AN:Mandatory episode where the girls are in their swimsuits...wait,what do you mean we've already had a beach episode?!
The school's indoor pool was one of the favored places of both Ayanami Rei and Asuka Langley Sohryu,in fact one could say that their love for swimming was one of the few interests the two did share. Which left Shinji to sulk in a corner, victim of his lack of ability to swim.
"Hey Shinji."Asuka said from the water as she looked at him. "don't you wanna come in?"
"You know I can't swim."He said with a small frown.
"I promised you I would teach you didn't I?Just grow a pair and jump in with me,I'll save you if you're drowning." She said.
Shinji looked at her with an apprehensive expression before relenting. "Fine, let me just get some better clothes on for it."
And so he did,returning 15 minutes later wearing nothing but a pair of swimming trunks as he carefully settled himself in the shallow end of the pool, Asuka approaching him and giving him a careful poke at the scar in the upper part of his chest.
"What's this from?"She asked with a hint of curiosity. "I noticed that day we were stuck in the bathroom but I didn't want to ask."
Shinji looked down,a saddened smile filling his face as he remembered it.
"The sixth angel, Ramiel. The sympathetic damage wasn't even the worse,the problem was the LCL boiling around me,my heart actually stopped for about 30 seconds."
Asuka's heart suddenly constricted, an unknown pain overcoming her. There was a certain hollowness inside her from having heard those words,to think that she had been that close to having lost him before she'd even met him,to think they wouldn't share that first kiss,it hurt her.
"You nearly went and died before we even met you baka..typical of you."Asuka said, before poking yet another one of his scars,this one in very center of his abdomen.
"That one's from sympathetic damage,a failed activation attempt...I'd rather not talk about it."She nodded. "Are we just talking about my scars now?"
She nodded once again. "Yeah,I'd like to hear more about them. About you."
Shinji smiled and showed her his palms. "From saving Rei,twice actually. First on her failed activation attempt and the second at the battle with the sixth."
Asuka crossed her arms,as if mad at him,thought he could tell she wasn't. "Where's your scars from protecting me?"
He pointed at his Shoulder with a poker face. The now scarred but still quite gruesome looking bullet wound apparent "There."
"..."Asuka was left in stunned silence.
"That didn't work out how you expected it to did it?"He asked in a humorous tone.
"Maybe not..."Asuka admitted hesitantly as she averted her eyes slightly. Then she coughed into her hand as if to change the subject . "Now,swimming."
"Teach me your best Asuka-sama."He said in a over the top polite tone while bowing,which of course ended up with his face in the water. Asuka giggled in response.
"You better bet your ass I will!"She joked. "Now,first you've got to relax, learn how to float first and then you'll be able to swim better."
"Relaxing...i don't think I can do that."Shinji said without a hint of irony. Asuka just gave him a pokerface.
"You're kidding right?" She asked.
"Hey,it's just the truth,i don't know how to relax. The most relaxed I am is when I'm listening to music on my SDAT and even then I'm not fully relaxed." He said,scratching the back of his head with some shame as he did. He didn't know why but showing this side of himself to Asuka both made him happy and a little embarrassed.
"Well, since you're more relaxed when you're listening to music,i could sing for you." She said,Shinji tilted his head.
"You sing?"He asked, she nodded.
"Thunder tits gave me a few tips,she's annoying as all hell but she's got a great singing voice."Asuka said,thought Shinji he could tell she felt somewhat reluctant to give her fellow pilot even this much praise. You should just accept that you see her as your friend,it would make things simpler for both of you.
"Okay then,relaxing." Shinji said as he tried to float,attemping to let his body relax.
Think relaxing thoughts...like Asuka...no,she's not relaxing at all,the opposite actually...but in a good way. Rei?..she's very relaxed as a person but all I can think is about Ichijo and that's not good...LCL...yes,in a way being in the water is no different from being in LCL.
Asuka is singing,it's German. I understand it...it's soothing. Asuka...in a way she is also...relaxing,my mind is filled with happy thoughts when I think of her...not...not bad things...just happiness..she's the only one who's never hurt me deeply.
I'm floating in water,in a way it's different from LCL,i feel more alive,less warm,less like a womb...i prefer it over LCL..i want to be alive. I am happy...happy with Asuka and Rei...and Misato and Ritsuko and Father and my friends.
