Advice & Trust

Chapter 9.9

Everything I Do...

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"Well, that was lovely, Nagisa-san!" Hikari gushed as the grey-haired boy lowered his bow. "You should try out for the school Music Club! I'm sure you'd shine there."

Nagisa's smile shone brightly on its own. "Thank you, Horaki-san. I have given it some thought. Music is the highest achievement of Lilim culture, after all."

Hikari blinked at him. "Of what culture?"

Rei loomed behind Hikari, her eyes glowing alarmingly red. She held up a sheet of paper. 'STOP FLIRTING WITH HER. SHE HAS A BOYFRIEND AND I WILL DESTROY YOU IF YOU MAKE TROUBLE. AND 'LILIM'? YOU STUPID FISH!' it said.

"Uh..." Kaworu tried to make his brain work fast to cover that slip, but his body had become suddenly fascinated by Ayanami's appearance when angry again. "I mean... human culture. Sorry, I've been speaking German up until recently." He judged this a success by the way Ayanami's death glare dropped a notch.

"Oh, German? So you were at NERV-Berlin with Asuka?" the petite brunette asked.

He thought faster. "Ah... I didn't run into her while I was there. I was rather bottled up." He tried another smile, those seemed to distract her for some reason. "I didn't actually meet her face to face until I arrived here."

Hikari looked bedazzled again. "Oh my..."

Rei held up the paper again. The first two sentences were now underlined, as was the last. Twice.

Hikari rallied. "S-so why do you call her 'Miss Soryu', then?"

"Oh, it's just a little nod to us both having come here from Germany. I don't know her very well yet, but a little taste of Germany is something I can offer her."

"That's very nice of you, Nagisa-san," Hikari said with a smile. "So, you play the violin and piano, speak German, and are very ha-... kind! You're going to be very popular with the girls in class."

Kaworu looked at her, intrigued. "Why is that?"

Behind her, Rei facepalmed and held up the paper again. The last sentence was now underlined thrice.

"Cultured and handsome foreign students often attract plentiful attention, Nagisa-san," Rei said dryly, breaking her silence. She casually put the paper down on the table, face down. She had the feeling she'd need it again later. Frequently. "Though in your case, I wonder if you will know what to do."

"How should I respond properly, then?"

"Be like Kensuke," Rei said. "That would be a good start."

Kaworu looked puzzled. "I should... date as many girls as possible, then select two?"

Hikari giggled and put her hand over her mouth.

Rei tried to burn a hole in Kaworu's face with her glare. "No."

"But he di-"

"We will discuss it later," Rei said in the same tone of voice a judge would pronounce sentence on a major criminal. "For now, we will finalize preparations for Asuka's birthday party tomorrow. You will bring an appropriate gift if you wish to attend, Nagisa-san."

"A shame we didn't get to go shopping for presents together, Rei. I did find Asuka some nice video games," Hikari said, smiling. "I know you were still deciding. Did you figure out what to get her?"

Rei nodded, looking happier. "I am giving Asuka some lip gloss tomorrow."

Hikari looked confused. "Your best friend, and all you're getting her for her birthday is a tube of lip gloss?"

Rei stared at her. "...tube?"

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"Asuka… It's time to wake up," his voice said gently in her ear. Warmly. Lovingly. It made her smile as she woke.

"Nuh uh," she articulately countered. "Iz t'm to stay righ' hr'." She burrowed a little closer into his arms. It was difficult: she was already deeply wrapped therein, using his chest as a pillow. She made up for it by refusing to open her eyes. It was nice and comfy right where she was.

"As nice as staying in bed all day with you sounds, it's still a school day. We've got to get up," her boyfriend pointed out.

"Dun wanna. Here's good."

"Maybe we can do the 'all day in bed' thing tomorrow," Shinji offered. "Though… I think Misato-san would make a few pointed jokes at us over what she'll assume we've been doing that whole time when we finally come out."

"She can assume whatever she likes. She might be right anyhow," Asuka murmured with a sly grin. "Alright, I'm awake. Meh, school. Why couldn't my birthday be on a weekend this year?" She sat up and stretched, smiling wider as she watched Shinji's eyes drink in her entire move.

