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AN: I made dis. I sorry if sucks. If I had to place this oneshot anywhere in the timeline, it'd be following my fics 'On Melancholy Hill', or 'The Outlaw Torn', which display a more optimistic outcome after Third Impact, so roughly a year and a half after December 31st, 2015. No need to read the other fics beforehand, though. Alright, enough talk. Fic time.
All I Want
"God damn it!"
Flour flew through the air, impacting on the wall and painting the entire living room in white. Two eggs were quick to follow. One found its target; the frame hanging from the wall, whereas the other splashed against Asuka's door. She watched in quiet fury as the yolk slithered from Misato's face to her own, then fell flat on the floor. Pen-Pen sneaked out of his fridge to get a beer, saw the battlefield, and shrugged at her. The one door not yet blemished by her failed attempt slid closed.
"Yeah, well," she ground out, grabbed another egg and took aim. "Screw you, too!" The egg smashed against the fridge. "Stupid bird. All you're ever good at is hiding and drinking, anyways."
Asuka glanced at the horror of their kitchen. Plates and pans lay scattered, filled with two different kinds of failed batter. Dirty dishes towered on the sink, their electric oven smelled of burnt sugar and charcoal. Smoke lingered in the air, as though mocking her efforts. The newly acquired apron was already stained to the brim. White, brown and black smudges clashed distastefully with red. The cute 'Kiss the Pilot of Unit 02' legend on the garment were illegible. She huffed in annoyance, feet marching over to the balcony where fresh air could wash away the stench of burning failure.
"Cooking's relaxing, he said," she muttered to the empty apartment. "It helps you think, he said. Helps you stay grounded, he said. Grounded, my ass. Gee, Shinji, it makes you think? I think this is utterly beneath me!"
The neighbors enjoying the lazy Monday afternoon looked up and shrugged once they recognized her voice. They had gotten used to Misato's morning routine and her decreasing outburst, so a scream or two was nothing short of a gentle chirp in comparison. Regardless, the extra pairs of eyes made her feel self-conscious enough to march back into the battlefield.
"I faced the EVA Series, the end of the world, survival in the wasteland, and I can't bake a freaking cake for the idiot's birthday?" She glared death into the dirty dishes, hands on her hips. "Preposterous. The Great Asuka Langley Soryu does not falter or flee. Let's get this stupid thing done once and for all."
Thirty minutes and a couple dozen more dirty dishes later, she collapsed on the couch in a heap of dejection and gloom. This is hopeless. It was hopeless from the start, her mind whispered in a reassuring tone. I can't be great at everything. Cooking or baking is clearly something I'm not yet great at. Just order a stupid cake and be done with it. Hell, you can order a special frosting with his face on it! You don't have to worry about the stupid custard mixing properly with the egg white, nor do you have to constantly ask yourself if it's too much sugar you just added, or too much baking powder. Where's the stupid measuring cup, anyway? What the hell is a freaking tablespoon, huh!?
"I've found more relaxation bleeding out," she growled at the pillow. "How do you make this look easy?"
Pen-Pen walked by in search of another beer, offered her a sidelong glance, and pointed to the calendar with his flipper. The day was marked in red. Written in her own hand were the words 'Baka-Shinji's dumb birthday thingy!', glaring down at the absolute state of an endeavor that should have been simple.
"You're… doing what now?"
"Just take the idiot out for a stroll or something! How hard is that to understand, Misato?"
"He's not an infant. I can't just put him a cart and wheel him out, on his birthday of all days."
"Why is it always a fight with you? Listen, it doesn't matter. Take him outside, get him some clothes, say nothing of why you're doing it, and get him to the apartment at 5pm. You strong-armed the UN into building us that nice park, didn't you? Take him there! Sight seeing, ice cream, I don't know!"
"Fine, fine. Jeez, you're taking this very seriously, Asuka. It's only his birthday."
"It's not. Just… ice cream. Nothing filling. I want his stomach empty when he goes through that door, understood?"
"Whatever you say, your Highness. It's cute, though. I'll play along, only because it's for him!"
"Who said it was for the id-ugh. Whatever. 5pm, don't be late!"
