Evangelion Fan Fiction
Never Tell Me The Odds
By Kraven Ergeist
A/N: I don't own Evangelion. Evangelion, on the other hand, seems to have pretty solid ownership over me…
xxxxx
Chapter Two
Shinji gave a quiet grunt of pain, before looking up at Misato's bewildered face.
"Oh…" he muttered. "Um…hi, Misato. Hope we're not home too late."
Misato, for her part, just blinked. "Oh…uh, no, you're right on time, actually."
Maya, currently played on top of said boy, just blushed. "Major Katsuragi! This isn't what it looks like! We were just in the middle of saying goodbye when the door opened out from behind, and we both just…uh…fell in."
Misato nodded. "I can see that. You alright, you two? Can I get you anything, Maya?"
Maya shook her head as she and Shinji, both red as roses, got to their feet. "Oh, no thank you, major, I'm fine. We both ate plenty tonight."
As Misato busied herself removing the recycling bag, Shinji leaned over to Maya. "You alright?" he whispered.
Maya nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks."
"That was way too close," Shinji cringed.
Maya inhaled. "Tell me about it."
Shinji saw Misato making her way back, and bowed a bit too overtly to Maya. "Ahem…well, thank you for dinner tonight, Maya, it was…really enjoyable."
Maya blushed, catching on and bowed back. "Oh…you're welcome, Shinji. Glad you enjoyed it."
Shinji smiled. "Guess this means I'll have to return the favor some day."
Maya blushed, eying Misato. "Um…no, no, I don't want you to feel obliged to-"
"No, no," Shinji winked. "Fair's fair. Misato? We can fit Maya in for dinner tomorrow, can't we?"
Maya blinked, confused. What would be the point of having dinner with Shinji if his guardian was present? But Shinji had recently seen Misato's schedule – both she and Asuka would be busy that night.
Right on cue – "Actually, tomorrow night I'm busy, so…"
"That's fine," Shinji nodded. "We got through this evening unsupervised, I'm sure we can get through another."
Misato couldn't help but notice Maya's blush. "Well…alright…"
Shinji smiled. "Good. Then it's settled. Maya, tomorrow then? I'll cook."
Maya nodded, bowing again. "I'll be here. Thanks Shinji. Good night!"
Shinji bowed back. "Night, Maya."
Maya left and Misato closed the door. Taking a deep breath, the woman faced her charge, her mind full of suspicions. "Alright…what's up with you and Maya?"
Shinji blinked, shrugging. "I don't know. What is up with me and Maya?"
Misato pouted. "Don't try to pull the wool over my eyes, Shinji – there were some pretty wacky vibes going on back there. Something's going on between you two."
Shinji cringed. "It's not what you think! Maya and I just get along well together. I guess it's because we're both so shy, but…I don't know…I just…really feel comfortable around her. We're like…kindred spirits or something."
Misato frowned. "Listen…I know you could use all the social help you can get…but don't let this get carried away."
Shinji held up his hands, defensively. "Honestly, it's nothing!"
Misato sighed. "Whatever. It's time for bed anyway."
Shinji nodded. "Good night, Misato."
Misato sat down at the kitchen table, still perplexed by the whole deal. Shinji never acted so secure, even when something wasn't up. What was going on?
Shinji hadn't made it five steps before Asuka planted herself squarely in his path. "Alright…what's up with you and Maya?"
Shinji sighed.
It was going to be a long night.
xxxxx
Maya got home and locked the door behind her. There she stayed for a good while in the dark, leaning against the shut door, her mind ablaze with guilty pleasures.
He was fourteen for God's sake! Since when had she become such a pedophile?
Frantically, she went over every possible reasons she could think of. How had she lost control of herself like that? How could she even think of getting romantic, not only with a minor, but a co-worker and Eva pilot whose job consisted of saving their lives every so often?
Maya felt her cheeks alight as he remembered back to his blushing face. Relationships in the past had never been very…mutual for her. Usually, her love interests were strong-minded individuals content to have their way with her. Shinji, however, was a whole different story.