He finally snapped out of it when her stretch ended. "This way you get to show off at school too?" He rose from the bed and started getting dressed. "And it's early enough you don't need to rush. I woke you up now so you'd have time to enjoy the full German breakfast I got mostly ready before I came back to bed to wake you. I know how you hate waking up alone."

She got out of bed herself and gave him a kiss before starting to get her own clothes for the day. "And a nice way to wake up it was. Wait, if you went to get breakfast ready and came back, why are you just getting dressed now? Did you make breakfast… er…"

Shinji blushed as he finished buttoning his shirt. "Um… yes. I figured Misato would be the last up, so if you woke up alone before I came back, you'd at least have the consolation prize of finding me… um… 'mostly-naked-apron'?"

Asuka laughed at the image. "Oooh, nice."

Shinji cleared his throat. "Und… Auch ich werde versuchen, heute so viel Deutsch zu sprechen, wie ich kann." [And... Also, I will try to speak as much German today as I can.]

Asuka's eyes lit up. "Ah? Wunderbar, mein baka!" She laughed again. "Ich habe den besten Boyfriend." [I have the best boyfriend.]

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"This keeps up, we're gonna need a bigger meeting spot for lunch," Touji said.

Sayaka smiled. "I dunno, I kind of like the tight space." She scooted a centimeter closer to Kensuke's left side. Kyoko matched her on his right. Kensuke did not look like he was going to complain.

Asuka would have rolled her eyes, but considering she and Shinji were sitting fairly close together at the lunch tables they'd commandeered for the day, she could hardly complain herself. It was in fact kind of heartening to see Kensuke's two girlfriends (and she still had a hard time even thinking that without it sounding crazy) were starting to loosen up. They'd both been a bit nervous and stiff when they found out that being with Kensuke meant they were now invited to eat with the Eva Pilots' group.

Which had rather expanded from the days it was just her and Shinji sneaking off to eat together. Asuka looked around. Kensuke sandwiched between Sayaka and Kyoko, check. Her and Shinji, check. Hikari and Jock-Stooge, check. And... Ok, not all happy couples: Rei and Nagisa, sitting well apart, Rei practically radiating 'I am not with him!' in sheer body language. Nagisa, for his part, was smiling happily at the group of Pilots, significant others, and friends. He seemed to be rather enjoying just being in such a large collection of people his age that was not just a class.

"Mmm, yeah, it has it's points," Hikari said from Touji's lap. "I don't have to lean as far to do this, for example." She delicately placed a piece of tempura in Touji's waiting mouth, then nabbed another piece for herself from the bento he was holding for both of them.

Sayaka giggled. "And not just for lunch, too. Last weekend Kyo-chan and I showed Kensuke how you can fit three people in a two-man tent when camping... if you're all friends," she said with a wink.

"We are going to get in so much trouble if your father figures out we did that," Kyoko moaned.

Sayaka reached across their boyfriend to gently pinch Kyoko's nose with her chopsticks. "Eh, we'll be fine. Dad never checks when I say I'm doing a sleepover at your house, does he? And besides, it was so worth it! Wasn't it, Ken-chan?"

Kensuke vigorously nodded. His expression turned sheepish when he noticed his friends all staring at him, though. "Er... eheh. Um... We were careful?"

Rei left off her mild glaring at Nagisa to look at the trio. She smiled. "That is good to hear on all counts, Kensuke. You are a good and proper gentleman."

Nagisa looked over too. "So I should act like K-"

Rei glared death at him again. "No."

"Everyone can come to the party, right?" Shinji asked, trying to divert Rei from attempting to set Nagisa on fire with her eyes.

"Wouldn't miss it!" Kyoko nodded. "Too bad it's not a sleepover. All night karaoke and fun with the whole Evangelion Pilot corps sounds like the coolest party ever."

"I think Misato-san would consider letting nine teenagers, most of them dating one another, to be a bit much even for her party appetite," Shinji pointed out. "Plus all of us are going to be a tight fit even just for the party."

"We could use my apartment for a sleepover in the future," Rei offered quietly. "There is more space, as I have less furniture. And I do not mind the happy company."

