Because of circumstances well within my control, I am writing this chapter too. That means pure, uncensored—Bleep—. Yay! Happy Birthday Spastic Sugar-High remix!
Disclaimer: …and Anno said, "Layra does not own Eva." And behold, Layra did not own Eva, and Anno saw that it was legal…
-Layra, 3.1.3-4
Fourth Impact:
Chapter 53: Sweet Sixteen
Adamu woke up groggily. Yay. Birthday. The one day of the year where Lilliko's one-hour seniority was flaunted and abused.
"Morning, younger brother!" chirped Lilliko through the wall. "How's it feel to be sixteen?" They were both a bit upset. Lilliko because since everyone had returned to Tokyo 4, Takoru had been sleeping at his family's house, and Adamu because he had woken up and the world still existed.
"It feels like it was to be fifteen. Too much work and not worth the effort."
He could hear Lilliko's chuckling. "Well, you'll feel much better about being sixteen by tonight, I promise."
He slid out into the streets and wandered toward the park, where Misato was sitting beneath a tree reading. She looked up, then bounced into his arms before settling him against the tree and using him as a backrest.
"What are you reading?" he asked. She showed him the cover. "Sky and Shadow. Any good?"
She nodded. "One of the main characters really reminds me of you. He's shy, and sweet, and he doesn't understand a thing about human emotion."
Adamu blinked. "Thank you for the analysis. I'll have to read the book sometime."
Misato grinned. "Be careful, though. The author must have had a lot of issues, because some parts of the book make no sense, like the part about how babies should be born in artificial wombs to prevent sexism and homophobia."
(AI: Just in case you're wondering, this is a plug. A shameless plug. A very big shameless plug, like the one in Drey-chan's—erk.
Drey-chan: *one hand on Layra's braid* you can stop right there, Layra-chan.
Layra: sorry. I forgot that you're still alive. Anyway, the story is Sky and Shadow, by DreyonLegacy, and might get posted on FictionPress if we get enough requests. It's quite interesting to see how far anti-bigotry will go.)
Adamu blinked again. So far his birthday had gone from bad to strange. But Misato was sitting in his lap, and he had his arms around her, so it wasn't too bad anymore.
"You have it all?" asked Lilliko. Takoru nodded, showing it to her. "Good. Tonight, Adamu will get the best birthday present anyone's ever gotten."
Takoru laughed. "It all depends on how far he's willing to take it."
Lilliko snickered. "Well, if my brother inherited anything from father, that won't matter." Rei always had a dreamy smile on her face for a reason.
Takoru took Lilliko's hand, rubbing the ring on her finger. "And what do you want for your birthday?" he asked.
"Remember what you said you wanted for your sixteenth birthday?" she asked. He blinked. "Remember, what you said to your mother?" He nodded. "That's what I want."
He looked thoughtful. "I don't know. I mean, I'm not so sure you'd enjoy the spot between your legs as much as I would…" She glared at him, then bopped him on the head.
"You idiot. You know what I want."
Misato looked up at the shelf, wondering. What could she give him that could possibly rival what he gave to her?
There were few things that he wanted. As far she knew, the list consisted of: her, shelter, food, the welfare of his family, her, sleep, some time to himself, her, the occasional meaningful conversation, her, and his fiancée. Everything else he didn't really care about.
Then she saw it. Perhaps…Actually, that would be a good present for both of them. She grinned, imagining a possible future for them all…
Adamu looked up at the clock. He had only a few more minutes of freedom until the party started. Once again a huge party was being organized, only this time without the secrecy and ridiculousness of Misa-chan's birthdays.
His present to his sister lay in the corner of the room, wrapped in bits of paper that she had used in pranks on him at some point. He had surprised himself when he bought the gift, though he suspected that the people at the store had been even more surprised, both when he bought it and when he had used NERV credit to buy it with.
Then he heard it. The dreaded doorbell. He stepped out of his room to make the obligatory greeting and spotted his sister flying through the doorway into a pair of black-clad arms. Several passionate kisses later, she pulled back and led the Suzuharas to the lounge. Adamu caught up with them there, and was immediately claimed by Amika as her chair and ride around the house.
The Ikaris arrived soon afterward, and Adamu was a bit more enthusiastic to greet them.
Misa smirked.
"I leave you alone for one day and you've already got another girl in your arms." She remarked. Adamu blushed and Amika looked at them slightly confused. He put the four-year-old down and took Misa into his arms, bending her back for a very long, drawn out, and very dramatic kiss. He even chose to ignore the whistling coming from his sister and her fiancé. And the whistling from Touji, and Asuka, and the chuckling coming from the other parents.
He let up when Misa started moaning, though. That only brought forth another round of whistling and laughing. Misa pouted at him.
"I know that you're the birthday boy and what you want goes, but it's not polite to break off like that when your girl is just starting to really get into it."
He blinked, and she giggled at him. "Don't worry, I'm just kidding." She brushed past him to get at the food and to place her present on the pile of other presents.
They were all slightly tipsy by the time that they decided to open the presents. From their parents they got new weapons, a brand new Splinter Sword for Lilliko, and a glaive with a blade made from another Splinter for Adamu. From Misato, the twins got videos of their battles and many other incidents that a drunken Misato had deemed video worthy, including Lilliko's and Takoru's mutual proposal and the four of them on stage 'singing.' From the bridge bunnies, movie tickets and restaurant reservations ("For those special nights with your loved ones." Maya told them with a wink.) From Misa, they got the beginnings of a recording studio.
"I loved what you for my birthday. You guys should put out a record." She told them. "I'd definitely listen to it." She didn't mention that as another present for Adamu, she would be staying the night. That went without saying.
