Evangelion Fan Fiction

The Difference of a Life

By Kraven Ergeist

xxxxx

September 6th, 2015

Two days had passed since the Commander of NERV received an official order to allow the extra-curricular fraternization between First Child Pilot Rei Ayanami and Second Child Pilot Shinji Ikari. Basically, they were allowed to go out, so long as it was done on NERV grounds. That much Yui could control.

"Today's the day, isn't it?" Shinji asked, gravely. He knew he should have been thankful for the being returned what he had almost lost. Never before had he been more appreciative of Rei's company than the past 72 hours.

Yet, for some reason, all he could think about was the impending perdition.

"Today…these 'angel's' are going to attack us…aren't they?"

Rei breathed a deep breath. "Yes."

Shinji nodded, not facing her. It was midnight, and the two of them were atop the lookout point, watching the dark city on what would be their last night of real peace.

"You knew all about it," Shinji asked. "Didn't you?"

Rei swallowed a bitter feeling down her throat. "I did."

Shinji nodded. "I see. You were order not to tell me?"

Rei nodded again.

"God damn it!" Shinji swore. "I can't believe my own mother would make you keep something like this from me! What the hell is she thinking? Keeping secrets…splitting us apart…what's her angle in all this? What's her freaking deal?"

Rei didn't flinch at his harshness. Instead, she offered comforting touch on his shoulder. "Shinji…your mother loves you…and she's doing what she believes in what's in your best interests. Both your parents are."

Shinji nodded. "And yours?"

Rei smiled, almost making a joke. "That I'm not sure about."

Shinji sighed, looking back out at the city. "Nice night, anyway. Probably the last one I'll be able to say that about."

Rei shivered, and pulled Shinji's arm closer for warmth, looking up at the sky. "Do you see Gemini? I've been researching constellations…I think I see it…right…there…"

Shinji smiled. "Gemini…the twins, right? Two bodies existing as one…"

Rei nodded, wrapping herself more fully around him. "Two bodies…"

Shinji turned his attention from the sky to the girl at his side. He watched in fascination as she positioned herself before him, wrapping his open jacket around her body.

Shinji flushed. "Getting awfully close there, Rei…I thought you said you weren't interested in getting romantic."

Rei looked up at him. "This is…romantic?"

Shinji looked away, his face getting red. "I can't think of anything else to call it."

Rei nodded. "I see…it…feels warm…" she nuzzled her head underneath his chin. "Hold me, Shinji."

Shinji did as instructed, delicately clutching her nimble form feeling her trembling body grow ever warmer beneath his touch.

"Perhaps I…" Rei lamented. "Perhaps I, too, have been foolish. You've shown nothing but care and devotion to me, Shinji, and in return, I have only pushed you away. I gave nothing, while you continuously asked for more. And I…I actually had the gall to feel jealousy at Soryu's advances…"

Shinji frowned. "Don't be that way, Rei…you were the only one of the two of us who was smart enough to see what the end would bring. You could see the trouble that would lay in our path had you let me advance further. You did the right thing."

Rei shook her head. "It is no different. I see the exact same troubled times ahead for us. And yet…" she let her arms come out from beneath the jacket interior to clutch his shoulders, turning face to look into his eyes with a desperate plea. "I simply cannot stop."

Shinji leaned forward kissed her deeply as night waned on ever further.

"It looks like trouble awaits us either way, Rei," Shinji smiled.

"It seems as though I have crossed the border now…" Rei muttered, casting back a look of affection, of fear. "I can no longer delude myself. You are more than just a friend to me, Shinji."

Shinji smiled back at her. "I knew that…from the moment I first met you."

Rei rested her head against his chest. "Does this…make us lovers, then?"

Shinji breathed a sigh. "Rei…life's more complicated than that. Yes, you've crossed a border. But don't burden yourself with the stress of love just yet. For now…we should simply enjoy what we have."

Rei sighed. "I suppose love is a bit more complicated. But Shinji…even having never truly experienced what could be called love…I know now that I am at least capable of something close."

Shinji felt another touch from her lips moisten his own.

"Well, well…" came a haughty voice. "What a view, huh?"

Shinji suddenly looked up, breaking the kiss. "Asuka?"

The German red head just sighed. "I figured you two would be up here…didn't think you've be rounding first, but hey, more power to ya."

"Asuka," Rei said, using her first name. "You were right. It was foolish of me to hesitate. You have shown me the truth in this. And you have kept us together even when we ourselves could not. Thank you."

Asuka smiled. "Eh, no sweat. Besides, you two make such a cute couple!"

Shinji blushed. "Come on, Asuka…"

The Third Child smiled. "Lighten up, Shinji. Relax, enjoy yourself. You've got a cute girl on your arm, you're once of the best pilots at NERV, second to me of course, and you've got me for a friend. You should enjoy your good fortune!"

Shinji nodded, going over each in his head. At last, Rei finally accepted him, fully and completely. His position at NERV was questionable, but still nothing to scoff at. And after demonstrating her prowess, Shinji decided that Asuka was possibly the best friend he could ask for.

"You're right, of course," Shinji said, holding Rei close to him. "It's just that…"

Asuka blinked. "What?"

Shinji looked back at the city. "Our fortune…is about to end…"

Asuka found she had nothing to say, and Rei could muster no better. So they just stood there, together and alone, on the eve of a legacy that would outshine the greatest in the world.

Their troubles, for all they stood for, had yet to start.

xxxxx

A/N: To be continued in: "The Difference Of A Life, Book Two: The Sound of a Crying Angel."