"Ooh, good plan, Ayanami-san," Sayaka said with a grin. "Party at Ayanami's place next week!"

"Us too, Ayanami-san?" Touji asked.

Rei nodded. "Of course. You are my friend too, Suzuhara-san, as well as Hikari's partner."

Touji blushed at this. "Y-yeah, I g-guess." Hikari grinned.

"I didn't even know you liked our favorite gorilla, Rei," Asuka said, amused at watching him squirm.

"He is a good person. He was a good friend to Shinji when he was new here, is physically attractive, and sincere. If he was not already taken by Hikari, I would have considered him for a partner in the social experiments I conducted with Kensuke," Rei said, perfectly calm.

"Thank you?" Touji said, nonplussed. He gave Hikari a hug to reassure himself.

"And thank you for not, Rei" Hikari added. "I saw him first." She smiled, though.

Rei smiled back. "I would never disrupt your bond, Hikari. You two shine together."

Kaworu suddenly looked more intently at the group, then at Shinji in particular. "Shinji-kun, are we friends?"

Shinji blinked. "Um… yes? You've helped me with Asuka's present, you're a Pilot like us, you're friendly...why wouldn't you be?"

Kaworu's gaze shifted to Rei. "I am a friend to Shinji. I have been told I'm attractive, by you, even. I am as sincere as I can be… am I your friend, Ayanami-san?"

Rei's eyes widened a little, but she said nothing, staring back at him for a long moment. "Yes," she said eventually, with no inflection.

Kaworu's smile was just a hair wider, but some shadow had left it. "I'm glad."

Rei's face relaxed a bit. "Perhaps you acting a bit like Kensuke would not be entirely a bad thiiiiieek!"

Rei squeaked in surprise as Asuka's pale, slender arms wrapped around her from behind and pulled her into a hug. "Yeah, but Shinji and I saw her first. Nyaaah!" She stuck her tongue out at the grey-haired boy.

Rei's cheeks turned rosy pink. "A-Asuka, I…"

Asuka slid one arm back behind her and pulled Shinji in too, reveling in holding her two favorite people. "I love you guys," she said, laughing.

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"This is torture," Asuka complained with a smile. She took another deep breath of the delicious smells wafting in from the balcony next to Rei's. She stretched her arms out in front of her, staring at the dimming sunset sky off Rei's balcony.

"It is torture that is at an end, however," Rei replied, glancing at the clock back inside. "It is time." Shinji had asked them to wait at Rei's apartment until 1730 while he cooked the surprise dinner. Hikari had gone along to assist in the cooking, and at Rei's quiet suggestion the rest of the party attendees had been sent along to help with set-up. Rei had been only too happy to keep Asuka company by herself. They'd found uses for the time. She looked at Asuka, blushing again. "Did you… like my present? The um... lip gloss?"

Asuka again turned almost as red as her hair. "It w-w-was fine! Great! I…" Her voice dropped to an embarrassed whisper. "I… I'm really happy about it, Rei. I've been thinking about it for weeks."

"As have I. Today seemed… fitting." Rei smiled as she lead Asuka to the door. "I owe you much, and you both are worth everything. I love you both, and will protect you in battle and at home. "

Asuka smiled, but gave Rei a serious look as well. "So are you, Wondergirl. Six months ago I hated you. Now you're… very important to me. To us. Shinji and I want you to make it through this war with the Angels too. All of us. 'One for all and all for one', and all that." She abruptly stopped Rei just short of the front door with a hand on her shoulder and pulled her into a fierce hug. "I can't stand the thought of losing you or Shinji. You stay safe with us, ok? It… makes me worry sometimes, when you talk like that."

Rei hugged her back. "Then I will not make you worry. If my loss would make you unhappy, then I will not permit it to happen."

Asuka smiled. "Good. Now let's go see what my darling baka has whipped up for my first proper birthday party in forever." She opened the door.

"You did not have birthday parties in Germany?" Rei asked as they left her apartment and walked next door to Misato's.

