Chapter 2
My first Angel/Comfort offered
As I walked outside, I covered my ears, trying to block out the wail of the
sirens. The streets were empty, and warning signs flashed around the city.
Signs spread around the buildings ordered the people to escape to the
nearest shelter. Shelter? What the hell?
All of a sudden, buildings began to descend, and then shock of all shocks
the face of a building fell open and out stepped a HUGE purple robot, over
300 meters tall. It towered over me, and then began to move. It walked away;
trailing a long gray cord behind it's back. Then it stopped in front of
another building that revealed a scale fitted assault rifle. Then the robot
began to walk away towards the hills.
I was trying to figure out what I had just seen, and then realized that NERV
called the Children Pilots. I thought they meant jet pilots, but than, this
could be far more likely. So if this was true, then that would mean that Rei
might be inside that machine. I decided to follow it, but I would need some
sort of transportation.
Glancing around, I noticed a car, with it's window open, on the side of the
road. Upon closer examination I decided that I could bring it back before
the owner missed it. With my butterfly knife, I cut the ignition panel open, and
then jammed my blade into the resultant opening. Turning the car on, I didn't
really worry about my lack of a license, after all this couldn't be that hard.
Four minor crashes, three rear ends and six stalls later, I finally began on the
track to tail the big purple giant. It wasn't that hard, all I had to do was
follow the footprints. Then over the apartment blocks I could just see
the horn of that big monster, and above that a huge black and white shape
that looked like a spherical blimp. Then, the purple robot turned around the
building and blazed away at the sphere. It suddenly disappeared, and as I
rounded the corner, a black substance began to spread underneath the mecha.
I instantly hit reverse, but forgot to press the clutch and thus stalled the
car.
The sea of blackness began to advance towards me. Already I could see that
the purple giant was in trouble, sinking into the oil like stuff. Then a
huge red robot appeared on the scene, but stood there helpless and its
bullets failed to forestall the sinking purple mech.
I tried to start the car again, but it wouldn't accept my frantic twists, so
I abandoned it and got out. I looked around and realized that I wouldn't be
able to get out so decided that the big red robot with the sign Unit-02
painted on its upper arm, would offer good transport.
Unit-02 was about 50 meters away, but the blackness was coming fast. I began
to run, but I knew I wouldn't make it, then the giant red robot must have
seen me, cause it started moving towards my direction.
As it rushed past, I jumped and dug my knife into a crack in its armor. I
held on as tight as I could, but as it jumped onto the building I fell off,
and plummeted towards the ground. My last thought before I landed in the sea
of blackness was 'shit"
***
Shinji was in his entry plug, curled up into a tight ball, he shivered.
"Damn, I never knew doing nothing could be so exhausting."
He could feel the LCL become steadily staler and once again switched on his
sonar and radar to pick up any movement. As before he registered nothing.
Then, a small, "blip" appeared, then vanished.
The boy stared, hope spring into his mind that something was out there.
Anything was better then this mind numbing monotony. However his optimism
soon faded as he couldn't pick up anything else. He soon returned to
shivering and waited for his fate.
***
As the huge purple Evangelion smashed through the core of the 12th angel,
Rei and Asuka stared in wonder and horror.
"Is that what I'm piloting?!" Gasped a startled Asuka.
Rei on the other hand, noticed something else. Once the huge purple robot
descended to earth, a small form of a boy was astride its horn, hanging
limp, his backpack the only thing keeping him connected to Unit-01.
***
I woke up slowly, my lungs burning, my head a blazing ball of lead. As my
eyes slowly opened, glaring light blasted my eyes. I resisted the urge to
scream, but still let out a moan that signified to my visitor that I was awake.
"You're awake" said a calm female voice.
I turned to face the source of this new and quite painful sound. There stood
a blonde haired lady in a white lab coat. Must be a doctor I decided. She
stood calmly, a clipboard help in the crook of her arm. She flashed a small
smile before approaching my bedside.
"Where am I? What happened to me?" I croaked as loudly as I could. However
my voice came out softer then a whisper. At least she heard me.
"You are in a NERV hospital, inside Central Dogma. As to what happened to
you, I was hoping you could tell me." She turned away, then faced me with a
glass of water. She carefully measured out a measurement of liquid before
handing me the cup.
When I didn't take it, she explained "Painkillers." I slowly drank the cup
and then felt the pain slowly slip away. I swallowed and then proceeded to
whisper what I remembered.
***
When I concluded my story, culminating in a 'then I blacked out" I asked
what happened to that giant purple robot. She looked at me, and then sighed.
"I'm afraid that is classified information." She began to head out, but then
turned her head over her shoulder like some sort of afterthought. "Oh, and
we will be moving your room, we believe it would help Shinji if he recovered
with someone there to talk to.
Shinji? Why did Shinji need to recover?
***
When I next woke up I found myself in a different room. It was white, and
fairly large. Half wall windows covered half of one wall, and there were
only two beds here, mine and someone else's.
I slowly turned my head, it didn't hurt, and saw that Shinji Ikari was
sleeping in the bed adjacent to mine. Well that doctor DID say I would be
here, why would I be surprised? I drifted slowly back into sleep.
When I woke up, I looked over to find that my new roommate was up. He was
looking at me, but tried to hide it when I turned my head.
"Wassup kid?" I asked, more to make conversation then anything else.
"Wassup? Oh nothing much, just your pretty ordinary Angel fight I guess."
His voice sounded so Dead. It was really depressing, this wasn't a topic to
dwell on. Yet I still needed to know.
"So you were in that large purple robot I take it." I tried to sound
nonchalant.
"Yeah, I was," he replied.
"Wow, really? That looked like some cool machine man, and what was that
thing that swallowed you, and me, up? One of those Angels Asuka mentioned?"
"Yeah, it was."
"Hmm, I see what we're up against, so you and Asuka going out or what?"
Shinji looked plain stunned, and then a slow blush appeared on his cheeks.
"No, she wouldn't look twice at me." He looked even more depressed.
"I see, but you two are roommates right? Like you live together right?" I
was pretty sure, from what I saw of Asuka, just what life was like for this
poor boy.
"Yeah, we live together, but she treats me like dirt, and I'm not worthy
enough for a girl like her." I could see that spine enhancement would take a
lot of work.
"Are you kidding man? Back in ISKL, where I learned all my social skills albeit the hard way, a girl would go ten miles for a guy who was kind and gentle. The thing is, they just gotta know you care. That's the true secret of friendship, and it applies even more to girls."
