Standard Disclaimer
Sorry for the delays, but combination of Halloween and sickness kept me from writing for a while. Work is getting better, as long as XOM's don't hate me. Acquaintance of mine borrowed large sums of money and then wasted it, so that left me pissed. So back to writing!
X-X
With Nothing Else
Chapter – 5
Watching another satisfied customer walking away with pictures, Touji didn't enjoy the small boon to their finances. "Why the hell does Asuka make everybody so damn fascinated? Girl is hot yeah, but a real bitch on toast!" he picked up the stack of pictures. Some of the shots were definitely sizzling, but Touji just didn't dig the subject matter. He had his own copies of course, but they were in the bottom of the drawer under the ones of Misato. Asuka drinking, in her swim suit, gym uniform, and many more. Flicking a rather racy picture, "How did you get this one?"
Taking the picture of a topless Asuka from behind, arms stretch up to put her shirt on, Kensuke giggled. "You can thank our silent partner for that one. Chidori gets ten percent of my take for helping me on occasion. As long as it's nothing to red she said she'd take the occasional picture," Kensuke gathered the images and laid them back out as another would be customer started heading their way. Getting the sales floor ready, "Girl really is making a splash here though. Wouldn't have thought it possible. Foreigners really do have exotic features."
Now that stung, stupid Nagato, Touji didn't want to feel he owed her anything. But that on picture, that little peak of side breast was one of Touji's favorites. "Why would she help with this? Some territorial girl thing? She not liking being deposed as the top bitch and center of attention?" Touji did notice how girls could be strange. They wouldn't fight out openly as men did, no Touji saw how women fought more subtle. Subterfuge, lies, and backstabbing were the preferred method for women that disliked one another. Noticing who the approaching boy was, Touji's heart jerked, "Quick hide those it's Shinji!"
"Damn it, was hoping for another sale or two today," Kensuke yelped and gathered the copies. Making a nice pile out of the illegal contraband, the geek set his laptop over them and began typing randomly. Touji could see that the computer had nothing running and the desktop was a close up picture of a VTOL. "As for Chidori, she's actually friends with Asuka if you can believe it. But you know girls, they want to have something even on their friends it seems. How do you think I got those pictures of Tachibana? And I'm betting the money doesn't hurt either," bringing up a few choice pictures of Sakura, Kensuke nodded. "Hey Shin-man, how you shake your master?" Kensuke waved widely.
Now Sakura was a tasty woman, not Touji's type though, but real easy on the eyes. Misato, that was Touji's main type. Hot body, seductive as hell, and seemed ready to have experience! Leaning against the wall, their 'store' was under the outside stairway that lead to the second floor, Touji stuffed his hands in his pocket. "Girls are scary at times man. How they can smile and be friends with one another and take pictures of them at the same time. I ever see pictures of my sister like that I'd find out who took them and break that camera," he eyed Sakura's picture and felt that all too familiar constriction in his slacks. Damn he needed a girlfriend.
"Different world than ours. Glad I'm a guy. And I even I wouldn't sell pictures of Mari-chan. She is a cutie but hell I think of her as a sister myself," Kensuke did have one picture of the girl though. Scrolling to the image, both Touji and Kensuke smiled at it. It was the twelve year old girl in a white sundress and large hat squirting Touji with a water gun. It had been taken two months before the accident. Twirling the laptop around, Kensuke showed it to the new addition, "So what brings you over here Shinji? No Ayanami today?"
As Shinji either didn't know of their photo selling business or had no use for it, Touji doubted Shinji was here as a customer. "Yeah man, she was all over you this morning as usual. What you do to shave her off you?" it wasn't jealousy, Touji refused to be jealous of Shinji. If he felt that way towards his smaller friend it would make things awkward between them. No, Touji simple was frustrated that a week after their little trip with Misato and him they had only hung out twice after school. Rei was running Shinji's life! No girl would do that to Touji, well maybe Misato or Hikari if it meant they were sans clothing. Shinji wasn't the type to be scoring all the time though. Made for some fun teasing though.
Walking over to the seated boys, Shinji had a lazy stroll going. With a half-smile on his face, he had been doing that all week, "Rei-san is reading right now. She got a new book yesterday she said she wanted to read. So I thought I'd eat with you guys. Why are you back here though?" Shinji sat down making a small circle out of the boys. Unpacking his lunch, Shinji handed Touji a roll from as the jock eyed it hungrily. Taking a small bite, Shinji pointed at Kensuke's laptop, "Who is that, looks familiar."
Pointing at the smiling girl, a venerable cutie with promise of being beautiful with time, Kensuke snickered, "This is one Mari Suzuhara. And if you ever go and visit her at the hospital, you'll realize she is the first card holding member of the Ikari Shinji fan club." Kensuke winced as Touji slammed his fist into the boy's upper arm. Rubbing the wound gingerly, "Touchy brother issues aside, she would love to see you. As for why we're here, its…quiet." Neither boy wanted Shinji to know the truth, it did look bad on them to sell photos of girls.
Between bites of Shinji's lunch, Touji pilfered more as the lad wasn't looking, "Hate those noisy areas in the quad sometimes. Sometimes we just want to relax away from it all. Don't want to put up with Kensuke's owner. That girl is in full on conspiracy mode. Thinks Ayanami is plotting things." Touji had heard Kensuke's little story and thought it total bullshit. There was no way that Rei was threatening girls away from Shinji. Ayanami was odd, but not crazy. Not wanting to ruin the good afternoon with thoughts of annoying girls, "So if your darling master is giving you some free time, want to hang out after school?"
With the rice eaten, Shinji slid the box closer to Touji to let him finish the rest. After hearing who the picture was of, Shinji made every attempt to avoid looking at it. "I keep telling you guys Rei-san is just a little overwhelmed by the newness of things. And yeah I don't have anything planned this afternoon. So assuming nothing from Nerv pops up I'll be up for it," he drank his tea languidly.
"You say that and we see a nympho that wants to drag you off to some secluded spot and ride you like a dime store pony," Kensuke snickered. Closing his laptop, Kensuke shared a look at Touji as both noticed Shinji relaxing after Mari's image vanished. Scooping up the pictures and his laptop in one deft motion, he stashed them all in his satchel. Getting off the ground and dusting his slacks, Kensuke let out a sigh of relief, "So have you and your girlfriend made it to third base yet?"
Closing the lunchbox, Touji tossed it over to Shinji as they both got up as well. "I'm betting you two hit a homerun already. With how she clings to you, I swear she was glaring at any girl that even looks at you," Touji teased. Hell he couldn't tell if Rei was happy or sad with things, but it got Shinji all flustered to say it. Guys had to give one another a hard time, showed they cared, and Touji was a little jealous despite his best efforts. Shinji had a girlfriend, attractive if she ever showed emotion, and was likely getting SOME action. Draping an arm over Shinji's shoulder, ear to ear with the squirming lad, "So give us a little hint. How far have you thawed out the ice queen? She taste like a freeze pop?"
Heading out from behind the gym, Shinji quivered and made small attempts to escape his friends' attention. "It's not really polite for me to…" Touji held harder and Kensuke stepped in front of him. Knowing his was trapped, Shinji just lowered his head but the smile was back, hiding in his eyes and a slight upturned lips. "We've done some things. I won't tell you what, but Rei-san can be very affectionate when she wants to be," Shinji's grin increased.
Giving Shinji's temple a rather generous noogie, Touji laughed raucously, "I can't even imagine that girl in a scenario like that, but I'll trust you. Still, happy for you though man. Now if we can get Kensuke to smarten up and tell Nagato to leave him alone, get a girl himself, and I get another date with Misato-san life would be perfect." He just had to see Misato-san again! She truly was something perfect, maybe they'd hang out at Shinji's today.
