Chapter 4: Love

The hospital wards were quiet. Echos could be heard if you talked, reminding the visitors of a cave. There were a couple of NERV staff, chatting it up in their 'fashionable' tan outfits. Shinji had stayed the night, surprised that he wasn't woken by a nurse or even Ritsuko about visiting hours. His left arm was trapped under Asuka. Trying not to wake her, he lifted her, and slipped his arm out.

'She's so peaceful…' Shinji smiled, wondering how somebody with so much anger could look so peaceful.

He shot up, stretching his arms in the air, yawning as he began to stride out of Asuka's room. His eyes began to squint, still trying to wake up fully.

"Hey, where do you think you're going?" A familiar voice asked, yawning from behind him. Shinji swung around, walking back towards the awake redhead.

"I was going to check on Misato, maybe get some breakfast." Shinji replied, smiling. He gazed at her, stuttering as he struggled to find his words.

"S-So" Shinji muttered, Asuka glared at him, confused. "Mhmm, finish." Asuka was clearly getting annoyed at the stuttering pilot. "Spit it out!" Asuka yelled, wanting to hear what he wanted to say.

"Does this make us.. well a thing?" Shinji asked, a lump in his throat he tried to swallow. Asuka grinned, slightly. Her eyes began to soften. Shinji started to blush pink, scratching his arm.

"Get over here, you idiot." Asuka laughed, reaching her arm out. Shinji slowly shuffled over, grabbing her hand, she yanked him over.

'Woah!" Shinji yelped, catching himself on the side of the bed. He began to pant, sweating profusely, looking up at Asuka, who was clearly amused. Asuka sat up, pulling him up, leaned over to him, gently kissing him for just a second. Shinji felt his world go into a standstill. He heard a quiet mutter from the bed.

"Yes." Asuka said, happy to see Shinji so shocked. Shinji moved a strand of hair from Asuka's face.

"Hey, I'm going to go check on Misato." Shinji whispered, leaving the room in an orderly manner. Shinji saw a nurse with a plate of food, it looked like shit. Shinji ran over to Misato's room. He entered, watching Misato, still asleep. She began to struggle, jerking around. Her eyes began to open, blinking extremely fast.

"Nurse! NURSE!" Shinji screamed, running out of the room. Shinji ran around, finding a panicked Ritsuko running at the sound of screams.

"What is it?!" Ritsuko asked Shinji, keeping composure.

"Ms. Misato woke up, she woke up!" Shinji cried, tears began rolling down his cheeks. Ritsuko ran with Shinji to the room, the sound of sliding feet as Ritsuko stopped her momentum with friction.

"Well, it took you a long time to finally wake." Ritsuko chuckled, running over to check the waking Major." You are very lucky that there wasn't an angel attack."

Misato weakly got up, grabbing her head, which was in bandages. She began to cough. Her voice croaked, "Wa-wate", she sounded like she had been smoking for the past 35 years.

Shinji grabbed the closest cup of water, picked it up and handed it to Misato, still sweating a little, goosebumps raised on his skin.

"Thank you. Shinji come here." Misato asked, putting down the cup on the small table next to her. Shinji did this, standing next to her, Misato raised her left arm and grabbed his collar. "What the hell have you done?" Misato screamed, remembering the talk they had.

"Misato stop! What's wrong?" Ritsuko screamed, trying to pry Misato off of Shinji.

"He beat Asuka at school, he stomped her ribs twice!" Misato screamed, shaking Shinji, who was visibly sweating.

"Is that why she's in the hospital?" Ritsuko questioned, Misato staring at her in a gaze then at Shinji. "You put her in the hospital?" Shinji was stunned, his mouth dried. "I- um, well…" Shinji began to break down a little bit, guilt eating at him. He flew past Ritsuko, and ran to Asuka's room. It felt like a mile long hallway. He swung into the room. He went down, and he slumped on the same chair, looking at Asuka.

"Misato woke up, she's pissed at me." Shinji described, guilt showing on his face. Asuka looked at him, he was leaning over, head in hands.

—-

Ritsuko looked at Misato, confused. Misato piped up, "I'm fine, let's go". Standing up, Misato asked Ritsuko to undo the IV. She complied, taking the IV out, taking a wheelchair at the sight of Misato wobbling. Misato sat down, Ritsuko slowly wheeling her towards Asuka's room.

"Asuka, I'm sorry for those last days, I've been feeling extremely guilty." Shinji cried, leaning over her bed. "I just, I-", Asuka kissed him, shutting him up. They closed their eyes, melting at each other's presence.

Misato was talking to Ritsuko, pissed at Shinji. As their guardian, she wanted to make sure it wouldn't happen again. Ritsuko started to sweat, and there was new information about Asuka's condition. Ritsuko rolled her into the room, Misato's jaw dropped.

"What the hell!?" Misato screamed. Surprised at the sight.