Mother hurt me,they have as well,but not as deeply,no...it's different from that. They love me for myself,not because they must but because they do. Those relationships are those I have made and not those made for me. That is why their hurt hurts less,they are not forced to love me,not like mother.
Yes,his friends cared about him as did Asuka. Asuka cared about him in a way no one else did, she found him worthy of her affection when everyone else had been denied it...it made him feel special in a way.
"You're doing really well Shinji."Asuka said as she floated next to him,his concentration broken and causing him to go under the water. Thankfully they were still in the shallow end of the pool and Shinji managed to bring his head up with a gasp for air"Sorry..."
Shinji shook his head,clearing the water away from his nose. "No..it's not your fault,i was just thinking about stuff."
"Like?"She asked with a hint of curiosity.
"You."He said before realizing how his words could be interpreted. "N-not in a perverted way or anything though!"
Asuka looked away with a huff. "When you say you weren't thinking about perverted stuff it only makes it sound like you were!"
"Pilot Ikari is very self-conscious about the way others view him and as such will assume the worse." Rei said as she swam past them, not even stopping for a response as she moved over to the other end of the pool.
"I kind of forgot she was here..."Asuka said as she looked at Rei from the corner of her eye.
"So did I honestly." Shinji said as he lay on the water in another attempt at floating.
"oh,i distracted you from thinking about wundergirl for a while did I?" Asuka asked teasingly.
Shinji reached out his hand, softly caressing Asuka's cheek,her face going a tad red as he did. "Of course you would,you are my girlfriend after all."
"Getting cocky and calling me yours already Shinji-kun?"She teased. "It's only been a week,most people don't even know yet."
Shinji blushed. "If you don't want to be mine just say so,but Kaji-san's out drinking with Misato so you're probably out of luck on that front."
"Kaji..."Asuka whispered his name lightly.
"Sorry for bringing him up,i understand if it makes you uncomfortable." He said,to which she shook her head.
"No...that's not it. I don't know if I ever really liked him...I think it was just trying to prove to myself that I was grown up..."Asuka said, Shinji could tell she was ashamed to do so and it meant the world to him that she would share something so personal with him in such casual fashion.
"What about me?"Shinji asked curiously.
"You're different, with you my feelings have got nothing to do with what you represent,just who you are." Asuka said.
"The same goes for me,i like you for you Asuka,not for the pilot or for the most beautiful girl at school,just for you." He said,suddenly finding a pair of lips placed on his own as he floated in the water.
As they broke apart the kiss Asuka had an earnest smile in her face. "Thanks,that means...a whole lot..more than you realize."
"Oh no...believe me I do."Shinji said. "I always feel like people are talking to the first child more than they are to Shinji Ikari when they speak to me. They never really see the real Shinji, just the idea of the hero in their mind. Thanks for the kiss by the way,that's our 18th since we started dating."
"Only an idiot like you would keep track."Asuka said. "Besides,when are you even counting it from,i'm pretty sure there were more than that."
"I'm counting from the first time we went to sleep together onward since I couldn't keep track on the initial time we kissed." Shinji said.
"You know when I first met you I didn't think you were a romantic."Asuka commented offhandedly.
"Because I wasn't,i thought this kind of thing was stupid and pointless and useless." Shinji said. "Thought I still think Suzuhara is fucking stupid when it comes to love."
"That stooge really is the worst,even your self-defeating self managed to get a hint."Asuka said somewhat joking and somewhat serious.
"Then again,I'm pretty sure Hikari isn't quite so forward as to request a kiss from Touji,besides I don't think their relationship would go well like that." Shinji said.
"You think so?"She asked.
"Yeah,I've known them since I was five remember?"Shinji said. "They've liked each-other for a while they just can't admit it because they're both afraid they'll lose one of their oldest friends."
"Yeah,they're idiots the both of them." Asuka joked. "I just seem to attract idiots."
"In more ways then one." Shinji joked with a sly smile.
"Baka pervert." Asuka said with a smile.
The same holographic conference room that had been often used for the meetings Gendo Ikari had with Seele was now ironically being used against them.
