AN: Here be the rest. I sorry if sucks worse. As per advised by my revising team, this chapter was spliced into two. First update is behind this update. Thank you so much for reading!

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Chapter Twelve: Old Time's Sake (part 2)

So, I get the brunt of his anger and she gets to walk next to you like a love-struck teenager? How the fuck is that fair, Shinji?

Kensuke's feet stumbled over one another despite the slow pace. His heart was so loud that it drowned out whatever hushed conversation Asuka and Shinji were having, his skin was cold and all strength had left his body the second the metal gate had opened. Having witnessed how vicious the former Third Child could become, he recalled there was a good chance he'd never get to walk to the altar.

Once they reached the outer patio in front of Shinji's apartment complex, Kensuke was thrown on the grass with little effort. Asuka had been specific, after all. No reaction, no retaliation, because you have as much of a chance as an ant would against a lion. Nod, keep calm and state your case. Pray. Pray that he finds it in his heart to not kill the both of us.

"You have two minutes to explain yourself," Shinji stated. He crossed his arms and glared. "Go."

Asuka spared Kensuke a sidelong glance filled with empathy and a sliver of concern. The fact that she still cared about his safety emboldened Kensuke enough to get off the ground. I never realized Shinji was so damn tall, he mused. Despair began to gnaw at his stomach. Don't try to justify anything, just tell him the truth. He appreciates the truth, Ken. He's been lied to ever since he came into this world.

"Asuka called a few months after… the incident seven years ago," Kensuke started. "Asking about you. She didn't even say hello, or wonder about my family's health, much less my own. All she wanted to know was if you were… recovering."

"Stuff I already know," uttered Shinji, impatient. "Clock is ticking."

"We had that fight some years ago, you and I. You knew damn well I liked her. Not because I understood her, nor ever hoped to. Not because she showed any interest in me whatsoever, because she didn't, ever. I just wanted the unattainable. So, I spied on you. I do that with everyone, as you well know. I just… gave her the information."

"What information? What the hell was so important that you had to go behind my back?"

The truth. "Your health," Kensuke answered. "You don't care about you, Shinji. You do about everyone else though, even when you deny otherwise. But you don't think you deserve to be alive, much less deserve to die, so you constantly… tried… to hurt, delude or poison yourself. So I told her. Everything else she had access to, but not to your mental state, or your body's deterioration."

"How very nice of you," Shinji snarled, but took no step forward. His self-control worsened Kensuke's guilt. "Privy to speak of me rotting, but not willing to do a thing about it. Whatever. I suppose you served your purpose, pathetic as it was."

Ouch. Holy shit, man.

"I guess I did," Kensuke murmured, struggling to not break eye contact. "You suffered through seven years of silence, and I… couldn't give you the tiny part of Asuka I had. I'm just that petty. So I watched, and I listened, and I told her everything."

Shinji's body tensed further. Pedestrians walking looked around, as though sensing the bloodlust that riddled the air. "Yeah, and then you stole something from me besides her voice."

Gulping down the fear, Kensuke nodded again "Yeah. I did. I'm sorry."

"Sure," Shinji replied derisively. "I bet you are."

"It's the truth. I was jealous, so I never said a thing. How could I not be? The woman I liked only had eyes for you. I think I started to hate you because of it, so I ignored your calls, messages, and sat far away, like a twisted observer waiting for something to happen."

Asuka was looking at the ground, Kensuke noted. She glared at the soil and grass, hands curled into fists, as waves of regret and self-disgust radiated from her. That's what you are in the end, to them anyway, he mused. Just another mistake. That's fine, though. I have a woman who loves me, a family who supports me. I have it all.

"Sorry to disappoint," Shinji said after minutes of sepulchral, tense silence. "But I'm done with drama, done with the poison and the fights. There's gonna be no confrontation. I suppose some time has to pass for me to see your face and not want to cave it in, but that too will come, eventually."

Here it comes. Clench your teeth, fat load of good it'll do. His bones are concrete, basically. I can only hope to God he doesn't go for the face-

A hand extended in his direction instead of a fist. "I heard you got engaged with Kirishima, that pilot and journalist. Congratulations."

Kensuke sighed in blissful relief. "Thanks, man. I'm really sorry, truly. I know that doesn't mean anything. If you ever feel like talking to me, I'll be there. That's a promise."

"Noted." Shinji's iron grip trapped his hand. "You're a leftie, right?"

"Ah, yeah," answered Kensuke. Every alarm in his head started ringing when Shinji smirked. "Any reason why-Ah!"

The bones started to crunch into each other. Kensuke resisted the urge to punch, kick or in any way defend, knowing the result would be worse. My hand's being squeezed like a god damn orange! Ah! He fell to his knees, bit the inside of his mouth to keep from screaming, and endured. He's pushing right into the nerve endings! I can't fucking move!

"Kensuke," Shinji growled. Something almost snapped inside Kensuke's hand, but the pressure relented at the last second. "Don't touch my stuff."

Shinji took hold of Asuka's hand and the pair went back to the building, not before the girl mouthed out a half-assed 'sorry' as she walked away. He was about to turn my hand into paste, Kensuke thought. The fingers began to bloat in a horrid spectacle red that would later turn blue. All things considered, a gross success. I won't have to marry with a cast on my arm. Great.

"No hard feelings, then?"


His restraint broke the moment both he and Asuka were a few feet away from Toji's apartment.

Shinji pushed her against the wall, slamming a palm on the concrete beside her face. "I told you I didn't want to see that bespectacled fuckwaffle," he rasped, body shaking in fury. "What the fuck, Asuka?"

"He's my friend, and you just almost crushed his hand like a grape," she retorted. Her hand curled against his chest. "I stayed by your side, didn't I? What does that tell you, idiot?"

God damn you, woman. The thought of her kissing Kensuke resurfaced, so Shinji trapped the back of her head and pressed her lips to his. Only me. Me. Shinji. Nobody else. This is mine, and I'm not sharing.

Asuka's response in retaliating with as much possessiveness, wrath and intensity only angered him further. His free hand gripped at her side hard enough to bruise, and all she did in return was run her nails across his chest. Their kiss started hateful, envious and bitter, yet all the same it gradually melted into passion as seconds ticked by.

She's never kissed anyone like that. Nobody. Only me.

"Only you," Asuka echoed his thoughts with a growl of her own. Her hand grabbed a fistful of Shinji's hair. "It goes both ways. Your little friend Khalilah can get fucked. You're mine."