"Oh leave Chidori out of this, Touji, we all know you're just obsessed with her," Kensuke came off annoyed. Seeing a few boys running past the opening between the gym and the school building, Kensuke turned back to the others inquisitively. "What you think that is all about?" he pointed at another running teenager, this time it was the girl of the hour Chidori. Calling out before she vanished, "Hey Chidori, what's going on?"
Vanishing around the corner for a second, Chidori came back a moment later. "Oh, I figured you of all people would know it already, both of you," Chidori pointed at both Kensuke and Shinji. Sneering at Touji, a look of disgust and annoyance was matched with one of Touji's own. "You're little underhanded Ayanami is about to have her first run in with my newest friend. Asuka is going to tear that girl up and spit her out," Chidori nodded happily, "serve her right for what she said to Sakura."
Feeling Shinji going ridged, Touji's anger spiked as only Chidori could cause. Both of his better friends were always being harassed by this bitch. "Oh leave off that conspiracy shit, Nagato. Just because you're cowardly friend can't confess the truth is no reason to say Ayanami is threatening her. Hell I'm sure she think EVERYTHING threatens her, being all mousy as she is," Touji didn't know much about Sakura anyway. Girl was attractive as hell, but was just too timid for Touji's liking. "As for Soryu, well like calls to like so no wonder a cruel witch like her is friends with you," Touji spat out and let Shinji go.
Rushing forward, giving Chidori a wide berth, Shinji circled around her, "I better go see how Rei-san is doing. Asuka can be odd, a little too forward for her liking. I'd hate for them to…have a misunderstanding." Shinji ran off joining the flock of boys and girls to see the meeting that the whole school had been anticipating. Both girls had their own rumors about them now. Rei was seen as the unapproachable ice queen, where Asuka was quickly making a smash for the opposite. Guys were drawn to her fiery personality and unique features.
"Yeah you better run, Ikari, but you should be running away from that freak not towards her!" Chidori yelled at the departing boy. Crossing her arms, and frowning bitterly at Touji, the girl was showing every indication of not liking the current company. Tapping her foot, "I told you Ken you need to get your friend away from that freak. Girl threatened me for just talking about what she said to Sakura. Something is wrong upstairs in her head and you two encouraging that guy stay with her isn't helping." Holding her hand out, Chidori took a few bills when Kensuke held them out.
Brushing past the annoyingly beautiful girl, Touji felt a hot spur of annoyance. "You're just upset that Shinji isn't dating your friend is all. If she had owed up to it when we got him to talk to her about it then Ayanami wouldn't even been an issue. She cowered out, made Shinji feel like a jerk and depressed, and then Ayanami approached him. So this lie of yours is just your way of coping with one of your friends NOT getting what they want. Well that happens!" Touji yelled. Girl had to realize not everything went her way! Just being attractive didn't guarantee a girl got what she wanted!
"Hard to confess to a boy when you're being told if you act on it you'll vanish and so will your family," Chidori called out as Touji left. She didn't follow directly after him, no she stayed back with Kensuke. Likely to poison the geek more with her lies and rumors.
Joining the throng of students that were gathering, Touji spotting Shinji fighting his way through them. This had to be the place then, a legendary encounter between fire and ice. What did Touji expect to see, well he wasn't sure but he just knew it would be something. How could it not be? Maybe a fight, a declaration of war, or something even worse! If things got spicy, maybe some clothing damage might occur! He'd not be adverse to seeing either girl in a compromising position, he was a teenager after all. Brushing past some of Chidori's clique, Touji saw Sakura following Shinji make his slow way through the group and not the two women.
"So you must be the First Child then," Asuka's rich voice rang out in the humid air. Holding her hand out to the sitting and reading girl, Asuka tried making peace first. "First off good work on putting a leash on the Third, little to plain for my tastes but whatever knocks the pervert out of a boy the better."
Rei said something and moved her book out of Asuka's shadow, Touji strained to hear it but couldn't. Was Ayanami incapable of making sounds above a whisper or something? He'd have to ask Shinji later if Rei even made sounds when they were alone. The anticipation was growing as Asuka's hand stopped hovering and went to her hips. Oh that look of annoyance as familiar to Touji, she had it on her face before she smacked him on the boat. "Now this is when it gets interesting," he saw Shinji just about cleared of the guys on the stairs.
"So what are you reading?" Asuka deftly tugged the book out of Rei's hands. Making broad steps away from the seated girl, Asuka half covered her face with it. To those watching the act was more to get Rei's attention and not in spite. "Thinking we could be friends. We'll have to rely on each other for safety, well all three of us. And I want to know you actual care if I…I…what is this filth?" Asuka finally looked at the book.
Moving with a speed that many thought Rei incapable of, the albino closed the distance between the bench and Asuka in moments. "It is a learning aid that belongs to me. Return it," Rei held her hand out expectantly. Rei did take a step closer to Shinji as the boy finally got over to them, panting and hunched over. Her hand not held out towards Asuka rubbed Shinji's back.
Hurling the book at Shinji hard, Asuka back peddled, "Did you make her read this trash? I thought you were better than those other freaks. But to have her reading sex aids? What the hell are you two up to?" Asuka, recovering quickly, advanced on Shinji quickly and aggressively. Grabbing the lad by the shoulders, she was positively livid as throttled him.
"Holy hell Shin-man's already…" Touji gasped and felt that bitter pill of jealousy grow. Was it possible that Shinji and Rei actually already went all the way? They had joked, Kensuke and him, that Shinji and Rei were already snogging, but it was just a joke. Shinji was supposed to be like Kensuke and one or two steps behind Touji in social issues! He was the tall one, the strong one, he was the one that was supposed to go first! And to have Shinji making Rei read books on how to service the Ikari engine? Man was Shinji a freak like that?
The whole crowd gasped as Rei shoved Asuka off Shinji and stood between the two. "You are uninformed. It was I that purchased the aid of my own volition. Shinji-kun has been improving his cooking to please me, so I wish to do something for him," Rei picked up her book and gave Shinji a bashful look, a faint hint of red. "Now I demand you leave us alone. I will interact with you if ordered, as will Shinji-kun. I do not seek any social connection with you," Rei took Shinji by the arm and lead him away.
Amid catcalls and wolf whistles, Touji was stunned as much of the guys were. Shinji had a real goer for a girlfriend! Who would have thought Rei would actively been reading about sex to please her boyfriend? It was unheard of, it was strange…it was fitting for Ayanami. "Well more to tease him with this afternoon," Touji was going to rib Shinji senseless this afternoon. Somebody had to, and who better than his male friends.
X-X
Staring at the multitude of reports relating to Unit-02 and additional pilot, Misato was feeling the ever growing joy of knowing she was off shift soon. It had been a long and tireless day of reports, meetings, and complaints. The commander wanted updates on the cities defense matrix, the UN wanted psych profiles on the pilots, and the city wanted insurance forms filled out. Misato wanted to know how that factored into Nerv's primary goal of saving the earth, but nobody answered HER questions. She did NOT sign up to be a glorified paper pusher, but it seems at times that's all she was. Now all she had to do was check on Ritsuko, hand off the details on Asuka and go home for a nice relaxing evening.