I said this with great confidence, though I didn't feel it. However from my
analysis of the human psyche, I knew that most people bully others due to
some deep-seated insecurity. So I reasoned if Shinji could provide that
security to Asuka, she might just change.
"So what if she doesn't want my care? She thinks I'm a good for nothing
pervert, and even though I'm not, it doesn't seem to matter to her." He
didn't dare hope did he.
"Precisely the point, her reaction to you, is brought about because she
thinks that you will just treat her badly if she opens up, thus if you let
her know that you won't, she will therefore see you in a different light,
and most likely treat you better. It might take a while for her to believe
you, but all you gotta do is show her your heart. Honesty and loyalty are
the two most important values in a relationship, followed by trust and
respect."
"But there is still an element of uncertainty, am I right?" He looked at me
almost accusingly, like I was out to dash his hopes.
"Look, in all of life is anything EVER taken for granted? You of all people
should know that life can change in an instant, that's just the way of life.
If you don't try, then you'll never know, and from what I can tell, no one
wants to reject friendship, they just keep their walls up because of fear. I
was like that once..." My voice waxed eloquent and melancholy. "I waited
only for people to come to me, to talk to me first. For years I remained
friendless, then one guy, taught me that if everyone thought like I did,
then no one would ever reach anyone else."
"But I'm afraid. I'm a coward." Man this kid needed some uppers man.
"No you're not Shinji, anyone who pilots those huge machines against an
enemy that is so different from us, people like that, are definitely not
cowards. Plus, it's only natural to be afraid; you're only human. Just
think deep. What have you really got to lose by opening yourself to her?
Rejection? That isn't more that what you are at now. Seriously man,
consider talking to her."
"You know, maybe you're right, but then again, maybe you're not." Shinji
sounded like he wanted to believe, but he didn't. Like a man who wanted to
taste the waters of a mirage, he still thought that I was wrong. 'God,' I
prayed, 'help this boy, he needs it.'
From what I could see, Shinji was a nice guy, loyal, caring, and he needed a
friend. I decided, that I would help him out a bit there.
"So Shinji, you go out much?" I knew what his answer would be.
"No, not really, just to help Asuka or Misato with shopping, or with a few
guys at school for games. Why?"
I reached over to my clothes that were folded beside me. Inside my hidden
pocket I pulled out my butterfly knife, and also my wallet. I opened it, and
pulled out a laminated with piece of paper, with a few pictures on it. I
showed the card to him.
"This is the Emblem of Kheldar Dagashi, once given it can never be returned.
It is the symbol of friendship and trust that I give to only people that I
know will never betray me, and you are the fastest one ever receive it." I
smiled, and handed him the card.
He hesitated to take it, but then tentatively took it out of my hands. I
continued.
"Look at the back." On the back of the card were printed these words.
The code of Kheldar
Honor for Allegiance
Loyalty for Honesty
Truth for Devotion
Trust for Integrity
He looked at me, eyes wavering between happiness and suspicion. Not saying
anything, I flipped my knife, and then cut a vertical line done my wrist. I
motioned to him and after another brief hesitation he gave me his wrist to slit as
well. I then pressed my wrist to his, and let our blood mingle, in an action
that had survived for eons.
"I know life has been hard for you Shinji, I can see it in your eyes, and
I'm REALLY good at that. But from what I've found, in those three years I
have on you, a good friend makes life a lot easier, so remember, no matter
how big or small the problem, I'm always gonna be there ok?"
"Thanks, friend."
I could see the tears in his eyes, and the happiness that shone there. Poor
kid, to trust so easily, with just those few words. Lucky I was going to
keep 'em, lucky for him that I am just as trusting. People need more Shinji
Ikari's in this world. A whole lot more of them.
***
I woke up, feeling a whole lot better. A turned my head to the bed beside
me. Shinji was sitting up, reading a book, and obviously didn't notice that
I had awakened.
I pulled slightly at the bandage around my arm, it wasn't that deep a cut. I
had done this before, but NOOoo the stupid blonde haired doc had insisted
that we get a bandage. *sigh, what was this world coming too.
I was about to say hi, when the door burst open and Misato Katsuragi walked
in. A very happy Misato, probably over Shinji's recovery, followed by a very
happy Asuka, who was trying to cover it. I smiled, and pretended to be
asleep; I knew I was right, I just KNEW IT.
"Hey Misato, Asuka, am I cleared to go?" he asked, and his voice seemed a
bit lighter.
"Yes you are blockhead, and might I say, don't you ever do anything like
that again ok? That stunt with the Angel, what were you THINKING going off
on your own? Just because you've got a higher sync score..." Asuka looked
like she was going to say more, but Misato cut her off.
"I think he's meant to be getting better, meaning less stress?"
"Well yeah it's just that." And then Asuka gave Shinji the shock of his life
and bestowed on him a quick hug and a whispered phrase I barely caught. "I
missed you." Which of course left Shinji totally confused.
Asuka, quick to cover up her lapse, started going on about his
insubordination and the like as she, Misato and Shinji left the room. Shinji
was the last out, and as he passed the door, he looked back at me, and then
down at the emblem he had in his hand.
"Thanks Khel, I think you may be right after all." He turned to leave.
"Don't mention it man." I said, and I think he heard me, cause he smiled and
left the room.
***
Wow, freedom never felt so good, as I took the train back to Rei's rundown
apartment. When I arrived, it was close to 4 and so I decided to clean up the
place before Rei got back. After, a few glances through my wallet, I
found a very strange plastic card that had my photo on it, as well as the
words NERV ID. I didn't know why I had one of these, but the blonde doc,
Ritsuko, had told me that I could use it to get places and that it had a
credit strip on the back, something about repayment for the blood I lost. I
should have known my room was being watched.
Apparently the good doctor had been observing my talk with Shinji, and that
day had noticed a 4 percent rise in some test score of his or something. I
guess they thought I had something to do with it. Anyway, I wasn't
complaining, and had stopped by at a supermarket to buy some stuff to clean
up the messy apartment.
So there I was, industriously moping the floor, and scrubbing the bathroom
mirror, so intensely that I didn't notice Rei's return until she walked into
the bathroom. Bad slip for a swordsman, I tell you.
"Oh, hi Rei, wassup?" I said, barely stopping from my task.
"Wassup? What is that word?" She sounded both puzzled and curious.
"Well it means, what is up, like me asking how you day was, and how you feel
and all of that." I was patient with her, plus I didn't mind talking, I
didn't always have such interesting topics to discuss around girls, contrary
to what I had Shinji believe, I always was a bit tongue tied around them.