Shinji smirked. The taste of blood lingered on his tongue; Asuka had bitten his lip upon separating. "Krista," he corrected. "Only yours."

"Good, now get off me before…" Asuka's face heated, her gaze drifted down to the floor. "Before I can't stop whatever this is and we end up breeding in the hallway like animals."

"You don't sound too opposed to the idea," Shinji murmured. The rage dwindled to an extent, overshadowed by desire. "I just wanted to get a point across. Now you're talking rutting and stuff."

"Whatever, Third." She gave Shinji a light, useless push. "We have guests. Who knows what they'll think if we take any longer."

"Shut up," he whispered, pushing Asuka back to the wall. "When you kissed him, how did it feel?"

Asuka's features darkened under a scowl. "Dirty, disgusting and unnatural. How did it feel when Mari hugged and kissed you?" The grip on his hair increased, while Asuka's other hand dragged itself along his skin hard enough to leave crimson lines. "How?"

"Dirty, disgusting and unnatural," Shinji repeated. Their lips clashed in another ferocious battle which had them swaying to no tune. "I don't think I ever once initiated anything."

"That's not a problem for you whenever I'm concerned, though." Asuka wrapped her arms around him and pressed her body flush against his. "Can't keep your hands to yourself."

"Damn right," he replied. No matter how intense he attempted to be, Asuka matched it to perfection. Not more, not less, she retaliated with precision and drowned the rage with ease. "I've waited seven years, so be ready to receive all sorts of foolish, borderline pathetic attempts at romance."

"Well, do your worst, idiot," Asuka whispered back. Her teeth gently nibbled at the skin of his neck. "There's seven years' worth of letters and presents to go through."

"They can wait." Shinji presented her with a fresh envelope. "Congratulations on your position at the University." The smirk returned when he saw Asuka's eyes widen in surprise. "Tickets for a rock concert, one of your favorite bands, if memory serves. It's in a week, and no I will not be making sudden movements. Got us balcony seats near the stage."

"Aren't you a box full of tricks, hmm?" Asuka wondered aloud. Her face brightened upon retrieving the tickets. "Tool? Are you serious! They rarely ever tour outside the US!"

Man, that smile of hers, Shinji thought as Asuka pulled at his arm in excitement. You could never hope to make her smile like this, Kensuke. Only Shinji. Only me.

Lilith watched from the corner, unseen by the couple. She smiled. "Yes, idiot-Shinji. Only you. Forever."


Long after the pair returned home and Shinji started dozing off, Asuka rose from bed and sneaked into the bathroom.

Kensuke had long since reported no permanent damage had been done. His hand was swollen, but would heal in days instead of years. A new sense of guilt started corroding her insides. Yet another person was now meant to carry the burden of her her shortcomings and stupidity. Another broken friendship that had barely started to mend.

"Yeah, and you're the one that gets to bask in victory and comfort," Asuka whispered to the sink. "Pathetic. Can't even spare some time for your friend who helped you so much."

The deformed coin resting in her pocket burned despite being cold to the touch. She inspected the ridges in the dim light, marveling at how little time it had taken Shinji to twist it like wet cloth. Just like the bracelet and the scarf, it gave her clarity in moments where her emotions threatened to devour everything else. The small, yet beautiful tokens kept her afloat, and banished the tittering mockery of her mother.

Nothing but an overwhelming certainty filled Asuka's chest after minutes of inspecting the coin. "He really does love me, like his boss said," she murmured. "Always has, always will. What an idiot."

He's getting bolder, too. Grabbing me like that. Her hand pushed up her shirt, revealing the imprint of Shinji's hand on her side. Good. Whatever happens, happens. I'm sorry, Ken. I am, but I'll be selfish.

"Are you alright?" Shinji asked from the door. It warmed Asuka's heart to hear concern on his tired voice. "Ugh. Okay, fine. Fine. I'm… sorry for hurting your friend. Asuka?"

Baka, she thought. Another wave threatened to engulf her, so Asuka pocketed the coin, opened the door and embraced Shinji before he had a chance to speak. "He'll be okay. I'm not mad, idiot," she said. "Not at you, anyway. I'm mad at myself for being so happy to have seen you show restraint. I'm a terrible friend."

"Not true," Shinji retorted. "You've been a great friend… lately. Didn't appreciate the seven-year-long silent treatment, though."

"Idiot. I'm sorry." Asuka separated enough to look into his eyes. "No more of that, ever again. Promise."

"Even if you're mad?" Shinji asked snidely. "I'll hold you to your word after I piss you off, and you're hell-bent on not speaking to me."

"You've been trying to get on my nerves for months. The one time you did, you almost killed the both of us," Asuka explained. Her fingers threaded through Shinji's hair. "Every other attempt makes me want to laugh, because you look cute when you're pretending to be an ass."

"Thanks?" Shinji placed his forehead against hers. "I'm not apologizing again for what happened, but… I don't want you to be sad."

"What are you, stupid?" she demanded, eliciting a laugh from both. "I'll be fine, Shinji. You're here, after all."

Once they settled back in bed, Asuka stared at the anchor on her wrist. Her life had become so pleasant, her mornings so warm and entertaining, that it felt like some fantasy concocted during Instrumentality. Pain was still present, nonetheless. Memories and sins from the past remained, stuck to her soul like knives, rooting her in reality. That was until the idiot started taking them out, one by one. 'Let me take care of you', huh.

The memories of that day resurfaced just as consciousness started to fade. She had heard Shinji play the cello, seen him fight and scream. That morning she had heard him sing as he chopped and peeled vegetables for their meal. He looked so happy, so calm. Like cooking for me is the most natural thing in the world.

"Take my hand, take my whole life too…" she intoned, falling into sleep. "For I can't help… falling in love… with you…"


"I hate you."

The gym members burst out laughing in unison, with Jackson and Krista being among the loudest ones. Asuka smirked, arms crossed. Her mother's research had healed the deep gashes in record time, reconstructed nerve endings otherwise impossible to recover, and had brought Shinji's damaged lung back to full health.

"No, you don't," she countered with ease, pointing at the center of the gym. Three men awaited with hungered looks on their faces. "Let's go meet your new training partners."

"I don't need any new 'partners'," Shinji replied, frustrated. He too crossed his arms and glanced back at Jackson. "Coach, what the hell?"