Well she would be relaxed now if it wasn't for the man-whore molesting her friend on the other side of the glass partition. "He hasn't changed at all, why was I hoping otherwise," Misato seethed. Her head pressed against the glass, jets of hot air billowed out her nostrils and fogged up the glass. They had broken up because he couldn't keep it in his pants and never once said he actually cared. Now here he was nuzzling Ritsuko. Men, not worth the effort or the hassle anymore! Clenching the papers tightly, some tearing in the process, Misato stormed into the room, "Sorry to break up the show but some of us have work to do!"
Pulling his arms away from Ritsuko and up above his head quickly, Kaji's smile lost none of its luster. "Just checking how our dear friend was doing, Misato, nothing wrong with that right?" his smugness was at least masked somewhat. Pulling a cigarette out of his pocket, he put it between his lips and winked. "So what brings you down here anyway, I thought you had the finalization of Unit-02 going on up in command?" he twirled around Ritsuko's chair and leaned against a panel.
"Likely trying to pass work off on me or to drag me out for a drink after work. But after I tell her some news I bet she'll have a whole new evening planned," Ritsuko teased. Seated between the other two, Ritsuko took the crumpled papers and smoothed them out. Rotating a crick out of her shoulders, she paid the sheet a little head service. "So Soryu is officially registered with Nerv-Japan now, that's good. Not that it matters in the long run what agency she's under," she brushed the papers over off her keyboard.
Politics, so much of the world was at stake because of politics! "I know it's silly to get worked up over these things. But at least it's finished," Misato agreed with the bs. Arms crossed under her bust, Misato could feel Kaji eyeing her with his bemused interest. Was he going to hit on her like he was doing so to Ritsuko, was he expecting to start up another relationship. Just what was he planning? "As for you, I didn't see you listed as Asuka's guardian when we got her brought over. So what are you going to do about her anyway?" Misato felt repulsed by her old feelings for him. It had been a mistake, lust not love, and she made now plans to doing that again.
"Well I wasn't like I was around her a whole lot back in Germany," Kaji shrugged and grabbed the papers Ritsuko pushed over. Reading them lazily he smoothed out more of the tattered edges and swatted his fingers against it. "Good to see Unit-02 is already primed and good to go. So what are the plans for my favorite little German? She staying on base or she moving in with you and the young Ikari?" Kaji made his way closer to Misato but sagely stopped. Fixed in place by a fierce glare, he just stuffed his hands in his pockets.
Twirling around in her chair, an odd look on her face that promised untold problems, Ritsuko held a hand up silencing both adults. "That's all for now children. While I love watching you both play mental chess with one another. Kaji, I have something important to tell Misato and I don't think you have the right to be here for it. So be a good little boy and head off somewhere?" Ritsuko gestured to the door. When Kaji went to speak Ritsuko just held a finger to her lips and pointed again.
With Kaji pausing to wink at Ritsuko and blow her a kiss, Misato flipped him off and bore down on him until the left. "God I can't believe I used to think I loved him. Not back for two weeks and I've seen him it on Ibuki, Morisato in accounting, and two of the guards and NOW I see him hitting on you. He's not changed in all the years he's been gone," Misato grabbed a chair and sat heavily on it. Her head was throbbing already with stress and frustration. It hurt her pride to realize she still found him attractive. Just she had learned her lesson and wasn't going to repeat it.
"Well you know men and their toys, Kaji just likes to use his more than the rest," Ritsuko sighed and fixed her collar. Wearing another of her many turtle necks, Misato had to admit Ritsuko was wearing them a lot lately. Handing Misato a nice little print out, the slim smile was back, the look of dull boredom vanishing for the first time since Misato arrived. Returning to her work, but that sense of mirth was there, "That is from Ayanami's physical from two hours ago. If you want to know right now she's doing some testing and not with your little roommate."
Not understanding what she was reading, it seemed like reports of tearing and… "What is this Ritsuko and don't beat around the bush. Is this what I think it is?" After her talk with Shinji on the 'Over the Rainbow' Misato hadn't expected this. He had seemed adverse to the idea of being with Rei in that way, but from the reports, if she wasn't reading to much into things. "Please tell me Ayanami has a sugar daddy on the side and she's breaking it off with Shinji? He'll be upset, but I'm sure he'll get over it," oh god she hoped that was the case.
"Nope," damn that smile was showing pearly whites, "and it seems our little Ayanami has taken to studying the act. Before the last angel attack I saw some of her reading material. Girl was planning on getting into all kinds of adult fun. You're little boy is a man now." Tittering as Misato's jaw literally fell open, Ritsuko patted the woman's cheek. "And from the physical they have made good on things. She's stretched and showing signs of activity. Thankfully Ayanami is barren so no fear of little pilots running around the apartment," Ritsuko picked the dropped paper off the ground.
How should she feel about that little news bomb, Misato wasn't sure. Rei was making Shinji happy, and that in turn made Misato happy. She wanted the best for her little man, she truly did. But was what was happening truly that? Shinji had either lied about not being ready, or he was forcing himself to do things he didn't want for Rei's benefit. Time and time again she teased Shinji with her body, getting a healthy blush or squirm, but to know he had experience now? Hell this morning she teased him and he nearly dropped the frying pan. Boy wasn't ready for that type of relationship, yet Ritsuko was saying Rei had aids already set up!
"So how is momma bear doing after hearing her little cub is off in other dens?" Ritsuko set back to work. She had her fun by the sound of it and was back doing her own thing. "If it matters to you, both of their scores are higher now than they were before. So nothing bad has happened, just Ayanami being a little fixated on it," she came off as meaning it.
Knowing now what to do with Asuka, the joke solution wasn't a joke anymore, Misato just breathed in the stale air. "Well Ayanami is going to get a roommate soon then. I don't want Asuka on base all the time, and now I want somebody to keep an eye on Ayanami. If you heard what Shinji-kun said to me, you'd understand," Misato wasn't looking forward to that conversation. Getting off the chair and reluctantly checking her watch, she saw she was indeed off shift now. Shinji would be home now, what with Rei on base, and that meant she have to tell him she knew. "Well thanks for telling me, Rits, I don't want to know but it's better that I do," she limply waved as she left.
Moving through the base in a haze of confusion, Misato halfheartedly waved at those that she ran across. Shinji and Rei had sex, well maybe it wasn't so bad for Shinji. He cared for Rei, Misato was sure of that. It could do him a world of good, as long as it wasn't treated as a game or something. That's what Kaji and she had used it for. Soon the relationship changed from actual interaction to just between the sheets. Shinji didn't seem the type for that, but Rei was changing before Misato's eyes. What if that girl wasn't ready for it and just took it to far. Find her car exactly as she left it with one caveat, a letter under the wiper blade, Misato recognized Kaji's handwriting.
"Not charming your way into my life again," Misato just dropped the letter, ground her foot against it, and got in. Mind slowly easing into the idea of Shinji doing such things as she drove, Misato nearly hit two cars and blew past a red light. He hadn't changed after being with Rei, so it wasn't that bad a thing. He was still easy and fun to tease, so squeamish about everything. "I guess I can let him continue, if he's careful. Going to tease him into the ground though," now she was smiling as she twirled her car into its parking spot. Her little man getting herself some loving, it was kind of cute! Just as long as she didn't walk in on it. She did NOT want to see Shinji and Rei getting it on. "Though I'll have to ask if she's just as quiet when they do," she giggled.
Opening the door to the apartment, Misato called out loudly, "Oh Shin-chan we have something to talk about regarding your little girlfriend!" Her voice was singsong and whimsical as she kicked her shoes off. OH damn, she saw two sets of other shoes, his friends were over! Not what Misato wanted to deal with after getting home from a long day of work. Shinji was great, he cooked for her, rubbed her shoulders, tended to her like a little butler, but his friends not so much. They were the typical teenagers, and Misato was not liking how the bigger one constantly drooled after her.
