"Hey! Are you done yet?!"
"Just a second!" Shinji called back over his shoulder. Had he not been so occupied setting the plates, he would've rolled his eyes. It's not like they were in different rooms; Asuka could just look to see if Shinji was done or not.
"Are you sure you don't need any help, Shinji-kun?"
Though he jumped, Shinji managed not to drop the glass pan of salmon he'd just extricated from the oven.
"R-Really, Kaworu-kun, it's okay. You're the guest - you shouldn't have to help."
Kaworu stood with his hands in his pockets as Shinji placed down the tray, divvying up the roasted cutlets onto the plates he'd gotten out.
"...Well, I don't see Second or the Major extending a hand."
Shinji shook his head, wiping sweat from his forehead. He quickly turned to the stovetop, the oven timer going off. "Er, they don't really help out with dinner... um, not usually."
"Hm," Kaworu vocalized loftily, eyebrows raised.
At the very least, he could pass off his overheated face as a result of leaning over the stove. Kaworu probably couldn't tell how self-conscious he was. He hoped not, at least.
This was the first time Kaworu had ever come over for dinner. Shinji had been excited to invite him since it'd give him the chance to maybe return some of the Angel's kindness back to him. He was sure he could at least please Kaworu with his cooking. Although... he wasn't so sure the people he lived with were really helping his efforts.
He had asked Misato to dress a little more appropriately than normal given that they had a guest coming, yet she had just laughed off the idea. 'Nagisa-kun knows me, Shin-chan! He won't care what I'm wearing! You don't have to be all uptight.' She'd giggled slyly. 'Or are you trying to show off for him maybe? Make him admire you?'
Shinji knew he had lost the argument when Misato laughed as he vehemently and embarrassedly denied the suggestion - although he was well aware how perfectly right she was. And he sighed as he finished plating everyone's dinner, turning to the sight of his caretaker wearing short-shorts, no bra, and a loose-strapped tank top. Really...
He placed Kaworu's meal down first, although the boy was still in the kitchen. And despite his insistence, Kaworu emerged a moment later, also carrying a set of food. So much for treating the guest...
"Here," Shinji said finally, placing Asuka's food in front of her. He realized - rather happily - that Kaworu had very neatly set Shinji's meal in front of his seat first while he'd had his back turned.
"Finally," Asuka grumbled, taking the fork Shinji offered her, tapping it impatiently against her plate of fish.
"Oh, this all looks absolutely delicious, Shinji-kun. Do you really put this much effort into dinner every night?" Kaworu asked praisingly, gracefully setting down Misato's portion.
"A-Ah, well-"
Asuka cut him off with a snort. "Yeah, right. Shinji just does this much every other week or so. Usually, it's only noodles or rice or something."
Still smiling, Kaworu's eyes narrowed at her. "Hmm, well I suppose you must be quite grateful. I'm surprised he's willing to put even that much work into cooking for you."
Asuka glared sharply back at him, sneering. "What are you? Jealous that I'm the one who gets to eat his undercooked rice every-"
"Thanks for the meal, Shin-chan!" Misato chimed in loudly, though Shinji was unsure if her interruption was fueled by a desire to break the tension, or if it was simply drunken obnoxiousness. Probably both, Shinji figured.
"C-Come on, it's okay. Just sit down, Kaworu-kun..." He untied his apron, looking away from his dishonored guest.
"Of course. My apologies, Shinji-kun."
Asuka looked about ready to throw another insult at him as he sat, though she just jabbed her fork into her bowl of vegetables instead.
A little moodily, Shinji poked at his salmon, not really excited to eat. How had things gone so poorly already? Kaworu had been forced to set the table with Shinji, and he had already been insulted. When he'd pictured this night over the week, it had gone a lot better than this...
"Mm! Shin-chan, you really outdid yourself this time! I don't think I've tried this recipe from you before," Misato said, motioning to the vegetables.
He shrugged, still poking at his fish. "It's just the sauce that's new. Although I did cook them a little longer than I usually do. I thought maybe that'd make them less bland."