"Shut your dumb ass up and do as you're told, little Ruthless," Coach replied with a shrug. "You must've thought shit was sweet until now, huh? Oooh, yeah, I get to be pampered by the woman of my dreams, oooh yeah no consequences for almost throwing my life away in a drunken stupor. Ooooh yeah."

The entire gym repeated the last phrase.

"Now go on and get the rest of them nasty ass narcotics out ya dumbass mind, dumbass," Jackson stated with finality. "Your ass is gon' earn the right to train with us again. See if you learn your lesson, little Ruthless."

"Sure, get myself clean off drugs without even taking that methadone crap," grumbled Shinji as they walked away from the group. "Now I have to earn the right? Bullshit."

"Muscular atrophy," she declared. "In your current state, the regular cycle your team goes through would kill you. So, we're starting small. Stretching, mobility and cardio. We'll rebuild your body from the ground up, and make you stronger than you've ever been."

"And during this… marvelous transformation… you'll be doing what, exactly?" Shinji asked, sarcasm dripping from his voice. "Taking notes, videos and pictures to upload them into social media with gratuitous inspirational quotes?"

"Pfft." Asuka giggled and half-heartedly smacked Shinji's arm. "No, silly. I'll be training right there, with you."

Asshole mode has been disengaged. Prepare for cute stammering in three, two, one…

"W-You will? I… uhm, well. Thanks. I wasn't expecting that."

Which is precisely what makes it fun, Asuka mused with a smile. "Can't let you suffer all on your own, anymore, Shinji," she said, somberly. "That's done. Now, get ready!"

Groaning and reluctant, Shinji nodded and went to get acquainted with the instructors she had recruited. And so the idiot peeks out from the armor again, she thought. Said idiot greeted the newcomers with clear remnants of his former shy self. I need the training as well, and he looks very handsome when he's focused, so this is a win-win.

The sessions was anything but what her patient desired. Instead of being allowed to slam heavy bags or wooden boards, Shinji was forced into a rigorous cycle of body-weight exercises. After the first hour, both youngsters were shaking with fatigue, drenched in sweat and leaning on each other so as not collapse on the mat.

"I hate you," Shinji wheezed. "Fucking hate you… so much…"

"No… you don't," she panted back. "Stay still, I think I'm gonna puke if you move."

"So, puke," he mumbled. "Just don't kiss me afterwards."

"Fuck you, I'll kiss you right after… if you keep moving."

"If you have time to talk, you have time to train," their instructor interjected. He and the smaller, bulkier one had their pad gear ready, and threw a pair of gloves to each. "You can cry, or you can go home."

"Yeah, cry, idiot," Asuka muttered as she tried and failed to tie the straps of her glove. "It's good for you."

"Uh huh, here." Shinji secured her gloves, then offered a small half-smile. "You know I'm kidding when I say that stuff, right?"

Aw, the idiot's worried! That's cute. "I know. Don't overdo it on the pads, we have shopping to do after this."

"Huh? Why? The house's pretty well stack-"

"Train now, talk later!" The smaller trainer slammed the pads into each other, loudly. "Come on!"


"Come on, one more, one more! Does the man know I was dying a few months ago? Hello, knife wounds! Four of them!"

Asuka chuckled despite the evident agony breathing hard represented. True to her word, she had performed every exercise alongside him, albeit more intensely. And still, he could make her smile.

"Funny," said Asuka, smirking. "Weren't these horribly deep wounds nothing but scratches? Now, they're suddenly important! You poor thing. Come on, don't be a softie. It's not like I'd let them ruin my careful work in any way." She pointed to her eye, right where the fading scar began. "I'm always watching, Ba-Ka."

"If you say so." Shinji's gaze drifted to the mall. When had it been the last time he had been out in public for so long? People stared at him in strange awe, some men even glowered at the way Asuka held his arm. "So, what exactly are we shopping for?"

"Winter coats, waterproof shoes, maybe a suit or two," Asuka elaborated, baffling him further. "Germany's weather is gonna get chilly and rainy."

What.

"Germany?" Shinji exclaimed. Many curious eyes turned to him, whereas his girlfriend hid hers from him. "What the… why are we going to Germany?"

The grip on his arm intensified. "Because I need to go pick up some things from my room, and… since we're a couple and all, I'd like for you to meet my parents."

Oh. Oh! Oh… Shinji gulped down the instinct to run away that crept up his spine. "Your parents? I… uhm…" Self-consciousness and a new type of panic stifled his words. "I'm not exactly a good guy, Asuka. Won't your parents object to you being with a mess like me?"

Asuka's feet halted in the middle of the hallway. Her nostrils flared, like a beast about to devour its prey. "First of all, if my deadbeat dad and my stepmother had any opinions about you or your habits, they would have told me so years ago. It's no secret in the house that I… kept tabs on you and stuff. It's also no secret to them that I wanted this," she raised their joined hands, "for a very long time. Second, I wouldn't care if they 'approved' or not, so neither should you. And third, well. The old man is a fan of yours."

Shinji tried in vain to digest the information, still rooted to the floor. "Your father is a fan of mine? Of what, exactly?" He asked, incredulous. "The way I crawl… crawled through life like some drug-addicted worm? Or maybe how needlessly violent I can get with just a word or two? Could it be the way that I-oh. Okay. I'll shut up now."

The wrath in Asuka's glare had snapped his jaw closed. You idiot! She hates that self-deprecating act! The brat screamed into his ear, healthy, free and unnaturally loud. Don't you remember what she said to you? She finds that 'struggle' of yours beautiful!

"My father," Asuka started, poison leaking from her voice with every syllable. "Is a fan of the fact that there is one man, out there, one man who not only puts up with his crazy, unhinged and violent daughter, but for some reasons seems to want to take care of her. He's the one who made sure I never, ever threw away a present or letter you sent, and I'm grateful for that. So should you. Now stop with the self-hating act before I slap you."

"I will, sorry," Shinji said. Asuka growled low in her throat. "Okay, okay! I'm… trying to do better. I'll do better."

"Of course you will," she replied. All manner of exhaustion or anger faded away, leaving Shinji with the sunny, carefree and teasing Asuka he had first fallen in love with. "Just bear with him, with the old man, I mean. He can get sort of annoying with the 'I'm so proud of my daughter' bullshit."

He never said anything of the sort while you were growing up, Shinji realized. How much pain did you go through, to forgive and welcome him back into your life? Damn, Asuka. I hate how that makes you so much more attractive.