And it got worst the more I knew them.
But Rei was different, she had the ability to make most boys totally
nervous, true, but to me, since she didn't know how I was meant to act, I
felt comfortable just being who I was. No need to pretend, to "fit it" just
to be 100% Kheldar, and relax. I think what is why I stayed here, why this
room gave me such peace, it wasn't that place, with its really annoying
building sounds, nor the view, just another building. No, it was the person.
Rei, thought by many to be just emotionless, to me she was comforting,
relaxing, and I liked that.
"You have cleaned my house." It was not a question.
"Well, yeah I did, you like it?" I wasn't nervous, but I did want her
approval.
"It is not disagreeable." She paused, and looked at me, "what is this
feeling that prompts me to give you something back, that wishes to repay
you?"
She had me, I didn't really know. "Gratitude? That would be my guess. See
Rei, feelings are things that people have to figure out for themselves. You
can't just ask others what they are feeling cause all people are different."
"I see, well then, I think I have gratitude towards you, what should I do?"
I laughed, she looked a bit shocked. "Most people, say thank you. That is
standard response for a gift. However, if someone does something that you really
liked, you could take em out for dinner, or a drink, or if they are a guy, you
could give em a kiss. But a thank you will do for me." And then I grinned. =D.
"Thank you Kheldar, this is most welcome," she said, and then let out one of
her rare half smiles. Just the picture of her eyes closed and her head
tipped to the side, the small smile, all that blazed into my memory; that
was thanks enough.
"You're welcome Rei." I quickly turned back to my task, continuing to
scrub the mirror, my face getting redder.
"Kheldar?" She was curious.
"Ya?" Why was she still there?
"Why's your face red?"
"Oh, um, that's because I'm scrubbing so hard, makes the blood rush to my
face, genetic thing," I stammered, trying to cover for myself.
"I see," she turned around and began to walk to, "than don't scrub so hard."
I blew a sigh of relief, moisture beading on my arms and down my
head. Damn it Josh, control, control. (when I call myself Josh, I'm REALLY
flustered). Then I proceeded to have one of my famous self-conversations,
all in my head of course.
(Josh is the timid, but more intelligent one, Kheldar the cooler, freer
one."
Josh: [Like it's decided, belligerent] She doesn't like us, so what are you
trying to do huh?
Kheldar: [calmly] You don't know that.
Josh: I can guess, can't you tell that she's got no emotions? How could she
like us?
Kheldar: [getting frustrated] Josh, shii man, you always are such a coward, didn't you hear what I told Shinji.
Josh: [warning] There still is that element of doubt. And we have more to
lose then that guy.
Kheldar: [Slightly angry] Hey, he's one of the few now, you will address him
with a bit more respect.
Josh: [with a humph] That was YOUR emblem, the one with the knives and
crosses on it. You didn't give him mine.
Kheldar: [Factually] Well there is only one left of you, after all I did
change in Penang, and that meant a different emblem.
Josh: [Senses he is losing that argument] Back to topic, Shinji is already
at odds with Asuka, he has nothing to lose if he asks her out, just a no,
and then things will be much the same, also we can tell that she likes him.
However for US it's a lot different, Rei is totally emotionless, how the
hell can you read anything through that.
Kheldar: [Getting annoyed] You're just not looking properly.
Josh: Well you're the leader now, so what you propose we do?
Kheldar: (thinks for a second)
Josh: [Totally incredulous] you're not serious!!!
Khelder just smiles
I stepped out of the bathroom. And noticed Rei wasn't there anymore, now
where could she be!?! That girl didn't know anything about common courtesy,
didn't even tell me where she was going. Though I suspected it was to NERV,
so I decided to go visit Shinji.
I left a note for Rei, say that I was going to be back by 8 and that if she
came back after 7:30 to wait for me before eating dinner. Then I left the
apartment, leaving all my weapons except my b-knife behind.
I walked towards the train station, and then took the train the Shinji's
stop, I hadn't been there before, but while in the hospital he had given me
the route, and I was great at taking trains, so I decided I could do it.
I took the elevator to the right floor and the searched for the apartment.
After 2 minutes of scanning doors, I found the right one, and pushed the
doorbell. For minutes I heard nothing, then a soft, "coming" that sounded
like Shinji. The door slide aside and there stood Shnji, who looked like the
world had fallen on his shoulders. Damn it, I knew he had messed up.
"What's with the long face?" I solicitously asked. Please don't say Asuka.
"It's Asuka, she's been in her room all day, saying something about her
horrible sync ratios or something like that." I presumed he was looking in
the direction of her room. "Here come in Khel." I stepped in.
"Oh you mean those tests that Ritsuko was talking about? The ones that you
boosted 4 %?"
He looked a bit sheepish, "Well, on the test before the 12th angel, I had a
higher score the Asuka, and she really cares about these sorta things," he
smiled sadly, "I don't really, but after my 4% boost, I was even higher
above her, so now she's complaining majorly."
We both sat down at the dinner table, where he was eating a bowl of some
sort of noodles, looked like Maggie Mee. Shinji continued to eat, after I
declined some.
"I'm scared, I don't wanna talk to her when she's like this."
I sighed, somehow I knew it wouldn't be so simple. So I decided that I would
talk to her, though fear trembled in my heart, I would do the oldest trick
ever used in High school.
I stood up, "Here I talk to her, maybe she'll open up to someone that she
doesn't know."
I looked hard at Shinji's face, and caught a glimpse of anger, as well as
self-contempt. However against what I hoped, he didn't yell at me and do it
himself, I guess I really did have to do the Dagashi Maneuver.
I walked over to Asuka's room, and paused with my hand on the door, this
wasn't for me, this was for my friend. Therefore retreat was not an option,
death was welcome. Why wasn't I breathing, could one girl scare me all that
much? I opened the door a crack and looked in.
On her mattress, lay a prone Asuka, her body occasionally trembling with
held in sobs. The side of the mattress was to the door, and her back faced
me. I briefly debated announcement of entry or sneaking up on her, and
decided to go for the safer option.
"Hi Asuka." She rolled over and looked at me with tear stained eyes.
"Huh, What are you doing here?" She looked puzzled, and something like hope
sprang into her eyes. I knew what she was thinking, as I knew just how badly
Asuka needed company, however I also realized that if I helped her, there
might not be room for anyone else, and I couldn't do that to Shinji.