"Mi-Misato?" Both teens screamed in unison, embarrassed. They jumped, and Shinji sat down, looking at Ritsuko. "You explain…" Shinji gulped, feeling the room and himself getting hotter. Ritsuko whispered to Misato, pulled the photo out and showed it to the Major. Misato started to laugh, not believing the transformation the pilots had.

"How cute." Misato laughed, teasing them.

Shinji looked at Asuka, gave her a nod.

"You fucking asshole!" Asuka screamed, pointing at Shinji.

Shinji and Asuka began to argue, trying to play it off as a stupid argument.

"Hey. Excuse me." Ritsuko said waving the photo, "Stop hiding it."

Both teens knew they were busted. They looked at Ritsuko, then at Misato. Shinji stretched his collar, then Ritsuko piped in. "Well, Shinji. Asuka can't be in school for the next week, but she can go home." She walked over to Asuka, undoing the IV. Asuka jumped out of bed, almost falling, Ritsuko catching her.

"Shinji, hold her for a second." Ritsuko asked, Shinji kneeled over, Asuka jumping on his back. He stood up, walking out of the room. Asuka yelled before they both left.

"Byyyyeeee!" Shinji ran out of the medical ward, Ritsuko baffled as she rolled a wheelchair over. Running through the NERV hallways, left and right, like a video game. Dodging plants, and other decorations. Asuka holding on to Shinji's back.

"Hey, grab my keycard." Shinji asked, feeling Asuka tapping his arm with the card. He swiped it and he counted from 3. He bolted out, Asuka smiling, smelling fresh, non-hospital air for the first time in days. Shinji wasn't paying attention anymore. He stopped in his place, Asuka screamed.

"CAR!" Shinji threw his feet onto the cement, scraping his shoes. Asuka swinging, digging her grip into Shinji. An old man peeked out the window, clearly pissed off.

"You could have killed yourselves! Be careful, idiots." the man screamed, taking all his rage on the eva pilots. Asuka began whispering in Shinji's ear. "I remember his license plates, next time we pilot the evas, i'm destroying this guys car." Shinji chuckled a little, letting the man finish. He shrugged it off, running across the street, towards their apartment complex. "Shit." Shinji gulped, "I forgot to feed PenPen." Asuka shrugged it off, looking at the apartment. She chuckled at Shinji's light jokes. He got in the elevator, listening to the elevator music. He teared up a bit, Asuka looking at him like he was an idiot. The music reminded him of time passing, even if the emergency was over. He tapped Asuka for his key, grabbed it from her hand. Swiping it open, he dropped his shoes in the front, Asuka kicked her shoes off, hanging on to Shinji. He went over to the dining table, slowly putting her on one of the chairs. She leaned over the table, she hadn't walked for a couple days. Shinji turned around, "Hey, what do you want for lunch?"Asuka shrugged, losing her balance off the chair.

"Wo-woah, Shinj-!" Asuka screamed, bracing on her back.

Shinji jumped, apron falling off, grabbing her back and legs. He lifted her up, panting and sweating. She looked at him, her blue eyes glittering in the light. His mouth was open a little, staring back at her. The boy was holding her in the bridal position, her right arm moving around his neck. He put her down, feeling his face getting hot. He was a bright red.

"Jeez, that was close." Asuka was still wobbling, due to not standing for a bit. She got a hang of the balance, Shinji whipping up a quick meal. Asuka moved to the couch, plopping down. Shinji brought her a bowl of food. "You can eat here, just for today." Shinji smiled, throwing some fish into PenPen's bowl and grabbing his shoes. "I'm going to check on Misato." Asuka could barely hear him, the TV was blaring at 10000 Decibels.

Shinji ran over to the medical ward, not even signing in again. The secretary didn't even notice him. 'She sucks at that job.' Shinji thought, still running through the hallway. He grabbed the door, swinging in the direction of the room, Misato in bed.

"Hey, Misato." Shinji grumbled, bracing for a slap or Misato to yell at her. She frowned at the boy, seeing his guilt, feeling her anger. She signaled Shinji to get over to her, like an angry mother. Shinji moved over to her, right in front of her. Misato slapped him as hard as possible. Its echo was heard for miles, Asuka felt it at home, shivering. Shinji fell over, catching his fall on the radiator. "FUCKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!" Shinji screamed, his hands burning, face bleeding. "Language, Shinji." Misato said calmly. "You deserve that for bullying Asuka, even if both of you are together." Shinji felt his face burn, tears rolling down cheeks. 'I do deserve this.' "I came here to pick you up, bring you home" Shinji muttered, holding his face. Grabbing the wheelchair, he let Misato get on. Starting to wheel her out, he signed her out on the clipboard. Misato still had a bandaged head, and a hospital gown on. The secretary still did not even notice Misato nor Shinji. Getting in the elevator, Shinji wheeled Misato up to their floor. Opening the door, he let Misato off the wheelchair, ready to catch her if she falls. She kept her balance, going inside of the apartment, PenPen jumping out at Misato, giving a look at Shinji.

"Was he not feeding you?" Misato teased, petting PenPen. Shinji looked at PenPen.