"You're doing it again, staring at me like that," Asuka mumbled and steered them both towards a store. "Just do whatever you want. Stop waiting for my permission, idio-"

Shinji pulled her towards him before they reached the door, drawing her in yet another passionate kiss. "Say no more," he rasped. His thumb ran across the small scar near her lip. "Let's get this shopping stuff over with."

Two hours later, he collapsed on a seating area near the mall's main entrance. Bags of different colors sat next to his feet, and three other men older than him sat near. Defeat riddled the air.

One of the men spared him a glance. "First time?"

Shinji nodded. "Uhm, yeah."

"Yeah," the man's eyes shifted towards the hallway. "Yeah."

He was about to ask if it got better with time, but Asuka's voice cut through their small shrine of rest. "Shinji, come look at this! It'll look great with the coat! Hey! Are you listening?"

"Nice meeting you guys," he mumbled. His legs were burning, Asuka's muscles had certainly not fared better. Two hours. Be nice, Shinji. Nice. Two hours, though. I could've cooked us a meal twice over, already. We didn't go into that store with the cool knives, or the music store to get strings for my cello, yet. Nice. Nice. The store's gonna close. Nice. Be you. Be-

"See, the colors match perfectly! Let's go see them on you, but be sure to wear the entire outfit!"

Nice.

"Sure," he grumbled. Asuka looked animated, however. Happy, even. The sting of his wounds could wait. "After this, let's go shopping for some things that you want, how's that?"

Ah, caught off guard, Shinji thought, amused. His girlfriend's eyes narrowed. "I want to get you something. What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing."

Asuka turned her back, crossed her arms, and he counted the seconds in his head before she approached and pressed her head against his shoulder. "You're an idiot."

Both he and the boy embraced in his mind. They had both been waiting for that moment for seven years, after all. Shinji smiled. "Your idiot."


"She keeps looking at that doll and pretending it's Asuka. Something is broken in her."

"Where's Mama, Papa? Why can't we go see her?"

"I'll never cry again."

"You were never there, not once. You're the one who's nothing to me, not him. You. You helped break me, Papa. Stay the hell away from me."

"Whatever, I forgive you. Stop being a deadbeat, though."

The eldest Langley swallowed the whiskey in a single gulp, grimacing at it burned down his guts. Seated at the balcony, the cold wind eased the wretchedness that nestled within his stomach. He had learned long ago that Asuka's behavior was unpredictable. She did as she pleased, blessed with both the talent and position to pursue whichever path she chose, and had molded herself into someone entirely independent from her failure of a parent.

A few nights before, he had heard the closest thing to a young daughter that ever had graced his ear. "She sounded so young," he mused. "You would have known what to do, Kyoko. I'm sorry you're not here to witness our baby girl become a young woman."

"Darling!" his wife called from inside the house. "Asuka sent me some pictures. Have a look, she's gorgeous!"

The phone displayed his daughter caught in an embrace with Ikari. She was stunning, indeed, more so with the way her eyes glistened. "Peace sign, huh. Or V for victory, perhaps," he whispered. "What do they call these pictures again?"

"Selfies, dear," Mrs. Langley replied, hugging his frame from behind. "Your son-in-law is looking quite handsome, as well."

"I'm going to save him, and there's nothing you can do to stop me. Even if it costs me my life. What do you care, anyway? Not like you ever did before."

I plan to make this fated meeting as uncomfortable as humanly possible, he thought with delight. "A bit of restitution for years of screaming and denial, after so long. How many times did I say the phrase 'just talk to him, it's obvious that you are infatuated with him'?"

"Too many to count. And how many times did I tell you to just let it be?"

Langley shook his head, chuckling. "Too many to count, indeed. Can you blame me, though? So often, she looked ready to end it all. She tried, four times she did. The last one she nearly succeeded."

"But you believed in her strength, accepted her hatred, and became a father to your daughter," his wife said. "All commendable. Now, please, don't make Shinji feel uncomfortable. Asuka says he is… skittish."

"I shall do no such thing," he lied. "Empty nest." A defeated sigh escaped him. "I'll miss our bickering."

"That makes one of us, then," Katya responded. She took hold of his hand. "I'll miss our conversations. She can be so open when she wants to, so charming. I wish they'd just move in instead of leaving."

I wish I could be selfish, as well. Just when I finally manage to build some form of stable relationship with my child, she moves away with the man she loves. Strong, determined, devoted, artistic, and a master chef. Kyoko… you would have absolutely adored him.


"I don't like her."

Misato lowered her head. Shinji sat before her, dressed in a stylish dark navy shirt she had never seen. The message to meet had come out of nowhere the night before. Roused by their daughter and her morning sickness, she had barely caught the notification.

"Thanks for stating the obvious," said her surrogate son. "I've heard that for seven years. Is this why you wanted to talk to me? To repeat that you don't like my girlfriend?"

He hates me, Misato's mind stated. He still hates me, so very much. Kensuke himself had been allowed within a hundred feet of his house, but not her. They sat on the patio of Shinji's restaurant, waiting for orders he had randomly told the waitresses. Truth. Give him that. He treasures it.

"I got drunk on her birthday and badmouthed her," Misato admitted, voice reduced to a remorseful grate. "The year she… left, I did that. Threw her neural clips out the window while you struggled to get them out of my hand. I slapped you, called you weak, then went to the bathroom to vomit and passed out with my head on the toilet seat. You picked me up, cleaned up the house… collected the neural clips. Everything started going downhill from there between us."

Shinji's expression darkened, but he feigned a pleasant smile once the food arrived. "Thank you," he told the waitress. "And thank you for that wonderful memory. Nothing quite like being reminded of the year after Third Impact, my near-encounter with death, Asuka's sudden silence, or your drunken fits. I appreciate it."

"I told you she was a poison in your life," Misato carried on, undeterred. Asuka's words bounced ceaselessly in her head. You broke him. It was you. "I begged you to stop with the letters, I tried to rip that scarf into shreds, and when I couldn't take it anymore, I escaped to Kaji."

"What a waste," Shinji growled. "I'm trying to live, Misato. I'm trying to be healthy, and happy, for once in my life. Having Asuka next to me enables much of that happiness. And you want to, what? Drag me back to those horrible times? If this trip down memory lane is some exercise for you not to feel awful, keep at it, but I'll tell you the same words I told Ritsuko years ago." He leaned in, pushing the dishes aside. "I don't care about your guilty conscience."

"Nor should you," Misato whispered back. "I'm not trying to push Asuka away from you, nor am I trying to feel in any way better for my fuck-ups. I just… I want to be there. I want to come here with my daughter and have you cook for us, Shinji. I want… I want to see you, even if you will only glare at me or ignore me. Only that."