Nodding along, Misato kept shoveling food into her mouth. And although Asuka didn't comment on his cooking - not that she usually did - Shinji noticed that she too was eating a little more energetically than usual. He felt gratified enough to finally cut into his fish.
Though he stopped at a glance in Kaworu's direction. His heart dropped a little, realizing he'd only taken a single bite of food, and was now sitting still in his chair, chopsticks unmoving. Oh, God... did he hate it?
"Shinji-kun..."
They all looked up at Kaworu, his eyes wide, mouth slightly open. Shinji cowered as Kaworu slowly turned to him. "Y-Yeah...?"
He shook his grey head, disbelieving. "This is the most amazing thing I've ever had... can food really taste this good?"
Completely thrown off by the awestruck reaction, Shinji wasn't sure what to say.
Misato let out a little noise as if she'd understood something. Covering her mouth as she chewed, she said, "Oh! Nagisa-kun, you must've been living off of the same type of diet as Rei, huh?" She smiled, leaning towards him. "That military ration type stuff, right? You probably haven't had real food before."
"Is that what it was?" Kaworu wondered vaguely, scooping up more of his meal with fervor. "My, it's not even comparable to this! Oh, Shinji-kun, I had no idea you could make something so delicious; thank you for this, truly!"
Shinji stared. "S-Seriously? You've never had food that you actually enjoyed before? That you really liked?"
Kaworu shook his head, smiling as he picked parts from every section of the food before him, as if taste-testing it all. "It was all fine. But I had no idea that food was meant to be enjoyable."
The redhead across from him rolled her eyes. "I guess that explains why you look like a twig. Not that Shinji's much better."
Though Shinji would've tried to defend himself normally, he felt far too prideful to consider Asuka's comment. Kaworu actually liked his cooking!
Maybe with a touch of attention-seeking, Shinji smiled down at his plate, finally starting on his own serving. "This isn't all that good, Kaworu-kun... I mean, I've made better stuff before."
Swallowing a large bite, Kaworu tilted his head to the side, rested his head on his knuckles, and smiled charmingly in Shinji's direction. "I'm certain your abilities are outstanding. If you're able to make something this amazing, I can't imagine what else you're capable of." His eyes turned inquiring. "Forgive me for the imposition, but I can't help but ask if you'd offer me some more first-hand examples in the future."
Drawing himself up at the thought, Shinji nodded. "Y-Yeah, of course!"
The pale boy giggled happily. "Oh, thank you, Shinji-kun! How generous you are," he said, punctuating the observation by leaning sideways and affectionately bumping their shoulders together.
Nervously, though wildly flattered, Shinji leaned away, turning back down to his plate with a repressed, little smile. He found it hard to meet Kaworu's eye when he got so close.
He'd almost forgotten that the two of them weren't at the table alone. Flicking his eyes up, he caught sight of Misato and Asuka exchanging a glance. Asuka's sour expression wasn't odd, though he didn't much like the smirk Misato was wearing.
"Honestly, I can't even think of how you'd gain such an incredible skill like this. It must've been difficult."
"O-Oh, well it was-"
Asuka groaned across the table. "Ugh, don't make me gag! We're trying to eat here!"
Turning his head slowly, he kept that placid smile on his face, but Shinji could tell that whatever Kaworu wanted to retort was anything but kind. Wishing to prevent an argument, he just shifted, looking down at his food. "W-We can just talk about it later, Kaworu-kun..."
"Mm," Kaworu hummed, acknowledging. Asuka broke the heated staring contest a moment later to continue working on her food. Shinji sighed in relief, glad he'd managed to dodge a disaster. He was especially relieved when Misato changed the subject, shifting Kaworu's attention away from him.
He allowed the conversation to go on around him, happily eating. He thought it tasted even better than before, though that was likely because of Kaworu's praise. Maybe he should've been embarrassed by how easily affected he was, but he wasn't very focused on that right now. Shinji was happy thinking about the leftovers he'd get to eat the next day.
"...God, that training session they planned for us looks like such a drag! It'll take hours, and it's right after school too. I'll be so tired."
