A/N: Sort of THE K/S chapter. Or at least the first one. I've got a grand total of three reviews. One was useless crap but the other two were good so I decided to keep writing. I'm updating for you!
Asuka was lying on the floor of her bedroom, textbooks spread around. She had headphones on and was idly doing homework. Misato suddenly slid the door open, standing there with a worried expression on her face. Asuka raised her head. If it wasn't for Misato's obvious distress, she might have been annoyed. "What's wrong?"
"Shinji's been hurt" Misato said. "He arrived at the hospital unconscious."
Asuka sat up a bit, surprise apparent on her face. "What happened?"
"I don't know..." Misato ran off, hurriedly putting on her jacket at the front door. Asuka got up, following her. Misato hopped around, putting on her shoes. "Stay here, Asuka" she said, sternly.
"What! Why should I?" the redhead demanded, folding her arms stubbornly.
"It's late" Misato answered. "I'm Shinji's guardian. You'll see him tomorrow." She hurried out the door. Asuka stood, scowling at the door. She huffed and stalked off.
"Fine."
Shinji could tell Misato was worried for him. As he lay, bandaged in his hospital bed, Misato had pulled up a chair and was sitting next to him. "The wounds aren't too serious" she was saying, her voice quiet and trying to mask concern. Shinji's eyes were downcast as he studied his bruised and cut up body. "Still... taking it easy for a while would be in your best interest."
"I'm such a coward..." Shinji sighed, hurting all over. "How long do I have to stay here, Misato?"
"Just until tomorrow morning" the woman replied. She got up from the chair. "I'll have to leave you for now... Get some rest." She smiled gently at him. "I'll pick you up at 9. Okay?"
Shinji nodded numbly. Misato exited and walked down the hall but he wasn't aware of it. "Misato, where is-" he started, looking up and seeing no one. He blinked and then sighed. Had Kaworu brought him here? He hadn't seen the boy around, but Shinji had been so sure that Kaworu had saved him somehow. How pathetic, he needed to be saved.
Lying back in the bed, Shinji exhaled slowly and closed his eyes. He wasn't too fond of hospitals, but he'd been in them a few times already. For a long while Shinji remained still, looking as though he were asleep. His breathing was calm and even. But then he felt someone touch his arm and he gasped slightly, eyes shooting open. With a rustle, Shinji turned his head and in the darkness, he could see Kaworu standing over him.
Scarcely aware of how he'd gotten in there without making a sound, Shinji felt a confusing wave of emotions over him. His eyes softened and he smiled weakly. "Kaworu..."
Kaworu quietly moved and sat in the chair that Misato had left at the bedside. Shinji struggled to sit up, wincing when he did so. Kaworu's smile could be seen even in the dark. There was a window, after all, and silvery moonlight flooded in to light the room a little. "I didn't mean to disturb you, Shinji..." Kaworu said quietly. "But I wanted to make sure you were alright."
"You really should be at home sleeping right now" Shinji said, frowning a little. "I cause you so much trouble."
"Never" Kaworu answered, shaking his head, silver hair falling across his face. The pale boy raised his hands, looking hesitant at first, then took hold of Shinji's own bandaged hands and lifted them off the sheets. Shinji stared at Kaworu as the boy lifted Shinji's hands to his face and held one against his cheek, closing his eyes. The dark-haired boy's breath caught in his throat. "You never cause me trouble, Shinji..." he whispered.
Shinji was at a loss as to how he could feel so close to the boy. Or how he could be so beautiful. It went beyond Shinji's understanding. It was a feeling that was both confusing and wonderful. It was also wholly unfamiliar. Friendship? Deep friendship? He didn't doubt their friendship. Was it more than that? It felt like it. But he couldn't find a word for it.
"Kaworu..." Shinji sighed. He slid his hands from the other's face and back towards himself. Kaworu leaned over the bed, crawling up on his hands and knees a short distance towards Shinji. Shinji shrank back a bit, eyes wide.
"You have nothing to fear" Kaworu said gently. "There's nothing wrong with allowing yourself to get close to another person. It's the nature of all human beings." Kaworu leaned in slowly, planting a soft kiss onto Shinji's damp forehead, his lips lingering a moment. Shinji felt a flutter in his stomach.
"Kaworu..."
The boy leaning over him kissed his ear. He kissed along Shinji's jaw, sweet little kisses as delicate as flower petals. Shinji's eyes closed. He tilted his head back without realizing it, exposing the curve of his neck. Kaworu claimed it with his mouth.
"Kaworu..."
The soft kisses turned ravenous as Kaworu's teeth gently grazed Shinji's soft skin and his tongue prodded. The boy gently bit Shinji's neck and felt two hands tangle into his hair. "K-Kaworu..." Shinji moaned. "Oh... Kaworu..." He felt Kaworu's hot breath against his skin as he pulled away slowly. Shinji gave a whimper of protest, reaching out for the other. "Please..."
Kaworu sat back a little, his head lowered. "I apologize for that..."
Shinji rubbed his tingling neck, eyes hardening slightly. "Goddamnit! You can't just stop like that!" Kaworu raised his head in surprise.
"You..."
"Liked it?" Shinji finished for him. He looked away, blushing. "I've never been kissed like that before..."
"I just wanted to make you feel better..." Kaworu said quietly. "I feel so strange around you, Shinji. I've wanted to kiss you the moment I met you."