"Oh, I just came by to see Shinji, you know check up on him after his
accident, and thought it was polite to say hi." I tried to sound nonchalant.
"Oh," she turned back to face the opposite wall, I was getting worried, I
had to say something, but I didn't wanna risk too much. However my
chivalrous side took over, and I stepped inside.
"So what's been hanging Asuka? You don't look so happy." My voice lilted up,
like I was trying to make conversation.
"Why don't you go and play with your new "friend" Baka Shinji? Why are you
still here?" She sounded dead, like her voice was lifeless.
"Well, it's my duty to comfort the weak.." Oh shit wrong words.
Asuka sprang up so fast, I didn't know how she moved from lying down to
standing up in that instant. "WHO YOU CALLING WEAK?!?!" (picture Ruroni
Kenshin when Kaoru yells at Yahiko)
"GET OUT OF MY ROOM! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!?! GET OUT!"
"Do you really want me to?" I could have rivaled both Rei and Shinji, my
voice quiet like hers, and my head bowed down like him.
The red head just stood there, her eyes staring at me, trying to find
something, while her upraised arm stayed where it was. I turned slowly, and
walked out, but not without saying parting words. I had to salvage
something.
"Shinji would never hurt you." Then I walked out and closed the door behind me.
I could hear sobs coming through the door again, and continued walking till
a set of feet intruded in my view.
"WHAT DID YOU DO?!" said a very upset Shinji, who then grabbed me in a
chokehold and slammed me into a wall. He held me there, as I struggled for
air, and he was 3 years younger then me too.
"You say you're going to comfort her, that you could help me and instead you
make her cry!!" While he was yelling, I did notice Asuka's door open just a
bit. Shinji's fist however brought me back to the current problem, as he slammed
a punch into my stomach.
I doubled over, or tried to, and then my assailant finally realized what he
was doing, he release me and I crumpled to the ground, gasping. He stood
there, eyes wide, breathing hard, then he looked ashamed. "Oh shit, I'm sorry Kheldar, I just felt so angry, and slightly betrayed. I don't know what happened, please,
forgive me?"
To his surprise I began to laugh, or tried to, that guy could really dish it
Out. "Don't sweat it man, if that had been the girl I loved, you'd be dead,
before I realized what I was doing. I'm just lucky you don't carry a knife
on you." Then I winked and grinned.
Shinji looked abash, then he grinned too. However he stopped when Asuka
finally opened her door fully. She stood there, leaning of the doorway for
support, her hair in a huge mess. However she looked like she had just seen
the most precious thing in the world, but didn't believe that it was for
her.
Shinji turned to face her, but stopped short of saying anything. They both
stood there in silence, staring at each other's eyes, him wondering what she
was doing, and she wanting to believe what she had just seen. Since neither
of them seemed to be noticing me, I kinda tried to blend into the furniture.
"Shinji, why did you hurt Kheldar like that?"
Asuka was still looking at him, but he was first to break contact. Crushed that
she would think of me first. He slumped, "Cause he made you cry."
"So you beat up one of your only friends because he made me cry?" asked
Asuka, her voice soft, yet melting, like she was really surprised, but
really happy as well.
Shinji, oblivious to the change in her tone, answered. "Yeah, I did."
"Am I that important to you?" Her tone took on a slightly smoky quality, I
knew I had to get out fast.
Shinji, also noticed this tone, and stood up straight to finally take control of
his destiny and answered her straight to her face. "You are the most important
thing in the world to me. You are all I care about, my reason for even staying
here. So yes, you are."
I wanted to applaud, for those words must have taken so much effort, but I
also desperately wanted to disappear into the ground, so I lay absolutely
still.
Upon hearing those words, the red haired pilot of Evangelion Unit-02,
crumpled to the ground, and began to cry. Shinji, totally at a loss, just
stood there. Suddenly I was behind him, "Don't just stand there, comfort her
you idiot!" I shouted in a harsh whisper. Then I disappeared, out the door,
and walked back towards Rei's Pad. The Dagashi Maneuver never ever failed.
***
For just seconds after Kheldar had left, Shinji simply stood there, his mind
trying to sort out what his blue eyes were seeing. He knew that if he so
much as touched Asuka, he would most likely get hurt, yet is compassion
overcame his fear, and he walked over and crouched down beside her.
"Asuka, why are you crying?" He was genuinely puzzled. After all he had just
told her he loved her, hadn't he?
In response, Asuka threw her arms around Shinji's neck and stayed there,
sobbing her heart out against his shoulder. However Shinji wasn't prepared
for this weight shift, and fell backwards, dragging her with him.
He lay still, Asuka's arms still around his neck, her face still on his
shoulder, her body off to one side as she quietly cried. Slowly, his arms
came up, and settled around her back, ready to move at the slightest hint of
annoyance. Instead, his answer was a squeeze from the German girl, and the
sobs quieted down to sniffles.
***
Pen-Pen came out of his cooled room, to see what all the racket about. He
saw Shinji and Asuka lying there, almost motionless, except for the up and
down of their torsos as they breathed. He sighed, and then walked back to
his room, popping and downing a beer, before going back to sleep wasn't love
grand.
***
"I'm sorry Shinji," whispered the girl on his chest.
"For what?" He asked, puzzled and amazed that Asuka had just apologized to
him.
"For treating you so badly all this time." She said, still facing off to the
side. If she had been looking at him, she would have seen a small smile as
He realized that Kheldar had been right all this time.
"Don't worry, we have each other now, and I love you, nothing will ever go
wrong again." He sounded so confident, Asuka really wanted to believe him,
she really did.
"You really think so?" She asked.
"Well, I'll try and make it so, that's all I can promise." He paused, and
then drew a deep breath. "Asuka...."
"Yes Shinji?" She turned to look at him, and he stopped still staring at her
eyes.
"Um, well, ahh, do you well, do you lo... doyouloveme?" He finished in a
rush.
"Hmm, I don't know." She said with a smirk, and looked away, to hide the
smile on her face.
Shinji stared at the top of her head. She didn't know??!?!? What the hell?
Then he felt her chuckling, and he smile again.
"Very funny, very funny."
They lay there for a while longer, then Asuka finally broke the silence.
"Shinji?" She semi sat up.
"Yeah?" He asked, almost on his way to sleep.
"I love you too." She said, then lay back down on his chest.
"Yeah, I thought so." Replied Shinji and they both smiled.
*A/N
I used Axel's style of writing for the dialouge bits in my head, it's pretty cool and the idea is all his.