"Misato-sama!" sure enough Touji was the first one to call out, "We expected you to show up earlier." The jock was sitting on one of the side chairs, a game show on the television, and several cans of soda on the table. A small mess on the table, junk food and magazines, but Misato could smell something wafting out of the kitchen. God bless Shinji, even when friends were over he saw it necessary to cook her meal. Waving at Misato though, Touji's eyes were just a smidge south of her face, "Shin-man said we had to ask if we could stay for supper."
A camera in hand, Kensuke sagely didn't have it pointed at Misato quite yet, "Hello Katsuragi-san. Not getting Shinji in trouble with us being over are we? After a long day, my dad generally doesn't want me to have friends over." At least the smaller boy was showing some restraint, he did subtly take a picture though, the click was masked with a forced cough.
"Welcome home, Misato-san. Supper should be ready in about ten minutes," Shinji apprehensively tugged on his collar. Misato's little comment let slip more than she likely would have liked, so Shinji wasn't looking at her directly. Lowering the volume on the television, "You don't mind me having Touji and Kensuke over do you? We spend so much time at their homes. It's only fair I guess." That little fear would never leave Shinji it seemed, the fear of disappointing others.
Heading to the kitchen for a beer, Misato's peripheral vision saw Touji not taking his eyes off her. The other boy had returned to talking to Shinji. "They can stay till supper, I don't mind that. But you know how I like to have my meals in silence," Shinji was smart enough to not contradict her. If she said he couldn't have friends over, Shinji would never have them over again. It was just how he was, and she wasn't going to do that to him. Popping her can, she took a quick and deep swig. That hit the spot, she was going to need a little less sobriety to deal with teenage hormones. Plopping down next to Shinji on the couch, she played with the boys.
Being her normal self, teasing them all, Shinji harder than the others, Misato had to admit it was fun. After the initial wave of attention receded, both of Shinji's friends relaxed and played right into Misato's hands. They tried to impress her of course, but they seemed to know their limits, while Shinji bashfully ignored as much as possible. When the chime for supper rang though, they reluctantly put their shoes on and left.
Getting herself a third drink, Misato sniffed the steaming plate of food she was presented with. Maybe having his friends over wasn't that bad an idea from time to time, he was more relaxed thanks to it. "So anything you want to tell me about, Shin-chan?" Misato was shocked to see an Italian dish. He had been trying new food lately for supper, branching out from the standard Japanese fair. At first Misato thought it was an attempt to impress her, now she suspected it was for his darling Ayanami.
"Y-yeah, sorry for not telling you I was bringing Touji and Kensuke over, Misato-san. I didn't plan on it, but they asked at school today," Shinji clumsily used his knife and fork. It was comical to see him stab at the noodles and hang it over his mouth to eat. With a red stain on his shirt, Shinji slurped it up. Rubbing at the mess on his face, "They weren't bothering you were they? Touji can be a little…enthusiastic at times."
That was an understatement, but nothing Misato hadn't dealt with before. "They're just not used to beauty the way you are. At times I wonder if you even think I'm attractive. I go out of my way to entice you, and yet you go over to Ayanami for loving," Misato wiggled her chest teasingly at the lad. When the fork fell from Shinji's hands with a clank, Misato had to start laughing. Yes walking into adulthood hadn't changed Shinji's personality at all. "Ritsuko informed me of a little tidbit of information from Rei's physical today. My little Shinji is a man now," she pinched his cheek.
"I…Misato-san…I don't, um well I mean," Shinji just lowered his head and tried to match Asuka's plugsuit in color. "Are you, upset with me? After what I said before, and now?" he peeked at his guardian reluctantly. The smile on her face did much to knock the stress out of him though. Slowly, he recaptured his fork, "I wasn't planning on it, but it just sort of happ…" the angel alarm could be heard blaring followed by two phones ringing, "end."
Getting her jacket back on, Misato's good mood was destroyed by that damn siren, Shinji was going back out to fight for his life. Teasing him about Rei, or her plans to get the albino a roommate were suddenly not that important. No her thoughts were more on finding a plan to cover for Asuka's botched frontal assault, and the humiliation of needing the UN to N2 bomb the twin angels.
X-X
Changing out of her plugsuit and back into her school uniform, Rei sat in her normal quiet contemplation. What was it really for, why was she forced to do her private work on the Dummy System when the battle against the twin angels was less than half a week away? If the Second's inability to compromise brought about defeat and death, her time was better used in other means. It had been days since she had been able to spend any real quality time with Shinji. And if Soryu somehow caused Shinji to be hurt, Rei clenched her fist tightly.
"I do not like her," Rei drew her ribbon around her neck. Such oddities, these trappings of her uniform but they had such interesting uses. Just the day before the angel attacked Shinji had so sensuously undid this very ribbon and wrapped it around her wrist. But then Asuka had entered their lives in her annoyingly easy fashion. Things just seemed to happen simpler for that woman, and it vexed Rei to no end. Pulling her undergarments up, her finger accidentally traced her lips and that spark caused her hips to lock. What was so wrong with enjoying this with the one man she wished to? Buttoning her skirt, "But she is like the rest and doesn't understand us."
It seemed nobody cared save for Shinji about her. They just saw her intent to meet her partner halfway in their relationship, as the magazines said to, as something dirty or wrong. But it wasn't wrong! It brought them pleasure, happiness, and a reason to live. Yet from every direction people frowned upon them, scoffed at her, or spoke down upon her. Rei wasn't bereft of knowledge, she had a cornucopia of it. Just what to use with it, understanding of its finer points escaped her. So when Asuka had vented her opinion on Shinji, calling him disparaging comments, it left Rei confused and angry. Couldn't they just leave them alone? That was becoming Rei's want, to just be alone with Shinji in however they wished to spend their time.
"Ayanami you almost done in there? I want to get back to the apartment to see how they're doing. Been studying the routine for my little fire?" Misato called out from the doorway. Another person that didn't understand Rei or her simple wants for life. Footfalls echoing in the empty changing room, the woman wandered from the showers to the lockers. With a burst of air, "So there you are, and you are ready to go, good. Now you remember the plan if we need it?"
Sealing her locker and leaving it unlocked, she had nothing she cared about behind anyway, Rei nodded. "I have memorized the dance, and am able to adapt to Shinji-kun's speed," Rei knew that perfectly. When they were together she could just sync with him perfectly. Well that was until her mind fogged over and she lost herself to the bliss she felt. It was amazing and a little frightening how good Shinji could make her feel. Petting was wonderful, but the act of intercourse literally left Rei frazzled and limp.
"Now you're just supposed to shock Asuka out of her little superiority complex. We can't replace the core of Unit-02 with Unit-00's, to many variables right now. Just knock her down a peg," Misato pulled her jacket tighter against her body. It was a visual tell that Rei knew well, it meant the woman was building up courage to ask or say something. With a wide outstretch arm gesturing to the door, Misato impatiently nodded, "Well no time like the present to get back. Thanks for letting the have friends over today. It is your apartment, but you've more space than mine for all her stuff."
Ah yes, the sudden intrusion of a sea of boxes to her new dwelling. If Asuka had any more things, Rei wouldn't have been able to accommodate the necessary training gear. Following close behind Misato as she made quick way towards the parking deck, "It was the simplest choice." But Rei didn't like it, how could she? Asuka was now living in her apartment for the duration of this strange operation, on the other hand so was Shinji. Under better situations Rei would have been overjoyed, Asuka however prevented any form of affection. Maybe after the angel was defeated Shinji would stay and Soryu would be removed.