Though he lacked the flare, wit, and interest level of many of the boys she had developed crushes for in her school days, he was honest, thoughtful, generous and caring. More than anyone she ever knew, she felt like she could trust him.
That was it – past mistakes had caused her to lose faith in men altogether. But Shinji…
Maya collapsed to her knees, remembering that kiss. It just felt so…devious. He was just too innocent and adorable to be doing things like that, and here she was, taking it away one bite at a time. The look of fear in his eyes mixed with his confused inexperience had ignited something carnal inside of her.
All those years of being the hunted in the game of love, now all of the sudden, she could be the hunter. Suddenly, here was a boy who wouldn't make catcalls, flip her skirt or grab her ass when she wasn't looking, and overall, just wasn't a total sleaze! Instead, he was timid, simple, pure and innocent. Ripe for the taking.
Maya swallowed hard, making her way to her feet, slowly prodding to the kitchen. Where had these feelings come from? Since when had she been so…aggressive? Was it all just built up after years of self-containment? Had she been repressing her inert need for sexual conviction?
Taking a dish of ice cream, she went out to her sofa and flopped on top, flipping on the TV. The box became a blur of lights and sound as Maya delved further into her situation.
How would this work out? How could this work out? Shinji had made it clear that he was willing to continue this. And if Maya had never given herself anything her life, she felt that she deserved this. The way she felt about the boy rivaled any passion she could recall – even her hero-worship of Dr. Akagi.
But what of their job? The law? Their lives? This went against every taboo society had a say in. If, if, she were 18, or better still, 16, she might get away with it in the eyes of the judicial system. But even that wouldn't save her from the degrading humiliation from the staff at NERV and the general public. And here she was, a 23-year-old bridge bunny, getting the jitters over a 14 year old.
It was laudable! NERV would never approve, the Tokyo-3 magistrate would never approve, most people they ran into for the next 4 years at least (A generous number to presume to be the amount of time their relationship could last under such pressure) would never approve.
But how could she stop? Maya credited herself with, if nothing else, a sturdy ethic and average will power. But as principled as she could claim to be, she did not think it was within her power to not go through with this. Even if she decided, right then and their, that the relationship had to end, she could feel her legs turning to jell-o at the mere thought of kissing the Third Child again.
Switching off the TV, discouraged to find her ice cream bowl empty, Maya whined in the dark apartment.
"What am I supposed to do?"
xxxxx
Shinji made it to school that day after receiving a total of three painful beatings from Asuka for "zoning out" and "not paying attention." Why she was so concerned over where his attentions lay was a mystery to him, however, her observations were right on the mark.
Shinji barely even saw what was in front of his face he was so lost.
Here he was, a child of 14, and he was actually thinking of getting involved with a 23-year-old woman. An adult, and elder, and a co-worker. Shinji didn't know which was less believable – the fact that Maya was offering herself, or the fact that he was actually considering.
"At least she's nice to me," Shinji thought out loud.
Asuka's renewed demands for further information went unnoticed by the boy (resulting in more painful bruises) as he suddenly realized that, comparatively speaking, this was the only girl he actually stood a chance with at the moment. Which was pretty pathetic, since odds were against him with the age gap.
Asuka was harsh and violent, and had made it perfectly clear that she didn't offer herself to anyone, save for a particular sometimes NERV employee. Rei, though polite and unbiased, tended to ignore him, and never responded in a way he could anticipate. None of the girls in his class seem to have any interest, and he honestly couldn't see a relationship brewing for anyone his age that he knew. As for those outside his age group however…
"For the last time, you idiot, stop spacing!" Asuka yammered. "It's freaking me out!"
That last jab was accompanied by an actual jab to the shoulder, knocking Shinji off balance. "Sorry…"
Shinji tuned her out as she continued her drone about him always apologizing, and he kept thinking.
