. Yui was cooking something on the stove and Gendo was moving around, putting things on the table. "You're home early," she commented, not looking around yet.

"Yeah, we were loosing spectacularly and decided to call it a game. Then something else came up."

"Something else?" Gendo looked up and Yui turned around.

"Oh!" She smiled. "Hello Kaworu, it's nice to see you again.

"Hello Mrs. Ikari, Mr. Ikari. I hope you don't mind my intrusion."

Yui waved his apology away. "Not at all. I'm glad you could finally come over for a meal. We have more than enough here for one more." Looking at the feast on the table, her words were something of an understatement.

"So I see." Shinji snickered at Kaworu's surprise.

"Professor F is coming around?" Shinji asked, taking a seat. Kaworu slid into the one next to him, feeling a bit awkward still. He would have offered to help, but the two adults looked like they had everything under control and almost ready.

"Of course," Yui answered. "I bumped into Asuka this morning and asked her as well, but she said something about shopping."

"Yeah. It's weird thinking of Asuka as a normal girl like that."

"Shinji." His mother admonished him, though her lips quirked in a smile. "You should be nicer to your best friend."

"I am nice, aren't I Kaworu?"

Kaworu started, not thinking he'd get dragged into this. "Er … I suppose sometimes …" he shrugged. This obviously wasn't the answer Shinji was hoping for and he scowled lightly at him. Kaworu just grinned cheekily back at him and Yui laughed.

"I think you're fitting in quite well here with everyone Kaworu. Welcome to the family."

It was something she said to all of Shinji's close friends when she got to know and like them, but Yui's words touched Kaworu and he found himself blushing and unable to answer properly.

It's odd, he thought as soon as the meal started, with Professor Fuyutsuki turning up right on time. I've never been accepted so readily and so completely before by anyone without a second thought. Yet Shinji and his friends and family seemed to do just that. I suppose I do envy him this life somewhat, but I wouldn't wish it from him ever. Smiling, Kaworu dug in and joined in with the conversations and laughter quite easily.

Kaworu sat on the edge of Shinji's bed rather nervously. It wasn't that he was uncomfortable being left alone in Shinji's room like this while he washed up, quite the contrary. Shinji's very essence seemed to have sunk into the very walls and exuded a familiar comforting presence. It was only that which stopped Kaworu jumping up and fleeing immediately.

It was just … well, he knew Shinji was a fan but …

"Kaworu?" Kaworu jumped hearing Shinji's voice coming from the doorway. Shinji looked at him in concern. "Are you all right?"

"Fine," Kaworu replied in a strained voice.

"No you're not. You look totally freaked."

"You could say that I suppose," Kaworu admitted.

Shinji looked around and blushed. "Oh. Sorry. I completely forgot about those." He gestured to the posters of Kaworu lining his walls. "I did warn you I was a huge fan."

"I know. But hearing that and seeing the reality … it's a bit …"

"Frightening?"

"Somewhat."

"Well I can see how you'd feel that way." Shinji blushed and cleared his throat. "I, uh, I'd always dreamed that I'd meet you someday and only in my wildest fantasies did I hope to think I could ever play with you. I don't think you realize just how much your mere presence affects me."

Kaworu blushed and looked away. "I never knew that you were so …"

Shinji blushed as well. "Yeah. But after meeting you, I guess things like that mattered less to me. You're a much better person than you are a dream Kaworu. I'm very glad and honoured to call you a friend."

Kaworu glanced up at him, looking shocked. Shinji was blushing furiously and staring intently at the floor. "Shinji," Kaworu breathed. "I …" He didn't quite know how to express himself just then. It was so odd. No one had ever affected him this way before. It was as though Shinji held some heavenly power over him. Not knowing how to express himself in words, Kaworu got up and moved over to him, biting his bottom lip nervously as he stood before his friend. "Shinji," he breathed again, drawing the boy's attention upwards.

Shinji's eyes widened as Kaworu moved his head closer, but as his heart beat faster and his emotions rose, he let himself be guided by instinct. So when Kaworu's lips pressed down on his in a soft beautiful kiss, he returned it, bringing his arm up to hold onto Kaworu and keep him there, letting the gentle kiss linger.

Kaworu pulled back and gazed into Shinji's lidded eyes, a smile forming. Shinji didn't let him speak, moving swiftly and capturing Kaworu's mouth in another kiss, filled with his own passion. He felt Kaworu grab onto him desperately and eagerly lean into the embrace. They said without words what they'd both been feeling and thinking for so long.

Upon hearing a knock, they pulled apart, panting and flushing from slight exertion. Shinji ran his fingers through his hair in an effort to tame it a bit before opening the door to his mother.

Her smile was innocent, but Shinji got the feeling she knew what had just gone on in the room, yet she was tactful enough not to comment on his slightly rumpled shirt or red face. "There's someone looking for Kaworu at the door," she told them, then looked at Kaworu. "He said he found our address in one of your books. He also said he was one of your producers."

"Okay. Thank you Mrs. Ikari. I appreciate you having me over, but I think I must leave." Kaworu nodded his head to her as he gathered his jacket up from Shinji's bed.

"You must come over again Kaworu, you're more than welcome to," Yui told him cheerfully as she and Shinji walked him to the door.

"Thank you." Kaworu smiled at her then looked at Shinji with a contented gleam in his eye. "I'll see you at school on Monday, Shinji."

"I'll be looking forward to it," Shinji assured him with a smile.

As Kaworu walked away from the apartment with one of the men from his production crew, Shinji couldn't help but think how intensely better his life had just suddenly gotten. He didn't think that anything could possibly drag him down from his emotional high right now. Everything was just perfect for him.