Oof, I am SORRY guys! I got very sick over winter break, which kind of killed my drive for...well, anything creative. Happy to report that I am on the mend and I WILL finish this, as promised. Happy Valentimes day, all!

"Why are you being so shy?" Rei asked, innocently enough, but the accusation still flustered Asuka.

"Don't be stupid, don't you remember who you're talking to?" Asuka barked at Rei, clad in a towel and looking at her through the bathroom mirror where she seemed to be thoroughly examining something on her face.

Given that she had been doing this for more than five minutes, Rei had deduced that she was nervous about sharing a bath with her. However, she could not determine the reason. Surely Asuka did not think that there was any danger to be had here. So what was cause of her trepidation? Rei pushed it aside in her mind, focusing instead on the heat of the water. It was warm and relaxed her tired muscles after a stressful day in the EVA. "I'm talking to you. You should really come in here before the water gets cold," she finally replied, stretching a little in the tub. The movement made her bare chest plainly visible, which caused Asuka to make a noise.

In truth, Asuka was quite tense and a little confused about Rei's openness. She had always held to the belief that being naked around someone was something you only did with someone who meant a great deal to you. It was certainly the first time she had seen Rei without any clothing, so it had to be her first time seeing Asuka the same way. So why the hell was she the only one who was nervous? Though she had grown to care for the other girl, Asuka still had her pride at the forefront of her mind, and it bothered her to think of even Rei being less scared of something than she was. However, seeing how calm Rei was also made Asuka even more eager to just ignore her anxieties and get on with things. She didn't want Rei figuring out that this was such a big deal to her.

"Are you-"

"C'mon, move over," Asuka interrupted, abandoning her robe on the floor and stepping into the water. Rei obliged and made room for her companion, who sighed audibly as she sat down. The warm water really was quite soothing. She didn't even notice Rei's intense red eyes regarding her. Asuka flinched self consciously. "What are you staring at?"

"You. After all there's no one else here," she said reasonably.

Asuka could feel her body temperature rising as she began to panic a little. She couldn't read Rei's emotion. What if she was repulsed or bored with what she saw? "Yeah? And whattaya have to say about it?" she responded hotly. Better to sound like she didn't care, she figured.

In one swift movement, Rei moved towards Asuka and closed the distance between them. The kiss made Asuka feel lightheaded, another source of heat in the still balmy water. Rei pulled away after a few moments, her face flushed as well. "You are...exceptional."

Asuka huffed but let out an amused laugh. "Just that, huh?"

Rei tilted her head and Asuka went on. "Well, I mean, you do like me after all. I thought you would use better words for than just...'exceptional'."

Rei considered this, looking down at their reflections in the water, where their faces were rippling beside each other. "There are a few other words that come to mind...when I think of you."

Asuka gave her a grin worthy of the cheshire cat. "Oh really?" She pulled Rei into her lap, lacing her arms around her waist and pressing her bare breasts into Rei's back. Rei gasped softly at the soft contact and felt a shudder go through her. Pleased by her reaction, Asuka placed her head on Rei's shoulder. "Why don't ya tell me?" she whispered breathily.

Rei swallowed. She had never felt the sensation of having her heart beat so fast and yet not being in any danger. Instead she craved more of it.

"Fierce...addictingly so."

Asuka ran her hands up Rei's ribs slowly. "Hmm, not bad. Go on."

"You're...beautiful."

"Oooh, I like that one. You mean it?" Asuka asked, now starting to kiss Rei's neck.

"Y-yes," Rei said, shivering with pleasure as Asuka placed multiple kisses on her as she moved down her neck to along her shoulder, lingering over a few spots and swirling her tongue over them delicately. Rei arched her back and a little moan escaped her.

"Another," Asuka demanded huskily.

"Obnoxious," Rei responded after a pause.

Asuka immediately stopped what she had been doing. "Excuse me?"

"I'm sorry, would you prefer 'bossy'?" Rei didn't seem phased by Asuka's change in tone.

Asuka groaned and pushed Rei away from her. "Those aren't compliments," she huffed.

"No, they aren't." Rei said, moving back to Asuka's side. "But they're still part of you. And I enjoy you, all of you. So I appreciate those parts too."

Asuka looked at her, stunned. "Rei..."

Rei just smiled and squeezed Asuka's hand under the water. "I have one other word for you."

Asuka looked at her questioningly before Rei leaned in for another kiss, gentle and chaste, like Rei's tended to be. "Irresistible."