"In the end we simply can't afford the costs necessary to aid you in this endeavor Ikari Gendo. It is not a lack of will simply a lack of a transportation method,the Atlas is not ready for such operations." Eugene spoke,his name marked with 'Sound only' underneath it.
"I see.."Gendo said. "Even so,whatever aid you can get from within the Japanese military will be greatly appreciated and might prove the breaking point in Seele's plans."
"We will do our best, so that mankind may continue their individual existence." He said,Gendo nodded. His eyes trailed to the clock.
"I am afraid that is all we shall have time to discuss today,i have prior obligations to attend to." He said.
"Very well, may our plans come to fruition in soon time Ikari Gendo." The man in question simply nodded and hummed in agreement as the image faded from view, he rose from his seat and left the room,being greeted by the old professor.
"Fuyutsuki-sensei"He greeted as he put on his coat. "I will be leaving the base to you for the evening.
"Oh,is that so?" He asked. "I was not made aware you had anything to attend,another meeting?"
Gendo shook his head. "No,i have a date with the doctor."
"Finishing a meeting 5 minutes early to leave for a date,how quite unlike you."Fuyutsuki said in a teasing tone he had not used in years. "Could it be that you are beginning to grow attached to the doctor."
"Perhaps."Gendo admitted. "But she cannot eclipse Yui's spot in my heart."
"Not surprising,have fun anyhow." Fuyutsuki said.
"You as well."He said as he headed toward the door. "oh,and the budget reports are today."
"You sly bastard,you planned all of this didn't you?!"Fuyutsuki asked in indignant rage, being responded by only the laughter of his superior. "And Katsuragi called in for her break today as well..."
Having drinks with Ryoji Kaji,Misato figured, had been the best decision she'd made in a while.
"And then..."She giggled .".and then Asuka feel on her ass when trying to follow Shinji's moves!"
Kaji himself gave a slight chuckle. "I can't believe those kiddos did so bad at synchronizing to each-other's movements."
"Oh,you should have seen Asuka when Rei did it better than her,she got pissed."Misato said as she took another sip of her drink.
"Katsuragi." Kaji said.
"Yush?"She asked,slurring her words.
"I think you're drunk." He said,taking a casual sip out of his own drink.
"Ya think?"Misato asked with an incredulous laugh. "I'm damn sure I'm drunk! And you should be too!"
"Someone has to drive us home Misato,and your driving is bad enough when you're sober you know?"Kaji said,setting aside his drink.
"When did you become reshponsible."She asked,once again slurring the more difficult word at the end.
"I suppose it comes with adulthood." He answered a bit too seriously to the shit-faced Misato. "Sorry for being boring."
"No,ish good,i like reshponsible men."She said,taking another sip out of her drink. Kaji smiled.
"Is that so?"He asked somewhat teasingly.
"Ye..."She said,leaning her head against the counter.
"I'm going to have to carry you again aren't I?"He asked. She nodded. "You really are hopeless Katsuragi."
Kaworu looked onward at the helicopter that carried within it the fragment of the spear of Longinus, he felt it's presence resonate in the metaphysical world, like a shining beacon in a land of poorly lit souls like those of the Lilim.
If he wished it he could easily destroy them all,use the nail to destroy Nerv's evangelions and become one with his father,but he had good reason not to. Mankind's survival is my utmost priority after all,no matter which form it comes in. In the end whether it were his brothers that won or the Lilim it was irrelevant to him,his plans would proceed either way.
With a hop he jumped off the top of the roof,slowly hovering to a stop with the aid of his AT field as he paid no mind to the helicopter's landing. He had a new objective to complete as it stood.
"Keel!"He called out as he entered the house. "Keel,you are aware that I am an Adamite,yes? I know that you're in this house,your soul is faint not non-existent."
The man left his bedroom with an annoyed grunt. "What do you want Nagisa?"
"A plane ticket if you would please." He requested.
"A plane ticket?"Keel asked with wide eyes. "For what purpose?"
"I've grown bored of this ugly villa."Kaworu said. "I would like to explore the world of the Lilim a little more before I am sent on my final mission. Surely it would not hurt for you to allow me so?"
"You are a fool if you believe I will allow you to continue with these petty frivolities!"Keel bellowed, Nagisa simply pulled out some earwax.
