A/N:

Don't have many notes for this one. I'm super tired. But I do apologize if this romance is moving too fast, I have a soft heart lol.

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You know, if Mari could say one positive thing about NERV renting her a shithole amongst industry, it was that Tokyo-3's nightlife was just a short walk away. On the flight from the UK, she'd read over various publicity packets and leaflets, all talking up Tokyo-3 as a revolutionary titan. But that was all just fluff. It was time to see what the city was really like. The seedy underbelly!

Small problem, uh, her Japanese was…Rough. Not absolute zero - but not far off. She mostly just threw herself in the deep end and hoped it all worked out…But Rei acted as a liaison.

Side by side, the two pilots walked around the city. Various shopfronts all competed for their attention, but the blue-haired pilot was laser focused. She was able to weed out the various discount and poor-quality outlets that put all their money into presentation - eventually landing at a small chain store. Though, one that was highly regarded.

After some awkward chatter with a clerk, Mari had quickly settled on a queen-sized matress. Of course, considering her room's size - she probably should've gotten a twin instead, but… there was a non-zero chance she'd soon find a partner to share it with. Fingers crossed, anyway!

Though, she was going to go for the cheapest option. All relative, it was still a good mattress, but the shop had some wicked expensive luxury ones…

Rei took the lead, talking with the clerk for a minute before pulling her card out and handing it over. To which, Mari just asked "What are you doing?"

"Paying." Rei replied. Before ripping off the receipt and handing it back to Mari. While she wasn't able to read the bulk of it, right there in big bold writing was the price tag. An even million yen.

The bed purchased for Mari was a super-deluxe model, with an oak bed frame, silk bed sheets, and even a lush pink canopy. As well, express building and delivery - meaning it was going to arrive within the week.

Rei took note of how the boisterous Mari had frozen with a shocked expression, worrying that she'd done something wrong. "Is the bed not to your liking? I apologize. The transaction hasn't been finalized, I can find you something else."

"No, no- the bed is, it's phenomenal! But, why are you buying it for me?" Mari stammered.

"I wanted to." If anything, Rei had more money than she knew what to do with. Under NERV she was a full-time worker with a fine wage, but… NERV comped her housing and she wasn't exactly an extravagant eater. She had more than enough that it only made a dent in her account.

At this point, Mari just didn't know what to think about Rei. That was seemingly an act of unexpected generosity. Wait a moment…Thinking it over, she finally came to a conclusion.

"Oh, I get it, you wanna sleep with me, huh?" Mari teased, her face turning into a cat-like grin, Giving the other pilot a playful wink and a nudge.

This made Rei freeze in place. Ironically, her face felt extremely hot. Although - taking the flirting completely literally. The thought of sleeping together, in a bed… As if they were husband and wife. Spending the rest of their life together, it… she wasn't the type of person to crave companionship, but now that she got a taste of it, she was intoxicated.

Of course, Mari was the type of girl who didn't like to stay in one place. After leaving the store, they began to look for a watering hole to spend the rest of the night…Eventually settling on a place advertised in bright neon -'Moonlight Karaoke.'

Having learned from experience, Mari figured the trashier the bar - the more fun it was going to be! Unlike the, uh, mattress store.

The second they arrived, the two pretty girls were swarmed by strangers. Like a pack of vultures. Whatever, that meant that they got pushed up near the bar and basically begged to sing.

Rei didn't want to. She had never done something like that before, and failing so spectacularly…It scared her. But Mari, on the other hand, jumped at the opportunity! Looking through a songbook, it was rather difficult finding one she knew. Language barriers and all that. But eventually, she decided on good old 'Fly me to the Moon.'

Coincidentally, Rei's favorite song.

Mari did a pretty damn good version, too. Her voice was peppy, more suited for pop, but it worked well enough for a ballad. Even if it was just a performance…It was almost as if she was singing right to Rei.

After that was over, Mari sat back down at the bar and ordered a pair of cocktails for the pilots. She chugged her's down in one gulp, whereas Rei took one sip and turned up her nose. The flavor of alcohol was…not her favorite. Plus, it made her throat feel strangely warm and tingly…like she'dd just thrown up. So instead, she just ordered a water.

This continued for a few hours, Mari would go up, sing, chug another drink, and get further and further drunk. So much that by the end of the night, she was completely blacked out.

Taking the lead as a protector, while she paid - Rei asked a bartender to call a cab that would take them both back to their apartments… Much to the chagrin of the dogs at the bar. Loading into the car, Mari laid her head on the other pilot's shoulder, Quickly falling asleep for the rest of the ride.

After being shaken awake, Mari needed…help up the stairs and into room. Though she mayyyy have been exaggerating it, just a tiny bit, as an excuse to hold on to Rei closely.

Mari wasn't quite ready to leave the night off, though. As she was sat down on the bed, she grabbed Rei's face - and pulled her into a kiss. On the lips, one that was held for about thirty seconds - though neither of them wanted it to end.

When Mari finally pulled back, she happily said "That was a… a thank you, for the bed…"

"You're welcome." Rei squeaked, though her voice was much more…raw. More emotional. While she normally thought through her words before speaking, but… now she was speaking from the heart. On her cheeks were a slight shade of pink. It felt like she was burning, lit by a spark in her heart.

Turning around and stepping out of the room, replaying the moment in her mind. Did… Did it really mean anything? No, it was just…Mari was drunk, she probably was just being a little too intimate…

Right? R…Right?

Whatever the case, Rei didn't get a wink of sleep that night.