Chapter 122: One Night Stand
"Stand Up. Bow. Dismissed," the Class Rep stated when the school bell sounded. The classroom students copied what she did and waited for the teacher to leave. Once he left, everyone started packing to leave for the day. Hikari started gathering her school papers when she heard footsteps coming her way. Turning, it was Rana.
"Hi Rana."
"Hello Hikari. Do you happen to know what happened to Shinji?" she asked looking a little worried.
"The only message that I got from administration was that NERV requested him. For what, they didn't say. I was going to ask you if you knew any more details."
"I tried texting and calling him," she stated remembering what happened when she did. The female twin controlled herself to not have a flare of goosebumps show from "who" responded back.
"But he didn't reply back."
"How strange," the Class Rep said seeing the Second Child join them. "Do you know anything about what happened to Ikari Asuka?"
"He probably got called to NERV for some testing or what not. He is the guinea pig and lab rat for the NERV scientists."
"A lab rat?" Hikari stated with eyebrows raised and looked at Rana.
"…" she said frowning a little. But, she did not counter what the redhead said.
"See. Third Child is just a natural at it," Asuka said with a smirk then saw the First Child walking toward them. Seeing the female twin turn around, Rei shook her head side to side slowly.
"Other than the possibility of what Pilot Souryu is true, I have been unable to communicate with Ikari either."
"Maybe Suzuhara knows," Rana said to herself and walked over to where he and Kensuke were talking.
"I doubt the stooges would know," the Second Child stated looking back at her friend. "I'm sure that idiot is fine."
"…yeah…he does know how to take care of himself," Hikari said nodding his head.
"…" Ayanami stated feeling uneasy inside her. A foreboding feeling came to her from not knowing where he went to or why.
'Ikari did respond to my message...however briefly. Other than doing an assignment for NERV, he did not reply back on details,' she thought hearing the female twin walk back to the group.
"Both didn't know either. Kensuke stated that a friend of his saw him leaving from the south entrance, but lost track of him after that," Rana stated nervously playing with her fingers. "It isn't like him to not respond or leave without saying anything."
"It does seem strange from—hey! You two have cleaning duty!" Hikari stated as both Kensuke and Toji tried to sneak out the back entrance door of the classroom. "Get back here!"
"…stupid stooges…" Asuka said shaking her head as her friend went off to go pursue the runaway students. Turning back around, Rei began to leave the classroom. Rana who was still fretting to herself, began to follow. The redhead sighed out loud.
'That idiot better pay me back for babysitting these two,' she thought following them. Though not walking together, each one exited the school in the same direction. Asuka caught up with Rana and tried to cheer her up.
"Come on Rana, I'm sure he's fine. Lighten up."
"…" she said trying to relax but felt unable to. "M-Maybe if I call him again."
"Wait, I know someone who should know where he is at," the redhead said getting her cell phone out. "Misato should know. I bet you she was the one that told him to leave earlier."
"…" both Rana and Rei said with neutral faces when the Major was referred. Watching her dial a number, she placed it to her ear.
Back in the apartment, two adults were still conversing with each other still. The shower room was still occupied as running water continued to flow out. After telling Kaji another component of the Ikari back story conspiracy, Misato saw that he was both curious, confused, and cringing.
"The children victims recognized Rana as Shinji and not…" Kaji asked blinking.
"Mmm-hmm…I even saw them refer to her as such when I went with the police at that underground nightmare."
"…that sounds…hard to believe…but regarding who we are talking about," he said rubbing the hairs on his chin. "Do you think it is even possible?"
"I don't think so…but Rits put a seed of doubt in me saying if all conditions and factors were right. It would be possible."
"…" he said pinching the bridge of his nose trying to digest what she was telling him. About to get clarification, both heard a cell phone ring. Misato immediately got hers out and answered it.
"Katsuragi speaking."
[Hey Misato.]
"Oh, hey Asuka! What's up?"
[Are you at NERV by chance?]
"I was earlier. Why?"
[Apparently that idiot Third left school after first period without telling anyone. Rana here is fretting like a worried kitten from not knowing where he went to.]
"…ah…I see."
[You know where he is?]
"Why yes," she said as a smug was slowly grew on her face. "I know where he is."
[Well spill it.]
"He is here in our apartment."
[What did he have to go do?]
"Oh you know…I gave him a NERV assignment."
[I knew it. See, you were worried over nothing. He was just being a jerk] Asuka stated over the phone in which Rana's voice could be heard in the background retorting her. On the other hand, the female twin sounded relieved.