Lilliko laughed and grabbed the girl in a hug. "What do you mean, 'you guys?' If we ever do that, you're going to be our lead singer!"
Then it was time for the twins to give each other presents. As always, Lilliko received hers first because 'I'm older than you, so it's more my birthday than yours.' Adamu didn't care enough to protest.
Adamu got his sister an incredible blue kimono, done in the finest silk with embroidery everywhere. Lilliko accepted with a delighted squeal and brought it up to her room without finding out about the sheer lace teaser outfit hidden inside.
As for Takoru and Lilliko, "Lilli-chan, can you help me get our present for Adamu ready?" he asked. She nodded. "I'll need your help too, Misa-chan." Misa nodded and followed them out. An indignant squeak found its way to the people still in the lounge. Then, several tense minutes later, the three returned. Or rather, Takoru and Lilliko returned, carrying Misa. Everyone but Shinji and Adamu burst out in raucous laughter at the sight. Misa had been bound and gagged with red gift ribbon, and was wearing nothing but more ribbon wrapped about her in the appropriate places like a mummy's bandages. An intricate bow lay upon her bosom, completing the ensemble. She was struggling, but unable to get herself free…at least without losing her skimpy covering.
"Happy birthday, dear brother." Lilliko said with a smile, handing him the gift-wrapped girl. "Would you like to unwrap your gift now, or do you want to wait for later?"
He glared at her and Takoru. "Whose idea was this?" he asked. The two pointed at each other innocently. "I mean it."
"It was my idea." Takoru confessed. "Don't you like it? It's not everyday that you get a girl all trussed up and helpless like that." (AN: See? Even Takoru the idiot knows how much value there is to a helpless, tied up girl. Drey-chan, on the other hand…)
With a final glare Adamu picked Misato up and carried her up the stairs to his room, once again to a chorus of whistling. This time several resounding slaps echoed from below. He lay her on the bed and studied the outfit for a few moments, then cut through the gag and bonds.
"When I get my hands on those two…" she began.
"Please, I want to kill them. It's my birthday." He told her. She nodded. "Where are your clothes?"
"In the closet. Takoru stuffed them in there while Lilliko was wrapping me up." He nodded and left. After a moment of waiting she followed, careful not to disturb the ribbons too much. She knew that the bow was the only thing holding her costume together, and that it was very fragile.
She had made it as far as the stairs when Adamu intercepted her.
"Actually, could you stay like that?" he asked. She let out an indignant yelp. "Please, just to show my sister and Takoru that you don't care. Besides, it looks nice."
"Nice?" she demanded. "It's a second skin! The only thing it doesn't show is the color of my—" she cut herself off as she realized that everyone could hear. Adamu smirked, picked her up again and brought her downstairs. He placed her in a seat beside him and glanced at his sister, who was looking at him with a raised eyebrow.
"A dance, milady?" asked Takoru suddenly. They could hear the music rising, a guitar and a soft voice. The Nagisas as a whole froze in place.
That song…
…Yet if I couldn't laugh,
I'd have to cry,
Knowing that I only listen
When you scream.
But even if life is cruel to us,
You don't have to hurt yourself
To make it easier for me.
I understand what you are going through
And I love you just the same.
Adamu found himself in Misa's arms, swaying slowly to the music. She lay her head against his chest, the bow pressed between them. A meter away, Takoru and Lilliko were in the same position, though neither couple noticed the other. Nor did they notice the rest of the guests slowly slipping away. To them, the entire world consisted of the Angel in their arms.
The four of them danced, for how long they could not say. It was all over. The battles, the pain, everything was over and life was back to normal. A loved one in their arms, and joy in their hearts.
Finally Adamu leaned down and kissed Misa again. She leaned into him and wrapped her arms firmly about his neck. Then he realized that Lilliko and Takoru were gone. He could hear the constant heartbeat in the back of his mind…Wait, that's Misa-chan's heartbeat…He smiled, then picked up his fiancée bridal style and carried her up the stairs and into his room.
They lay down and settled in for bed. Just before she fell asleep, though, Adamu leaned forward and tugged at the end of a ribbon coming from the bow with his teeth. The ribbons burst off, leaving Misa nude and blushing. He himself was wearing nothing but a pair of shorts, and now that he was sixteen…
(AN: Stop drooling…stop drooling…Bad Layra, bad!)
But he only kissed her then lay his head against her bare bosom and fell asleep. Misa let out a sigh of relief…or frustration…
AN: Well, now I know what to get for Drey-chan's birthday… Now where did I put that chunk of the Lance of Loginus…
As for all the romantic physicality? Another quirk of Drey-chan's, who believes that nudity should be romantic, not sexual. Silly Drey-chan.
BTW, that song that Yuma-chan loved so much, that's not actually a song, sorry to say. It is really just a bunch of quotes from Drey-chan's other stories, with little bits to join them together. Oh well, I think you've gotten enough of Drey-chan's strange taste in music, and muses, and museums, and muskrats…
Thanx for the review, Vibious. Mmm…college…Too bad it's usually hard to tell how old the author is. Maybe that's good, actually…
*Whispering* You know, Drey-chan, I'd hate to be the one to tell ChibiIchigo that there is only one more chapter after this…
Just kidding! Maybe.
And ShinjiTheStampede, Drey-chan is way too modest to accept such effusive commentary, but I'm glad that someone finally recognizes my greatness! All Hail Layra, Queen of the Universe!
Uh-oh. Drey-chan's back. The Queen of the Universe is going to go hide for a while, all right?
And remember everybody, it is better to give embarrassing presents than it is to receive. Though a present like the one Adamu got from his sibling/in-law…
Anyone got some ribbon?