Measure of a Man Chapter 2, an evangelion fanfic

Always

Chapter two

A/N: I'm going to continue and finish it here…

Later, after the speechless moment, they returned home. Asuka knocked on Shinji's door to confirm yesterday's event.

When she entered, she was shocked to see pictures of herself, and also pictures of the evas and angels. Written on the angels were 'I must destroy them.' And on the pictures of her it read, 'I must protect her.' She drifted her eyes away from them and sawShinji holding a picture of her, and gently crying.

This romeo is bleeding
But you can't see his blood
It's nothing but some feelings
That this old dog kicked up

"Shinji?" she said walking up to him.

It's been raining since you left me
Now I'm drowning in the flood
You see I've always been a fighter
But without you I give up

"Asuka?" his face partially lit up, but he frowned again, "You probably think I'm nuts."

"No, I thought you were sweet," she turned his face and looked him in the eye, "But…"

"But what?"

"You don't have to say all those things, i-I, you know I know you're strong."

Now I can't sing a love song
Like the way it's meant to be
Well, I guess I'm not that good anymore
But baby, that's just me

"It's so hard," he looked her deeper in her eyes, "To express my feelings, but you know, letting you know through protection. Because, I'd sacrifice everything for you," his voice grew deeper, "Because, I love you."

She turned away from him and sighed, "Shinji, i-I it's hard, I know. I love you too."

And I will love you, baby - always
And I'll be there forever and a day - always
I'll be there till the stars don't shine
Till the heavens burst and
The words don't rhyme
And I know when I die, you'll be on my mind
And I'll love you - always

His smile widened, "I lovce you too!"

She saw that he hugged her tightly, "But Shinji, why are you like that?"

"Like what?"

"You're so obsessed."

He frowned and stood up next to the pictures.

Now your pictures that you left behind
Are just memories of a different life
Some that made us laugh, some that made us cry
One that made you have to say goodbye
What I'd give to run my fingers through your hair
To touch your lips, to hold you near
When you say your prayers try to understand
I've made mistakes, I'm just a man

"I've loved you for a long time. I wanted everything to be yours. But, it was so hard to get you to notice me. You were liked by every single boy. I wanted to be close to you. But I was afraid."

She continued to watch as he stared and touched the pictures of her. He grabbed one both of them, "I want to hold you close, I want to smell and feel your hair. I want you to understand how much I love you."

He sat next to her, eyes developing tears, "I always thought, you'd ignore me forever, take some one else. He'd do everything I wanted to do, he'd beat me to everything."

When he holds you close, when he pulls you near
When he says the words you've been needing to hear
I'll wish I was him 'cause those words are mine
To say to you till the end of time

"Shinji-kun…" the tears came from her too.

He sat next to her again and held her tight, "Like I've said before, I'd die for you. I'll wipe away your tears, I'd cry with you even. I'd do anything for you," he pulled them apart for a while, "Look into my eyes."

Yeah, I will love you baby - always
And I'll be there forever and a day - always
If you told me to cry for you
I could
If you told me to die for you
I would
Take a look at my face
There's no price I won't pay
To say these words to you

He smiled a sweet smile, and wiped away her tears, "I will always love you, no matter what."

She smiled, and took his hand, "I love you too, and I mean it."

"Are you sure, you promise?"

"Of course."

Well, there ain't no luck
In these loaded dice
But baby if you give me just one more try
We can pack up our old dreams
And our old lives
We'll find a place where the sun still shines

He embraced her again and cried.

"Why're you crying?"

"I'm happy!"

"Really?"

They parted, and she kissed him passionately and tenderly. And they spent the rest of the night, snuggling in the bed.