Who would he rather be with? The epitome of loud and proud? The stoic militant? Or the perky older woman who made him salted sea bass and drove him home and kissed him goodnight?
Though the idea brought about more problems and complications than he could fathom, there just didn't seem to be any other preferable option.
You still don't know if someone didn't put her up to this, Shinji reminded himself, smart enough by now to think with his thoughts, not with his mouth. This could very well be one of Misato's tricks. Or maybe Ritsuko – trying to raise my sync level by raising my sprits? Or Kaji, perhaps? That would be his style…
Shinji had always thought himself not to hope for better. If something appeared to be cruel, painful, sad or poor, chances were that this was exactly the case. But somehow, he still allowed himself to hope. That maybe, just maybe, Maya was telling the truth.
"Some of us actually go out with guys because we like them…" she had said.
Was that true? Did she really…like him? What was there to like? How could she, this stunningly beautiful, superbly friendly, well cultured, and such an outstanding kisser…
Dear God, he was falling for her at that very minute!
He touched his lips, remembering back to that night. Who else would ever make him feel that way?
"Alright, alright!" Asuka hollered. "You've been tight-lipped all morning! What the hell's going on with you!"
Shinji looked up, snapping out of his daydream. "Huh? Oh, just little out of it today, that's all."
"That's a load of crap," Asuka said, standing firmly over his desk. "You've been moping around like a love-sick puppy dog! Now spill it! What happened with you and Maya last night?"
Shinji cringed. "Nothing really…happened. We ate dinner…we watched an old Kurosawa movie…she drove me home…that was it."
Asuka leered. "No romantic interludes whatsoever, huh? No wandering eyes or hands? No goodnight kiss?"
Shinji sighed, minding his discretion. "Um…no? I mean it's not like we're trying to be romantic or anything, you know? She's a co-worker and an older woman to boot."
Asuka rolled her eyes. "Something tells me that wouldn't stop the two of you."
Shinji shook his head. "Even if we were, it was our first date. I mean…I've never really been "out" with a girl before. Asuka, you've been on dates before, right? Do you think I should have kissed her?"
Asuka forced her stomach not to state its opinion, holding her gag reflex long enough to gawk. "I think you're twisted little boy for even thinking about it! I mean, lusting after me is one thing – with a body like mine, who wouldn't? But an older woman? And besides, what could she possibly see in you?"
Shinji sighed, turning away. "Yeah. Who'd ever want a worthless little nobody like me, huh?"
Asuka glared. "There you go again, feeling sorry for yourself! I swear, Third Child, you drive me crazy!"
Shinji gawked. "What the…how do you go from putting someone down one minute, and telling them not to feel sorry for themselves the next?"
Asuka smirked. "You were supposed to shrug it off, Shinji! Everyone around you goes through life taking jabs and barbs, and they don't let it get to them. You let everyone around you influence how you think and feel about yourself! Stop letting other people control you, Shinji!"
Shinji blinked. "Including you?"
Asuka nodded. "Why do think I keep trying to put you down? It's for you own good, dip wad! It's for you to build up resilience to insults and injuries. That, and it's good way for me to relieve stress. Think of it as a kind of training."
Shinji blinked again. "Oh…uh…thanks?"
Asuka smiled. "No prob. Now, about my lunch…"
Shinji offhandedly handed her one of two bento boxes from his bag, as he reviewed this new piece of information.
Though he had never before connected the dots, once he heard it straight out from Asuka, he realized that she was absolutely right. In fact, almost nothing he did was of his own volition. He piloted Eva because he was told to. He went to school because he was told to. He put up with Asuka's ranting and Misato's slovenly living because that's the life he was given. Even his taste for music, which he picked up from his uncle whose radio at their old home played classical music religiously, and his playing the cello, when his teacher recommended a musical instrument as a healthy extra-curricular activity…next to nothing he could think of in his entire was there because of self-motivation.
And going back to Asuka's original question, Shinji was now truly lost. After all, what could he, a pitiful, listless, unmotivated jerk like him, ever hope to give a woman like Maya?
xxxxx
Sync testing for NERV that day was – in a word – awkward.