A single bloodshot eye glared at the clock on the wall. 1pm. She had less than four hours to bake the stupid cake, finish the meal she had been slaving over for over a week of preparation, set the table and decorate their home with two bags worth of balloons and glittering letters carefully hidden in the empty apartment two doors down. Her back was already aching from standing so long, her wrists and fingers hurt from trying to mix several batches of useless batter.
"It makes no sense," Asuka told Pen-Pen. "Baking is basically following instructions. Add this, measure that, put the stupid thing in the stupid oven and wait for the stupid batter to cook all by itself. Why does it not work?" The bird shrugged and pointed again. "I know, all right? It's pathetic." Pen-Pen nodded. "I'm out of ideas, out of eggs, and out of patience."
She was halfway to her room when Shinji's voice whispered in the back of her mind.
"Thank you!"
"Eh? This isn't a present, you idiot. It's only dinner. What, I can't warm the scraps every now and then?"
"No, of course you can. It just feels… weird. B-But not in a bad way!"
"It's literally just a plate of food, Shinji. And it was just a jacket."
"It was your jacket."
"So what? Just consider it the overdue birthday present from last year."
"Really? Thank you so much! I... I've never had a birthday. To be honest, nobody's ever given me a present before."
Her jaw clenched, hands curling into fists. Communication had been so easy after the first few weeks, after she had punched him and forgiven all she could at that moment. Admitting how they felt was unnecessary when they had glimpsed at each other's heart and found themselves. Gradually, Shinji had gained clarity and confidence. He never rushed, never pushed for anything other than what she was willing to give, and had gained her trust without even meaning to do so.
Damn it. Damn him, and damn me. I can't do this by myself, and I'm not about to feed this idiot some store-bought trash when he clearly has never once had a home-made meal made for him. The phone was in her hand. One click, and it would all end. One click, and her weakness would be known, used as ammunition against her at the most vulnerable moment. The alternative was to try a fourth cake all on her own. Asuka scowled. Screw this. For once, swallow your damn pride, Soryu.
Her heartbeat doubled after the second ring, and settled into full blown panic at the third. She was about to hang up when the call was answered.
"Uhm, hi." Asuka took a deep breath and relinquished her life. "Hikari, I… need a favor."
"No, you don't."
Misato laughed in that carefree manner that soothed his senses. The ocean breeze carried the aftertaste of salt and ash, but no longer that of blood. Families walked alongside them, never lingering too much or acknowledging his presence beyond a nod or a hesitant smile. It felt good to not be hated, but it felt heavenly to be able to simply exist.
"I do!" his guardian countered. "Come on, Shin-chan, don't be like that. Yo have to admit I've been getting better, lately!"
"You still don't make your bed," Shinji started, counting each strike to his patience. "You don't clean the dishes when it's your turn, and you most certainly do not cook. The last one we're actually happy about, though."
"You're so lucky I'm in a great mood today," Misato replied. "This is grave insubordination on your part, my dearest ward."
"No, it's not," Shinji countered. "You asked me if you do enough around the house, specifically telling me to be honest, so I was."
"I'm not drinking anymore," she said, eyes turning downcast. Misato's lower lip quivered in false heartbreak. "Doesn't that count for something?"
"Of course it does, and we're both really proud of you." He stopped by the railing that overlooked their city. The perennial cacophony of reconstruction had eased, but not faded yet. There was too much to rebuild. "It's been so little time, and yet… it almost looks like Third Impact never happened."
"Never underestimate humanity's resilience," Misato stated proudly. Her hand found its way to his hair, ruffling it with affection. "Nor our ability to heal, and be kind."
"I still feel like there should be… more of a penance," Shinji admitted after a few moments of pleasant silence. "People don't even look at me, anymore. They move along with their lives so easily."
"Why would they look at you in any sort of way?" The woman's voice lowered, turning deadly. "If anyone has a problem with you, they can always communicate their grievances to me. I'll be sure to lend a friendly shoulder they can lean on after I knee them in the face."