For once, Kaworu agreed with Asuka. "I must admit, it does seem rather tedious, especially given how low the risk of attack is right now."
Putting her fork down on her finished plate, Asuka leaned back in her chair. "It's probably not as bad for you - you're an Angel; don't you have like, infinite stamina or something?"
"...That isn't how it works."
Shinji chewed, thinking. Kaworu may be an Angel, but he often looked frail, especially at school. If anything, he probably had it worse. Suddenly though, he recalled the last time he'd seen Kaworu at lunchtime. He usually hung out with Shinji and his friends during lunch, but he had only just realized that he'd never once seen Kaworu actually pack something for himself.
All those school days, and Kaworu had never brought food with him. Was that why he looked tired so often? If his being an Angel made him stronger like Asuka suspected, Shinji feared to think what condition Kaworu would be in if he was a human.
"Mmm! That really was great, Shin-chan!" Misato wiped her mouth clean and tossed her crumpled napkin at the trash, barely missing.
Asuka nodded too. "You should make that kind of stuff more often."
"It'd be nice if I could, but this was a lot of effort..."
Giggling, Misato took another swig of beer. She was getting redder in the face. "That's right, this was for a 'special occasion,' wasn't it?"
Shinji blushed. "W-Well, yeah..."
Also finished with his meal, Kaworu linked his fingers under his chin and smiled dazzlingly at the boy beside him. "You really are so thoughtful. All of this just for me..."
A tsk sounded from across the table. "It wasn't just for you. He made it for all of us."
"Interesting. Weren't you just saying earlier how Shinji-kun doesn't put as much effort into dinner when it's only the two of you?" He quickly turned to Shinji, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Not that I believe you're lazy - I'm sure you still pour so much care into everything you make." He smiled back at Asuka. "I suppose you're just... jealous that Shinji-kun puts more thought into his cooking when I'm here?"
For some reason, Kaworu's wording made Shinji's stomach squirm. What was that supposed to mean?
Gritting her teeth, Asuka stood up from the table. "God, you are so full of yourself! I'm glad you're only staying for dinner!" She stomped off towards the bathroom, shutting the door with force. Shinji slumped a little in his chair.
"Oh, that reminds me! You're gonna be leaving soon; do you need any help getting back to Nerv, Nagisa-kun?"
"That's alright, Major. I'll get back just fine."
...A good thing too, Shinji thought, because Misato looked about ready to get a DUI if she went out on the road now.
"Welll," she strained, stretching her arms above her head. "I'll go off to my room, then. I'm feelin' sleepy for some reason." She stood too. "Night, Shin-chan. Have a good night, Nagisa-kun!"
Immediately, Shinji felt awkward as he and Kaworu were left alone in silence. Though he was glad Kaworu broke it soon after.
"I suppose you'd like some help cleaning up?"
Shinji sighed. "Only if you'd like to help."
And with a smile and a simple nod, Kaworu began gathering dishes alongside Shinji, and the two of them went back into the kitchen.
Glancing over at Kaworu, Shinji bit his lip, then decided to speak above the rushing water of the sink as he did the dishes. "Um, I'm sorry about Asuka. I guess I forgot you don't really get along with her..." He looked at him concernedly "I really hope it didn't ruin things..."
"Oh, don't be silly. I very much enjoyed dinner; I promise. I don't think anything could've ruined that outstanding meal."
Gratified, Shinji turned back to the sink. "I'm glad..."
He really was happy. As long as Kaworu said he enjoyed dinner with such sincerity, then Shinji was sure he meant it.
Still though, he just felt like he wanted to offer him more. After every nice, little favor Kaworu had done for him, Shinji really wanted to give him something in return. Suddenly, with a glance to the foil-covered leftovers, he thought of something.
He wiped his hands on a towel. "Hey, do you think you could wait one more second before you leave?"
When Kaworu nodded curiously, Shinji squatted down and riffled through the cabinets. He set down an extra bento box on the kitchen counter and opened up the still warm leftovers.