My first Angel/Comfort offered
As I walked outside, I covered my ears, trying to block out the wail of the
sirens. The streets were empty, and warning signs flashed around the city.
Signs spread around the buildings ordered the people to escape to the
nearest shelter. Shelter? What the hell?
All of a sudden, buildings began to descend, and then shock of all shocks
the face of a building fell open and out stepped a HUGE purple robot, over
300 meters tall. It towered over me, and then began to move. It walked away;
trailing a long gray cord behind it's back. Then it stopped in front of
another building that revealed a scale fitted assault rifle. Then the robot
began to walk away towards the hills.
I was trying to figure out what I had just seen, and then realized that NERV
called the Children Pilots. I thought they meant jet pilots, but than, this
could be far more likely. So if this was true, then that would mean that Rei
might be inside that machine. I decided to follow it, but I would need some
sort of transportation.
Glancing around, I noticed a car, with it's window open, on the side of the
road. Upon closer examination I decided that I could bring it back before
the owner missed it. With my butterfly knife, I cut the ignition panel open, and
then jammed my blade into the resultant opening. Turning the car on, I didn't
really worry about my lack of a license, after all this couldn't be that hard.
Four minor crashes, three rear ends and six stalls later, I finally began on the
track to tail the big purple giant. It wasn't that hard, all I had to do was
follow the footprints. Then over the apartment blocks I could just see
the horn of that big monster, and above that a huge black and white shape
that looked like a spherical blimp. Then, the purple robot turned around the
building and blazed away at the sphere. It suddenly disappeared, and as I
rounded the corner, a black substance began to spread underneath the mecha.
I instantly hit reverse, but forgot to press the clutch and thus stalled the
car.
The sea of blackness began to advance towards me. Already I could see that
the purple giant was in trouble, sinking into the oil like stuff. Then a
huge red robot appeared on the scene, but stood there helpless and its
bullets failed to forestall the sinking purple mech.
I tried to start the car again, but it wouldn't accept my frantic twists, so
I abandoned it and got out. I looked around and realized that I wouldn't be
able to get out so decided that the big red robot with the sign Unit-02
painted on its upper arm, would offer good transport.
Unit-02 was about 50 meters away, but the blackness was coming fast. I began
to run, but I knew I wouldn't make it, then the giant red robot must have
seen me, cause it started moving towards my direction.
As it rushed past, I jumped and dug my knife into a crack in its armor. I
held on as tight as I could, but as it jumped onto the building I fell off,
and plummeted towards the ground. My last thought before I landed in the sea
of blackness was 'shit"
***
Shinji was in his entry plug, curled up into a tight ball, he shivered.
"Damn, I never knew doing nothing could be so exhausting."
He could feel the LCL become steadily staler and once again switched on his
sonar and radar to pick up any movement. As before he registered nothing.
Then, a small, "blip" appeared, then vanished.
The boy stared, hope spring into his mind that something was out there.
Anything was better then this mind numbing monotony. However his optimism
soon faded as he couldn't pick up anything else. He soon returned to
shivering and waited for his fate.
***
As the huge purple Evangelion smashed through the core of the 12th angel,
Rei and Asuka stared in wonder and horror.
"Is that what I'm piloting?!" Gasped a startled Asuka.
Rei on the other hand, noticed something else. Once the huge purple robot
descended to earth, a small form of a boy was astride its horn, hanging
limp, his backpack the only thing keeping him connected to Unit-01.
***
I woke up slowly, my lungs burning, my head a blazing ball of lead. As my
eyes slowly opened, glaring light blasted my eyes. I resisted the urge to
scream, but still let out a moan that signified to my visitor that I was awake.
"You're awake" said a calm female voice.
I turned to face the source of this new and quite painful sound. There stood
a blonde haired lady in a white lab coat. Must be a doctor I decided. She
stood calmly, a clipboard help in the crook of her arm. She flashed a small
smile before approaching my bedside.
"Where am I? What happened to me?" I croaked as loudly as I could. However
my voice came out softer then a whisper. At least she heard me.
"You are in a NERV hospital, inside Central Dogma. As to what happened to
you, I was hoping you could tell me." She turned away, then faced me with a
glass of water. She carefully measured out a measurement of liquid before
handing me the cup.
When I didn't take it, she explained "Painkillers." I slowly drank the cup
and then felt the pain slowly slip away. I swallowed and then proceeded to
whisper what I remembered.
***
When I concluded my story, culminating in a 'then I blacked out" I asked
what happened to that giant purple robot. She looked at me, and then sighed.
"I'm afraid that is classified information." She began to head out, but then
turned her head over her shoulder like some sort of afterthought. "Oh, and
we will be moving your room, we believe it would help Shinji if he recovered
with someone there to talk to.
Shinji? Why did Shinji need to recover?
***
When I next woke up I found myself in a different room. It was white, and
fairly large. Half wall windows covered half of one wall, and there were
only two beds here, mine and someone else's.
I slowly turned my head, it didn't hurt, and saw that Shinji Ikari was
sleeping in the bed adjacent to mine. Well that doctor DID say I would be
here, why would I be surprised? I drifted slowly back into sleep.
When I woke up, I looked over to find that my new roommate was up. He was
looking at me, but tried to hide it when I turned my head.
"Wassup kid?" I asked, more to make conversation then anything else.
"Wassup? Oh nothing much, just your pretty ordinary Angel fight I guess."
His voice sounded so Dead. It was really depressing, this wasn't a topic to
dwell on. Yet I still needed to know.
"So you were in that large purple robot I take it." I tried to sound
nonchalant.
"Yeah, I was," he replied.
"Wow, really? That looked like some cool machine man, and what was that
thing that swallowed you, and me, up? One of those Angels Asuka mentioned?"
"Yeah, it was."
"Hmm, I see what we're up against, so you and Asuka going out or what?"
Shinji looked plain stunned, and then a slow blush appeared on his cheeks.
"No, she wouldn't look twice at me." He looked even more depressed.
"I see, but you two are roommates right? Like you live together right?" I
was pretty sure, from what I saw of Asuka, just what life was like for this
poor boy.
"Yeah, we live together, but she treats me like dirt, and I'm not worthy
enough for a girl like her." I could see that spine enhancement would take a
lot of work.
"Are you kidding man? Back in ISKL, where I learned all my social skills albeit the hard way, a girl would go ten miles for a guy who was kind and gentle. The thing is, they just gotta know you care. That's the true secret of friendship, and it applies even more to girls."