He chortled, surprising himself. It was all so surreal. They had survived, and after almost a year, they were finally thriving. His grades had normalized, Asuka's mood had settled, Misato's drinking had faded into a memory, and he went three, sometimes four nights in a roll without nightmares or sleep paralysis. Something as simple as sharing a laugh with his guardian had seemed so far off, a distant dream better suited for Instrumentality.
"You barely had any sleep for six months," Misato said once the laughter subsided. "Those stupid circles on your palms won't fade like Asuka's wounds did. You need her to wake you up every other morning now. It used to be every single morning. You survived a devastated city, hungry, deranged looters, wild animals, storms, and disease, all the while looking after Asuka, as well. That's more than enough penance, Shin-chan."
"I guess," Shinji said. His gaze fixed on the ground. "It doesn't feel… earned. Not yet."
"That's because you're always too hard on yourself, mister Baka." The use of Asuka's favored word instantly drew his eyes to hers. "She keeps telling you so, and weren't you the one who said your girlfriend was the smartest girl you knew?"
Heat rose to his cheeks despite months of having officially become a couple. Akin to the joy dancing in his chest, the idea of Asuka reciprocating his affection baffled him as much as being allowed to exist. Despite his disbelief, his now girlfriend was eager to claim what she described as 'eight years of missed hugs', and would invite herself to his personal space several times a day. They could be walking back from school, or in the middle of lunch, and she would move from her perch to sit as close to him as humanly possible. Only two words were ever offered as explanation.
"Hold me."
So he did. Every single time, without fail, he hugged her with every bit of fervor in his being, grateful beyond words to be granted such an opportunity. "Sometimes I feel so at peace that I forget my father," he admitted. "Even with the nightmares, even with everything else. Yesterday was one of those times. Asuka and I sat on the balcony for hours. I played the cello, she read her book. It was… heaveny. And I can't help but wonder if it's all going to be taken from me again."
"If that were ever to happen," Misato commented. "What would you do, knowing what you know now, and having lived through what you have?"
Shinji's fists clenched. "I won't let anyone or anything take away what I've been given. I may not deserve it, may not have Unit 01, but I have my hands. They'll have to do for now."
"You have me, too," Misato added with a smile. "And my gun. And you have Asuka. Imagine anyone trying to take you away from her, especially when she's feeling clingy. Lilith would crap her massive panties."
He laughed loud enough to make pedestrians look his way. There was no hatred, no disgust, not even a slight discomfort to his loudness. They smiled, and he smiled back. It was that simple. However impossibly complicated, life could also be as simple as watching a sunset besides someone dear to him.
"Thank you," he told Misato in earnest. "For coming back, for finding us. Thank you for building a home for us."
"No need for that, Shin-chan." Whereas before the mere concept of human contact had crippled him with trepidation, Shinji was able to melt into her embrace once Misato's arms encircled him. "I'm the one who should be thanking you for giving me this chance."
"How could I not?" He hugged her back, feeling a frightening calm set in his chest. "You were very convincing. Half-naked, hair sticking to your face with what looked like blood. You had a gun in one hand and an ax in the other. I wasn't about argue when you said 'You two are coming with me'."
"For someone who used to freeze when asked what day it was, you can be surprisingly forward when you feel like it, mister," Misato said. She playfully poked his cheek with her index finger. "I love seeing more of that side of you. You've grown up a lot in less than two years, Shinji. Or maybe it's just Asuka's influence."
"Is that a bad thing?"
"Not at all. Quite the contrary in fact."
Public shows of affection were frowned upon, but no sane person would walk to Misato Katsuragi and tell her to stop hugging her ward in the park. They stood there for a long time, doing little else than enjoy each other's company. He could have asked for no better gift.
It had not once occurred to Shinji to check the date.
The sun was barely starting to caress the horizon when Misato's body stiffened. "Wait, what time is it?"
"Uhm, it's 4.42pm," Shinji replied with a raised eyebrow. "Are you late for something? School is off today, and I thought you said you didn't have to wor-"
The quiet joy, relaxation and absolute bliss shattered all at once. Misato physically picked him, threw him over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes, and bolted to the parking lot without another word. Shinji protested half-heartedly, shocked to see her so uncaring of wrinkling the clothes they had just bought. Twice she almost ran over someone, twice she offered nothing else than a breathless 'sorry'.