Asuka shrugged, her expression clouding briefly. "Nothing… real. My father and step-mother would make… appearances, and give me a present or two, but then leave me to NERV for the most part. And when I was in college, I always got the feeling I was treated more as a 'kid mascot' or curiosity than a peer. I never… had anyone close like you and Shinji back then."

She shook her head and visibly pushed the memories away. Her smile returned. "This is better. Way better. I actually like everyone who's going to be at this party for me. Even Geek-Stooge and his girlfriends."

"Even Major Katsuragi?" Rei teased gently.

"Yes, even her," Asuka shot back. "She's been fairly understanding about Shinji and I, more than I was afraid she might be." She swiped her keycard through the lock and let them both into the apartment. "And if she hadn't forced me to move in with her, Shinji and I might never have-"

"Alles Gute zum Geburtstag, Asuka!" The welcoming shout nearly knocked her backwards into Rei as she turned the corner from the entrance hallway into the kitchen area.

Hikari and Touji let off a handful of party poppers from the sides, showering her in confetti. The camera flash blinded her for a moment as Misato snapped a picture from the back of the pack. She was the tallest after Kaji, standing beside her.

"Willkommen zu Hause, Asuka," Shinji said from the front of the group, smiling broadly. He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. Asuka found she was able to smile and blush at the same time as he gave her a slow, thorough kiss in front of everyone. "Abendessen ist fertig." He stepped aside to let her see the table, already laid out.

Asuka's smile got wider. He'd really gone all-out. The table fairly groaned under the weight of all the food and the pile of gifts behind them. "Schwenkbraten, mit Rosmarin garnierte Klöße, und Birne mit Preiselbeeren [Marinated roast pork steak, rosemary garnished potato dumplings, and pear with cowberries]," he said proudly. "Und Prinzregententorte."

Asuka giggled. Despite his best efforts, Shinji still had a persistent, cute little accent to his German. "Liebling, mir gefällt's ja, aber da Hikari und die anderen nunmal kein Deutsch können... vielleicht doch lieber Japanisch?" [My love, I appreciate the effort, but maybe Japanese for the rest of the party, since Hikari and the rest don't speak it?]"

Misato snorted. "Du scheinst einen merkwürdigen Einfluss auf Leute zu haben, Asuka. Offenbar können fast alle auf dieser Party Deutsch! [You must have a weird influence on people, Asuka. Turns out almost more people at this party speak German than don't!]" Misato's accent wasn't nearly as prominent, nor as cute as Shinji's. Then again, she and Kaji had years of practice from when they'd been stationed at NERV-Berlin. "Ich, Kaji, du, Shinji versucht's; und Kaworu-kun. [Me, Kaji, you, Shinji's trying; and Kaworu-kun,]" she listed.

"Und ich," Rei said softly from behind her.

Asuka turned around in surprise. "Warte, was? Rei, du sprichst Deutsch?!"

"Ja," the First Child said. She had a strange accent, like she'd never said the words out loud, but she was clear.

"Was? Wie? Warum hast du nie was gesagt? [What? How? Why didn't you ever say so?]"

"Du hast nie gefragt? [You have never asked?]"

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Asuka put down her fork, sat back, and patted her stomach. "Oh Gott, that was good, Shinji. I haven't had Prinzregententorte like that in forever." She took a slow sip of her present from Misato, a nice Franziskaner Weißbier. She was a little surprised Misato let her, but it wasn't too much. Misato had been the one who bought her her first beer back in Germany, after all. And she'd been quite firm about that being the only beer she was allowed to have tonight. Everyone else was still restricted to sodas.

Shinji smiled at her praise. "That's just part one. Now… I bet you've been wondering what I've been working so hard on the last two weeks."

"Damn right I am," Asuka snorted. "So mysterious, and neither Rei or the new fish would even give me a hint."

To her left, Rei was getting up from the table, her now common tiny smile in place. "He did stress the surprise was important, Asuka."

Kaworu was rising with her. They walked into Shinji's old room and emerged with their instrument cases and Shinji's cello case.

Asuka nodded. She'd somewhat expected this. So her dearest baka had been practicing a piece for her?

Kensuke, Sayaka, and Kyoko helped push the couch they'd been sharing out of the way to the side, letting Rei and Kaworu begin setting up. Hikari rapidly cleared away the remaining plates while Shinji took out his cello and smiled at her.