Maya's eyes, whenever they weren't focused on the panel before her, were fixed on the pilot's view screens. This wouldn't have been so misplaced if Shinji didn't keep sneaking glances in Maya's direction, causing her to turn away, blushing. She told herself it wasn't out of any shyness, that if people saw them looking at each other, it would arouse suspicious, but she couldn't even convince herself of this.
Eventually, she gave up the endeavor, content to speak to him after tests.
"Third Child's sync rate has dropped by two points," she heard Makoto report.
Immediately, Maya looked up at Shinji, who's face was a look of hope and sadness. In an instant, Maya realized that refusing to look at him must have came off seeming apathetic to the frail hearted boy. She let herself smile, trying her best to reassure him that everything was all right between them.
"Wait…" Shigeru Makoto reported. "Third Child's sync rate has increased…it's seven…eight…nine points higher than his previous best."
Maya threw Shinji a helpless shrug, before returning her focus to her job. She hoped that Shinji got the message that she wasn't not paying attention to him because she didn't want to think about him anymore, but because she had a job to do, and that they were both immersed in crowds of coworker's whose sole source of entertainment was the juicy rumors that spread through the grapevine.
Thankfully, Shinji's sync rate remained stationary throughout the remainder test.
xxxxx
Maya discreetly waited within view of the changing rooms. She had marked each Child's entrance into their vicinity, and then, fifteen minutes later, Rei emerged, fully clothed. Then, five minutes later came Asuka. A few more minutes passed, but Shinji never came out.
"Maya…?" she heard a faint whisper call out.
She blinked, stepping up next to the closed men's room door. "Shinji?"
"Have Asuka and Ayanami gone yet?"
Maya stifled a giggle. "Well…they might have…"
"What do you mean?"
"I just got here," she lied. "I have no idea where they are."
"Great," Shinji's voice muttered from behind the door. "I was…hoping to talk to you…about something."
"Well…" Maya smiled, lecherously, glancing to see if anyone was around. "I could always come in there with you, you know? You're the only guy in there after all."
Maya had to stifle a laugh as she imagined Shinji's rose-red face on the other side. "Umm…well…I don't really see how – gah!"
The sudden expletive was due to Maya quickly opening the door, entering the men's changing room, before closing the door behind her.
"Um…Maya…?" Shinji muttered, facing his coworker. "Are you…sure this is a good idea?"
Maya shrugged. "Why not? No one else is here, and we're not doing anything perverted in here – sorry, if I got your hopes up, I'm not ready to go that far yet."
Shinji flinched, hanging his head, ears burning. "I wasn't! I swear, I didn't think we'd be doing that!"
Maya couldn't contain a laugh this time. "Relax, Shinji! I was kidding! I was only kidding."
Shinji slowly worked up the courage to bring his face up again.
"About the 'not ready' part, that is."
A falsetto "eep" escaped Shinji's mouth, as he cringed again.
"Kidding! Kidding!" Maya yelped. "I'm sorry, Shinji, but you're just so fun to tease!"
Shinji grunted, a look of annoyance plainly readable. "It's not really fun for me, you know?"
Maya cringed back. "Sorry…now, you said there was something you wanted to talk to me about?"
Shinji blinked. "Huh? Oh, yeah…I was just wondering…if we were…still on…for tonight…"
Maya smiled. "As far as I know. Why, did you have other plans?"
Shinji held up his hands. "No! No! I just wanted to make sure that you didn't!"
Maya let out a giggle. "Of course not, Shinji." She put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I'm having dinner over at Shinji Ikari's place – those are my plans for tonight."
Shinji was about to reply, before he felt a light kiss steal the words from his mouth.
"I'll be there at seven, okay?" Maya chirped, opening the door to leave.