"Didn't see him the whole time you were gone." Shinji told her. He shrugged and plopped next to Asuka, who was watching some shit cartoon on the TV. Shinji grabbed Asuka, pulling her closer.

"Let go of me, idiot." Asuka told him, pointing at her ribs. Shinji let go, throwing his hands in the air. She moved over to him, her head leaned on his neck. Misato smiled at the sight of it. Just a couple days ago, they were bullying each other. She tilted her head right, stretching a little bit, looking at both teens.

"Hey, lovebirds! I'm cooking dinner." Misato yelled from across the house. Shinji listened to her words, jumped up from the couch and ran over to the kitchen.

"No, Misato-, I think I will make dinner." Shinji responded, tying an apron around his back.

|NOTE: This is a real recipe that I have used for dinner for a couple dinners.|

Shinji took a whole bulb of garlic, cutting the top off of it. Drizzling oil, salt, and pepper on time of the exposed garlic cloves, he wrapped it in aluminum foil, throwing it in an oven at 400F, for around 40-50 minutes. He flinged it out of the oven with mitts, it was piping hot. The room had that aromatic smell of garlic, he took ⅔ cup of butter, throwing it in a mixing bowl. He squeezed the warm garlic cloves into the bowl. Shinji always enjoyed cooking, it gave him something to do. He threw some salt, fresh rosemary and thyme right into the butter. Mixing it, he made compound butter. Rolling into a nice cylinder with the use of plastic wrap, he threw it into the fridge to harden. Using his favorite knife, he cut 3 potatoes into french fries, putting them in ice water. He plopped down next to the two girls, watching TV until 30 minutes, he sprang up, moving over to the fries. Draining them and drying them, he double fried him. Once, at 375F for around 4 minutes. He raised the temperature to 425F to fry them until golden. He threw them into a mixing bowl with salt and garlic powder. He took out a cast-iron pan, drizzled oil until it smoked. He grabbed a 1.25 inch steak and patted the steak dry. He seasoned it with salt and pepper, simple but delicious. He cooked it, 2 ½-3 minutes on each side. Letting it rest for 5 minutes, he sliced it thinly. He threw slices onto a plate with fries. Which he garnished with minced parsley. He grabbed his compound butter, melting it in a pan and pouring it on the steak. He didn't have a kitchen torch, he couldn't melt it on top of the steak.

—-

"Guys! It's time for dinner." Shinji yelled, putting it on the table. They got up, running over to the food.

"You outdid yourself Shinji." Misato said, staring at YOU, breaking the 4th wall. She turned to Shinji and dug in.

"I'm glad you guys like it." Shinji told them, eating his own plate. Asuka finished first, putting her dish in the sink, same with Shinji.

"Oh, come on guys!" Misato groaned. Whoever was the last person to finish their food did the dishes. Misato groaned, stomping over to the dishes. She washed the dishes, and Shinji retreated to his room. Grabbing his SDAT player, turning up the volume. He let his worries wash away, Both roommates were home. He was happy, maybe for a bit. Hours could pass, he wouldn't know, or care. His bliss was ending by a knock. Asuka's voice was heard by Shinji. "I'm coming in." Shinji didn't answer, the door slid open slightly. The redhead had her neural connectors out, her bangs straight, and her long red hair over her shoulders. She had small bags under her eyes.

"Shinji… Can I sleep here tonight? I can't get any sleep." Asuka asked, embarrassed. Shinji covered his mouth, chuckling. Shinji nodded, letting her in the room. She moved over, sluggishly. She slumped next to Shinji on his bed. She stole a bit of his covers, yanking them to keep herself warm. It was a cold winter night.

"You better not try any funny business." Asuka growled, facing him. She drifted to sleep, Shinji began to fall asleep around 3 hours after Asuka. His mattress was shaking for the past 1 hour, little sounds and creaks. He got up, needing the bathroom. After finishing his business, he came back to the bedroom. He slid open his door, back under his sheets. He turned to face the sleeping redhead. She was shivering, teeth chattering. He moved next to her, grabbing her, trying to keep her warm.

"If I get yelled at for this." Shinji muttered under his breath. Shinji was careful not to touch her ribs. He drifted off into his own sleep.

Shinji began to move around.

"It's your fault." repeated around Shinji, he was bound by chains. Different times played out. If Asuka died from her injuries, if Misato did. He started to bawl. Going into a ball, listening and watching these horrible events take place. He felt his hands burn, his face bleed. Misato slapped him, she yelled at him. It went dark, he was all alone. He was lonely, without anybody to keep him company. "Shinji." repeated, it got louder and louder. He took a deep breath, waking up in a cold sweat. He turned to see Asuka, next to him. He flinged his arms around her, giving him a bear hug, squeezing tighter. He began to weep, to bawl on her shoulder. She held him, ignoring her rib pain. She hugged him back, she woke him up because he woke her up. He was moving around while next to her. She got kicked in the stomach and woke up. She didn't want to ruin his moment, making him more upset.

"You can talk to me, Shinji…" Asuka whispered in his ear.

TO BE CONTINUED…