Shinji's glare became hateful, as if to comply with her wishes. "Now you want to be a part of my life," he said. "Now you don't have a problem with Asuka. What a joke."

"Yeah, I know," she conceded. The food cooled on their plates, untouched. "I love you. I'll never stop loving you, no matter what happens."

The young man's expression clouded with agony. "I don't think I can just shrug off everything that happened, Misato."

You did so with her, Misato thought with a sense of defeat setting on her shoulders. She glimpsed at the watch around Shinji's wrist, the shirt that was too elegant for him to have picked, the new set of headphones dangling from his pocket. Only you didn't, really. 93% of your left lung, healed. The knife wounds, closed. Your health, improved. Your soul… restored. How can I ever hope to compete?

"I'd never ask you to shrug off anything," she said. "Can you… see Rei, though? I don't even have to be in the room. She adores you. Please be a part of her life, please."

At last, her boy peeked out from behind the wall of cobalt. "Fine," Shinji grumbled. "You can bring her over on Sunday. I'll make waffles for her. Oh, and…" he looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. "Extend Kaji my apologies, if you'd be so kind. I'm sorry for what I did while you were pregnant with little Rei. I'm sorry… for trying to hurt your husband."

Misato bit down on both cheeks to keep from crying. This is the first honest apology I've heard from him in two years. Two years. "There's nothing to apologize for, Shin-chan," she said. Her hand reached over and squeezed Shinji's bruised knuckles. He did not shy away from her touch. "Sunday, then? It's a date."

Her son smiled. "It's a date."


"What are you, stupid or something?"

"Apparently so! Why is this such a big deal, if it was your idea?"

"I never said Sunday was okay! I had plans for this morning!"

"How can they not wait? It's a Sunday! What's so god damn important that you can't reschedule?"

Asuka groaned and turned her head away in anger, arms crossed. I wanted to have a romantic date with you, asshole! And maybe… go all the way tonight! But no, you had to invite the fucking drunk and her sniveling brat!

"Forget it," she grumbled, turning away when Shinji tried to grasp her shoulders. "Idiot."

Undeterred, Shinji kept trying until he caught her in an awkward embrace. "Sorry," he said. The edge in his voice was gone, replaced by the calm whisper she enjoyed. "You had plans for us, didn't you. I messed that up. Let me make it up to you."

"No," she replied. "There's nothing to make up, because I didn't do anything. I was just planning to do something. Get off me, you idiot!"

"Nope," Shinji only held her tighter. The Swedish couple happened to be walking in the same hallway. Both smiled, which only increased Asuka's self-consciousness. "Not until you tell me you'll give me a chance to make it up. Come on, I'll make waffles this morning. I know you love waffles."

Idiot, idiot, idiot! Stop that! Let me be angry, god damn you! What's with you handling my bad moods like a pro all the sudden?

"You're not just gonna fix every problem we have with food, Shinji," Asuka said. She tried and failed to keep a stern voice. "I wanted a day for us. That's all. We've been going out and training a lot, so I felt like not having to share you with the fucking world for twenty-four hours."

"Chocolate and marshmallow sprinkled waffles, with artisan maple syrup imported directly from Canada," Shinji offered in a rare playful tone. "A whole batch of them, just for you. Then, a nice, candle-lit dinner just for the two of us. How about we exchange another pair of letters?"

Damn it!

"Ugh, fine!" Asuka relented at last, and gently pushed Shinji away once they were home. "You're not off the hook, by the way."

"So, you admit there is a hook than I'm hanging from!"

"Can you just get to the stupid waffles?" She pointed to the kitchen, face bristling. "Misato and her spawn will be here any second, now."

"I told Misato this was only for her daughter," Shinji clarified. In minutes, the waffle batter was done and the smell of molten butter flowed through the apartment. "I know the last time you two spoke wasn't a pleasant affair, so I laid out some very clear boundaries."

Aw, the big, bad Third Child comes to the rescue, Asuka thought. Kind of a shame, though. I wanted to lash out at the drunk a little more.

The morning visitors arrived late, as expected of Misato. Rei was a bundle of joy, she realized, and held some strange attachment to Shinji. The child had also inherited her mother's appetite, wolfing down serving after serving of waffles, running around the apartment in a sugar rush, and finally collapsing on the couch.

"Look at her, sprawled out like a corpse," Asuka noted from the table. "I wonder where she gets that from."

"Rei is my daughter, of course she'd take after me," Misato replied with a curt nod. The animosity in her eyes made Asuka want to laugh. "I heard you struck my husband."

"An eye for an eye, yada yada," she deflected, shrugging. "We're even. No grudges on your side, I hope."

"None."

"Good."

"Yeah."

"Yup."

Shinji looked away. He had been cold and distant towards Misato from the moment the woman entered the apartment. "Thanks for the visit. I'm glad little Rei remembers me," he said. "Did you give her the present I sent you?"

"Of course, Shin-chan." Misato's wrath melted in a heartbeat. "She loved the figurine! Doesn't let anybody touch it, not even the cat. She was ecstatic to finally see you again."

"I figured that by the way she greeted me," Shinji remarked. His hand sought hers and squeezed. "Maybe next time we could take her to that park nearby, she liked the trees."

He remembers every detail, doesn't he, Asuka thought. Little Rei is a lucky child to have someone like Shinji love her unconditionally.

"Absolutely, we'll definitely do that." Misato smiled. The gesture was exclusively for Shinji. "You look very handsome today, Shin-chan. Very healthy."

"Thanks," Shinji grunted in return. "It's all because of-"

"Credit." Asuka interrupted, and poked at his arm. "Credit to yourself, idiot."

"It's mostly because of all the help I've been getting. From Asuka, and my friends," he elaborated. A sliver of pain darkened Misato's happy expression. "I think today was a good start. I'd like to spend the rest of the day with my girlfriend, if that's okay."

Watching Misato's lower lip shake produced an unexpected surge of pain in Asuka's chest. "Right. I… have to go get some disinfectant, anyway. The food was amazing, Shin-chan. And the place looks better than ever, Asuka. You're something else."

They exchanged a stiff embrace while Shinji carried Rei to the door, and delicately placed the child in her mother's arms. He did everything possible to avoid physical contact with Misato. "Tell Kaji I said hi, and you know, what we spoke of in the restaurant."