"A…alright!" Shinji managed to get out before she disappeared.
xxxxx
As Misato got on her jacket as she was getting ready to leave for night duty, she looked skeptically at Shinji as he fried some fish on a skillet over the burner at the Katsuragi residence. Though she appreciated the odoriferous scent emanating from the pan (almost wishing to stay home in order to try some), Misato remained apprehensive about the true nature of the intended get together.
"So, what time does your 'date' arrive?" Misato prodded, teasingly.
"Uh…seven," Shinji gulped. "And it's really not like that, you know?"
Misato nodded, pretending to believe him. "Right, right…"
Shinji bit his lip. How long was he going to keep pretending that there was nothing romantic about what he and Maya were doing? She had kissed him – twice. That hardly qualifies as unromantic. Shinji sighed, as he watched Misato step towards the door. Deep down inside, he wondered whether or not she already knew.
"I'll be on my cell if you need me," Misato said. "Asuka's out tonight, so you've got the place to yourself." Throwing him a stern glance, she sighed. "Be good."
Shinji blushed. "R-right! I mean, uh…come on, Misato, when have I ever let you down?"
Misato smiled. "Alright, I trust you, Shinji. Say hello to Ms. Ibuki for me."
Shinji nodded, looking back at his dinner. "I will."
Misato left the house silent.
xxxxx
About a half hour later, Shinji had just about finished.
"And…let's see," Shinji looked around the apartment. "Looks clean enough. Most of the mess can just be shoved out of the living room anyway. I just have to remember not to open the closet door…"
There was a loud crashing sound.
"Pen-pen!"
How the warm water penguin had successfully opened the closet door was beyond him. Five minutes later, the mess was cleaned up. After explaining as best as he could to the bird that the door was not to be opened, Shinji returned to the kitchen. Thankfully, the fish was still steaming. The table was set for two. Overall, Shinji had to admit, the place looked downright presentable. Which only left…
DING DONG.
Shinji rushed to the door, straightening out his attire, before opening the door.
"Hi Shinji!" came a pleasant voice.
Shinji smiled. "Hi, Maya…uh, come in!"
Shinji was completely baffled. How was it possible for the first lieutenant of NERV to make a yellow V-neck tee shirt and black pants look so striking? He found himself, predictably, at a loss for words as Maya entered his residence.
"Now this place doesn't look dirty at all," Maya commented. "And you said it was a pig sty."
Shinji blushed, offering her a chair. "I uh…cleaned up a bit. I know we had fish last night, but I made fried Red Snapper. It was on sale at the fish market, so…"
Maya smiled. "That's fine, Shinji. Oh, is that Pen-pen? I hear Misato talking about him all the time! Well, aren't you the sweetest thing?"
Shinji watched Maya ignore his offer for a chair in favor of squatting by the warm water penguin to pet his belly. He didn't know whether to feel relief that the bird had provided a reasonable source of entertainment for his guest, or jealousy that Pen-pen was currently receiving more attention than he was.
"I think he likes you," Shinji smiled. "Then again, he likes everyone who pets him. Now, give him a sardine, and he'll be your slave for the rest of his life."
Maya smiled. "I bet. Does that go for you too? Or do you require a bit more than just sardines?"
Shinji blushed. "Um…"
Maya stood up, giggling. "I bet you'd react more to a little tongue action, huh?"
Shinji's ears burned. "Well…I…"
Maya laughed out loud. "Oh, Shinji, you're just so funny sometimes! It's no wonder Misato keeps teasing you – you get so worked up!"
Shinji's face felt as he pouted, comically. "Stop making fun of me…"
Maya nodded. "Alright, alright, I'm sorry…now, about that Red Snapper…"
xxxxx
"Are you serious?" Maya queried, her meal little more than a happy memory. "He just…left you, just like that?"
Shinji had been telling Maya about his childhood after small talk had run out. He had just gotten to one of his more painful ones. "Yeah…I think I was seven when he did…and, after that, I don't know. I just…lived…"
Maya frowned. "Gee…Shinji, I…I don't know what to say."