"Cut him some slack Asuka. I gave him a difficult assignment."
[Uh-huh. I am sure you did. What's he doing there anyway?]
"Well…if you hurry up, you might catch him coming out of the shower looking all cleaned up."
[…h-he's doing-] Asuka stated before Misato ended the call. Placing her cell phone down, she turned the volume down and left it on the table. On cue, the mobile vibrated with the same number that called. Ignoring it, she looked at Kaji who just smirked.
"Don't think you were trying to baited her. Hmm?"
"Probably not her. If Rei was there, that might do it."
"Really? I thought she was the Commander's favorite."
"Well…ever since Dr. Ikari came back."
"I see…there is a striking resemblance between her and Ayanami."
"I know! But the Commander insisted that there was no relation. I'd put my money on some family ties…at least a half sister somewhere."
As both continued on with their conversation, they did not pay much attention to what was going on in the bathroom. Shinji was showering and scrubbing the blood stains off of his skin. Once he looked cleaned enough to not frighten people, he stepped out and kept the shower running. He began cleaning the shower so it did not have splatters of blood on the walls and in any crevasses. After a short period, he heard his phone vibrate. Dropping the red tinted sponge in the tub and turning around, he reached for the cell phone on the sink counter.
Upon opening his phone up, there were a few missed calls and text messages. Looking in the order of what they came in, a couple were from both Rei and Rana. The last one was from Rayne who sent a text.
[You available for a quick call?]
'…a…n…s…w…e…r…m…y…s…e…e…d…' the dark clone stated in a whisper in his mind. Internally bowing, he moved back to the shower.
'Very well sir,' he said with a slow blink moving the shower head to spray the walls. Hitting the call button, it rang once before being connected.
[Hi Shinji.]
"Greetings Miss Rayne. How are you?"
[I'm doing alright…are you cleaning something?]
"…more or less...I'm showering…"
[…oh…] she said in surprise.
"Is there something you wanted to talk about Miss Rayne?"
[Y-Yeah. How did everything go with the info I provided?]
"The operation was completed and the information was useful. Thank you."
[It was!?] Rayne said glad and with a sigh of relief. [That's a major save. Hope that foils SEELE's plans for a bit until their next move.]
"Indeed. However, you will be on SEELE's hunt down and eliminate list."
[I figured I would be along with you and Special Investigator Kaji…by the way, would living in the Geo-Front be the safest place now?]
"I'm afraid not Miss Rayne," he stated as he moved the shower head and picked up the sponge to scrub more. "With the amount of insiders that come and go into NERV HQ, I can't guarantee it is the safest place to live."
[That's true. Any suggestions on how to stay alive from being tracked and hunted down by a secretive government organization?]
[ #$%! #$!YoUwIlLwItNeSsThErEdUtOpIa #%%&]
[…!?] Rayne said with a sharp breath intake. Fear gripped her from hearing that recognizable voice.
"Was there anything else you wish to know Miss Rayne?"
[…what…what is…red utopia?]
"Pardon?" Shinji stated continuing to scrub and ignoring a shadow reflection that was standing in front of the ceiling light.
[…n-never mind. Sorry, that was an impossible question to ask you.]
"It was not Miss Rayne. If you believe in the aspect of chance and that you do not know when you will die, there is no reason to fear it or believe you will die."
[…hmm…I understand that…is that what keeps you going?]
"There are times that I was at near-death; however…I still lived for some reason. It gave me the impression that death will come when it wants to. However, that changes unless one makes intentional steps to end one's life."
[…that's true…alright…I'll keep that in mind. Thanks.]
"You are welcome Miss Rayne."
[Alright. See you soon.]
"Good day," he said ending the phone call. Turning around and putting the phone on the counter, he walked by the dark clone who grinned at him.
'Yes sir?'
'…heeeeeee…hckaaaaa! #$^ #$!' it said before exploding.
'…' Shinji said closing his eyes as gore splattered everywhere in the room.
'yOuHaVeNo!#$ #%$^ IDEAHOWMUCHELATIONTHISFEELS! SOMANYHAVEBEENTOUCHED! SOMANYHAVESPORED! ALLOFTHEMCARRYINGANDTRANSPORTINGTOONESBEYOND!'
'…I see…' he thought opening his eyes to see nothing wrong with the room. Going back to inspecting the shower, he continued to find areas missed.