"Do not be so loud Keel,my senses,as per your own design,are perfect." He said. "And I do not quite believe that you have a choice if I do decide I want to explore the world. After all,there is no weapon within a 5000 kilometer radius that can actually harm me since you have sent off the third bastard you call 'evangelion' to have a little trip to land of the rising sun. It's just a small trip."
"Where to?"Keel asked in visible irritation.
"I wish to know more about those that will be my undoing,the Lilim in Tokyo-3."Kaworu said.
"You will not reveal our plans if you are to go there."Kaworu actually laughed at this.
"What reason could I possibly have to do so? My final goal is completion is it not? It would be counterproductive to inform the only possible obstacle in my path of my true nature." The angel-boy said.
"Fine!"Keel spat out. "You will be allowed in Tokyo-3,but we will keep close surveillance on you, we have eyes and ears everywhere."
"That much is acceptable,furthermore,could I also have my piano sent over?"The look that Keel gave him was one that was capable of striking fear into the heart of any man. "well,now that I think about it...i could just buy one there."
Gendo sat down and read the menu.
"You aren't late."Ritsuko said as she read her own.
"No."He answered.
"That is unusual."The doctor added.
"Yes."The commander answered.
"So..."She said. "what's the next job you have for me?"
The commander lowered his menu,rising a slight eyebrow. "I Believe I do not understand ."
"Well you normally don't treat me to something nice,much less arrive on time when you do so I'm assuming that besides the Type II Evas,the DES system and the AAA program you're going to add something more to my workload"
"You are misunderstanding the purpose of this outing." Gendo said. "It's purpose is not to add onto your workload but to congratulate you on your work thus far."
Their drinks arrived,the doctor was quick to take a sip of her's.
"I don't believe you." She said,one legged crossed over the other, Gendo shrugged.
"In the end your belief is not necessary."Gendo said. "I think I'll be taking the steak,it sounds nice."
"It's also cliched." Ritsuko said,intervening for once in her life in one of the commander's decisions and doing so mostly on a whim.
"I suppose you are right,in such an occasion a bit more frivolity is not totally uncalled for."Gendo said,surprising the doctor in his agreement. " I suppose I will let you make the choice doctor."
"How unusually kind of you commander."She said with a small smile. "One would almost think you are planning something."
"Perhaps I am."He said in a more jovial tone. "But perhaps I am not,who can truly know beside myself?You should live more in the moment."
"Hypocritical words coming from a man who lives in the future to repair his past." Ritsuko commented.
"Hypocrisy does not change the merit of my message,does it now?"He asked.
"I suppose it does not. I will take your advice to heart and simply try to live in the moment."
The waitress came and they both requested their meal,Gendo choosing the same as the doctor as he had promised to do, an western style of cuisine that was unusual to see in Japan.
"How go things?"The commander asked.
"One of my cats is sick, my grandmother isn't sure he will make it." Ritsuko said,taking a spoonful of food as she did.
"Why not send it to a veterinary?" He asked.
"Such things are expensive post impact and while my salary is big it's not quite so much that I can afford the expenditure for the surgical procedure as well as housing my grandma and the costs my own apartment." She said.
"Irrelevant,if necessary I may arrange the funds." He said as he took food to his mouth. Delighting in it's magnificent taste.
"I Wouldn't want to impose." Ritsuko said.
"It is the least I may do to a lover." Gendo said. "Not to say that such a thing would hardly impact my bank account,as it stands it is only in use to fuel our dates and Shinji's groceries."
"You gave a 14-year-old access to your bank account?"Ritsuko asked in disbelief.
"I Gave Shinji access to my bank account,there is much of a difference." Gendo said.
"Maybe less than you'd think, he came to me speaking about the third child when she first arrived." She said. Gendo scoffed.
"It's to be expected that he would be physically attracted to a girl his age when living with her,in the end his attraction will not move past that." Gendo said.
"Let's just hope we don't have any unexpected surprises,shall we?" Ritsuko joked. But Gendo's eyes actually widened. He had not taken that matter into consideration at all. "That is unless you already want to be a grandparent."
"I had not taken this into consideration..."Gendo said in clear shock,Ritsuko actually laughed at this.
"Don't worry,they hate each-other too much for that but if it would give you some peace of mind I can arrange to have some contraceptives sent to the quarters." Ritsuko said to which the commander nodded.