With a shrug, Misato opened the passenger side door before walking around to the drivers. "Well it's still nice of you. We could have moved Asuka in with Shinji and me, but with all her shit I doubt we'd have room for all of it," Misato put the key in and fired up the engine. And then she just sat there, foot on the clutch and hand on the transmission. Sat there and clutched the wheel, her attention on someplace far beyond the walls of the parking deck. "Ayanami, can we talk about something important. Something regarding your relationship with Shinji-kun?" it was a reluctant question.
Judging the tone and quality of Misato's wording, Rei could discern Misato's fixation on Shinji. From Misato's psychological profile, amply provided by the Commander, Rei knew the why of this question. Due to Misato being barren she likely was starting to form an attachment to Shinji as a surrogate child. It fit with all the reports, and was allowed to continue by Gendo as a form of control of Katsuragi. Which meant Misato wasn't on Rei's side of this matter. "You are allowed to speak however you wish," Rei just didn't want to hear it and couldn't refute the woman's rank above her.
"You talk like that with him, Ayanami?" Misato quipped a little hotly as she shifted into gear. Shaking her head, her mighty purple locks spilled over her shoulder. Holding her hand up, "Never mind that, just thinking out loud. What I want to ask is, and I want you to be honest with me, are you and Shinji-kun having sex? I asked him about this when we had our little date to pick up Soryu, and he was leery of the idea of it. You shouldn't rush into things like that when both partners aren't ready." Misato spared Rei a quick glance as they tore off into traffic.
Wasn't it already known, Akagi had made a comment of it during her physical prior to the angel, so Rei was confused. Hands daintily crossed on her lap, cars and buildings blurred past, Rei did her best not to react to the increasing speed. "I was under the impression you already were aware of Shinji-kun and my activities. Akagi-san knows, and as Shinji-kun's guardian she would have told you," Rei had a small hitch in her voice. These speeds were not doing her stomach any good as she felt her hands clenching at her skirt tightly.
Shifting to a higher gear, Misato's lip curled up in response to Rei's whole body tightening up, "She told me of course, but I wanted to hear it from your lips. Shinji-kun confessed it too. Was wondering if you'd try and cover it up. Anything you want to say about it?" Passing a slow moving truck, Misato nearly clipped on oncoming car as she deftly maneuvered back into her lane. Car horns were blaring at her, but it only appeared to egg Misato on to faster and more reckless driving. Turning down the radio, it was set to a news station talking about the recovering angels, "Any questions about it?"
"So it was a test as expected," Rei expected it, but until now Misato hadn't openly tried such. Her breathing continued to increase as her heart rate spiked, she wouldn't accept any further car rides from Katsuragi if possible. Finding the dirty floor of the car easier to look at than the streaming window, "I have nothing to say other than we shall not stop. Shinji-kun apologized for his hesitation. And my only question would be one of duration. My reading states men are known to release first, yet in our couplings such is not the case." Not that Rei was complaining, it was quite the opposite.
Tires screeching, the smell of burned rubber from the sudden stop, Misato took the turn into the apartment complex at a speed that left the car temporarily on two tires. Once she turned the car off, Misato clutched the wheel harder, "Did you ever think he only apologized to make you happy, Ayanami-kun? Shinji-kun is a very accommodating young man, willing to do things he doesn't want to please others. Now I can't forbid this right now, but if it does impact either of your piloting I'll have to. As for that other…matter Ritsuko did say it was something genetic he got from a recessive gene from his mother. It's nothing to be worried about."
Getting out of Misato's car quickly, Rei took several moments to breathe deeply and rhythmically. A calming technique she had read about and worked for many purposes. It helped after Shinji and she finished to get her mind back focused. And why did Misato suspect Shinji would ever NOT want to enjoy such a thing as what they did? "I would not question his actions. But I agree he is attentive," and he was endearing for it. That was why Rei was so intent on reading on ways to match his efforts. So many things he did for her, and she had done practically nothing for him. That would change though.
"Well just try and remember that he's a sensitive young man, Ayanami-kun. I'd hate for you to be taking advantage of his kind nature. But we have her royal highness to worry about now, we can talk about this later if you do have anything you want to talk about," Misato didn't come off as very interested. No, her intent had been to do what the commander had done, and lay down stipulations. If Misato's whims weren't attended to she would attempt to remove Rei's happiness.
Opening her door just in time to hear a shrill yell of annoyance, Rei didn't bother taking her shoes off. The annoyed call of, "You damn pervert! I can't believe you're still not able to stay on your own mat!" Rei made directly for Shinji as she saw him on his hands and knees rubbing at his back, shirt hiked up and a foot print on it. Pointing at the wounded boy, Asuka hotly decreed, "Misato, I can't work with him! He's too slow and uncoordinated!"
Suddenly flush and her thighs rubbing together, Rei wasn't ready for Shinji panting against her and sweating. His smell was intoxicating, so much so that Rei found herself gently rubbing his back as she helped him to sit. "You are uninjured? Can I get you anything?" Rei asked. The others, two boys and two girls sat on the floor surrounded by food and drink. Recognizing Shinji's two male friends, the class representative, and infuriatingly the girl that refused to leave her alone.
Hunched over, panting heavily and haggard, Shinji just patted the back of Rei's hand. "Nothing permanent, the fall just rattled me is all. Bottle of water?" Shinji asked pointing at some of the party supplies. Catching a bottle Touji tossed to him, Shinji popped it open and chugged it. After he dried his lips, Shinji released just how close Rei was to him and how she was looking and touching him. "Sorry I'm not doing better, Rei-san. We're getting better though. Want to see?" Shinji got back up with Rei's help.
"Yeah you should see them go! Shin-man has some slick moves on him! Would be better if Soryu wasn't so fast," Touji cheered his buddy on. The others commented were a bit more general, the girls' featuring Asuka and Kensuke wasn't too opinionated.
Uncomfortable with so many people around, let alone in her home, Rei just nodded and wafted over towards Misato. Of all of the people present, Rei was least uncomfortable around her superior officer. With a small smile, hardly noticeable, "Please show me." Rei would watch and support Shinji as best she could, not much else she could do. And watch she did, and the more she watched the more Asuka infuriated her.
The duo tried the organized dance routine for an hour under Rei's gaze, and each happened exactly the same. They pair stared off in perfect synchronization, then Soryu would pull ahead faster and faster. Soryu didn't know how to be a partner, it was only at her pace! And when Shinji stumbled trying to keep up, Asuka got angry and took her frustration off on Shinji. Often it was mental attacks, but more than once Asuka hit Shinji. Misato's hand on her bicep prevent Rei from acting on those. How dare that girl strike Shinji for her own failings!
After a very close to perfect run was ruined when Asuka actually forgot a step ended with a hurled headset, Misato stepped in. "Rei, why don't you give it a try. You've studied the routine right?" the captain handed Rei the discarded headset with a knowing look. It was show time.
"I know how to perform with Shinji-kun," Rei felt an odd thrill in her intentionally riling comment. Putting the earpieces on, they were slick with Asuka's perspiration and it made Rei slightly disgusted. Standing before the panting woman, Asuka's leotard clung tightly to her body giving Rei a good view. Larger breasts, taught stomach, angular features, and an athletic build…yes a dangerous body if she feared Shinji would stray. Mere inches from the girl, hot breath on her face, all Rei said was, "Move."