"I will," Misato smiled at their joined hands. "Take care of each other." She started walking away, not before turning with a shadow of her former teasing grin. "And remember to use protection, you two."

"Will you leave, god damn it!" Asuka hissed from the door. "Ugh, seven years and she's still so immature!"

"Can't believe I wasted a perfect morning alone with you to entertain her," Shinji complained, and sat on the couch with a groan. "You were right about Rei, though. I do miss her. She's a fun little gremlin, isn't she?"

And another one bites the dust. Hah! Useless drunk, talk to me now. Talk to me now! Asuka resisted the urge to scream out in triumph, and instead ruffled Shinji's hair. "She's tolerable, at best, as all children her age should be. Happy child, though. And she loves her Uncle Shin."

"Heh." Shinji caught her hand and almost dragged her down to the couch. "So, social obligations have been dealt with. What did you have in mind?"

With a wild pulse thundering in her ears, Asuka tried to regain some composure. "Nothing in particular, just you know," she shrugged, looking away. "Stuff."

"Oh," Shinji's skin felt scalding against her. "So, do you still want to?"

What the hell do you think? Ugh!

"Figure it out," Asuka growled, then marched over to their room. "I'm gonna go change into something more comfortable."

It's a safe day. What does the drunk know? she thought. Her hands shook whilst digging through the travel bag. Her stepmother had been adamant on her taking the stupid silk outfit. You never know, do you? Never know, pfft. You stupid hag, you always knew.

The underwear itself was outlandish enough. It resembled something taken out of an adult magazine, and the small silken top ended by her hip, leaving her legs completely exposed. Nervous energy ran through Asuka's body. Once she was changed, a turmoil of more carnal sensations gradually consumed her logical thinking.

No use denying it. I want him. And I love the way he looks at me, the way his body reacts when we're close. Come on, idiot. You have to meet me halfway. Take what's yours once and for al-

"Hey, I made you a smooth…ie," Shinji said from the door. The glass he had been holding fell on the floor. "You look," he started, eyes growing darker with each step taken towards her. "Sexy."

"I've never worn this stupid thing before," Asuka admitted. She fumbled with the hem of the dress, frowning. "Nor anything remotely like it, for that matter. Plug suit notwithstanding, of course."

Her attempt at humor went unnoticed. Shinji drew her lips to his. His hands gripped at her hips and almost pushed her into the mattress. "Is this what you were talking about?" he demanded. Asuka nodded. "Good."

Kisses and small bites started raining down on her neck, each drove a shudder up and down her body. When a spasm made Asuka moan loudly, Shinji halted. "I don't," he rose to meet her gaze, and offered an apologetic smile. "I don't really know what to do."

"M-Me neither," she managed, ensnaring his lower body with her legs. "Let's do whatever feels good, and damn everything else." Her hands wrapped around Shinji's head. "Now take what's yours, idiot."


Shinji bit into the skin of Asuka's neck, nibbling and kissing all the way down her shoulder. His heart thundered, and any thought not related to listening to his girlfriend's responses faded away. Her fingers ran up and down his scalp, scratching, while she planted sloppy kisses atop his head.

"You have to tell me if I overdo it," Shinji growled. He allowed his hands to travel up and down Asuka's body. "Okay?"

"Shut up and keep at it," Asuka panted back. She pushed his head into her chest. "That… feels really good. Your hands, your teeth. Don't stop, damn you."

The cloth was in the way, so Shinji almost ripped the nice little dress from her body, followed by his own shirt. Skin met skin, making both shudder. He fumbled with the straps of Asuka's bra, groaned when it did not give away and almost yelled out in frustration after the fourth failed attempt to remove it.

"Wait, wait, ow," Asuka mumbled. "Stupid strap is digging into my skin. Here," she reached and unclasped the garment without issue. "Nothing you haven't seen before, anyway."

Shinji stared at her bare chest for what felt like minutes. Arousal and self-disgust mingled in his stomach as the memory of his greatest shame resurfaced. "I…" he started. His hands refused to move. "Asuka, I'm… y-"

A passionate kiss silenced any confession or apology he might have spewed. Asuka pushed his head down again. "I never minded being in your… fantasies," she growled. "Just make sure I'm the only one there from now on. And… keep going."

Fire ran through his veins, making Shinji's every cell feel alive. "Yes, ma'am."

Instead of rushing, he took several deep breaths as he planted kisses up and down Asuka's body, and made his movements slow and deliberate. Nothing had ever blinded his mind the way her hitched voice had, so he memorized each sensitive spot he could find.

The taste and scent of her consumed any other rational thought, and after Asuka spasmed and screamed her pleasure to the roof, they became one. Shinji tried and failed to last more than mere seconds. "Asuka, I'm," he panted as sweat dribbled off his face. "I can't-"

"It's okay," Asuka panted back. Her legs trapped his hips once more. "It's a safe day… for me. Don't stop, Shinji. Don't you fucking stop."

Next, it was his body that shook like a leaf. Shinji collapsed on top of Asuka, and only then did he see the line of red and purple blemishes all over her neck, collarbone and legs. Something stung on his back, meaning she had dragged her nails across his skin with enough force to leave a mark.

"I'm not done."

"I'm not done," he growled in perfect unison with Asuka. The shadow took over, forcing seven years of frustration, desire, envy and anger to drown together with desire. "What you're doing with your nails, I like it."

"I like those bites, idiot. More of that, too."

"Hmm." He nipped at her shoulder blade. "Noted."

They fumbled, stuttered, and laughed at their own inexperience as the night progressed. Asuka took her turn in exploring his body. She kissed every scar, every mark, every broken bone, bit into his skin and made a shuddering mess of him. Wrath began to ooze from them both after Asuka straddled him.

Shinji's hand drew to her neck and squeezed without him realizing. Panic arose, yet before he could move away, Asuka gripped at his forearm and threw her head back in ecstasy. The more he squeezed, the more aggressive her movements became. They glared at one another, relaying the same message without a word.

I'm going to sear myself into your body and soul. Mine. Mine alone, and nobody else's. Mine. Mine!

With Asuka's breathing coming in quick, high pitches, Shinji relinquished himself to the shadow and lay on top of her, eyes dark with possessive desire. Something clicked in his foggy mind; Asuka was giving her pleasure, her very safety and life to him in that moment. He was in absolute control, and she loved every second of it.

Another scream echoed through their home. Asuka's nails dug into the calloused skin of his knuckles and wrists. Her legs gradually lost their strength. The strong exterior melted and Shinji saw her vulnerable and unguarded.

