Chapter 2
*********
Occasionally, there's a courteous female voice that comes
on the loudspeaker to say: "Welcome to New Tokyo-3
International Airport. New arrivals please check in at
Departure." And her voice bounces, echoing in this wide
and almost sterile space---the janitorial crew do good
work in keeping it so despite the large number of foot
traffic that comes through here.
Late afternoon, and she hasn't arrive yet.
There are other announcements besides that voice by
made by other airline attendants, but she blocks it out.
Again, she goes to check the ETA on one of the many
screens around her.
Delayed for an hour.
But it's been about an hour and now people were
unloading off the plane. And she could see her in the
crowd..
Coming out of the gate and being greeted by an
immigrations officer. Ritsuko notices how much darker
Misato's gotten since the last time she's seen her; a nice
summer tan that looked especially beautiful on her arms
and legs.
And when Misato heads out and looks up, she sees her; a
bright smile lights up her face and she hurries over. Not
run, of course---she knows Ritsuko doesn't like to cause a
scene. So Misato walks; just a little faster.
"Hey!" And there's unmistakable joy when she goes to
lean in to give an odd sort of half hug. There's too much
to use her arms, so she settles for this.
"Hi."
And to any passerby they look no different than any two
friends greeting each other at the arrival terminal. Only
the keenest of eyes would've picked up on how Misato
shifts her face slightly inwards, eyes closing and nose
press against the skin at the curve of Ritsuko's neck to
inhale; and only the sharpest of ears would've picked up
on her whispered comment, "You smell good."
"Do I?"
They part soon enough afterwards to not draw attention;
though with Misato still holding that daze, enamored
regard for Ritsuko--easy to pick up if anyone paid
attention.
"Here, let me help you with that," she says, reaching for
the bags Misato's holding.
"No, I got it."
And Ritsuko also notes now how much stronger it
seemed Misato has gotten; arm muscles lean and taunt as
she handles heavy, multiple baggage with ease.
Have I changed?
"I'll just take one," she insists; and this time, Misato lets
her. As they shuffle for Misato to hand off the appropriate
luggage--a light one--Misato notices another reunion
taking place besides them: a father meeting up with his
family. She notices especially what happens--the handoff
of a bouquet of flowers from the little girl to the
businessman; probably their first meeting in weeks as he
looks worn but happy to be home.
And she remembers. "Look what I got us."
"What?"
Misato tips a small fancy shopping bag forward.
"Imported liquor," she says, "straight from the heart of
Germany," and she corrects herself when she sees that
look of disbelief on Ritsuko, "Okay, so I got it from their
airport. But I was told it's still really good champagne."
"That's thoughtful of you."
And Misato frowns, looking Ritsuko over, trying to see
if...if...
"What?" Ritsuko asks, noticing her inspection.
Her eyes narrow. Nothing.
She sighs.
"What?"
"Nothing..." she hides her disappointment well; instead,
she makes another observation, "I thought you would be
working."
"I took the evening off." They're walking to exit now as
Ritsuko explains, "I figured I put in enough overtime for
it to be all right. Besides," she adds, "I don't want you
waiting for me to get home."
And she can just see it: Misato, sitting with her knees
pulled up, looking like a lost puppy outside her front door.
Luggage besides her. And knowing Ritsuko, she might
have to wait all night before the owner returned.
"I would've."
To which, Ritsuko simply replies, "I know."
***
Bath salts. Rose petals. Scented candles...
"Wow," she thinks, "Ritsuko's really outdone herself."
The other woman sits across from her, hair done up as
well; only, because it's so short, there's no intricate
wrapping involved like Misato's. Just a simple clip in the
back to keep some of it neat. And Ritsuko doesn't do it
ften, but Misato likes it; it drew more attention to that
gorgeous neck of hers.
When they first arrived, she had literally jumped Ritsuko
as soon as the other woman had opened the door; so
impatient as her legs wrapped around other's waist. And
she planted eager kisses everywhere she could while
Ritsuko faltered, being knocked off balance--she found a
wall to steady herself before saying, distressed, "Misato! I c
an't hold you like this...I'm not a guy!"