Amid the catcalls from Touji and Kensuke, Shinji reached out for a moment to hold Rei's hand. "Sorry you have to do this, but I'm actually glad we get to do this ourselves," he had his infectious smiles that Rei loved so much. After a small shake he let go of Rei while she clung to him for a moment later reveling in the texture. The music started playing in the headsets and the two danced. While neither were particularly graceful people, they moved in practiced synchronization with one another. It was close to how they moved in private, one steady and continuous motion moving from one piece to another.
When the music ended and the score was a ninety-eight, a passing score for the battle, the room went up with male cheers. Touji and Kensuke loved seeing Asuka get her comeuppance, while the girls were confused. Well aside from Asuka who was livid, and stomped back over to Rei's mat and held her hand out expectantly. "Give me my headset back you…" Asuka stopped and closed her eyes. Taking a few deep breaths. "You cheated I know it. God knows what you do in private so this shouldn't even be a challenge. Now get off my mat before you soil it. We have work to do," Asuka yanked the headset from Rei's hand.
"Asuka-san that's uncalled for! We didn't cheat, and what Rei-san and I do isn't…it isn't relevant to this," Shinji found the whole room eying him. His whole body just light up in a glorious red light as the room went up again. Shinji's act of defending Rei was received by him confessing Rei and he went further than he wanted to know. Getting back onto his mat, Rei and he sharing a brief moment of connection, Shinji girded himself from further embarrassment. With an unsteady but confident voice, "That is that and this is this…so we should just get back to practicing."
Rolling her eyes, Asuka did something that made Rei even more upset than her abuse, she was kind. Patting Shinji on the back, Asuka went back to her mat and nodded. "I guess you can be assertive if you need to be. And more importantly you can do this stupid dance without failing. I guess…I guess I owe you an apology Ayanami. I went too far. That idiot is right, this is its own thing. Now lets get back to it!" Asuka cheered and got back into the mood.
Sitting next to Misato, Rei continued to watch the pair dancing. It was better than it was before Rei showed Shinji was capable. But watching her beau dancing with another left a dark feeling in Rei's mind, and a pinch in her chest. She didn't like it at all, but it was necessary for survival. Another two hours of annoying sounds from her classmates, Rei found them leaving and Shinji and Asuka cooking food.
Asuka complained that it was vegetarian, but Shinji insisted so Rei could eat with them. Holding hands under the table, Rei felt better with just that simple touch. When they won, Rei was going to request Shinji and she spend the day off together. After supper was more dancing then sleep. The trio slept on the floor of the living room, Rei wasn't going to let Shinji sleep in the same room as another girl. There was a line she hadn't known she had.
X-X
Lying on Rei's couch, Shinji did his best to ignore the sounds of running water in the bathroom. Rei just had to be called in to Nerv this night to 'keep his attention focused on mission'. Now Shinji would never say it, but he suspected Misato was afraid they'd do something that would make him too tired for the mission. He wasn't that petty, he wouldn't risk humanities survival for a little loving. While Rei was very apt to desire such, far more than he, Shinji doubted even she would risk it. But the order had been issued two hours ago, Misato going so far as driving Rei in personally. Now he was alone with Asuka.
"Girl is bi-polar, I swear," Shinji muttered as he turned up his music player. Asuka truly was a mixed bag for Shinji, one he didn't know if he enjoyed interacting with overall. Sure when Asuka was happy she was a blessing and filled a room with energy and vibrancy. Problem was to make Asuka happy was oft hard to do, and her attitude could shift at a drop of a hat. Still able to hear the water running, Shinji tried to focus on the magazine he was reading. Grumbling as Rei's magazines were so strange to him, "How can she buy these things? I hope she doesn't really put faith in them." What they were telling Rei to do was odd, borderline scary to the timid lad.
The faucet shut off finally after an additional ten minutes. Having practiced up until Misato announced Rei's need to leave, the pair were as ready as they were ever going to be. With their supervision gone, Asuka had quickly demanded food (it HAD to have meat now that Rei was gone) and then hit the shower. All smiles as she ate, a good meal had been high on her complaints, Asuka actually complimented the boy for his cooking skills. Again, she was a true marvel when happy.
"Oh Shin-chan! You ready for the real team building exercise?" Asuka cooed out from the opened bathroom door. Steam poured out of the bathroom, a billowing cloud of moisture rolled out as she walked out. Clad in only a towel wrapped around her bust down to her mid-thigh, Asuka's wet hair glistened with clinging water. Tightening her hold on one of Rei's new towels, "You don't think Misato took Ayanami without expecting us to do this, do you?"
Sitting up on the couch after hearing his name called, Shinji's eyes popped open and his heart rate spiked. Throwing himself off his perch, Shinji quickly took steps far away from the girl and towards the kitchen, "Asuka-san, what the hell are you doing? Go put some clothing on or something!" It was a tease, of course it HAD to be! Over the course of their forced living together Asuka made a point of commenting on Rei and his relationship in such disparaging of light as possible! Even if she wasn't teasing, he wasn't about to throw away his relationship with Rei for this girl! Backhand waving her away, "Misato-san is doing what she thinks is needed. That's all."
The wet slapping sound of Asuka approaching Shinji made him tremble with each step. "Oh, Misato know's better than that. We did good with our training, but after seeing Ayanami and you move as you did, she had to see it. We can't really be in sync unless we go further than we have," Asuka's serine voice wafted richly in Shinji's ears. Putting a hand on Shinji's shoulder, she fought hard to twirl him around. Rubbing the back of her hand against his cheek, "Oh don't worry about your girlfriend, I won't tell her. I bet she even expects this too."
Eyes closed shut, Shinji wasn't buying it, wasn't wanting it! His life had been so lonely until now, he wasn't willing to risk losing it. Blindly, with agonizing slowness, Shinji gently grabbed Asuka's arm and pushed her back. Rei, his relationship with her, was odd of course and he had to do a few things he wasn't too proud of, but he cherished it. "I can't do that to her, Asuka. I won't. I don't care even IF that's what Misato-san wants. I won't do it," his jaw was firm, he was not going to be tempted.
Then in a moment, Asuka clamped down on his shoulders tightly and a rich an honest laugh left her German's mouth. "You really are serious! Wow, I pegged you dead on Third Child!" and just like that the heat generated from the girl was gone. Plopping down on the couch where Shinji had just occupied, Asuka flipped through the magazine. Snorting at what she was reading, "I thought you were the honest and dull type. Damn Ayanami reads some odd stuff. So that means I was right about her too, she's the pervert."
Peeking at the girl, not sure if he was really ready to trust her, Shinji saw the towel on the ground as he inched closer to her voice. "You're a strange girl," was all Shinji could say. Their on the couch was the Second child in short shorts and a tube top. It had been a test, the girl had been testing him! God she just could rile him up in frustration with so little effort. With Rei only having a couch, and him not wanting to sit next to Asuka, Shinji sat on the ground and leaned against it. His pulse no longer making his head thump, "What would you have done if you got me wrong then. Were you going to throw me on the ground or something?"
Picking the magazine up with her thumb and forefinger, Asuka dropped it on the ground. "Something like that. I won't sleep alone in the same room as somebody I suspect is a freak, so I had to be sure," she rolled on her back. Flashing Shinji a thumbs up, she actually came across as content. Propping her head up on the armrest, "Oh don't get huffy or something like that. You did good, I'm not worried about you, it's all fine now." Slapping the couch lightly, her smile lost some of its luster under Shinji's strenuous glare.