I said this with great confidence, though I didn't feel it. However from my
analysis of the human psyche, I knew that most people bully others due to
some deep-seated insecurity. So I reasoned if Shinji could provide that
security to Asuka, she might just change.
"So what if she doesn't want my care? She thinks I'm a good for nothing
pervert, and even though I'm not, it doesn't seem to matter to her." He
didn't dare hope did he.
"Precisely the point, her reaction to you, is brought about because she
thinks that you will just treat her badly if she opens up, thus if you let
her know that you won't, she will therefore see you in a different light,
and most likely treat you better. It might take a while for her to believe
you, but all you gotta do is show her your heart. Honesty and loyalty are
the two most important values in a relationship, followed by trust and
respect."
"But there is still an element of uncertainty, am I right?" He looked at me
almost accusingly, like I was out to dash his hopes.
"Look, in all of life is anything EVER taken for granted? You of all people
should know that life can change in an instant, that's just the way of life.
If you don't try, then you'll never know, and from what I can tell, no one
wants to reject friendship, they just keep their walls up because of fear. I
was like that once..." My voice waxed eloquent and melancholy. "I waited
only for people to come to me, to talk to me first. For years I remained
friendless, then one guy, taught me that if everyone thought like I did,
then no one would ever reach anyone else."
"But I'm afraid. I'm a coward." Man this kid needed some uppers man.
"No you're not Shinji, anyone who pilots those huge machines against an
enemy that is so different from us, people like that, are definitely not
cowards. Plus, it's only natural to be afraid; you're only human. Just
think deep. What have you really got to lose by opening yourself to her?
Rejection? That isn't more that what you are at now. Seriously man,
consider talking to her."
"You know, maybe you're right, but then again, maybe you're not." Shinji
sounded like he wanted to believe, but he didn't. Like a man who wanted to
taste the waters of a mirage, he still thought that I was wrong. 'God,' I
prayed, 'help this boy, he needs it.'
From what I could see, Shinji was a nice guy, loyal, caring, and he needed a
friend. I decided, that I would help him out a bit there.
"So Shinji, you go out much?" I knew what his answer would be.
"No, not really, just to help Asuka or Misato with shopping, or with a few
guys at school for games. Why?"
I reached over to my clothes that were folded beside me. Inside my hidden
pocket I pulled out my butterfly knife, and also my wallet. I opened it, and
pulled out a laminated with piece of paper, with a few pictures on it. I
showed the card to him.
"This is the Emblem of Kheldar Dagashi, once given it can never be returned.
It is the symbol of friendship and trust that I give to only people that I
know will never betray me, and you are the fastest one ever receive it." I
smiled, and handed him the card.
He hesitated to take it, but then tentatively took it out of my hands. I
continued.
"Look at the back." On the back of the card were printed these words.
The code of Kheldar
Honor for Allegiance
Loyalty for Honesty
Truth for Devotion
Trust for Integrity
He looked at me, eyes wavering between happiness and suspicion. Not saying
anything, I flipped my knife, and then cut a vertical line done my wrist. I
motioned to him and after another brief hesitation he gave me his wrist to slit as
well. I then pressed my wrist to his, and let our blood mingle, in an action
that had survived for eons.
"I know life has been hard for you Shinji, I can see it in your eyes, and
I'm REALLY good at that. But from what I've found, in those three years I
have on you, a good friend makes life a lot easier, so remember, no matter
how big or small the problem, I'm always gonna be there ok?"
"Thanks, friend."
I could see the tears in his eyes, and the happiness that shone there. Poor
kid, to trust so easily, with just those few words. Lucky I was going to
keep 'em, lucky for him that I am just as trusting. People need more Shinji
Ikari's in this world. A whole lot more of them.
***
I woke up, feeling a whole lot better. A turned my head to the bed beside
me. Shinji was sitting up, reading a book, and obviously didn't notice that
I had awakened.
I pulled slightly at the bandage around my arm, it wasn't that deep a cut. I
had done this before, but NOOoo the stupid blonde haired doc had insisted
that we get a bandage. *sigh, what was this world coming too.
I was about to say hi, when the door burst open and Misato Katsuragi walked
in. A very happy Misato, probably over Shinji's recovery, followed by a very
happy Asuka, who was trying to cover it. I smiled, and pretended to be
asleep; I knew I was right, I just KNEW IT.
"Hey Misato, Asuka, am I cleared to go?" he asked, and his voice seemed a
bit lighter.
"Yes you are blockhead, and might I say, don't you ever do anything like
that again ok? That stunt with the Angel, what were you THINKING going off
on your own? Just because you've got a higher sync score..." Asuka looked
like she was going to say more, but Misato cut her off.
"I think he's meant to be getting better, meaning less stress?"
"Well yeah it's just that." And then Asuka gave Shinji the shock of his life
and bestowed on him a quick hug and a whispered phrase I barely caught. "I
missed you." Which of course left Shinji totally confused.
Asuka, quick to cover up her lapse, started going on about his
insubordination and the like as she, Misato and Shinji left the room. Shinji
was the last out, and as he passed the door, he looked back at me, and then
down at the emblem he had in his hand.
"Thanks Khel, I think you may be right after all." He turned to leave.
"Don't mention it man." I said, and I think he heard me, cause he smiled and
left the room.
***
Wow, freedom never felt so good, as I took the train back to Rei's rundown
apartment. When I arrived, it was close to 4 and so I decided to clean up the
place before Rei got back. After, a few glances through my wallet, I
found a very strange plastic card that had my photo on it, as well as the
words NERV ID. I didn't know why I had one of these, but the blonde doc,
Ritsuko, had told me that I could use it to get places and that it had a
credit strip on the back, something about repayment for the blood I lost. I
should have known my room was being watched.
Apparently the good doctor had been observing my talk with Shinji, and that
day had noticed a 4 percent rise in some test score of his or something. I
guess they thought I had something to do with it. Anyway, I wasn't
complaining, and had stopped by at a supermarket to buy some stuff to clean
up the messy apartment.
So there I was, industriously moping the floor, and scrubbing the bathroom
mirror, so intensely that I didn't notice Rei's return until she walked into
the bathroom. Bad slip for a swordsman, I tell you.
"Oh, hi Rei, wassup?" I said, barely stopping from my task.
"Wassup? What is that word?" She sounded both puzzled and curious.
"Well it means, what is up, like me asking how you day was, and how you feel
and all of that." I was patient with her, plus I didn't mind talking, I
didn't always have such interesting topics to discuss around girls, contrary
to what I had Shinji believe, I always was a bit tongue tied around them.