It was only then that Misato realized how heavy she
must've been. She didn't take into consideration Ritsuko's
frame. "Oh. Sorry..." she apologized, sheepish before she
got off; looking over, amused, at how Ritsuko's knees
still shook from having to support her just moments earlier.
And before Ritsuko could recover, Misato launched into
another attack; pressing her against the wall as she forced
her tongue between Ritsuko's lips, drawing a moan--
mixed between pleasure and protest as she pressed to get
impossibly closer...
But there are already plans for the evening...
Plans that requires them to wait. Hold off on what
Misato's so insistent on and what they both wanted and
are here for. It takes a considerable amount of
convincing, but Ritsuko manages---and they both agree
on restraint. For now...
Misato readily admits that there's some initial annoyance
regarding that; but she's grateful, not realizing then how
tired and sore she was until she settled into that nice, long,
relaxing bath Ritsuko had prepared.
How many hours on that plane?
Sure, the topography of the world changed, but the
distance between the two countries didn't.
So, she sits in this water, admiring the way the steam
condenses and clings in jealous beads on the other
woman's shoulders.
Yes, internal monologue has conclusively deduce this:
she isn't an animal. She can wait.
"Asuka..." she starts on talk to distract herself, "that child
is a little strange. But I get the sense that she's a good
person." Her thoughts turn over to the little German girl
with fiery red hair and a serious, intense countenance of
someone five years older. Asuka Langley Sohryu...
Asuka has the highest aptitude point of the people tested
in the facility. Meaning she has the potential to--
"That's good," Ritsuko says, agreeable. "We need kind-
hearted children to ferry us into the future."
"Why are you speaking in abstracts? Don't you mean to
pilot?"
"Same difference."
Misato sighs, slouching further in the water, her two arms
dangling over the edge of the tub. "I wish...we don't have
to use them," she says; both of them know she's referring
then to the children. Given a choice, she would've gladly
taken their place but...
"That's what the calculations amount to," Ritsuko tells her;
it's an effort to assuage the guilt years before Shinji,
Asuka, Rei, and Toji would ever have to sit in the
Evangelion Unit's entry plug; and it doesn't help much,
but it's too far in the future at this point for her to dwell
on it.
So Misato changes the subject slightly. "Speaking of
which...how far are you guys along?"
"Hmm?"
"On the development of the combat machine series?"
"I'd say we're one tenth of the way there."
"That's it?!"
"That's faster than what was anticipated. I wouldn't worry
though. We'll get it done."
"You guys better. All the brainiacs in the world are
working on this. Mankind's last hope...geez...talk about
pressure..." On everyone...we're in this together...
On a lighter note, Misato teases, "If you're not careful,
one of the other branches will finish before you. Say, the
German branch for example."
"Those incompetent people? No, I don't think so."
And Misato smirks. There it is: Ritsuko, sure and
confident as ever--borderline arrogant. It puts her
strangely at ease knowing that Ritsuko is handling things
on her end.
"Well, you should know, Misato---of our progress. Some
of the reports, I'm sure, filter down to you."
"Ugh. Don't get me started on those." Misato makes a
face and lifts one feet out of the water, idle. "In between
training and studies, sorting through reports is like a
mandatory errand the higher ups dump on you. I'm telling
you, I can't take much more of this ensign crap."
"You knew what you signed up for."
"Yeah..." she concedes. I didn't expect it to be that much
though... "I have to make rank soon. Whatever happens,
I'm going to be there on the front lines. You count on it."
Ritsuko sees the determination on her face and doesn't
question it. Some things--and they both knew exactly
what...time couldn't erase.
"If you want, I could put in a good word for you," she
offers instead. Supportive.
"Huh? A good word from the technical division? Hmm..."
Misato considers it; how much influence does Ritsuko
have anyways? But then she decides, "Thanks, but I got
this."
"Of course."
"Besides..." Misato smiles, suggestive, as a thought
crosses her, "...don't want them to suspect that you're
doing me any favors...just because..."