And that was it, she would just defend herself as being right no matter what he did or said, so Shinji just caved in. "Well just don't go trying stuff like that when Rei-san is around. She might not take it so well," Shinji suspected at least. Rei showed on a few occasions a rather drastic sense of possessiveness, Misato had even had to invoke orders on the girl. Feeling tired, emotionally and physically, Shinji just yawned and not for the last time that night wished Rei was there. Drawing to Asuka's flailing, Shinji blushed upon seeing how her top clung to her due to the moisture, "You need to go dry off more or you'll stain Rei-san's couch."
"You're damn right that girl is possessive, and what are you…" Asuka yelped with an odd cute quality. Her foot lashed out and kicked Shinji in the head lightly as she thrashed about. Crawling over the back of the couch, she scrambled over to the towel and reaffixed itself around her. Exasperated she fumed as she headed to her a room of her boxes, "Stupid joke went to far, I did NOT want you to get a free look. My pristine body is for Kaji-san only." Stomping off to the three futons that the pilots all used, she gathered one up and headed off to a spare room. "I'm going to bed, and I think we can both appreciate sleeping alone," she shut the door with her foot.
Snickering a little, Shinji rolled his eyes and turned off the light. "Whirlwind Asuka, I think is an appropriate name," he crawled over to his futon and laid on top of it. Truly an odd girl, his pained head was testament to that. Not totally bad, as he could understand what she had done, but he would have hoped she'd have done it some other way. She wanted to be sure he could be trusted to not do anything to her. Until this night Rei had always been with them, now it was just them. Rubbing his head as he got comfortable, he yawned, "She's not all bad though. Just too much hassle for me."
Falling into an uneasy sleep, Shinji himself wasn't too comfortable sleeping in the same apartment as strangers, he found his slumber abruptly broken. In the dark of the night, Asuka's door opened and she could be heard moving about. Bathroom door shut, a flush, and then a heavy thump as the girl literally crashed on Rei's futon. Likely due to their conditioning, she had went to his side and not her planned bedding. And oh boy was she close, less than a foot away as she snoozed.
"You're going to be a handful aren't you," Shinji muttered as he grabbed his blanket. With Rei keeping her A/C on high all the time, Shinji noticed two pronounced nubs of cold sticking out of Asuka's top. Covering her up, he paused when she called out for her mother in her sleep. Dragging his futon away from her, he felt a small kinship for her at that moment. Wrapping the futon around himself for warmth, "She's just a kid too." But at least he knew she wasn't as strong as she always appeared.
On the following day the two pilots found themselves replaying the skirmish they had initially lost. With their newfound skill at mimicking one another's actions however they found their opponents not quite as difficult. It had been a pitch battle, but in the end the mighty purple and red beast were successful in downing the eldritch abominations. If one fault had to be mentioned it was Asuka's exuberance sending her Unit-02 toppling into Unit-01 and into the pit that the angel's detonation created. Of course she said it was Shinji's fault while he refuted her. The argument was heard by many, and in the end Kozo demanded Asuka to his office to speak about her responsibility to good PR.
"I didn't worry you, did I?" Shinji asked Rei as he left the changing room. His body was still tender and his nerves frazzled, but just seeing that soft face gazing at him helped. When he suited up she had been seated by him holding his hand, and now she was waiting for him. Looking back into the locker room, "Asuka leave already?"
Stunning Shinji by latching onto him, an arm wrapped around his neck, Misato sprung her sneak attack. "Oh she's likely already in the Sub-Commander's office. He wasn't too happy with her little tirade over an open channel about things. Press control is going to be a nightmare, thankfully damages were almost nil to both the Eva's and the city," Misato nuzzled her ward affectionately. Her act of care however was quickly responded to by Rei all but driving between the two of them. Making a showing of stepping away from the two, "Good work out there, Shinji-kun, very good. But before you two head off for your celebratory day, I've something to tell and ask both of you."
"Agreed, your actions were swift and without err," Rei added her own feelings. Linking her arm at the elbow with Shinji, Rei listed against his side. Her stance was formal as always, but she rocked on the balls of her feet gently. Never one to show disrespect in a true military setting, "What did you need of us Katsuragi-san? We would very much wish to leave."
Shinji could almost feel what Rei was wanting to do, and he wouldn't refuse her. It had been a long week for both of them, and he wanted to insure his girlfriend remained happy. "Well it wasn't just me, Asuka-san really is a lot better pilot than I am," Shinji couldn't take all the credit for the win though. Patting Rei's arm as she tensed up, she didn't get along well with Asuka and Shinji wasn't dense as to why. Spotting Misato giving Rei an awkward eye, Shinji was quick to try and diffuse things, "S-so what did you need from us?"
"Well I'll not beat around the bush and just say it. Asuka is going to be moving into our apartment building. With the angels getting stranger, the odds we might need to do this little synchronization thing again is possible," Misato rubbed the back of her neck. Her hair enveloped her neck as she tried to avoid talking. Tapping her foot on the ground, she pleaded with Shinji with her eyes, "So either she's moving in with us, Shinji-kun, or she's moving in with you Ayanami-kun. I figured since you two are a couple, I'd let you decide."
His arm went lax and fell to his side, Rei didn't slacken her grip though. "She has to move in with one of us? Is…is it really about the training or are you just…wanting to keep tabs on us?" Shinji didn't want to think it true. Was Misato so worried that she'd put a watchdog on them? With her avoiding looking at them, it was answer enough, he might not be totally right but it was part of it. Turning to Rei, he found her deep in thought, "I'll…leave the decision to you Rei-san. I mean…what would you prefer?" It was a cowards choice, letting Rei make the choice, but Shinji couldn't think of what would make her happy.
"Am I correct in the thought you will not allow Shinji-kun to move with myself or I with you two?" Rei asked and tilted her head. Misato nodded and again had that little half committal shrug, woman could be just as adverse to confrontation as Shinji at times. Locking gaze with Shinji, those red eyes hinting at the deeper thoughts within, Rei nodded. "Your thoughts are to get intel on our actions. As I trust Shinji-kun, I will not have my home invaded by her," reaching out she touched his cheek softly.
Letting out a low whistle, Misato just shook her head. "Well played Ayanami, I have to commend you. Really putting some faith in our little Shin-chan here," Misato ruffled Shinji's hair and spun around. Heading towards the command deck, her shoulders sunk down and her head sulked, "Any chance we can keep some of her boxes in your place though? Not enough room in our place for ALL her stuff."
"We'll take a look at what we can move and what we can't," Shinji said with a wave. To be honest he was amazed and also a little upset with Rei's choice. But he accepted the fact that he did put the choice onto her so he couldn't complain. Feeling her guide his arm around her waist, she headed towards the exit. Kissing her temple, she tensed up and made him smile, girl still was so sensitive to things. "So why did you choose to put her in my apartment and not yours?" did she trust him or was it something else? But damn, he was going to have to live with Asuka's constant demands and mood swings.
Mimicking his arm, Rei wrapped hers around his waist and held him tight. Her body heat was its normal mellow and low warmth, "I do not wish our time together to be interrupted by others. If the Second lived in my dwelling we would not be able to be with one another. You are too timid to risk being heard." Rei spoke from experience. The second night of their training, Rei had tried sneaking in a little petting while Asuka took a shower. Shinji had been adamant that they not, afraid Asuka was listening.
Now that got his blood boiling and his flesh warmed, Rei had called that one perfectly. If Asuka had been living with Rei, Shinji didn't know if they'd ever get a chance to make love in her apartment. Who could tell when the little socialite would return, or leave? "Well I won't disappoint you," Shinji gave Rei a little hug. Hadn't he already proved his loyalty to her after Asuka's little test the night before? He wanted to think so. "So did you want to get some food first or head back to your apartment?" it wasn't theirs anymore. Not being able to just sleep by her, that would be sad.