Heh, and I thought I was the running expert in the house, Shinji mused. I wonder what this is about. We had ice cream, went to the mall, to the park. Is it Asuka's turn or something? What's the rush?
"Well, if you must know, the rush is that I said five o'clock, and we have exactly twelve minutes to get this done!"
Hikari laughed amiably from their table. Toji and Kensuke snickered, but visibly hurried in their attempt to hang the overly expensive, and overly glittered 'Happy Birthday, Baka-Shinji' sign she had commissioned. The broth boiled quietly in the kitchen, noodles at the ready to be cooked the moment dinner began. Her fourth attempt at the stupid cake had finally crystallized into something edible. It stood proud at the center of the table, crude decorations and all.
"You know, cooking's supposed to be relaxing, Soryu," Kensuke commented innocently from his perch on the ladder. "This felt more like an episode of Hell's Kitchen. Who knew there were so many uses for the word 'donut'?"
The stick she had procured to bludgeon the silly little piñata hanging from the ceiling snapped in half. "If I hear this relaxing crap one more time," she rasped, enraged. "I will beat whoever said it until I see if they also have a candy filling. Got it?"
"The Devil can only do empty promises, guys," Toji replied. The confident smirk he wore reminded Asuka of the Cheshire Cat. He was bound to hold her weakness over her head for years to come. "No need to fear the wrath of the Great Girlfriend Soryu. If we go missing she'd have to explain the whole debacle to Shinji, on his birthday of all days. We are," he said, sitting by the table and assuming Gendo Ikari's pose. "Protected."
"For now," Asuka responded. She balled up a napkin and threw it a Toji's head. "You're lucky I needed monkey strength to finish making this place look like Elton John's wedding sweet." The three youths laughed, and Asuka couldn't help but smirk. "Otherwise I would have never invited you Stooges."
"Lies, slander and misinformation," Kensuke argued lazily. He yawned and helped himself to the chips she had set on the living room. "We're Shinji's friends, and if you're going out your devilish way to do something like this for him, it means you already considered not telling us a thing for weeks, maybe months. I bet you ran through every possible scenario, and realized you needed Larry and Curly in your corner."
"So you admit you and the ape over there are the brawn, and the Baka's the brains."
"I admit you're free to think that if it makes you happy."
"Screw you, four eyes."
"We love you too, Asuka. Not as much as Shinji does, though."
"S-Shut up, you daft monkey!"
"Yeah, yeah."
"Isn't it nice to rely on someone else who isn't Shinji for a change?" inquired Hikari between giggles. "Even the Great Asuka Langley Soryu needs help sometimes."
"Don't freaking remind me," Asuka grumbled through gritted teeth. Damn it, I'm gonna have to practice this demeaning task more often if I want to do this by myself next year. I'll sooner solo the EVA Series again than go through this humiliation a second time. "You're all just lucky I decided to procrastinate too much and ended up choking on a deadline. There!" She all but slammed the last plate on the table with a triumphant roar. "Done! Hah! That'll teach you, stupid bird! Let me see you lift that flipper again!"
Pen-Pen's door opened as though summoned by her victory. He glanced around the apartment once before shrugging and disappearing behind his fridge. That's right! Mission accomplished, and with two minutes to spare. Nothing less than what I expected.
"So, you're not gonna change or anything?" Toji asked, pointing to her stained, burnt and now discolored apron. "Kinda weird to welcome your boyfriend home with flour on your hair."
"On my hai-what!" Asuka stole a quick glance at her own reflection and grimaced. She looked almost deranged with her bangs so unkempt and pieces of food clinging to her face. The clock read 4.58pm; only two minutes to make herself somewhat presentable. "Alright, I'll need someone to stall the idiot and the drunk long enough for me to shower and cha-"
"They're already in the elevator!" Hikari beamed, holding up her phone. "Quickly! Everybody get to their stations!"
"Did we really have to make two signs?" Toji complained while hiding behind their couch. "Soryu's does the trick, and why do I have to be the one to hold it- ow! Okay, okay! I'm holding the thing!"