He tentatively cleared his throat, suddenly looking a little nervous. "Um… thank you all for coming to Asuka's party. I wanted to make her birthday really special this year, and I know having you all come helped."

He fussed awkwardly with his bow for a moment. "I… still have a hard time believing someone as brilliant, beautiful, and amazing as Asuka could pick someone like me to be with. And… nothing makes me feel happier than being able to make her smile. There's only a few things I'm really any good at. I can't Pilot an Eva in here, and I just did my best at cooking, so… here's the last one: Music."

"Music… helped bring us together, kind of. The night Asuka and I first kissed," he blushed, "was the day she came home from a blind date Horaki-san had set up for her. She didn't really like the guy, so she came home. I… I didn't even realize it at the time, but… she could have gone anywhere, done anything… but she came home to spend time alone with me. Like a baka, I missed that. She came in while I was playing Bach's Cello Suite No.1, and she… applauded me. It was the first time she'd ever been… so nice to me."

Asuka blushed herself as everyone turned to look at her.

"I played for half the afternoon," Shinji continued. "Later that night, she asked if I wanted to kiss her. And it's been…" He swallowed. "...th-the best part of my life since then. I've never been so happy. And I hope I've made her happy. So when I had to think of a present for her birthday that would really feel like what I wanted to show her, music was my first thought. I'm… Asuka says I'm better than I think at it, and Rei and Kaworu-kun have been a big help with getting this all ready…"

He stopped himself, took a deep breath, and tried again. "So I did… I wrote her something. Something new. I hope you all like the world premiere of the Asuka Langley Soryu 15th Birthday Concerto."

Asuka blinked. "Wait… you wrote me an entire concerto? For a present?"

He nodded, flushing.

Asuka shared a stunned look with Misato and Hikari. "Holy crap, Shinji… I don't even know what to say."

He smiled sheepishly. "Then just relax and listen for now?"

He raised his bow, looked to Rei and Kaworu, and at their nods, began to play.

And it was glorious.

It soared. It soothed. It made her sigh with a rolling, intricate melody that expertly wove the violin and viola over the steady, deep hum of his cello. Rei was a trifle uncertain at times in her playing, but Shinji and Kaworu's confident playing carried her along without difficulty.

Shinji's eyes kept flicking to the music stand in front of him, but whenever they weren't, he was looking at her. He didn't seem to look at anyone else's reaction. Just hers.

And react she did. In every line, Asuka could hear it over and over: I love you. I love you. I love you.

She put her head back, closed her eyes, and fought a losing battle to hold in her tears. Only once, in the aftermath of speaking to her Mama, had she let herself cry in public in ten years. Shinji's music blasted right through her walls. When she could not hold in the joyful tears anymore, she opened her eyes again and locked her gaze on Shinji. When he met her eyes, she mouthed 'I love you' to him, and smiled as she cried. She didn't mind. He was crying too.

The music slowly trailed off to a gentle end. There was a breathtaking moment of rapt silence before Misato and the others burst into applause. Shinji seemed to shake himself out of trance, breaking himself out of the look with Asuka before he gave a sheepish bow. Rei and Kaworu bowed with him.

"So… it was ok?" he asked.

Asuka stood up and walked over, pushing his cello gently aside so she could embrace him. "You baka… it was perfect." She kissed him.

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A rather fetching blouse from Kaworu. A bundle of video games from Hikari and one more from Jock-Stooge. A beer from Misato, and a proper German stein from Kaji. Gift certificates to her favorite beautician's shop from Sayaka and Kyoko. A surprisingly well-done 1:24 scale model Tiger II tank painted in Unit-02's colors from Kensuke. It even had 'The Red Demon' and a tiny picture of Shinji on the turret. A whole pile of clothes, CDs, jewelry, and more from Shinji, of course. And a birthday card with a sweet handwritten poem from Rei that earned her another hug from Asuka, to which Rei blushed. As did Asuka when she realized she'd done it in front of everyone else.

It hardly stopped the party. Rei and Kaworu volunteered again, offering to play some more pieces… to give Shinji and Asuka a chance to dance.