"It is for the best, we can never predict the actions of hormonal teenagers."
"I wonder if you mean your son or Sohryu."She joked. "If the Sub-commander's stories are anything to go by, you were quite a menace in your younger years, and he does take after you more so than her."
He nodded. "Yes,i was foolish. But Shinji thankfully takes after my less foolish self."
"You never know."She said with a slight grin.
"I suppose I do not."
Travis sat at a computer terminal with a bored look to his face, the underground section of Olympus was certainly advanced but one could not say it was entertaining, doubly not so for someone like him who understood very little of the complicated scientific mess that made up the base's underground portion.
Overground wasn't much better really,besides the occasional cute maid all there was were the family of Drache,which wasn't a very extensive list of people,most of which were also incredibly boring individuals.
Then his phone rang,a familiar number.
"Hello,hello!"He greeted in a smooth Japanese. "How are you my friend?"
"I am good, in fact you could say more so than usual."Tashiro replied from the other end.
"Oh...what's the matter?" Travis greeted. "I'd ask if you got laid but you're one of those one girl type of guys and the wife wouldn't like it if you went around having fun."
From the sound that followed Travis could almost hear the rolling eyes of the Japanese general.
"No,i have better reasons for being pleased. I have managed to ensure the support from some other members of the old military guard,not just against SEELE but against NERV's successors as well"A smile spread itself over Travis' features.
"No way!You got the old coots like you to agree to go against their own government's wishes?" He asked in an incredulous tone.
"Many of us are not pleased with the way this country is headed,abandoning the military for the sake of funding Nerv even more."He said with a noticeable edge to his voice.
"Well, my friend, it only works in our advantage!"Travis declared. " Anything else you wanted to talk about?"
"Yes,i would like if you gave me all the information you have on Akira Kaji." He said.
"Akira?..."Travis said in a breathless whisper. "Damn... Akira uh?Haven't heard his name in years."
"So you're aware of him?" The general asked.
"Aware?I shot the damn guy..still regret not saying no to that mission to this day." Travis commented. "Well,the past's the past,if I can just know why is it that you want information on the long dead?"
"His brother has been snooping around where he is not supposed, not to say that I know of Akira's own exploits in the early 2000's." The general said,Travis' eyes widening.
"A brother uh...now that I didn't know he had." Travis commented.
"He works for NERV,Ryoji Kaji if I'm not mistaken, I wouldn't expect to find much information about him however, he is the secretive type." The general warned.
"Oh,don't worry. I'll get you all the information you need on Akira and some on Ryoji to add onto the pile."Travis said before he hung up the phone. "Ryoji Kaji uh...now that's something I ought to find out more about."
"Thanks again Kaji.."Misato said as he lay her down on the couch once again.
"Don't mention it Katsuragi,I'm just happy to help."He said. "Well,I've got to go, have work to get done tomorrow I'm afraid."
As he turned around to leave she pulled at his sleeve,much like she had done a week before. "don't go.."
"You're drunk again Katsuragi." He said.
"That's because I'm a coward who can't say her true feelings when she's sober!"She said,seeming mad at herself. Kaji sighed.
"Look...I'm not gonna lie,i would love to stay but.." He didn't get to finish his sentence before she interjected.
"Because you have work right?...of course it is."She said,her tone depressed and downtrodden.
"No,it's not because of that."He said. "It's because I know that in the morning you won't be able to forgive me if I do something so stupid,and you'd be right not to."
"Then just stay..."She asked. "We don't have to do anything. Just..please."
Kaji considered it for a moment, looking at the door and then at his work phone...he turned off the latter and picked up Misato from the couch. "If I'm gonna be staying over I'll need this couch so let's get you somewhere more comfortable shall we?"
Rei was jealous,this was not a common emotion for the blue haired girl,it was a powerful emotion,one that she rarely had ever since she had been made incomplete. But none the less she was jealous of the relationship between her brother and pilot Sohryu. Not because she held romantic affection for either of them, no, she was jealous of the relationship itself. For some reason she felt like she wanted something like that as well.
They seemed to understand each-other,to care about each-other and comfort one another.
"All i've ever had was Nerv.." Makinami's voice echoed within her ears. It felt distant and yet it made her heart beat a thousand times too fast. "She would understand."