"Hush!" The class rep demanded with authority that brokered no argument while turning off every light switch. "There's two signs because we're celebrating two birthdays, last year's and this one," she whispered in a deadly tone. "Asuka, psst. Asuka! Positions!"
Right. I'm supposed to be in the kitchen and jump out, she thought. Her body refused to listen. Move, damn you. Move! Get going! Nothing. Her feet felt rooted to the floor. No, no. He can't see me like this, he'll know I've been tinkering with this nonsense all day! Absolutely unacceptable! Get to your room, let the Stooges stall, get ready and blow this idiot's mind to the stratosphere with your magnanimity!
"To hell with positions," Asuka said. "Keep him distracted while I make myself presentab-"
The door hissed open.
"We're home!"
"Surprise!"
Hikari, Toji and Kensuke screamed, the lights came back to life, and the party popper she was not supposed to be standing under exploded, showering her already tarnished locks with colorful confetti. Misato was the first to enter, to Asuka's eternal dismay. The woman's eyes gleamed with satisfaction and self-righteousness. Not only had this day cost her a friend circle, but a guardian as well. The things I do for this idiot.
"Wow!" Misato beamed. She inspected the kitchen, table and her precious cake with ravenous hunger in her gaze. "How did you guys get this done in so little time? We were only gone for a few hours!"
Just put me back in the pond at this point, Asuka's mind pleaded. Shinji entered the house looking handsome. He wore a new set of clothes, hands full of groceries and what she assumed to be presents. Better yet, tell Mama I've reconsidered. This is beyond humiliation… this is strange and unusual punishment.
"H-Hi," she managed, forcing a shaky smile through endless nerves. What if the food tasted horrible? What if he disliked her present, or the cake? "Welcome home, Shinji."
"Hi, Asuka!" He announced, peeking from behind the boxes. "Oh, everything looks so festive. Hikari, hi! And Toji… and Kensuke." Shinji blinked in surprise. "Are we too early or something? Whose birthday is it?"
The vein popping on Asuka's temple since that morning sent a jolt of wrath through her body. Her right eye twitched. She glanced back at the sign hanging behind her with clear kanji spelling 'Happy Birthday, Baka-Shinji', then back at his absolute disregard for her tattered apron.
Misato, Hikari, Toji and Kensuke covered their ears.
"What are you, stupid?!"
"So in short, yeah," Shinji admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "I guess I was pretty stupid."
"Hmm," Hiari nodded, stabbing the dumpling without once breaking eye contact. "And how is it that you and Asuka were already chummy with each other when we got here? From what I'm hearing, you were indeed acting stupidly then."
"I punched him in the face," Asuka replied for him. Her voice was calm, and she was glowing after her shower. "Really hard. My hand was sore for a week." She shrugged, voice feigning disinterest while her eyes spoke otherwise. "Then we had a talk, a good one, and things started getting better. Heh, tell them about the wolf, Baka."
Blood rushed to his face. It had been their eleventh night trying to find shelter and finding nothing but collapsed buildings. "I, well," he started. All eyes on the table fell on him. Even Misato stopped gorging herself on Ramen long enough to listen. "We hadn't found the shelter Misato found us in, and were huddled up in this shack. There was a small pack of wolves that started to follow us for a few days. They must have escaped the zoo or something. Two or three, I think."
"Three," Asuka added. Her hair, still damp from the shower, glistened under the light and caught his eye. "One always stayed behind, probably old or crippled. Anyway, we were roasting this rabbit outside the shack, and suddenly we were surrounded!" She pointed at him with the fork. "Tell them about your last stand, Baka!"
Misato's eyebrow quirked upwards. "Last stand?"
"N-Nothing of the sort," he managed, and tried to hide his face in the bowl. The food had been delicious. "I took the ax we were using to chop firewood and… just stood there."
"He glared down at those vicious predators, ax at the ready," Asuka cut in, motioning wildly. "A look in his eyes I had never seen before; pure determination. They stared each other down, beast versus man, a warrior against nature's grim reapers, Baka facing dirty mutt. The Baka took the ax, lifted it above his shoulders… and…"
"Yelled 'shoo'," he finished lamely. "They didn't move, so I… threw them some leftovers, and they left." Toji, who had been leaning in, groaned and sat back down with a frustrated huff. Misato and Hikari both giggled, and Kensuke erupted in laughter. "They came back, though! And this time I did shoot them!"