And it got worst the more I knew them.
But Rei was different, she had the ability to make most boys totally
nervous, true, but to me, since she didn't know how I was meant to act, I
felt comfortable just being who I was. No need to pretend, to "fit it" just
to be 100% Kheldar, and relax. I think what is why I stayed here, why this
room gave me such peace, it wasn't that place, with its really annoying
building sounds, nor the view, just another building. No, it was the person.
Rei, thought by many to be just emotionless, to me she was comforting,
relaxing, and I liked that.
"You have cleaned my house." It was not a question.
"Well, yeah I did, you like it?" I wasn't nervous, but I did want her
approval.
"It is not disagreeable." She paused, and looked at me, "what is this
feeling that prompts me to give you something back, that wishes to repay
you?"
She had me, I didn't really know. "Gratitude? That would be my guess. See
Rei, feelings are things that people have to figure out for themselves. You
can't just ask others what they are feeling cause all people are different."
"I see, well then, I think I have gratitude towards you, what should I do?"
I laughed, she looked a bit shocked. "Most people, say thank you. That is
standard response for a gift. However, if someone does something that you really
liked, you could take em out for dinner, or a drink, or if they are a guy, you
could give em a kiss. But a thank you will do for me." And then I grinned. =D.
"Thank you Kheldar, this is most welcome," she said, and then let out one of
her rare half smiles. Just the picture of her eyes closed and her head
tipped to the side, the small smile, all that blazed into my memory; that
was thanks enough.
"You're welcome Rei." I quickly turned back to my task, continuing to
scrub the mirror, my face getting redder.
"Kheldar?" She was curious.
"Ya?" Why was she still there?
"Why's your face red?"
"Oh, um, that's because I'm scrubbing so hard, makes the blood rush to my
face, genetic thing," I stammered, trying to cover for myself.
"I see," she turned around and began to walk to, "than don't scrub so hard."
I blew a sigh of relief, moisture beading on my arms and down my
head. Damn it Josh, control, control. (when I call myself Josh, I'm REALLY
flustered). Then I proceeded to have one of my famous self-conversations,
all in my head of course.
(Josh is the timid, but more intelligent one, Kheldar the cooler, freer
one."
Josh: [Like it's decided, belligerent] She doesn't like us, so what are you
trying to do huh?
Kheldar: [calmly] You don't know that.
Josh: I can guess, can't you tell that she's got no emotions? How could she
like us?
Kheldar: [getting frustrated] Josh, shii man, you always are such a coward, didn't you hear what I told Shinji.
Josh: [warning] There still is that element of doubt. And we have more to
lose then that guy.
Kheldar: [Slightly angry] Hey, he's one of the few now, you will address him
with a bit more respect.
Josh: [with a humph] That was YOUR emblem, the one with the knives and
crosses on it. You didn't give him mine.
Kheldar: [Factually] Well there is only one left of you, after all I did
change in Penang, and that meant a different emblem.
Josh: [Senses he is losing that argument] Back to topic, Shinji is already
at odds with Asuka, he has nothing to lose if he asks her out, just a no,
and then things will be much the same, also we can tell that she likes him.
However for US it's a lot different, Rei is totally emotionless, how the
hell can you read anything through that.
Kheldar: [Getting annoyed] You're just not looking properly.
Josh: Well you're the leader now, so what you propose we do?
Kheldar: (thinks for a second)
Josh: [Totally incredulous] you're not serious!!!
Khelder just smiles
I stepped out of the bathroom. And noticed Rei wasn't there anymore, now
where could she be!?! That girl didn't know anything about common courtesy,
didn't even tell me where she was going. Though I suspected it was to NERV,
so I decided to go visit Shinji.
I left a note for Rei, say that I was going to be back by 8 and that if she
came back after 7:30 to wait for me before eating dinner. Then I left the
apartment, leaving all my weapons except my b-knife behind.
I walked towards the train station, and then took the train the Shinji's
stop, I hadn't been there before, but while in the hospital he had given me
the route, and I was great at taking trains, so I decided I could do it.
I took the elevator to the right floor and the searched for the apartment.
After 2 minutes of scanning doors, I found the right one, and pushed the
doorbell. For minutes I heard nothing, then a soft, "coming" that sounded
like Shinji. The door slide aside and there stood Shnji, who looked like the
world had fallen on his shoulders. Damn it, I knew he had messed up.
"What's with the long face?" I solicitously asked. Please don't say Asuka.
"It's Asuka, she's been in her room all day, saying something about her
horrible sync ratios or something like that." I presumed he was looking in
the direction of her room. "Here come in Khel." I stepped in.
"Oh you mean those tests that Ritsuko was talking about? The ones that you
boosted 4 %?"
He looked a bit sheepish, "Well, on the test before the 12th angel, I had a
higher score the Asuka, and she really cares about these sorta things," he
smiled sadly, "I don't really, but after my 4% boost, I was even higher
above her, so now she's complaining majorly."
We both sat down at the dinner table, where he was eating a bowl of some
sort of noodles, looked like Maggie Mee. Shinji continued to eat, after I
declined some.
"I'm scared, I don't wanna talk to her when she's like this."
I sighed, somehow I knew it wouldn't be so simple. So I decided that I would
talk to her, though fear trembled in my heart, I would do the oldest trick
ever used in High school.
I stood up, "Here I talk to her, maybe she'll open up to someone that she
doesn't know."
I looked hard at Shinji's face, and caught a glimpse of anger, as well as
self-contempt. However against what I hoped, he didn't yell at me and do it
himself, I guess I really did have to do the Dagashi Maneuver.
I walked over to Asuka's room, and paused with my hand on the door, this
wasn't for me, this was for my friend. Therefore retreat was not an option,
death was welcome. Why wasn't I breathing, could one girl scare me all that
much? I opened the door a crack and looked in.
On her mattress, lay a prone Asuka, her body occasionally trembling with
held in sobs. The side of the mattress was to the door, and her back faced
me. I briefly debated announcement of entry or sneaking up on her, and
decided to go for the safer option.
"Hi Asuka." She rolled over and looked at me with tear stained eyes.
"Huh, What are you doing here?" She looked puzzled, and something like hope
sprang into her eyes. I knew what she was thinking, as I knew just how badly
Asuka needed company, however I also realized that if I helped her, there
might not be room for anyone else, and I couldn't do that to Shinji.