"I was just thinking," Shinji said, cutting up the extra salmon filet into smaller pieces, "I never see you eating lunch at school, Kaworu-kun. Since you liked dinner so much, I figured maybe you'd like to have some tomorrow too." The food was still warm when Shinji finished pressing it into the box, and he was glad he'd been able to fit all the leftovers into it.
"Ah!" Shinji jumped as Kaworu hugged him tightly from behind, arms snaked around his stomach. He blushed bright red. "K-Kaworu-kun!"
"You truly are the sweetest lilin I've ever had the joy of being around." He sighed against Shinji's neck. "Just look how you've pampered me."
The younger boy squirmed, torn between excitement and fear. "Kaworu-kun, you sh-shouldn't touch me like this! Someone could see..."
"Hmm? I don't see anyone," Kaworu observed, though he did loosen his grip.
Biting his lip, Shinji stole a glance out through the dining room. Asuka was still in the bathroom, heating up the bath, no doubt. Misato had probably already passed out in her room. He sighed. "I know... I just don't wanna get made fun of. If they see us like this, then..." He shook his head, then took a few steps to the side, falling out of Kaworu's arms to look at him. "You wouldn't mind, um, not telling people about this, would you? Me doing this for you?"
Kaworu tilted his head amusedly. "Very well then. It can be our little secret."
Shinji nodded. "Then," he held the bento out to Kaworu, "I'll see you at school tomorrow?"
"Yes. See you then, Shinji-kun." Kaworu took it slowly, hands brushing against Shinji's.
When Kaworu finally left, Shinji sighed. He wasn't quite sure why he was smiling so wide, but at least he didn't have to hide it when he was alone.
...
They really were such idiots.
Of course, that wasn't news to her. Shinji had always been absolutely terrible at lying, and that creep didn't even seem to have the capacity to lie at all. So, it wasn't hard to figure out that they were hiding something. And Asuka didn't like that. Not one bit.
What business did those two weirdos have keeping secrets like they were five? Shinji really just needed to grow a spine and quit being so embarrassed about every little thing he got caught doing. Not that he knew what he'd been caught yet. She was sure he still thought he was being all slick and secretive.
And what a ridiculous thing to lie about. Honestly, it's not like anyone would care that he was making lunch for his friend. People did stuff like that all the time - it was the fact that he wanted to hide it that left such a bad taste in Asuka's mouth.
What made it more insufferable than anything was the way Kaworu would get this horribly smug look on his face every time he ate at lunch now. It made her sick to even look in his direction. Every time they happened to make eye contact, it was like that jerk's creepy eyes glinted with derision. That stupid smirk said everything he was thinking.
'Oh, look at me. Look at all this attention Shinji-kun gives me. Look how much effort he puts into doting over the lunches he makes for me every single day. And poor you... he doesn't make anything for you, does he? No, he's too busy thinking about me instead.'
The raging homo narcissist...
Not that any of it got to her. It's not like she cared that Shinji was giving him special treatment. After all, she was still the one Shinji came home to cook dinner for every night.
...Or she had been. Though recently, Shinji had started to sleep over at the pervert's house a lot more frequently.
It would've made her upset, yet Asuka was convicted. If that jerk thought he could just take Shinji all for himself, then it wouldn't be a big deal to just expose their silly little secret.
She smirked at her desk, flicking her pencil between her fingers. Once the bell signaled the start of the lunch period, Asuka came up behind her dark-haired classmate.
"Hey, Shinji, can I see your homework from yesterday?"
He turned, surprised. "What, the biology homework? Did you forget to do it last night?"
Asuka rolled her eyes. "I don't forget things like that. I just wanna check answers."
"Um, well, sure but-" Asuka bent down the moment he'd uttered his approval, not listening to whatever else he was saying.
She riffled through his bag carelessly, until she found what she was actually looking for.
"Why do you have two bentos in here?" she asked suspiciously, raising her voice a little. She saw Kaworu flick his eyes up at them out of his peripheral.
Shinji blushed. God, he was so obvious... "H-Huh?" He looked a little panicky when Asuka pulled one of the boxes out of his backpack. "Oh, um, it's just... er, it's nothing, really. Just an extra..."