Passing through the sliding doors of the apartment complex entrance, Rei, Asuka, and Rana headed up to Misato's apartment. From the phone call that the Second Child did, she only stated that the Third Child was at their place for one reason or another. Getting out of the elevator, the three headed towards the door down the walkway. Reaching it, Asuka slid her keycard to unlock the door.
"I'm home," she stated as the three entered.
"Is that you Asuka? Is Rei with you?" Misato called from the living room.
"Yes," Rei said quietly taking her shoes off as well as Rana. Asuka did so as well then headed first into the living room.
"Alright Misato, what is goin-" the redhead asked going down the hallway then rounding the corner. Rei and Rana entered next to see Kaji and the Major sitting at the dining table. It appeared they were having a pleasant chat with small smiles and beer on the table.
"Kaji! What are you doing here?!" Asuka said elated heading toward him and giving him hug.
"Hi Asuka," he said with a small smile. "Just dropping by to say hi and discuss things with the Major. Hi Ayanami and…Rana."
"Hello Inspector," the First Child said with a head nod and saw something on the table.
"Hello Mr. Kaji," Rana said with a small wave. She also noticed what was on the table as well.
'By the looks of it…seems more than a drop by,' Asuka thought letting go of him. She hid her jealousy from seeing how Misato's stance and behavior towards him was more relaxed and not the tension she would normal put on. It made her feel that something happened between them that made her clench her fists.
"H-Hey, these are Shinji's clothes," Rana stated looking at them with Ayanami next to her. "Why are they out here?"
"Oh…I wonder," Misato stated taking an intended sip of her beer to hide her small mischievous smile.
As if on cue, all heard a door open from the bathroom in which everyone turned to that direction. Shinji came out with a towel wrapped around his waist and his hair slicked back. All watched as he walked to the table as all stared at him with different expressions. Despite all the scars that he had, his physique still showed his athletic build. Standing at the table side left of Misato and to the right of Rei, he gave a small bowed to everyone.
"Greetings," he said standing back up as small droplets dripped down his chest.
"…!?" Asuka said staring at him. Rana said the same thing though was more relieved that he was fine. However, she could not stop herself from staring.
"Hello Ikari," Rei said blinking and staring at him. "You were showering?"
"Yes Miss Ayanami. I was," he said turning his head towards her and nodding. Everyone heard a digital click of a camera and turned toward Misato.
"Looking good Shinji," she said with a small innocent smile with her phone in hand.
"…thank you Miss Misato," he said with a stoic expression and blinking.
"Gah! You cougar!" Asuka stated and pointed at the Major being a little red in the face.
"Cougar is such predatory term. I like to think of it as giving him a compliment," the Major stated with a sly smile.
"Compliment my foot!"
'They are lively as usual,' Kaji thought from what was going around him. Looking at the female twin and First Child, both were still staring at him.
'Well I'll be. So she isn't seeking the Commander anymore…she does look a lot like Dr. Ikari…but why is Rana looking at…wait…she use to be a he…that means…eeeeee,' he thought cringing a little from the things that Misato told him. Seeing something go passed him, he turned to see Misato's penguin go to the bathroom door with a towel around his little neck. The pet stopped and turned toward the Third Child.
"Wark Wark? [Is it free to use?]"
"…" Shinji said turning toward him and nodding. "Yes sir. Your bath is filled and ready."
"Wark! [Excellent!]" Pen-Pen said with a smile and clapped twice before entering into the bathroom. Everyone blinked and watched the male pilot turn back to the table where his clothes were. He turned toward Kaji.
"Thank you for getting me a change of clothes Mr. Kaji," he said with small bow.
"Sure. No prob."
"Miss Misato?"
"Hmm?"
"Is there a room I may go use to put on my clothes?"
"…" she said blinking then glanced at the girls. Unable to hide her mischievous smile, she turned toward him and tender her drink more.
"Why not change here."
"…!?" Rana and Asuka flinched then turned to the Major to give her glares. Kaji looked at her with a raised eyebrow while Rei blinked in surprise and looked at her superior.
"…" Shinji said with a slow blink then felt a phantom grin on his face. Internally bowing and feeling his eye twitch a little, he spoke.
"Very well," he said and removed his towel. Everyone caught a view of him as grabbed his boxers and put them on.
"Y-Y-You exhibitionist! You pervert! You idiot!" Asuka stated turning red.
"…!" Rana said covering her eyes with her hands; however, she was peeking through her fingers feeling her face warm up.