Which left Asuka now happily enfolded in Shinji's arms again, her head resting on his shoulder as her feet automatically took her through a slow dance with him in the confines of Misato's living room. Kaji and Misato had quickly joined them, as had Touji and Hikari after a moment of prodding. Asuka smirked to see Kensuke awkwardly looking between Sayaka and Kyoko. His dilemma was solved for him when the girls flipped a coin and Sayaka took first dance.

Asuka smiled again when their slow turning brought their musical accompaniment into view. Rei was watching them dance with the most glowing expression Asuka had ever seen on her friend's face. Mostly them, but Rei was also clearly watching all the couples dancing.

"Rei really does like watching people in love, doesn't she?" she murmured to Shinji.

He nodded slightly. She felt him twitch in surprise at something, and made a questioning noise. He turned them so he could see where Kensuke and Kyoko had been dancing, after Sayaka had switched out.

Sayaka and Kyoko were now slowly dancing and holding each other close. Kensuke watched from the side, smiling gently at them. His smile only grew warmer when Sayaka gently nudged Kyoko's chin up and kissed her. The kiss went on for a while, too.

Asuka blinked in surprise, but kept dancing. She shot a look at Hikari and Touji, but Touji's eyes were closed and Hikari's back was to them. Misato and Kaji seemed to have missed the kiss as well.

"Huh… I… guess that explains why they don't mind sharing Kensuke," Asuka said quietly.

"And Kensuke hasn't breathed a word. I… don't know what to say, if anything. Is… I've never even… people can do that?" Shinji said, sounding more confused than anything else.

"I've heard of it, back in Germany. Never thought I'd see it here. And I… got to give Geek-Stooge credit. He hasn't blabbed about it in public, hasn't acted like any kind of horndog, and actually been… pretty respectable about it." Asuka suddenly nibbled on Shinji's neck. "And if you tell him I said that I'll bite you harder."

"I'm not sure that's a disincentive," Shinji said, trying not to laugh.

Asuka nuzzled the side of his neck again. "Thank you for doing all this, Shinji. I've never had a birthday this happy. I'm… you wrote me a concerto. How am I supposed to match that when it's your birthday?"

"At least you'll have 6 months to come up with something?" he smiled.

"Well, you've already got my heart, you're always on my mind, and in a couple hours you're going to get my body…" Asuka said silkily. "I'll have to think of something." She giggled again when he noticeably squeezed her a bit tighter at that.

"I love you, Asuka. I loved getting to do all this, to make you this happy," he said tenderly. "And… I… Asuka, something I'm only starting to realize is… I'd never been happy before, not like this. I had nice days, and some moments growing up, but… I was never really happy, just… there. I was so empty I didn't even know what I was missing. And then… you. Some days when I wake up, if you weren't lying there next to me, I'd think this was all some wild dream made up by a lonely boy. Now I feel… alive. I'm… actually excited about the future, about having a future, being able to fight for one. You kind of saved my life, Asuka. I owe you a hundred birthdays like this."

"You saved my life in that volcano, I save your life with a kiss… we should make this a long, steady habit, Liebling. Might come in handy as long as our afterschool job is 'Evangelion Pilot'," she replied, nuzzling his neck again. She delighted in his shiver of pleasure.

"Look around. Everyone here is here because… you decided to kiss me," he said into her hair. "And they all look so happy. Even Rei and Kaworu-kun."

"I think he likes her." She could almost hear Shinji's eyebrows go up. "Let me guess, you missed it?"

Shinji gave a tiny nod. "You know how bad I am at things like that."

"I wonder if I'd have had more success getting your attention earlier if I'd just put a big sign on my head reading 'I KIND OF LIKE YOU, YOU IDIOT'," Asuka mock-grumbled. "But… the way he looks at her sometimes, when she's not looking. It's… he's interested, I'd bet. I mean, Rei is hot, sweet, and a good kisser…"

"Yeah…" Shinji said, remembering. He blinked. "Hey, wait a-"

"She got me while we were waiting in her apartment," Asuka said sheepishly, blushing. "Said it was my birthday gift. I'm just sorry you weren't there to watch like I got to for yours. It was… very nice,"she said dreamily.