Here, she runs her toes along innermost juncture of
Ritsuko's legs, causing the other woman to gasp; then
recovering, Ritsuko swats her foot away, and tells her in
mock, playful annoyance, "Ewww...that's gross."
"What?" she asks, surprised at the sudden refusal; her
brows crinkle in innocent concern, "I washed them before
I got in. You have something against my feet?"
"No," she answers, lifting Misato's foot gingerly out of
the water and placing it besides her head; water dripping
down the side of the tub. "I don't..." she hesitates, unsure
of how she should word this without sounding like a
prude.
Misato doesn't wait. Her mind is formulating through the
impossible: Ritsuko, rejecting her advances. How could
she not get turned on? Unless...
"Wait! You're not cheating on me are you?"
"Cheat?"
"Yeah," Misato presses, "I mean I'm gone all this time.
You've had plenty of chances to--I know it!"
She's sincere, as always; and that only serves to increase
Ritsuko's amusement, who answers, plainly, "Misato, if
anyone should be concerned about issues of fidelity, it
should be me."
Misato blinked rapidly. "Huh? What? You don't trust me
or something?"
"Well...I'm not the exotic foreigner wandering lost in
some distant land, ripe for a romantic encounter. Tell me,
Misato. Have any of those nice German boys given you a
once over yet?" Ritsuko asks, dead serious and leveling
her eyes at Misato.
Misato flusters. She can't help it. Her cheeks grow warm
from more than just the heat of the water she's sitting in.
And Ritsuko watches, all the while, with growing
amusement--one eyebrow raised--at Misato's reaction; the
stutters of "Oh, uh, um..." And she can imagine it as clearly as
if she besides Misato in Germany: Misato,
hanging with other ensigns at a bar or even just walking
down the hallway before she's haplessly accosted by one
of those tall--and most likely, virile, German males;
replete with cheesy pickup lines.
" Ich soll verflucht sein, wenn ich mich irre, aber du
willst doch mit mir schlafen, oder?"
Ritsuko sympathizes although that's not a situation she's
familiar with. Even if someone wanted to initiate an affair
with her (and there were some), Ritsuko was too wrap up
in work to be approachable.
Misato, on the other hand...oh, Misato was so very easily,
easily accessible; what, with her laid back attitude and
subconsciously flirtatious nature---she doesn't even have
to try.
And Misato blushes, sharing that thought exactly. "Okay,
fine. You have a point."
"Thank you."
At this Ritsuko stretches, content of Misato's concession.
Of course she has a point....
When does she not?
And she mentally calculates: 2 hours since Misato's
returned. There was that quick dinner---quick only
because Misato insisted she just wanted to get home.
Then there was this soaking in the tub for about half and
hour; and Ritsuko observes, if she sat any longer, her
fingers end up prune-like.
So, without prompting, she slides over to where Misato is;
and the other woman blinks rapidly at the suddenness--
once, twice, several times in surprise, before...
"Oh...!" A knowing grin spreads on her face as she hits
all the right conclusion: Finally! "Mmmm....time to be
pampered." She threw her head back, practically purring
as Ritsuko place her hands between her neck and
shoulder to kneed the muscles there.
Firm hands.
Familiar hands.
"Augh...that's it," she encourages, head bowing under
such expert care.
"Like this?"
"Mmmm...yeah...you're making this soooo worth it."
Ritsuko answers, laughing, "I'm glad you approve."
"I'm not going to last long," Misato realizes upon feeling
Ritsuko slide further forward to sit, legs parted, on her lap.
And she opens her eyes, looking up and blinking through
the sudden haze that's come over her. She thinks then of
how reactive she was to all this--her nerves drawn taunt;
singe it seems; hissing and jumpy to the very molecules
in the air. It didn't help any (to last) with Ritsuko there in
front of her like that---body naked and dripping wet.
I'm not going to last long...
Thinking then of all those long remote nights spent in her
dormitory bed alone while her companions were
out...how many temptations and offers were turned down?