"…" Rei said just blinking and watching him continue with putting his tank top on followed by his pants. A blush came to her face remembering the times she saw him naked. Strangely though instead of being surprised and embarrassed, the sight of it made her impulses and desires seem to fester more and faster.
"This is a bit much," Kaji said and gave Misato a tense smile. To his surprise, Misato still had a smug look on her face as she watched the Third Child finish dressing.
"So you are the cougar type."
"Like I said…just complimenting," she said giving an innocent smile.
"More like pedophile," Asuka muttered under her breath still a bit red in the face.
"Did you say something Asuka?" Misato said with a scary look on her face.
"Hmph! Ordering boys to change in front of you. You're no different from a dirty old man!"
"…" everyone else said watching the two go back and forth. As Kaji sighed a little, he drank his beer and saw movement in front of him. Blinking, he saw the Third Child walk around the dining table and head into the kitchen. Both Rei and Rana followed him.
'Might as well go out for a smoke and relax a little till things cool down here,' he thought slowly moving out of the cross fire.
Wondering if the rough housing between Asuka and Misato was intentional, the amused look on the Major's face answered his question. Heading toward the balcony hallway, he turned the corner and saw a glitching dark figure at the door. It was lightly banging its head on the door while muttering incomprehensible things. Seeing it stop and begin to turn its head toward him, Kaji kept a neutral face and blinked.
'Nope,' he thought turning around and heading into the kitchen. 'I can wait.'
A part of him felt that he should just stick indoors for a while before venturing out again. As the afternoon went on toward the evening, the group had dined in together in which Misato seemed more upbeat and happy compared to the others. In her continuing behavior, she stated that all of them should have a sleepover right now. Asking Shinji and Rana to stay, he didn't object while the female twin regrettably decided to go along.
As the evening went on, the group did various activities. Shinji made drinks and appetizers on hand and with food from his apartment. Over time, the atmosphere and event started to make people relax. Asuka enjoyed herself having Kaji all evening despite Misato being near him too. Rana felt she was able to enjoy herself from the activities and atmosphere. Despite her distrust of the Major, she allowed herself to just let it go for today. Spending the most time with Pen-Pen and Shinji helped make it easier to forget the grievances toward others.
Though Rei didn't say much, she could feel how the lively atmosphere was different. It wasn't something she disliked, it was something that made her feel pleasant inside. Like Rana, she allowed herself to let go of things for the evening. When she was not relaxing and participating in a group activity, she tried to assist the male pilot. Despite everyone else seeming to be lively, his stoic face and demeanor never changed.
An urge to hold him came to her in which she resisted. Finding a reason for the impulse, the thought of passing the feelings and sensations came. She felt that if she conveyed how she felt and the sensations from being cared for to him, it would make him able to relax. By night, Misato, Asuka, Rana, Kaji, and Pen-Pen had fallen asleep on the floor. All looked like they enjoyed and exhausted themselves.
"Appears the Miss Misato's spur of the moment event was well needed," Shinji said gathering the left out plates and glasses in the living rom.
"…" Rei said hearing his voice and blinking a couple of times. Rubbing them, she recalled what he said and watched what he was doing.
"Yes…it was different and enjoyable," she said standing up. Looking around, she took the remaining plates and following him into the kitchen. Both washed all the plates and glasses and set them aside to air dry. Returning back to the living room and seeing everyone lied out on the floor, both blinked at them.
"Should we move them into their rooms?" Ayanami asked seeing him shake his head no.
"They should be sufficient with a blanket over them…for now."
Nodding her head, the First Child quietly walked to where the spare covers were while Shinji walked into Asuka's and Misato's room. Coming back with their blankets and draping the blanket over both of them, the two became a little more comfortable.
"Hee heee…come on Shinji…tell me another joke…zzz" Misato said with a happy drunk expression as she continued to sleep.
"…" he said with a blink and stood up. Looking over at where Ayanami was, she placed a blanket over Kaji and Rana. She also had a smaller one for Pen-Pen as she carefully laid it over him. Looking at him, both nodding to each other as they walked backed to the kitchen area.
"Where will you sleep Ikari?" she asked quietly.
"I will sleep on the couch if that is acceptable."
"…" Rei said looking down a little before looking back up at him. "…would…would you mind sleeping...in my room?"
"If that is preferred Miss Ayanami, I do not mind."
"…" she said with a small smile. Turning around and heading toward her room, both quietly walked by the sleeping occupants of the floor. Reaching her room door, she opened it quietly.