"With a slingshot, mind you. And we had guns by then, actual guns! But no... the Invincible Shinji can't hurt a starving, mangy mutt!" added his ruthless girlfriend. "He was cooing the thing! Saying stuff like 'come on, please leave. I don't have any leftovers today!'"
Everyone at the table laughed, him included. "That's kind of mean. I was trying to be nice to the wildlife."
"Hey, I tried to make you look cool and you didn't catch my drift." She smiled, full of confidence and looking resplendent. "Suffer the consequences of your inadequacy, Third."
It all felt too much like a dream; Asuka grinning, beautiful and confident as she held court in their home, Misato joking and smiling without a beer can in her hand, his friends all around healthy, and alive. A plathera of dishes made by hand just for him, a massive chocolate cake at the center of their table. A birthday party for him, for Idiot Shinji.
He awkwardly blew out the candles and cut the cake, careful not to damage the frosting too much. Everyone at the table complimented the taste, Hikari included. Asuka seemed so at ease, so proud to have crafted a perfect night, so much like the girl he had fallen for in that ship. The cake was devoured quicker than he would have liked, and all too soon he was opening gifts that felt too heavy and unwarranted. Hikari gave him a large cookbook on European cuisine, Kensuke procured a new music player smaller than his thumb, yet water resistant and able to store thousands of songs. Misato presented him with a 'grown up' cologne, whatever that meant.
Toji gave him a basketball, and the promise to whip him into shape after the weekend.
For her part, Asuka only pointed to the cake, the two signs and mountains of food in the kitchen when pressed about what she had gotten him. Only when their friends left and Misato yawned for the seventh time did she hastily give him a small velvet box. She glared an unspoken message of silence into him along with the gift, so he placed it on the nightstand of their room and waited until exhaustion claimed their guardian.
'I don't know how you did it, but you got me those hair clips last year. Still owe you one, so stand ready for my next surprise, Baka.'
The note was stuck to the outside of what looked like a jewelry box. Curious, Shinji measuredly removed the wrapping, minding to not tear a single corner. Something glistened from the inside. A bright collar sat within, the insignia a masterfully woven flower of silver, golden and crimson. It felt heavy all of the sudden. What is this? He wondered, too stricken to so much as remove the fine piece from its enclosure. Looks like some sort of medal. But why?
"Let me guess," Asuka muttered, leaning on the door frame. "You don't know what it is."
"I don't," Shinji agreed sheepishly. "Sorry."
"Figures. I'm not even gonna bother with the needless apology." She rolled her eyes and snatched away the box. "You have to start paying attention in class, Baka. This was in last week's lecture."
"Spoken like someone who didn't totally copy all of last week's assignments from the, and I quote, 'lazy Idiot'."
"The fact that homework is beneath my advanced intellect is another matter entirely. Now," Asuka gently removed the collar and opened the clasp. "Shinji Ikari. Get over here."
Shinji gulped. Isn't that what the guy in the yellow suit says before he punches you in the jaw? Regardless, his feet moved to stand next to her. "Yeah?"
"This is, uh," Asuka looked away, suddenly hesitant. "This is the Collar of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum. It's the highest honor a citizen of your tiny island can receive."
He took an instinctive step backward. "W-What? I can't accept something like this!"
"Keep it down, you idiot!" Asuka reprimanded, stole a glance at Misato's door and nodded after it remained shut. "You can, and you will. It's not like it's the real thing. I simply acquired a tasty copy and am bestowing it on someone who's earned it in my eyes." Her soft gaze sharpened in a heartbeat. "Are you implying my judgment is inaccurate?"
"Well, if you put it like that," Shinji said. Two years of knowing Asuka had taught him when to hold his tongue and let things be. He bowed. "I… humbly accept."