"I-Idiot?" Asuka whispered. Her tone ignited a new, overwhelming sensation; he wanted to protect her for as long as he breathed. "Shinji?"

His fingers relaxed, tracing down her neck. "Sorry," he whispered back. "Did I go too far?"

"Ugh, of course you didn't." The endearing way in which Asuka groaned and rolled her eyes made Shinji chuckle. "Quite… uhm… the opposite, in fact." Her hand cupped his cheek in a painfully familiar way. "I didn't say stop, idiot."

Soon after, neither of them was able to move as they lay sprawled amidst a chaos of sweat-soaked sheets. Shinji began to lose consciousness, lulled by Asuka's heartbeat. Her fingers drew lazy circles on his scalp and played with his hair. Every craving, itch, or strain dissipated with her voice.

"Can't you see," Asuka sang. "You're everything I hoped for, and you're… everything I need."

"You are… so beautiful," Shinji mumbled back. "To me…"


After two weeks of steady recovery, lovemaking, and boundaries being overcome, Shinji found himself standing in the middle of an airport, panicking.

Stop. Stop thinking about it. Stop thinking about alcohol or pills, stop. Gendo Ikari's voice thundered from within. Pilot the Evangelion, he demanded, again and again. Pilot the Evangelion. I have a use for you. Pilot the Evangelion.

The grip strengthener in his left hand wailed and cracked with every curl. "It's fine, I'm fine," he mumbled. The mass of people moving and pushing threatened to engulf him. Tremors and itches manifested all over his body, sweat dribbled down his brow. "I'm not fine."

"Hey, Shinji! I got you a shawarma, they're not half ba-" It took Asuka half a glance to notice something was amiss. "Your breathing's very erratic. Looks like a panic attack. Here, come with me."

It took Shinji all of his concentration to follow Asuka into a less populated area, where she produced a paper bag and placed it in his hand. "You know the drill. Against your mouth, yeah, just like that. Breathe in and out, it'll go down on its own."

Self-consciousness added itself to the turmoil threatening to swallow Shinji whole. He did as instructed and almost collapsed on the ground. "I'm sorry," he managed in between pants. "This is so embarrassing. I'm sorr-"

"What's embarrassing?" Asuka challenged. "Fuck anyone and everyone who thinks that, or bothers looking in this direction. They have no idea of what you went through. Now focus, Shinji. Control your breathing, focus on only that, and on the sound of my lovely voice."

Focus. Breathe. It's in the past. This is an airport, not NERV HQ. No soldiers are going to come, no Angel is going to impale you, or melt your chest, the brat whispered. Not only did it roam free nowadays, it dared give him advice. Asuka's right here. Relax. Third Impact is over. You're alive.

"We're going to miss the flight," Shinji muttered after several minutes, long after they had found a seating area. "Fucking idiot." He wanted to slam a fist into his own face, but Asuka kept a firm grip of both his hands. "Stupid, weak, pathetic fu-"

"Shh," Asuka cut in gently. "Who gives a damn about a stupid flight? I'll just book another one, whenever you feel ready. It can be tomorrow, or in twenty years. I don't care."

The confidence radiating off his girlfriend felt like a lifeline. "No," he said. "Let's go. I can do this. We can do this, we've done things way harder than a stupid flight."

"Lead the way, then," Asuka replied. As per usual lately, she kept a firm hold of his hand as they walked to the gate. "I got you a shawarma. Are you going to it eat it or what? It's good."

"A shawarma sounds great." Shinji bit into the offered meal with ravenous hunger. Chewing helped him focus on reality. "Thank you."

"Idiot." Asuka smiled. "Back-up is here."

Everything about the airplane gave off a feeling of claustrophobia, rekindling terrible memories of sitting inside the Entry Plug with its cool atmosphere. The stench of disinfectant switched to that of blood every few seconds. White noise drowned out the security instructions, as memories of past battles ran through his mind.

Shinji focused on keeping his breathing steady, on Asuka's scent, and the tight grip on both his hands. The plane shook as it took off. The slight turbulence brought about the fear of each sortie, each time Unit 01 was launched to the surface at top speed. After the plane reached a stable altitude, Asuka placed a pair of headphones on his ears. One of his favorite classical pieces started to play, and at last his heartbeat normalized.

"You're not alone," Asuka murmured after he tucked his head between her chin and shoulder. "Not anymore, and never again."


"You're not holding the sign properly, dear."

Peter Langley shifted his weight from one foot to the other. Rarely had he felt like such a fool in public, yet there was no foreseeable escape from the situation. "She never told us to wait for her. Fritz already ordered the car to be brought to the entrance."

"So?" His wife argued. "It's a limousine. What's two more seats being taken?"

"Perhaps they want some time to themselves. You know Asuka; she's probably planned for every little thing they'll do once they land," he argued back. "She'll hate this. My first meeting with Shinji is supposed to be under her scrutiny and planning."

"She's your daughter, coming to her homeland for what is probably the last time that does not involve a casual visit," she reprimanded with a hint of anger. "Shake the boy's hand, hug your child and be silent. I'll do the talking today. You just smile and wave."

"Yes, my love," Peter whispered, sighing.

"And hold the sign properly! They just landed!"

"Yes, my love."

Half an hour later, the unmistakable mane of crimson became visible. Asuka had an obvious spring to her step, her arm was wrapped around Shinji's as she laughed. He took the few seconds of anonymity to take a measure of the young man in question. Tall, well built. Strong. Sad eyes. Kind eyes, not like Gendo at all. What a relief, Kyoko.

Expecting shock, anger or absolute indifference, Peter was left speechless when Asuka noticed them and gave a surprised blink at best. She walked over to them, and only then did Peter notice the slight limp in Shinji's stride.

"I didn't expect you guys here," Asuka said. She gave his wife a brief hug, smiled, and pushed Shinji in his direction. "Papa, this is Shinji. Shinji, this is my father, Peter Langley."

"Heard a lot about you, Shinji," Peter said in Japanese, extending a hand in the couple's direction. "Welcome to Germany."

"Thank you," Shinji replied in German. "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir."

"Hell of a handshake you've got there, young man," he noted. Polite, as well. "We're happy to finally meet you. Need any help with that luggage?"

As expected, Shinji refused any assistance. Once Fritz came to the gate, he heard Shinji whisper something in Asuka's ear and receive a chuckle in return. The limo was a bit of overkill. She looks happy, though. Pleased she took him by surprise.