"Shall I wait out here till you are done changing Miss Ayanami?"
"…" she said turning to him. About to say she did not mind, she remembered what happened earlier. A blush came to her face that made her feel different and changed her mind.
"Yes."
"Very well," he said turning around and looking the other way.
"…" she said shaking her head. About to take back her answer, the memory came again and held her tongue. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breathing in and out, she turned around. Closing her room door and heading to her dresser, she changed into her bed attire. After putting the light dress shirt over her underwear and bra, she approached the door. Instead of calling to him, she opened the door quietly. He was still standing in the same direction.
"You may come in Ikari," she said quietly and saw him turn around. Seeing him look at her, he nodded his head. Entering her room, she slowly closed the door. Feeling alone, the thought of asking him about one of the impulses she was dreaming about came to her. Holding her tongue, she saw him turn around.
"Is there a place on the floor you prefer I rest Miss Ayanami?" he asked quietly in his passive tone.
"…" Rei said as she walked in front of him and gave him a hug. Closing her eyes, she placed her head on his shoulder and could feel the warmth in her grow. Breathing in his scent gave both a tranquil and pleasant sensation inside her.
"Miss Ayanami?"
"Could…could we stay like this for a bit…I want you to feel the pleasantness that I feel from this."
"…any particular reason you wish to share your sensations Miss Ayanami?"
"…I…I was able to relax tonight…I was wondering if I provided you the same sensation…it would help you relax as well," she stated softly enjoying the feeling her senses were experiencing. It made her lift her head and place her cheek next to his. It caused another pleasant sensation as her impulses and desires made her crave it more.
"…" he said slowly blinking. Not hearing the dark voice say anything, it made him think of his usual response to this contact.
"…I see…very well," he stated quietly. Slowly wrapping his arms around her, he gently held her lower back and upper-middle back. Feeling her press herself against him, her heart rate became faster. Her breathing became more relaxed as her hands held onto his back.
"Ikari?"
"Yes Miss Ayanami?"
"…have you…ever kissed someone before?"
"…" he said thinking about it. Vivid flashbacks of the times that happened came to him viciously. A cold chill went down his spine as he did not flinch from it.
"I have not kissed someone before; however, I have been kissed by someone before."
"…are they…pleasant?"
"For the ones that care about each other, it is known to be pleasant and romantic. For the ones that do not care about each other, it can feel invading, violating, and awkward."
"Do…do you like them?" Rei asked feeling a tingling sensation inside that she never felt before.
"…I neither like nor dislike them Miss Ayanami. It depends on the person."
"…" she said sliding her hands from his back to his chest. Goosebumps flared on her skin as the action made her feel warmer. It seemed that touching him was addicting and desirable to her.
"…that sounds reasonable…could…could you help me?"
"With what?" he said as his breath was felt next to her ear. It made her feel a little ticklish. In reaction to that, she felt her lips feel damp.
"I…I would like to know…how a kiss feels…and I…was-?" Rei asked when she felt something slowly growing and getting harder. Knowing what that was, she tried to process what kind of reaction that represented. Recalling biology along with boy talk she overhears at school from time to time, a realization came to her. It made her blush heavy as his hug became more affectionate.
"Do you wish to kiss and make out Miss Ayanami?" he said softly pulling his head back to be inches away from her face.
"…" Ayanami said staring into his eyes and feeling her desires and impulses taking over. Oddly, her groin area was heating up as well making her become engrossed and lost in the affection and embrace she felt from him.
"…y-yes…p-please," she whispered closing her eyes.
About to lean forward, she was suddenly forced to the ground. Opening her eyes in surprise, her vision went into a bleeding red static as white noise blared into her ears. Blinking again, she was standing next to a wall and witness two women in cruel looking bondage outfits. In various and numerous sessions, they raped, tortured, humiliated, and forced their lustful desires on a young boy with no face. In each chaotic vision, blood and tears would fall from the boy's body and face.
The images suddenly went faster and faster until there was nothing but a blur. The women's cackling laughter and lustful moans became a constant sound in her ears. Slowly, the pitches for two females started getting deeper and lower until they just monstrously screamed in the sounds of excruciating pain and suffering. It got louder and more intense as everything around her started shaking violently. Almost as if she was in the middle of an earthquake.
"…!?" Ayanami said jolting up with a start and sitting up.