Shinji shrugged. "Not much to say. The only times I got to see him afterwards was at my Mom's grave every year for her anniversary…and even then, we hardly spoke a word. I used to think it hurt him too much, but now…I don't know. I just remember that the last visit, three years ago…I told him I never wanted to see you again. That was the last time I did see him…until he summoned me here to pilot Eva."
Maya heaved. "Shinji, I'm…I'm so sorry. I had no idea what had gone on between you two."
Shinji shook his head. "I'm not…I'm not looking for sympathy, Maya. I appreciate it, but…you know, it's over, alright? I've already cried about it, I'm not going to cry any more."
Maya nodded, reaching across the table to take his hand in hers. "Shinji…I underestimated you. You really…you really aren't a child, are you? To have put so much behind you already…to deal with everything that's going on and just not let it affect you…"
Shinji almost laughed. "Who said I didn't let it affect me?"
Maya shrugged. "I'm sorry…you just said you weren't going to cry about it any more…"
Shinji shook his head. "That was about my father. Now, I've got piloting Eva to worry about. And it's…it's going to take me a bit longer to put something like this behind me…especially considering that it's still going on…"
Maya's grip on his hand tightened. "I'd…I'd like to help. You know, help you deal with everything? I know you said you weren't looking for sympathy, but you ever…you know, need a shoulder to cry on…just…just know that I'll be here. I won't say that I'm too busy or push you away…you can trust me. Just…if you ever need to talk to somebody…"
Shinji's face rose. "You…you would do that?"
Maya nodded. "Shinji…I…I'm not perfect, either…I've got my own problems to deal with…so, if you like the idea of having me as a shoulder to cry on…can you do me a favor, and do the same thing for me in return? You know…whenever I'm feeling down? Can you…can you do that for me? Can you…be there for me?"
Shinji stared into Maya's eyes. He expected to see the kindness that he usually saw, that he also usually saw in Misato, and, on the rare occasion, in Asuka and Rei. But instead, he saw something else.
He saw himself.
He saw his own sadness and need, reflected in her eyes. He saw that her past was just as clouded as his was with hardships, deceit, and misgivings. He saw his own, desperate need for comfort and affection, contained in the impermeable box of fear that stemmed from betrayal and hurt.
Shinji reached over the tabletop with his other hand, meeting Maya's other hand, interlocking the two of them together.
"Maya…I…thank…thank you, Maya…yes…yes, I…th-thank you, Maya…I…"
"Shh…" Maya giggled. "It's cute the way you stutter like that. It's one of the things that drew me to you. I think we can make this work, Shinji. If you'd be willing…I mean, we don't have to be intimate if you don't want to be, but…you know, if it just means being there for each other…"
Shinji let her hands go, and started clearing the table. "I'd…I'd like that, Maya. I'd…like that a lot…"
Maya got up and helped him clear. "I would too, Shinji…"
Shinji let the water run over the dirty dishes. "And, uh…we can…you know, if you want…we can…still…I mean, if you wanted to, we can still be…you know…"
He stopped when he felt Maya's hands wrap around him. "Intimate?" she whispered into his ear.
Shinji froze solid, completely forgetting the task set before him. He couldn't move, as Maya's hands began to dance over his front, as her soft breath tickled the back of his neck.
"Um…yeah…" Shinji managed to gasp, keeping a smile on his face. "If you want."
Maya giggled, licking his ear. "Oh, I want, Shinji…" She let her hands burrow into the gaps between the buttons of his shirt, brushing up against the skin on his chest and stomach. "I really want…"
Shinji was completely immobile as Maya's fingernails tickled his skin, eliciting gasps of arousal from the boy's mouth. Her tongue dabbed at the skin behind his ear, as Maya continued to torture the boy's tender flesh. Shinji's eyes were clenched shut as Maya's ministrations sent his mind into an uproar that might have proceeded into something greater, had Asuka and Hikari had chosen an absolutely spectacular time to call their movie short.