The ambience inside the car was amiable. His wife kept to her word and occupied the couple with inquiries about the trip, Shinji's health and the bracelet hanging from his daughter's wrist. He noted the watch Asuka had procured years before, the way she would turn to squeeze Shinji's hand.

"-it's been so quiet around the house lately. Hasn't it, dear?"

"Terribly quiet," Peter added, speaking for the first time since climbing on the car. "I do hope you stay more than just two or three days, Asuka."

"We're staying for a couple of weeks. Old time's sake and all that," she replied dismissively. "I also want the idiot to meet my therapist, and my friends. We'll go to some castles and forests and whatnot, too."

Not a second wasted on spending time with me, then, he realized. His shoulders slumped, but Peter smiled regardless. Good. Your mother would agree that I don't deserve your company. Kyoko would be dancing with joy to see you in such mastery of yourself.

"Mr. Langley, I hope not to intrude in your home," Shinji said. Despite being visibly uncomfortable and combating some form of itch, the young Ikari remained respectful. "I'd love for a chance to speak with you, if that were possible. I'm sure my… actions precede me. I want you to know I would never-"

"No need for any of that, Shinji," Peter interrupted. He had to stifle a laugh once Shinji's words sunk in. "I'm quite sure Asuka is at her safest and strongest when she is by your side. That much has been made clear to me over the years," he said, quietly enough for only Shinji to hear. "You have close to no accent. How long have you been studying German?"

"Ah, well," Shinji scratched at a scar under his jaw. "About six or seven years."

Why, what a shock, he mused sarcastically. "Hard work certainly pays off. Have you practiced it with someone?"

"Not really," Shinji replied, looking away. Asuka was too engrossed in a retelling her stepmother about some rock concert to notice. "My best friend speaks a little German, but she doesn't like to. So, I just picked books and tried reading them out loud, recording it, and then listening to news outlets, movies or series in German to try and get the pronunciation right."

"Impressive," Peter acknowledged. "But you two speak Japanese with one another. How interesting."

"True. Maybe because we met speaking Japanese? It was the default language back then."

Avoid the subject of piloting and Third Impact altogether, his wife's voice ordered in Peter's mind. "Ah, yes. So, Shinji. Tell me a little about this restaurant you work in. I've read nothing but sparkling reviews from customers."

The afternoon progressed without issue. Asuka led Shinji to her room, where they stayed for a few hours before emerging to get an early dinner. Not only did Asuka demand Shinji to sit and rest, she also cooked for them both, and even left some food for Peter and his wife.

You don't get it, Asuka grumbled in his memory. You talk about him like he's some poor, sickly patient. He's not. Of course you wouldn't know what a tiny bit of encouragement can do for somebody, you've never given me any. I'll show you. I'll show everyone just how beautiful he is. Now, stay out of my way.

His new son-in-law gave Peter a reverence not even the allegedly well-educated Moritz had managed. He treats me like I'm Asuka's father more than she herself does. I suppose you'd laugh at the irony in that, Kyoko.

After both his wife and the couple retired for the evening, Peter went back to the balcony. The whiskey burned all the way down to his stomach. "She cooked me a meal tonight, Kyoko," he told the ghost that haunted his every step. The noose constricted behind him, where the corpse glared in envy and hatred. "Thai curry chicken. Tasted wonderful, by the way. It reminded me a bit of your chicken casserole."

The rope dangled, echoing in the still night, yet for once in seven years, Peter was able to ignore it.


"Stop ignoring me."

Asuka snickered and relented, turning to face her boyfriend. "I'm not." She placed her head near Shinji's chest while her fingers traced the skin around his stomach wound. "How's the pain? I saw you itch a little in the car."

"I got a bit nervous," Shinji admitted, chuckling. "You only have one chance at a first impression. I mean, look at how much you impressed me the first time we met. I don't want your parents to think I'm some violent animal who would ever hurt you… uhm… again."

"You'd need to have shown up drooling and crawling on all fours if you wanted my parents not to love you," Asuka said. Her hand stretched across Shinji's bare chest. Skin on skin contact was heavenly. "You're the reason I'm still alive, idiot. I tried to improve myself, so that I could help you afterwards."

"And I refused to give up on the feeling that someday, you'd come back," he added. "Now I'm here, with you, about to meet your friends."

"My therapist, too," Asuka whispered. "I've spoken to him in length and in detail about you, it's only fair you get your own chance."

"If you say so." Shinji cupped her cheek and gave her a long, deep kiss. "That flight was hell, but you were there the whole time. Thank you for having my back." He smirked. "So, any reason why there's takeout containers from Sukiya's restaurant in your closet?"

How the hell did he see those? Asuka's face heated up in seconds, followed by the pang of sadness that recalling those days brought. "I missed you," she confessed. "I missed your food. What good is money, if I can't even eat what I want?"

"I remember those orders, you know," Shinji said. Asuka's heart rate doubled. "VIP, Sukiya-san said. Why pulled pork, Yakitori and rice cakes?"

"They don't spoil over the trip," she murmured. "And I read somewhere that you like doing those dishes. I wanted to order something you enjoy cooking."

"Anything you want me to prepare, I'll enjoy." Shinji yawned and rested his cheek atop her head. He produced an envelope and placed it next to her. "The letter I was going to send you this year. Sweet dreams, Asuka."

Oh, no you don't! You don't get to just give me this and fall asleep! "Hey," Asuka uttered. She shook Shinji twice, to no avail. The fatigue of struggling against flashbacks for hours on end had finally taken its toll. "Not funny, idiot. Also not fair, you know you have to read this to me, anyway."

The scribbling on the was slightly different than any other letter she had received.

For Asuka.

With love, Shinji.

"Forever, huh," Asuka said, vision blurring. Shinji's steady breathing and heartbeat lulled her into a deep, untroubled sleep. "I'll hold you to that."

To Be Continued…


AN:First of all, a humongous thank you to my dear friends Mister_Halt, Bwanagator and Su-Exodus for revising and improving these chapters! I love you, you legends! Thank you so much!

Aight. So. There. Payoff, I hope. Like, 200k words worth of solving problems had to lead to something. If the sugar was too much, I am (not) sorry. Still some chapters to go to explore some other lil things, but yeah. The climb continues! If this sucked ass, please let me know through a review! If it didn't please let me know through a review! Thank you so much for reading!

Remember to stay healthy and eat your veggies!

PEACE.