How many hours spent with only her voice on the phone
to breathe life to the memories she kept within her--held
onto like precious invaluable keepsakes?
That's the downside of being monogamous--it
necessitated sacrifice; felt most sharply with distance; and
Misato knows---is well aware of just how sharply she
feels it...
She leans forward enough to nuzzle Ritsuko's cheek,
saying, soft, "I've missed you."
Three months away was time apart too long...
"Mmmm..." came the small murmur of agreement from
Ritsuko, whose arm draped Misato's lower back to just
hold her.
"You know," Misato starts, teasing, "you could say it
once in a while."
"Is that so..."
There's a brief pause and Misato knows Ritsuko is
considering it, when the other woman answers, breath
tickling her ear, "I'll do one better. I'll show you."
"Hmm?"
It's a lazy response that's set off by the romantic
atmosphere she's seep in. So when it happens, it's as if
someone kick started her into action. There's a yelp and a
sharp gasp from Misato: "Wa--wait..." And she's so
surprise that she almost pushes away from where
Ristuko's finger finds her before her body reacted--telling
her immediately that this touch was wanted, was needed--
was what she craved for three damn months...
And Ritsuko holds fast onto her, keeping her near; she
doesn't have to ease the movement for Misato to
accommodate. Misato was ready; already seduced the
moment she had seen her face waiting at the terminal.
Instead, Misato shifts, legs opening slightly wider,
flushing as she allows Ritsuko more ease in access. Her
own fingers scramble for purchase for something---
anything that would serve as an anchor to ground these
feelings that were being coaxed in a steady, tantalizing
rhythm out of her.
The side of the tub's too slippery, but it'll have to do; and
she grips it as best she can turns her face inwards--
pressing against Ritsuko's upper body, whimpering and
sighing as Ritsuko stimulated her; two fingers inside and
thumb moving in gentle small circles outside.
And it's easy, falling into this--letting Ritsuko control t
heir exchange. Certainly she encourage it; her body
clutch around those fingers as she drew and release in
tandem. Drew and release.
I'm not going to last...
She knows it, felt the precursor of her impending orgasm
coursing through her. What are these sounds that she's
making? She's heard them in her dreams--wet with desire
for Ritsuko as they made love; but that had been so long
ago; she didn't recognize them outside that context--here
in reality, in flesh and blood. How those sounds escalate,
fervent...until it's torn out of her.
"OH GOD!"
Mouth open, teeth digging into the soft flesh of Ritsuko's
shoulders as more cries follow. And Ritsuko holds her,
calm and infinitely patient while she waits for Misato.
Find your way back to me...
And she does, coming down intoxicated and delirious.
Her forehead against hers, breathing heavily in between
murmurs of "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
When she's sure Misato's coherent again, she asks, "For
what?"
"Mmm..." Misato opens one eye and indicates outside the
tub. "For making a mess." And Ritsuko realizes what
she's referring to; in her thrashing, Misato's thrown a
huge amount of water overboard, soaking the floor of
Ritsuko's bathroom in puddles.
After a moment, she hears, "It's okay," and then feels
Ritsuko disentangle their embrace to get up; to which,
Misato immediately misses her warmth, despite the heat
of the room.
"Uh...Ritsuko?" she asks, tentative as she watch the other
woman stand up, patting herself down with a towel
before wrapping it around her. Is she mad at me? Misato
peek over the side of the tub, watching still when Ritsuko
gingerly steps out.
"Ritsuko?"
"I'm going to clean this up," she says, reassuring when
she sees the worried look on Misato's face.
Misato lets out a sigh of relief, thinking, "So she's not
mad at me. Thank god..."
"I'll help."
"No, that's all right." She blew out one of the candles and
went to flick on the light---the sudden intensity of which
causes Misato to squint. "You should get out though or
you'll end up wrinkled."
To be continued...
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
The German translates into:
"Screw me if I'm wrong, but you want to sleep with me,
don't you?"
Credit for translation goes to this website:
http : // www. irintech. com/ x1/ ?id = 2912
Feedback is always welcome.