She raised an eyebrow. "An extra?" She narrowed her eyes and leaned towards him. "You barely ever finish your lunch; why would you need to bring more?" She mimed a look of dawning. "Hey! This isn't an extra! You packed this for someone else, didn't you?!" Watching his eyes widen and his face turn redder was pretty fun.
"N-No! It's really just an extra!"
Hand on her hip, Asuka said, "Oh yeah? Then I guess it's okay if I eat some of it. It's not special, after all."
She opened the box and was almost immediately irritated. Had he seriously shaped those rice balls into cutsey cat heads? And were those melons slices heart-shaped?!
Deadpan, Asuka turned her head until she was staring back at Shinji, who was blushing and shrinking into his seat. "A-Asuka, just please give it back!"
"What is all this? Who the hell did you make something this cutesy for?!" She held it up out of his reach when he tried to grab for it. A few other students were looking. "You have a girlfriend or something?"
She turned quickly when the weight of the box left her hand.
"You're quite pushy, aren't you?" Kaworu held the box out away from her. "It's none of your business who Shinji-kun is giving this to."
Sparks could've flown between the two of them with how intensely they were staring at each other. Kaworu was well aware that Asuka already knew the lunch was for him, she could tell. He was smirking in the most punchable way.
"Yeah? Well, what makes it your business?!"
"I didn't say it was, as you don't see me interrogating him. I'm only trying to give it back."
She sneered. "Oh, because you're just so perfect, huh? You could never do anything wrong!"
Kaworu's eyes glinted dangerously. "You just love to lash out when you know you've embarrassed yourself, don't you? Save yourself the humiliation, why don't you."
"Oh, you pretentious, motherf-"
"It's Kaworu-kun's, okay?!"
They wheeled around to Shinji. He was staring hard at his desk, face bright red.
"I-I've been making him lunch every day for a while now..."
The immediate students had all gone quiet. Asuka repressed the urge to smile. He'd finally owned up to something. And although she was satisfied, she wanted to see how much more she could eke out of him.
Asuka twisted her face in false disgust. "Why would you do that?"
Shinji picked his head up, though he still didn't meet anyone's eye. The slightly pouty look on his face made Asuka want to roll her eyes. What a baby...
"B-Because Kaworu-kun doesn't make himself food, and I don't want him to go hungry. Plus, I really care about him, so..."
A few little "aw"s issued from a group of girls sitting nearby. Shinji squirmed. That was about all she needed to hear.
"Ugh, you really are a homo, aren't you?" Shinji didn't say anything. She flipped her hair and turned to walk back to her own seat. "Whatever, go on and enjoy eating with your boyfriend."
She only allowed herself a smirk once she had made it back to her seat and made sure neither of the boys were still looking at her. Kaworu had bent down over Shinji's desk - to coo at him no doubt - and all she could see of Shinji were his bright red ears.
Hikari joined her at her desk soon after. "Wow! So, are those two seriously...?" she asked in a leading voice without preamble.
The redhead snickered. "I mean, just look at them. It's not like they can hide it. Those two homos couldn't be more obvious if they skipped through a flower field holding hands."
Hikari looked thoughtfully down at her food. "I know it's weird. Two boys probably shouldn't be like that with each other, but... I can't help but think how sweet Ikari-kun is doing that for Nagisa-kun. He really must love him."
"Ugh, if you lived in the same house as idiot Shinji, you'd think his constant kissing up to that perv was disgusting, just like me." She smirked again. "At least now he might be a little less annoyingly nervous all the time. It's been driving me crazy."
She wondered passively if Shinji would get mad at her when they got home later. Then again... he might just go over to the pervert's house instead. She could just imagine Shinji sniveling in his arms about big bad Asuka and Kaworu comforting him, feeling all smug that he's the one Shinji goes to for safety. Even though it was a sickening picture, Asuka smirked.
At least she had gotten Shinji to fess up. He probably never would've done that if Asuka hadn't insisted. Kaworu should've been thanking her.
She smiled a little wider, thinking about a house free of Shinji this afternoon. Asuka couldn't wait to tell Misato all about the new rumor flying around about those two.
'She's gonna love this.'