His embrace of her didn't slacken a bit. She could feel him smile, too. "Me too," he finally said. Now he stiffened a little, though they kept dancing. "Asuka… we both love her. But… I'm scared, and I think you are too. Of… trying what… what Kensuke, Sayaka, and Kyoko are doing. I'm scared enough that I might do something wrong just with you! We're not ready, and… we may never be, or how long it might be. And… it's not fair to… make her wait until we might be."

"But you kind of wish we could, and we both… want her to be as happy as we are," she nodded, equally conflicted. "So we… help her?"

Shinji again looked at Kaworu for a moment. "Should we encourage him? I mean… if he likes her…"

Asuka shook her head. "Not yet. I still don't trust him enough. Why did he pop up so suddenly, when he wasn't at NERV-Berlin when I was there? For all we know, he works for… them. And anyone that close to Rei would… would end up knowing about our mothers, NERV's shady parts, and things we need secret for our own good. So until we know more, I don't think he gets to be on the list of 'good enough for our Rei'. It'll be up to her anyway. No help unless Rei decides she wants to give him a shot. They haven't exactly gotten along great so far, though they're getting better."

Shinji smiled into her hair again. "'Our Rei'. I like that. We're going to have to find a real star for her."

Asuka lifted her head from his shoulder, pressing her forehead to his. "Hey, Nagisa's not bad. Cultured, an Eva Pilot, and a cute butt. He just needs to pass the 'security check'. Maybe he'll be okay once we make sure he's not working for the vast evil conspiracy. Our Rei deserves an elite boyfriend too. And we're still going to love her, no matter what."

Shinji nodded just a little, not wanting to move his head so much as to break their close mutual stare. "She deserves as many happy days as we can give too. We should make her birthday as good as yours."

"We really need to remember to ask her when her birthday is. Though I bet there's a good chance she might not ever remember, after all the crap Doctor Bitch pumped into her." Asuka scowled, but shook it off. "Anyway, that's for tomorrow. Tonight has been wonderful, Shinji, but… it's late, and this little Aschenputtel wants her Prince Charming to give her a present she's been waiting weeks for." A familiar, amorous expression grew on Asuka's face, and she hit him with that look. "Let's get everyone on their way home, and you and I… to bed."

Shinji started to turn red all the way down past his collar. "R-Right!" He jerked his head around to look at Rei, urgently signaling her with his eyes.

Rei merely gave him another one of her tiny smiles, but waggled her viola at Kaworu in a little circle. The Fifth Child nodded back to her, and they quickly brought the last song to a rapid end.

The various dancing couples gave them a round of applause. Rei and Kaworu bowed smoothly, and began packing away their instruments. Shinji nervously cleared his throat, and announced, "Th-thank you Rei, Kaworu. And with that, I'd like to thank everyone for making Asuka's 15th birthday the best she's ever had. But it's time to end the party, and let her enjoy some rest."

"I know what youuuuuuu~'re thinking, Shinji!" Misato sang. She followed it up with a wink that was probably illegal in four countries.

Hikari and Touji stared at her, confused, before Hikari gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. "Oh!"

Touji looked at her. "What? What is…" His eyes bugged out. "Oh!" he echoed.

Sayaka and Kyoko shared a wicked grin before attaching themselves to Kensuke's sides, giggling. "You heard him, Ken-chan. Time for all good girls to go to bed," Kyoko said from his left.

"And we're good girls, right?" Sayaka added from his right.

Kensuke looked rapidly between them. "Um… yes?"

"Let's go, then," Kyoko said. She waved to Asuka. "Thanks for inviting us, Asuka-san! See you tomorrow!" The trio headed for the door, bidding Misato goodbye on the way past.

Hikari managed to cool her own blush and let go of her boyfriend long enough to come over and stand in front of Asuka, looking like she didn't know whether to bow, hug Asuka, or burst. "H-happy birthday, Asuka. Th-thank you for inviting us. You and… you and Ikari-kun...um… have a good night?" She was still red when she finished.