One hand going to Shinji's chest, Rei's head dipped again. "Could we go to the apartment first? I have…missed our time alone," Rei almost whispered. How she treated their time together, it was almost frightening. It was so cherished and enjoyed that she revered it so greatly. Leading the way, showing her dominance over Shinji's silence, "Then we might eat as we wait Katsuragi's next infringement."
"Whatever you say, Rei-chan, whatever you say," Shinji just let her lead him on. While he had gotten along well enough with Asuka, a small rivalry borderline friendship, Rei hadn't. So she had been alone or neglected while more important matters were tended to. And just as Shinji expected, the moment they got into Rei's apartment the gloves were off and Rei pounced. A frenzy of kisses, caresses, and motion left Shinji frazzled and intimidated. Oh he performed his duties and enjoyed them, but Rei was neigh insatiable. Foreplay went on during the times Shinji actually needed to recover. And after they were spent, Rei was her post coital self…nearly mute from her panting, glazed, and so pliable Shinji suspected he could mold her.
He let her sleep as he cooked them some supper, she came out the bedroom without a stitch of clothing on. Goading Shinji into something new, she gripped the table and presented herself to him, and he fulfilled her wish. It unnerved him a little how animalistic she got, but he loved seeing her happy. After that they snuggled up on the couch, ate their meal, and watched a movie and chatted. A very welcome reward for services rendered, even if it left Shinji a little sore and reminded him he had to talk to Akagi about Rei's reactions.
X-X
Maya was having a good day, not the best but far better than the usual fair. Another angel was dead, and the whole organization noticed it had been done with far less collateral damage than usual. While Asuka wasn't going to win any personality contests, the girl could pilot, and she was quite the looker to boot. Maya had to admit that one to herself, Asuka was a very attractive teenager.
"If she were older or me younger," Maya giggled as she made her way towards Ritsuko's office. Another day of calibrations and data reviews, boring but it beat medical reports for hurt Children. Maya had a soft spot for Shinji, cute kid and a real hard life, so it pained her to see him get injured so much. Opening the door to Ritsuko's lab, her mouth open to call out to her secret crush, Maya held her tongue as she heard conversation deeper in the room.
It was Ritsuko and somebody else, "You can ask me anything you want Ikari-kun, I won't tell anybody." It was that detached tone that Maya found so allusive and powerful. Ritsuko's attitude and air of authority just stoked Maya in the right way. Powerful women, oh yeah that was Maya's trigger. She had tried dating boys before, forced herself in college to prove she was normal. The poor boy Maya drug off to her bedroom was a victim of it…well not so much victim as casualty. It didn't work out, a few days of trying all the odd sexual things she knew, Maya came to the realization she was a lesbian and they broke up. Stayed friends through college, then went there separate ways only to run into each other again at Nerv.
"Well, Akagi-san, it's about Rei-san and me. Y-you know that we've been…" the poor boy sounded ready to pop. Flustered and soft spoken he just wasn't the type to relax about such topics of conversation, Maya tittered. Covering her mouth as the tiny giggle left, she found the idea of spying deliciously dangerous. Gossip was a foible of the tech's. "Misato-san talked to me about it awhile ago. W-well after we…you know…Rei-san gets really quiet and clingy. A-am I don't something that's hurting her or bad? I wouldn't want to cause any problems," Shinji could be heard shuffling around the room behind the partition.
Shinji and Ayanami were having sex? Maya couldn't believe that! They were so young, and Ayanami was just the most neutered girl Maya had ever known! Well you learn something new every day, and Maya might have to let a few of the others know about it. Kids started having at each other a lot earlier these days it seemed. Hopefully it wasn't Shinji forcing it on Rei though, he was the commander's son. And that man scared the shit out of her.
The clacking of the keyboard could be heard as Ritsuko shifted her focus, apparently Shinji's test was over. "Well with how Ayanami grew up, she's likely just really overwhelmed by it all. Girl's life was pretty barren up until now, so it's all new and her senses could be heightened. Doesn't hurt that you have that little condition of yours. Most boys your age…hell most men in generally are done in a few minutes. Give her some time and I'm sure she won't be so sensitive. Now, if I don't ask this Misato WILL kill me, you are telling her 'no' on occasion right? Misato is still worried you're cowing down to that girl's every whim," something in how Ritsuko said Misato's name erked Maya.
Another pause, Maya felt her cheeks flush at the implications of what she heard. The fear that the Third Child was like his father faltered and died as quick as it was created. Thank god for that, Maya didn't want to dislike Shinji. He was like a little brother, somebody she wanted to see good things happen to. "But to think he's doing such a thing with Ayanami…and she's getting all…" Maya felt her lower half dampen just a smidge. How long had it been since she had a good one? Her toys didn't help much, but she wasn't sure she could ask a woman out.
"Well I want to, and I do sometimes," Shinji rushed in his answer just a little to fast to be believed. "Its just Rei-san asks for so little, I feel bad if I don't…its only a little cooking and…and…" he sputtered and could be heard stumbling as he approached the door.
Freezing in sudden panic, Maya looked to the door and back at Shinji's approaching shadow on the cloth divide. She'd be found out! Spotted for stealing in on the conversation.
"Shinji-kun you know we're not done yet. I have to get another of…those…samples. I have to make sure nothing has gotten worse since last time. I'll leave it to you this time and come back in an hour. Just put it in the fridge. Now I have to go find Maya, she's running late," Ritsuko's tin laugh filled the lab with its joyless mirth.
Heart beating so hard she could hear it and feel it in her ears, Maya quickly stole out of the lab. "That was close…so close," but it had been fun! Worst thing to happen if she had been caught was Ritsuko would disapprove and Shinji would have been mortified. But no harm no foul right? Jogging down the hallway, scaring a few of her work friends as she did, Maya had to get an excuse. Something to explain why she had been late getting to the lab. Finding Makoto at the coffee machine, she waved at him, "Makoto! How are the replacement defenses going?"
Pouring a little sugar into his late morning beverage, Makoto was startled by the sweating and panting Maya. "Uh, yeah we ordered the parts we need. Only two of the panels were destroyed it seems. Those two kids pulled off a real miracle," he waved his cup and nearly spilled some.
Talking idly to her co-worker and friend, Maya just let her little spy game digest in the back of her mind. She'd have to talk to somebody about this, it was to juicy not to! Maybe Misato, but Katsuragi intimidated Maya something fierce. While Maya had a crush on Ritsuko, Misato was something of a wet dream for the closeted lesbian. Nothing she'd ever act on, girl needs to know her limits, but it was fun to fantasize. She's have to talk though, it was begging to be told!
Ritsuko found Maya and Makoto talking about the damages to Unit-01 and tapped her foot impatiently. Breaking up the coffee clutch, Maya played the part of being dense well and started for the lab knowing Shinji was there and doing some sort of test for Ritsuko. When the good doctor told Maya what Shinji was in there doing, well she went full pink cheeked. Now that was something she'd have to tease Shinji about next time they had a sync test. Maya was taking a page from Misato's book and just found Shinji to fun a target. But it helped calm the boy and pass the time. Now she had something else she could tease him about…Ayanami and his little secret!
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Authors Notes
Well hope you all had a happy Halloween! I did, but then again I always do. Trying to keep this story moving along and add some good plot twists and turns. Likely you can see some of the plans I've got, others might still hit you out of nowhere which is both good and bad I suppose.
Again sorry it took awhile for this chapter, but being sick does put a damper on writing times.
Ja Mata
Zentrodie