FSSSHHH
"…Probably rounding second as we – Holy crap! I knew it!" came Asuka's loud booming voice.
Instantly, Shinji and Maya were apart, staring at the apartments most recent nonplussed occupants.
"A-A-Asuka!" Shinji gasped, face ablaze. "It - it's not what you think!"
Asuka, Hikari aghast behind her, just harrumphed, triumphantly. "No sense in hiding it, Shinji. It was pretty obvious ever since last night."
Hikari's eyes had nearly popped out of her head. "Shinji! After I spent the entire evening arguing in your defense…you and Maya are actually…?"
Shinji held up his hands. "There's a perfectly good explanation for this, really!"
Asuka smirked. "I'm sure there is. And I'm sure Misato wants to hear all about it!"
"Asuka," Maya spoke up.
Asuka glanced at the older woman. She had remained silence since Asuka had arrived, holding her head in what looked like shame. But she had chosen now to speak.
"Asuka, you can't tell Misato or anyone else about this," Maya said, evenly.
Asuka crossed her arms. "And why not?"
Maya shook her head. "Because they won't allow us to see each other again."
Asuka nodded. "And chances are, they've got a good reason for doing it."
"You can't," Maya frowned. "What if…what if it were you and Kaji? What if the two of you were involved, and it all got out? As important as you, you know that NERV, not to mention the government, wouldn't allow it to continue. What then?"
Asuka stared hard at her older co-worker. "Now fair. That is not fair, lady! That is not the same thing at all!"
"Then tell me what's different," Maya pleaded. "An Eva pilot and an older co-worker? It doesn't matter who it is, it would still be frowned on. They would make you stop doing it. I don't think either of us would be able to handle the pressure put on us to break it off. Well? Would you?"
Asuka frowned, deeply. "That's all hypothetical. I may want to be with Kaji, but I still haven't actually gotten anywhere with him. You two, on the other hand, seem to be pretty well engrossed."
Hikari cringed. "Emphasis on the 'gross' part…"
Shinji chose that moment to speak up. "We're not doing anything bad, Asuka…just…a little kissing…is all…"
Asuka grunted. "Honestly, Shinji, didn't you hear a word I told you this morning? Seriously, though, I would not have thought you, of all people, would have the balls to try and pull something like this!"
Shinji bowed his head. "Tell me what you want from me, Asuka. I'll do anything. Tell me what it will take for you not to tell on us! Please!"
That made Asuka's face light up. "What's this? Hmm…the Great Shinji Ikari finally knows his place…this is interesting…" Asuka finally stepped beyond the entryway. "Very well…seeing as though it really doesn't pertain to me, I suppose I could let it slide. Of course, I'll not have to worry about my chores…ever…"
Shinji bowed again. "Yes ma'am."
Asuka smiled. "That's a good start. But I'm far from finished. Hikari? You'll be sworn in too. Anything in particular that you want out of him?"
Hikari flushed. "I do not blackmail my classmates, Asuka, no matter how ungracious they are!"
Asuka nodded. "Fine. Spoilsport."
Shinji and Maya shifted, nervously.
"Anyway…I'm too tired to think of anything else, but you are so not off the hook yet, Shinji…"
"The very moment this gets out…" Maya warned.
"You're not the one making threats here, Ms. Ibuki!" Asuka pointed her finger.
"I just don't want to see the boy I like taking crap for a situation that I put him in," Maya sighed, looking away.
"Should have thought of that before you started playing tonsil hockey with-"
"We were not playing tonsil hockey!" Maya yelped, abashed.
Asuka shrugged. "Whatever. Hikari, I know I invited you over, but do you still…?"
Hikari grumbled. "No…I think I'm gonna go."
Asuka sighed. "Alright, see you later." She watched her friend go. "Great. A perfectly fine evening, ruined."
Maya might have voiced her agreement had a loud crashing sound not made known five seconds later.
"Argh! Who in God's name put all this TRASH in here!" Asuka shouted at the top of her lungs.
Maya glanced in Shinji's direction as the boy smiled at private joke.