"Oh, I just came by to see Shinji, you know check up on him after his
accident, and thought it was polite to say hi." I tried to sound nonchalant.
"Oh," she turned back to face the opposite wall, I was getting worried, I
had to say something, but I didn't wanna risk too much. However my
chivalrous side took over, and I stepped inside.
"So what's been hanging Asuka? You don't look so happy." My voice lilted up,
like I was trying to make conversation.
"Why don't you go and play with your new "friend" Baka Shinji? Why are you
still here?" She sounded dead, like her voice was lifeless.
"Well, it's my duty to comfort the weak.." Oh shit wrong words.
Asuka sprang up so fast, I didn't know how she moved from lying down to
standing up in that instant. "WHO YOU CALLING WEAK?!?!" (picture Ruroni
Kenshin when Kaoru yells at Yahiko)
"GET OUT OF MY ROOM! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!?! GET OUT!"
"Do you really want me to?" I could have rivaled both Rei and Shinji, my
voice quiet like hers, and my head bowed down like him.
The red head just stood there, her eyes staring at me, trying to find
something, while her upraised arm stayed where it was. I turned slowly, and
walked out, but not without saying parting words. I had to salvage
something.
"Shinji would never hurt you." Then I walked out and closed the door behind me.
I could hear sobs coming through the door again, and continued walking till
a set of feet intruded in my view.
"WHAT DID YOU DO?!" said a very upset Shinji, who then grabbed me in a
chokehold and slammed me into a wall. He held me there, as I struggled for
air, and he was 3 years younger then me too.
"You say you're going to comfort her, that you could help me and instead you
make her cry!!" While he was yelling, I did notice Asuka's door open just a
bit. Shinji's fist however brought me back to the current problem, as he slammed
a punch into my stomach.
I doubled over, or tried to, and then my assailant finally realized what he
was doing, he release me and I crumpled to the ground, gasping. He stood
there, eyes wide, breathing hard, then he looked ashamed. "Oh shit, I'm sorry Kheldar, I just felt so angry, and slightly betrayed. I don't know what happened, please,
forgive me?"
To his surprise I began to laugh, or tried to, that guy could really dish it
Out. "Don't sweat it man, if that had been the girl I loved, you'd be dead,
before I realized what I was doing. I'm just lucky you don't carry a knife
on you." Then I winked and grinned.
Shinji looked abash, then he grinned too. However he stopped when Asuka
finally opened her door fully. She stood there, leaning of the doorway for
support, her hair in a huge mess. However she looked like she had just seen
the most precious thing in the world, but didn't believe that it was for
her.
Shinji turned to face her, but stopped short of saying anything. They both
stood there in silence, staring at each other's eyes, him wondering what she
was doing, and she wanting to believe what she had just seen. Since neither
of them seemed to be noticing me, I kinda tried to blend into the furniture.
"Shinji, why did you hurt Kheldar like that?"
Asuka was still looking at him, but he was first to break contact. Crushed that
she would think of me first. He slumped, "Cause he made you cry."
"So you beat up one of your only friends because he made me cry?" asked
Asuka, her voice soft, yet melting, like she was really surprised, but
really happy as well.
Shinji, oblivious to the change in her tone, answered. "Yeah, I did."
"Am I that important to you?" Her tone took on a slightly smoky quality, I
knew I had to get out fast.
Shinji, also noticed this tone, and stood up straight to finally take control of
his destiny and answered her straight to her face. "You are the most important
thing in the world to me. You are all I care about, my reason for even staying
here. So yes, you are."
I wanted to applaud, for those words must have taken so much effort, but I
also desperately wanted to disappear into the ground, so I lay absolutely
still.
Upon hearing those words, the red haired pilot of Evangelion Unit-02,
crumpled to the ground, and began to cry. Shinji, totally at a loss, just
stood there. Suddenly I was behind him, "Don't just stand there, comfort her
you idiot!" I shouted in a harsh whisper. Then I disappeared, out the door,
and walked back towards Rei's Pad. The Dagashi Maneuver never ever failed.
***
For just seconds after Kheldar had left, Shinji simply stood there, his mind
trying to sort out what his blue eyes were seeing. He knew that if he so
much as touched Asuka, he would most likely get hurt, yet is compassion
overcame his fear, and he walked over and crouched down beside her.
"Asuka, why are you crying?" He was genuinely puzzled. After all he had just
told her he loved her, hadn't he?
In response, Asuka threw her arms around Shinji's neck and stayed there,
sobbing her heart out against his shoulder. However Shinji wasn't prepared
for this weight shift, and fell backwards, dragging her with him.
He lay still, Asuka's arms still around his neck, her face still on his
shoulder, her body off to one side as she quietly cried. Slowly, his arms
came up, and settled around her back, ready to move at the slightest hint of
annoyance. Instead, his answer was a squeeze from the German girl, and the
sobs quieted down to sniffles.
***
Pen-Pen came out of his cooled room, to see what all the racket about. He
saw Shinji and Asuka lying there, almost motionless, except for the up and
down of their torsos as they breathed. He sighed, and then walked back to
his room, popping and downing a beer, before going back to sleep wasn't love
grand.
***
"I'm sorry Shinji," whispered the girl on his chest.
"For what?" He asked, puzzled and amazed that Asuka had just apologized to
him.
"For treating you so badly all this time." She said, still facing off to the
side. If she had been looking at him, she would have seen a small smile as
He realized that Kheldar had been right all this time.
"Don't worry, we have each other now, and I love you, nothing will ever go
wrong again." He sounded so confident, Asuka really wanted to believe him,
she really did.
"You really think so?" She asked.
"Well, I'll try and make it so, that's all I can promise." He paused, and
then drew a deep breath. "Asuka...."
"Yes Shinji?" She turned to look at him, and he stopped still staring at her
eyes.
"Um, well, ahh, do you well, do you lo... doyouloveme?" He finished in a
rush.
"Hmm, I don't know." She said with a smirk, and looked away, to hide the
smile on her face.
Shinji stared at the top of her head. She didn't know??!?!? What the hell?
Then he felt her chuckling, and he smile again.
"Very funny, very funny."
They lay there for a while longer, then Asuka finally broke the silence.
"Shinji?" She semi sat up.
"Yeah?" He asked, almost on his way to sleep.
"I love you too." She said, then lay back down on his chest.
"Yeah, I thought so." Replied Shinji and they both smiled.
*A/N
I used Axel's style of writing for the dialouge bits in my head, it's pretty cool and the idea is all his.