Just a small one-shot that I felt like writing. Mainly since You Are Forever Alone's second chapter is taking a while. So enjoy this in the mean time, after all, MariShin is my guilty pleasure ship.
The room may have been dark, but that didn't mean that the morning sun's rays didn't protrude through the blind-covered windows. And as those rays illuminated the once dark room, the light revealed two figures laying in bed together, both parties seemingly resting after a rather straining, but interesting event.
Shinji Ikari awoke as the natural light reached his face, said light revealing Mari laying beside him, still asleep. Shinji smiled as best as he could during his still sleepy daze within the morning. But even in his haze, he still felt lucky, not only because of his 'happy' ending, but also because of a certain glasses-wearing girl; or lady at this point. After all, the both of them were now at least in their twenties. But at the end of the day, or beginning in this case, Shinji Ikari had received what he always wanted: supportive friends, no Angels, no Impacts, and not even a certain warm water penguin, although if he could, he would definitely bring that old penguin back.
Sure, he may have had some nice memories left over from the old world, but how much did those memories really mean to him? After all, he mostly felt pain throughout those events. But he also didn't, he felt joy, sadness brought about from non-traumatizing events, and of course, love. In fact, love was why he and Mari were here. And at first glance, most people would've assumed that they barely knew each other, at least in the world they left behind. But the truth of their relationship was far deeper then what most people at WILLE saw.
But to Shinji, none of that mattered anymore, what truly mattered was that he and the others from the old world were now happy. No NERV, no WILLE, no Third or Additional Impact either. Just peace, in a new world filled with hope.
"Watcha' thinking about sleepyhead?" A familiar voice spoke. Shinji turned his head to his right and saw the one thing that brought the most joy in life. Mari Illustrious Makinami.
"Nothing." Shinji replied in an almost smug tone, a tone which Mari recognized immediately. Mari sat up slowly and placed her hand on Shinji's shoulder before reaching in for a kiss. Her lips eventually awarded the sensation of Shinji's against hers.
The both of them finished their kiss and stared into each other's eyes for a short amount of time. They then kissed again before moving on to the bathroom to start their morning routines. Together.
Hope you enjoyed this one-shot, and although I can understand that this ship isn't liked all that much, mainly due to Mari's character in the rebuilds; personally I find it cute, hence why it's my guilty pleasure ship compared to something like ReiShin or AsuShin. But then again, I'm really not a big ship kind of person, so eh.
And in case you're wondering, I took some creative liberties with Mari and Shinji's history, and if anything, this one-shot probably takes place within some timeline in the rebuilds where the both of them fall in love earlier in the timeline. And as I type that out, I now receive a new idea.
See you all next time!