"Whatever, I can't take this! I'm going to bed," Asuka announced. "And don't even think about taking up where you left off! Just because I'm holding my tongue doesn't mean I'm going to tolerate you two lovebirds going at it while I'm in the apartment."
Neither party ventured a word until Asuka had disappeared behind the door.
There was a brief pause.
"Shinji…" Maya muttered. "I'm beginning to really…really…really sympathize with how hard you have it here."
Shinji groaned. "She only gave me chores. Believe me, I got off easy."
Maya sighed. "Shinji, I am so sorry I-"
"Don't…don't blame yourself," Shinji shook his head. "It's not your fault. It was partly my fault anyway. I should have been more careful, I…hey, hang on a sec…"
Maya blinked as Shinji slowly headed towards the door. "Hmm?"
Shinji didn't say a word. He left the apartment, stepping out into the evening darkness. Maya followed behind, curious, letting the door close behind her.
"Shinji?"
Shinji tried a weak smile. "She said…while she's the apartment…so as long as we're outside the apartment…we should be fine…"
Maya smiled; shocked that he was still thinking about that. "Why, Shinji…that's so bold of you! And how appropriate we end up here, too. Do know where we are?"
Shinji looked around, nervously. "Um…outside Misato's apartment door?"
Maya giggled. "No, silly…this is the place where we first kissed…"
Shinji found himself frozen again as Maya's lips came up to his, drawing out his breath, twisting his emotions, until he became putty in her hands. He shivered as he felt her playful fingers dance across his back, slowly brushing against him in rhythmic circles. Shinji shuddered as he felt his body press against hers, the sudden rush of warmth, the sudden feel, the sudden scent. The light cottony feel of her against him, as she continued to devour him for all he was worth.
Shinji melted into her, letting go of all his troubles. If there had been any trouble of difficulties between him and now, he felt he could do it all over again just to immerse in this one single moment. She held him as though he was precious to her, as if she actually cared about how he felt, and wanted him to feel happiness. All of the sudden, he mattered to someone as more than a tool to be used.
It was possibly the happiest moment of his life.
"I…Misato…will be home soon," Shinji sighed, letting the kiss disappear. "I'll…walk you to your car."
Maya sighed. "Thanks, Shinji."
As they walked steadily next to each other, they each pondered the ramifications of the evening. Neither could deny it now – they were in too deep to turn back. They wouldn't be able to keep it a secret for long, they knew that. They could only enjoy it while it lasted, and hope that God would have mercy on them when it came time to pay the piper.
Maya opened her car door, getting halfway in. "Well, despite from you being blackmailed by your room mate…I had a nice evening, Shinji."
Shinji nodded. "Thanks. I had a nice evening too."
Maya blushed. "Hopefully, if we're not busted by tomorrow, we'll be able to do something else."
Shinji nodded. "Not dinner again. How about lunch? No, wait, it's a school day. Uh…tea? I know this really nice coffee house, and it's not that far away."
Maya smiled. "That sounds really nice, Shinji." Maya's tone suddenly became very serious. "Always…always remember that I'm here for you. Even if we do get found out, and they split us apart…if you ever need a shoulder to cry on…I'm here."
Shinji smiled, a tear building up in his eye. "Thank you, Maya…you're the…you're the first person to…to ever offer me something like that. Thank you…for that and for everything."
Maya nodded. "And thank you for…for giving me a chance, Shinji."
Leaning forward, Maya beckoned for one last kiss. Shinji tilted his head down to make contact, brushing lips with the shorthaired NERV tech before smiling. "Good night."
Maya smiled, closing the door. "Good night…Shinji."
xxxxx
A/N: Argh, this is so agonizing to write! I really want to continue this, but there's so little in terms of original material that could actually work here!
Well, I'll let this run for as long as it can, but don't expect an update too soon. I'm going on zero hours of sleep here, so I'm not in the mood to write anything fancy, so that'll be it for now.
Read and review.