Asuka patted her on the shoulder. "Relax, Hikari. Yes, that's what we're doing. And you know better than anyone it's not just about… the physical side." She threw a smile at Shinji. "It's the rest, too."

"I know! It's just… oh gods… you're… I mean… Major Katsuragi is…" She looked over her shoulder.

Misato just grinned. "It's fine, Hikari-chan. Asuka and Shinji have proven they're mature enough for it to my satisfaction."

"It still seems… so… improper!" Hikari tried to explain. Her eyes darted to Touji, and she blushed again. "And keeps making me think about it!" she half-whispered to Asuka.

Asuka resolved Hikari's dilemma by giving her a hug. "So think. And don't feel like you need to 'catch up' or anything. You and your Stooge will be ready when you're ready. He's a meathead, but he's a total softy inside, I can tell. He'll listen to you, Hikari."

Hikari smiled back, a little less red. "He is… that's why I like him. Goodnight, Asuka, Ikari-kun." She bowed, took Touji's hand, and left. Touji waved over his shoulder to Shinji and Asuka as they departed.

Rei stopped to give them both a hug as she headed for the door. "Happy birthday, Asuka. Have a good night." She gave Shinji one too. "I… love you both," she added, barely loud enough to hear. Pink-cheeked, she almost skittered towards the door, Nagisa trailing behind.

"Goodnight. I will see Ayanami-san home," he said. "Thank you for inviting me, Miss Soryu, Shinji-kun."

"She lives literally next door, Kaworu-kun," Misato pointed out, smirking. "Nice try, though."

"I didn't say it would take long, Major Katsuragi," he said, following Rei out.

Misato rolled her eyes. Her grin at them was knowing. "Alright, we can clean in the morning. I know you want to 'get to bed'."

"Actually, we can finish the cleanup now. There's not much left, just a few dishes," Asuka replied. To Misato's raised eyebrows, she added. "What, you thought I'd grab Shinji the moment everyone was gone, run to our room, and start with the screaming and moaning?"

"Kind of, yeah," Misato said back, sticking her tongue out at Asuka.

"I told you, we're mature about this. I know Shinji will be there next to me tomorrow night, and the day after that, and the day after that. I have some restraint, Misato." Her look sharpened. "That having been said, we are totally going to get you back for keeping us up listening to you this week."

Misato shot a guilty look at Kaji for a second. The taller man merely shrugged and muttered "I told you they'd hear…"

"After we clean up like responsible adults. Right, Shinji?" She headed for the kitchen. "Now, off to bed with you two," she shot back over her shoulder.

"Yes, 'mother'," Misato snarked right back. She rolled her eyes and turned to Kaji. "Oh boy, our little girl is all grown up."

Kaji just chuckled. "Goodnight, Shinji-kun. Very good party you threw her." He took Misato's hand and pulled her towards Misato's bedroom.

Shinji shrugged and smiled. "I like making her happy. Goodnight, Kaji-san, Misato-san."

.

.

"Tonight was wonderful, Shinji. And you made me cry, you brilliant, creative bastard." Asuka's fingers ran through his hair along his temple. "Don't you ever, ever… stop doing that." She scooted closer in the bed to kiss him. "Ever."

His arms went around her pulling them close together. A tiny, pleased sound escaped Asuka's lips as he did. "As you wish, Asuka. Anything that makes you smile, I can do. I've got a whole year to write the next concerto, even."

"Shinji Ikari, if you start writing me an entire series of original compositions for presents, I'll… I'll…" Asuka struggled to come up with something. "Oh, you baka!" She gave up and kissed him harder.

"I love you."

"I love you too. Now…" She rolled on top of him, grinning wickedly. He gasped as he felt her slippery, fiery heat settle right there. "It has been a month. Let's cost Misato some sleep."

.

.

Author's Note, 30AUG16: I hope you enjoyed Asuka's birthday. This was something I'd been looking forward to ever since I started writing A&T: The chance to give Asuka one perfectly happy day, as opposite to the one she had in canon as possible. I did promise WAFF.

But you all know what's coming next. Hopefully, being together makes all of them strong enough to weather the storm. Both Asuka and Shinji have a lot more to fight for now.