"I don't understand why you've taken such an interest in me, Kaworu. I'm nothing special. I'm not particularly interesting or smart or-" He was cut off when Kaworu's mouth made contact with his. Shinji melted into the kiss and it was over all too soon. "God... Kaworu..." Shinji whispered when the other had parted from him. "You really are weird..."
"I love you, Shinji Ikari" Kaworu whispered. "I think I was born just to meet you."
"Love me if you want..." Shinji replied, sinking back into the bed. "It feels good."
"I should be leaving" Kaworu said quietly, sliding off the bed. "But I'll see you very soon."
Misato arrived in the morning, promptly at 9 to pick Shinji up. The boy was waiting for her in the lobby when she came in. She paid the hospital bill and the two left, getting into the car. As Misato drove, Shinji gazed out the front window.
"You can take a few days off of school to get better" Misato said after a long silence. "...Are you okay?"
"Hm?" Shinji's eyes flicked to her and he managed a nod. "Yeah, I'm just tired I guess."
"Ah. Well I guess you wouldn't have slept all that well in the hospital" she said. "You can rest when we get home. I want you back to feeling 100 percent better."
Shinji couldn't help but feel as if Misato were a mother worrying over him. He smiled slightly at her. "You got it."
The apartment was empty throughout the day. Once Shinji had arrived home and was resting in bed, Misato had to leave. Asuka was already at school. Only Penpen was there to keep Shinji company and the two of them sat on the couch while Shinji boredly flipped through the channels on TV. He couldn't really concentrate on what he was watching. He could only think of Kaworu. Of the kisses, of the previous night. He hadn't dreamed it, that was for sure. The proof was on his neck. But now he was more confused than ever about what Kaworu wanted. He needed to see him again, but injured as he was and confined to his apartment, it could be a few days.
Sighing miserably, Shinji lay back against the couch. "If only he had a phone... or somethin'."
Asuka sat, quite bored, in the classroom at lunch. Everyone was eating and chattering away. The redhead sat alone, picking at her food. She was full on scowling, feeling unease. The sunny day didn't match her mood, however. It was as though nature were toying with her. She happened to glimpse a uniform beside her desk and she raised her eyes, looking at the concerned face of Hikari. The girl took a seat in the desk beside Asuka.
"What's the matter?" Hikari asked.
"Just Shinji..." Asuka grumbled.
"Are you worried about him?"
"So what if I am!" the redhead said, defensively. "Getting himself mugged by a bunch of thugs out in the street. How irresponsible of him to be out so late and by himself!" Her eyes went to Kaworu who sat a few desks further up and his back was facing her. "It's all his fault too! Shinji's been spending too much time with him!"
Kaworu could hear her, but her remarks didn't really affect him. He wasn't eating anything. Rather he was finishing up some homework of his and humming quietly to himself.
When school was dismissed, Kaworu wandered out a bit later than the usual flow of students. He was carrying his violin case and he happened to spot Asuka leaning against the wall of the school and glaring at him. Sensing she had some business with him, Kaworu slowed his walk and then stopped, looking at her. "Afternoon" he greeted, with a nod.
Asuka walked up to him. "You don't even care."
"About what?"
"About Shinji! He got hurt because of you!" Kaworu didn't say anything to that. "I know you're up to no good. If you do anything to Shinji, I'll kill you."
Kaworu flinched, momentarily looking rattled by the warning. Then he forced his usual smile. "I'm not doing anything to hurt him, Pilot Soryu" he said, rather cheerily. "He's a friend of mine."
"Shinji might be stupid, but I'm not!" Asuka growled. "You're getting close to him for a reason! And he trusts you! If you DARE take advantage of that..."
"I'm not taking advantage of anything" Kaworu replied, becoming a little defensive. "I love him."
"You're a liar! Dolls can't love anything, and you're no better than Wondergirl!"
"You love him too..." Kaworu said, as if a realization had come to him.
Asuka stood back, looking surprised. Then she shook her head, furiously. "No! I don't!" She ran off, leaving Kaworu to stand there, watching her. His expression became disturbed and he began walking again.
"...I'm not taking advantage of you, Shinji... I'm not... I really do love you... Don't I...?"
"I'm home!" Misato called, walking into the apartment. Only silence greeted her. Frowning, she surveyed the front room. "Shinji? Asuka?" There was a rustle and then Shinji's bedroom door slid open, a drowsy looking boy peering out at her.
"Hi Misato" Shinji mumbled with a yawn. "Sorry, I was sleeping."
Smiling, Misato went up to him. "How are you feeling? Any better?"
"A little..."
"Is Asuka home too?"
"Asuka?" Shinji asked. He frowned a little. "I thought she was coming home with you."
Misato looked slightly worried. "She hasn't come home yet?" She looked at the clock. "It's 11, pretty late to be out by herself. Do you have her friend's number? Hikari?"
"I think..." Shinji walked out into the hall, going into Asuka's room. After rummaging through her things, he retrieved a slip of paper from her backpack. "Here."
Misato phoned Hikari's house, apologizing for disturbing them so late. She stood in the kitchen. Shinji remained in the hallway, listening to Misato talk. "Yes... yes. She's not? Do you know where she might be? Okay... okay. Sorry. Goodnight." She hung up, biting her bottom lip. "Not there. And Hikari said she doesn't know where Asuka might be."
"That's weird..." Shinji mumbled.
"It's dangerous for a girl her age to be out at night by herself. I'm going to look for her." Misato's jaw was set and nothing could sway her. "I'll take my cell phone; call me the second she comes home."