And yet,Rei was afraid. Afraid that perhaps she would ruin the first female friendship she'd had because of her odd and irregular feelings for her fellow pilot. Feelings a half-human like herself should never feel, things reserved for real people not...not dolls like her.
Not to say...she would perish,that was the nature of the plan of the commander,she would perish in third impact and be unable to return, leaving Makinami alone...Makinami had been already left alone once before and it had hurt her deeply,Rei did not wish to bring this pain onto her friend once again, she didn't want it to happen.
And yet,the selfish part of her that remained wanted to be happy with Makinami as well. "I really am a fool..."
The soft clicking of heels on the ground could be heard as the chairwoman of the Chinese government walked through an empty graveyard in the dead of night. She might seem to those who did not know her that she was lost, in truth however,she was simply hesitant. Her nails,short as they were,dug into the flesh of her palm with enough strength to nearly draw blood.
With a few more steps she ascended into a slightly more elevated part of the graveyard. Moving to kneel silently before a pair of graves. She had not brought flowers, that was not what someone like her did. In truth she had not even brought words.
What did one even say?What use were words to the dead?None,that was the answer,the dead were simply that,dead. They did not think or hear or hate or love. No,the dead were dead,that was simply their state of being.
"In the end...it was not worth the cost."She said. "This world,this country, it wasn't worth the cost."
A long sigh. "But I suppose you know as much,don't you? Well,you would if you were alive."
In the end she just felt stupid, she had never visited their graves,why now of all days? Perhaps she was growing soft,and she was barely in her forties. Must be the age getting to me. She commented bitterly within the confines of her own heart.
"Since I'm here you can't resent me if there is an after life right?"She asked,not that she truly believed in such things. "Well,i suppose if there was one you wouldn't bother to feel resentment for someone like myself."
Or perhaps that was just wishful thinking brought about by the pain of loss...well,she didn't truly know and she didn't care.
Visiting graves was for the sake of the living after all.
Night had fallen once again and Shinji and Asuka were in her bed. Or,Shinji supposed,it was safe to assume it was their bed now.
"Hey Asuka."He whispered lightly,her eyes turning to face him. "Does your nose still hurt?"
She chuckled softly. "You're still worrying about that a week after the fact?"
He nodded. "Yeah...sorry."
"You've said it a thousand times already,i get it."She said,somewhat exasperated.
"Sorry."He said again, berating himself mentally for saying it again,Asuka just found it funny.
"It barely hurts anymore even when I touch it Baka,it probably wasn't even broken in the first place. You are just overreacting." She said,gently reaching out her hand and wrapping it around his.
"Sorry...it's just that I don't want to see you hurt."He said with a downcast expression. "Much less by my hand."
"It's fine my baka." She said. "Just sleep."
"Thanks Asuka.."He said as he drifted off into sleep. Asuka smiled, wasn't he the one who was supposed to have difficulty sleeping?Well,she supposed he was making it up for all those years he hadn't slept so well.
His expression while he slept was utterly peaceful when he was her, almost as if all the worries of his waking hours simply faded away and left nothing but peace and quiet behind.
"Ich liebe dich." She whispered,her heart hammering in her chest at the words she knew he wouldn't hear in his sleep.
AN:More sweetness from our favourite couple that's coming before they finally get tortured in ACT 3 and beyond,the poor kids.
Anyhow,OMAKE!
Rei is fucking ignored...again
Rei was a proficient swimmer, this much was known to all those who knew her,even so that did not mean she was above drowning,like most proficient swimmers she also did some pretty stupid mistakes sometimes. But since the other pilots were there that wasn't a problem,they would save her right?
"Pilot Sohryu!Pilot Ikari!"She shouted. "I am drowning!"
No...nothing,it appeared that the two lovebirds were simply staring deeply into eachother's eyes. Sweet,yes,but not great when she needed one of them to pull her out of the water.
"WILL YOU TWO STOP HAVING EYE SEX AND HELP M-"Sadly Rei did not get to finish her sentence as water lodged itself into her lungs, blocking her airway.
That was the day Rei discovered that an AT field could save you from drowning more than your own family did.
"This is why i hate humanity"She said as she coughed out water.