"See? Was that so hard?" Asuka relaxed. The collar was carefully placed around his neck. Her hands lingered, one rising to caress his cheek. "The red ribbon is awarded to those who saved lives, even at a great personal cost."
"Asuka-"
"I should be dead, Shinji." Her voice turned somber, snapping his jaw closed. "Many times over. So should be every person walking this stupid ball of mud right now. We're here because of you, and no matter how much you'll never admit that, I will never let you live it down. You saved my life." She smiled in that way which turned his legs to noodles. "Now make it up to me. Forever, like you promised."
Shinji closed his eyes and forced the wave of emotion down. The medal felt heavier still, almost like a boulder being placed on his shoulders. The boulder of expectation, of gratitude, of acceptance and care, the boulder he still ran from. Nowhere to run, though. Not that I'd want to. Running away is so exhausting… might as well just learn to walk instead.
"I can only promise to try," he responded at last. His hand took a hold of hers, eyes never leaving Asuka's. "Thank you for today. It was easily the best day of my life."
"Idiot." Her smile morphed into a wolfish grin. "The best of your life so far. Now be a dear and wash the dishes."
"But it's my birthday," he protested weakly, drawing her into a loose embrace. "Wouldn't want to stain this wonderful medal with grease and soap."
"Good point." She conceded, and stole a kiss from his lips. "Have Katsuragi deal with it tomorrow, then. She doesn't wake up hungover anymore, so no excuse for her not to do chores."
"Yeah. She seemed a little upset about it, actually. Maybe starting tomorrow she'll turn a new leaf."
"Dream on, Shinji."
"I'll dream about you instead." It was Shinji's turn to steal a kiss. "Much more pleasant."
"Why dream of something when the real thing is at your reach?" Asuka growled. Menacing, possessive, and irremediably her. "Take what's yours."
"I will," he growled back, matching her passion with his own. "So, how did you like cooking? Was it relaxing?"
Fingers that had been tracing lazy circles on his scalp suddenly grabbed a fistful of his hair. "If you ever put the words cooking and relaxing in the same sentence again, I will boil you alongside your Stooge friends."
His gaze softened. "It's not the cooking itself that relaxes me. Well, in part, but I'm nervous half the time."
"You are?" Asuka gave him a quizzical look. "Sure doesn't look like it to me."
"I am. But… what really makes me happy is seeing the people I care about have their fill, and enjoy the food," Shinji revealed. His hand threaded through her hair. "Of all the gifts I've gotten today, the one I'll treasure the most is seeing you smile when even Toji had to compliment how good the Ramen was."
"Really? After all the trouble I went through to get this dumb collar, and what you take away is the monkey forcing his two available neurons to fire and state the obvious." Asuka's forehead patted his. "Why am I not surprised?"
Another image jumped into his mind. The surprise in her eyes after Misato and he walked in, the way batter and flour clung to her hair. Outrage, trepidation, and longing had oozed off her frame, free of the pain of being the Second Child, even for a few precious seconds. How could he hope to part from such a gift?
"I love that apron," Shinji whispered. "Can I… kiss the cook?"
Askua smiled. It was indeed the best day of his life so far. "You better."
FINIS.
AN: So, this is a present for my friend Igor. Hope it was to your liking, King. Tried to do a little more of the 'show, don't tell' thing, hopefully it worked. As always, glad to know if this sucked ass or not, happy to trim or correct as needed! Maybe this one's a little silly even for my standards, but I'm in a silly kind of mood lately. If you think making ramen is easy, I recc you try the OG kind, the kind you do from scratch, and get back to me lol. I love to cook for my family, and so this one resonates personally a lot. If I could bother you with a review on your way out, that'd be grand!
DadBringer arc has officially begun. I'm going to be a father! The woif and I are happily expecting, yall! Hell yeah! Don't really know how my life will move along from this point, but I will try to squeeze in some time every other year to write a oneshot like this. Especially at times when I'm very happy, such as right now. Anyway, before my ramblings get episodic, I'd love to thank you so much for reading! May your day and life be filled with joy!
Remember to stay healthy, eat your veggies, do some cardio, hug your parents, be nice to doggos and gatos, treat others like you'd like to be treated, and cook for the people you love!
PEACE.