Feeling alarmed and breathing deeply, she placed a hand on her chest feeling how fast her heart and pulse were beating. Blinking and moving a little, she felt something off and wet below her waist. Looking down at the blanket cover her lower half, she nervously lifted it. Her eyes widen to see that everything from the waist down was ripped apart. Legs were in pieces as bones, cartilage, muscle, veins, and blood smeared and pooled everywhere on the bed. In trying to process what was happening, an overwhelming panic and fear spread throughout her.
"…!?" Rei said looking up. She was about to let out a scared shout when she saw who was staring down from the ceiling. Frozen with fear, a hideous and vile monster was looking down at her. Recognizing it, several mouths ripped open from its skin and grinned evilly at her. Feeling herself shaking uncontrollably, she heard something fall from the wall.
"…!?" she said darting a glance at what fell. Looking at the floor only made her eyes widen more and hyperventilate. It was the second voice in her head that looked like her. Its body was filleted open from the groin area all the way to her neck. The skin was pulled back and stitched to keep the skin opened. Trembling uncontrollably, the expression of horror was locked on its face as it stared at the ceiling.
"MiSsAyAnAmI #$% #$!#$% #MISSAYANAMI!AYANAMI!AAAAYYYAAAANNNNAAAAA-A-A-A-AM-M-M-M-M-M-i-i-i-i-" the demented figure from above blared in wrath with its mouths repeating each other in various pitches and speeds. The First Child felt an uncontrollable urge and let out a scream from fear.
"…!?" Ayanami said feeling her eyes shooting open wide with fright and breathing fast. Feeling herself sweating, she looked around quickly in a fast growing panic. Seeing herself in her room, she sat up and pulled her legs in. Hugging them and feeling that they were attached and intact, she tried to calm down her breathing. Hearing something to her left, she glanced over to the door. Soft knocking was heard followed by a soft voice.
"Miss Ayanami? Are you feeling alright?"
'…!?' she thought in surprise. 'Ikari? Wasn't he…here?'
Shaking her head, she still felt in a panic. Despite it being a vivid and morbidly horrifying nightmare, it felt too surreal to separate it as just a dream. Getting up quickly and rushing to the door, she opened it to see the Third Child standing in front of the door.
"My apologies for—" he said quietly when Rei hugged him fiercely.
"…?" Shinji said blinking then looked at the trembling First Child. Knowing what happened, he hugged her back and started rubbing her back and head.
"Did you have a nightmare Miss Ayanami?" he asked quietly feeling her head move slightly up and down tensely. "…I see…if it helps you in any way, would you like me to stay with you until you feel calm and at ease?"
"…" she said able to stop shaking so much. Not letting go of him, she was able to nod her head a little.
"Very well," he said blinking. "Excuse me Miss Ayanami."
"…!?" she said being surprised a little from being gently picking her up. Still feeling a good amount of panic, she wrapped her legs around his waist tensely.
"…" he said blinking a couple of times then entered her room. Closing the door softly, he walked to the edge of the bed and sat down. Gently wrapping his arms around her again, he began to rub her back again.
"You will be alright Miss Ayanami. It was just a dream."
"…it…felt…too…real," she felt her voice come back.
"Those ones are difficult to overcome and separate. Did you have a nightmare of disembowelment?"
"…yes…" Rei said slowly pulling her head back to look at him in the face. Placing her face close to his, she felt their noses touching. He didn't express anything or pulled away from being so close.
"How…did you know?"
"I have those periodically. They are rather unpleasant," he said continuing to his actions.
"I see," she said finding his actions calming her down more and more. Feeling able to have a clear mind again, she thought about letting go of him and sit beside him. However, the position she was in and their closeness gave her much comfort. Remembering what he said at the door and feeling his warmth, she stayed in her position.
"If I have these again…do you mind...comforting me?" she asked staring directly into his eyes.
"If it helps you Miss Ayanami and I am near, then yes," he stated calmly while staring directly back without blinking.
"…" she said feeling her insides warm and her face to blush. Without thinking about it, she gave him a peck on the cheek before hugging his neck.
"…thank…you…" she whispered placing her face next to his feeling a smile on her face. The action felt natural and made her feel satisfied.
"…" Shinji said not flinching or feeling tremors from her action. Whispering a welcome, he continued to rub her back while watching the area around him.
' #$% #$ggggoooooooooooooodddddddd #$% #' the dark clone stated with multiple vile and distorted figures of itself surrounding the two of them. Shinji only blinked and continued to hold the First Child until they went away.