Not owning Evangelion… Not owning Evangelion…

Humans weren't meant to float

By GeekViking86

Epilogue

Near the beach, where the sand had just begun to transition into grass, a hammock was suspended from two trees. It hadn't been there until about two weeks ago, when Asuka had informed Shinji of her desire to have one. Getting it set up had led to some initial frustrations, but once they'd gotten it to work the way it was supposed to, they were more than happy to have invested the time. And this evening in particular was one that made it easy appreciate the fruits that their labor had yielded.

The thing about hammocks is that when two people share one, the sides of the net tighten together, making personal space almost non-existent. For some people this means little, since to them their hammock is a place of solitude. But for a couple in love, it's the entire point. That was probably why Asuka wanted one in the first place, seing as she was sharing the cozy space between the woven ropes with Shinji that very moment.

Earlier that day they had both gone swimming, and what they currently wore were an obvious indication. However, since it was late August, the evening air was not quite as warm, so Shinji now wore a t-shirt in addition to his trunks, while Asuka opted for a loose, undone button-down shirt over her black one-piece.

They each had an ear bud from Shinji's SDAT in one ear, and the hammock slowly swayed as the music flowed through them. Not long after their initial declaration of love, Asuka had decided to take Shinji up on his offer to give her more exposure to classical music, and today it was a selection of songs by Johann Sebastian Bach. Asuka greatly enjoyed what she was hearing so far, and the fact that Bach was German didn't hurt.

"I can't believe that this is our last weekend before school starts." Asuka sighed. "It feels like summer just started."

"I know… This last month has been one of the happiest times in my whole life. But pretty soon it'll be too cold to go swimming anymore, and we'll be back in school shuffling papers again."

"Yeah, the temperature has been dipping a bit lately." Asuka said, reminded that her bare legs were still exposed to the cooling breeze.

Shinji noticed her rubbing the long silky limbs with her hands, and could tell that he was feeling a little chilly himself. He reached over the side of the hammock to pick up the blanket they'd brought, being careful not to flip the hammock over in the process. Shinji's auburn-haired love nodded in agreement, and so he then draped the soft woven cloth over them. Asuka smiled and let out pleasant sigh as she snuggled in close.

"On Monday, we'll be going to school as a couple for the first time." She reminded herself aloud.

"Yeah… Are you nervous?" Shinji asked her.

"Yeah, a little… I mean, I've never had a real boyfriend before, and I don't know what people are going to think when they see us together."

"What do you mean? I'm the one who's got something to worry about. My locker's gonna be filled with death threats from your groupies." Shinji joked.

"No, that's not it." Asuka said with a slightly forced chuckle. "It's just that, we're so… different."

"How do you mean?"

"Well… People might think it's odd seeing a Japanese guy with a white girlfriend."

"Asuka, we're a man and a woman who love each other. That's enough for me, and if it's not for someone else, then I say screw 'em."

Asuka couldn't help but laugh a little from hearing Shinji talk this way.

"Since when did you get a spine?" she teased.

"It just… If those people could get past what they see, they'd know we're more alike than not. I've never liked getting judged." Shinji tried to explain.

"Well, whatever comes at us next, we'll be in it together." Asuka answered firmly.

After a short while, the song on the tape player changed, and Asuka instantly recognized the tune.

"Hey, I know this one!"

"It's Cello Suite No. 1." Shinji informed, hoping that Asuka would recognize its significance.

"Yeah, I remember now…" said Asuka as she closed her eyes.

"It's always been one of my favorites."

"Especially now I'll bet." Asuka mused. "And to think an educated girl like me could have gone so long without getting into music like this..." Asuka cooed happily.

"Yeah, it's kind of funny. I mean, you play the violin so beautifully, and yet you weren't into classical?"

Asuka simply shook her head, causing her hair to tickle Shinji's neck in a way that he liked. His hand slowely moved behind Asuka's head, and his fingers began to lightly run through the golden red strands. Asuka knew very well by now just how much Shinji loved to feel her hair, so she let out a contented purr of approval, and the boy continued.

"Maybe I really do have a thing for classical… After all, when I decided to kiss you for the first time, it was after I heard you play this song." Asuka recalled.

Asuka then placed her mouth over Shinji's, and they shared a tender, sentimental kiss. When their lips parted, Asuka brushed her nose against Shinji's neck affectionately.

"I haven't gotten to hear you play in a long time." the girl sighed wistfully.

"Well, I guess I can make time in my busy schedule to arrange a performance." Shinji teased. "Maybe we could even have a duet sometime."

"I'd like that."

The next few minutes passed in silence, with the only sounds being Shinji's music player and the lapping water of the lake.

"This is going to be our last year in high school, isn't it?" Asuka semi-rhetorically asked.

"Yup. I guess that means college next year, huh?"

"Have you thought any more about where you want to go?"

"Well, I found out about a nice place in Kyoto where I can probably get the art courses I want. But seeing as the UN is supposed to cover our tuition, I'm thinking I might also go to Kyoto University for my liberal arts."

"Actually, I was considering going there too. Isn't it your mom's alma mater?"

"Yeah, it is."

"So… Are youe hoping to find something there?"

Shinji's face suddenly turned a little shy, but feeling Asuka's warm touch made it easier for him to be open.

"Yeah. Even if it's just some dusty old photo somewhere. I feel like if I could just see her face, I'd at least be able to remember her better."

"Didn't you have any pictures of her?" Asuka asked, a little confused.

"Nope. My old man burned all of them."

It was becoming clear to Asuka that the more she found out about the former NERV commander, the less she liked him. But at the same time, it made her realize just how much Shinji needed her, and fekt compelled to gave him a caring squeeze.

"Well, if there's anything of her to be found, I'll be there to help you find it." She said reassuringly.

As the sun went down over the hills, Asuka's face met with Shinji's, and they shared one more passionate lip lock as the starts began to appear in the sky above. However, part of Shinji's mind began to nag him about something.

You want to pop the question, don't you?

He couldn't deny it was true. He knew nothing could make him happier than sharing the rest of his life with Asuka, but his inhibitions still managed to get the better of him. At the rate they were moving, it probably wouldn't be long before he actually asked, but it just felt too early to do it now.

Besides, we're still minors, and I doubt Misato would give us permission. Looking at the new rules she came up with, I doubt she'd put up with trying to sleep down the hall while Asuka and me are… He stopped, trying not to dwell too much on the thought. But still, it was hard not to imagine that Asuka could get pretty loud.

Little to his knowledge though, at the moment Asuka's mind was occupied with their future as well… And if Shinji had actually asked her then, her massive vocabulary which spanned three languages would probably have found itself missing a word for 'no'.

They were both certain that the time would come for it eventually, even if they weren't sure when. For now, all they would need was each other's love.

Someday… Someday soon…

It's not the end… It's the beginning of something beautiful.

Well, there you have it. Short and (hopefully) sweet, which was the plan. To me, the ending was in chapter 11, and I see this as one last look at the story before I move on. I'm aware that there's more that can be told here, so I apologize if you were hoping for a little more. I hope you liked it though, and I bid you all a fond farewell... For now at least. Remember that sequel I'm hoping to do sometime?

Thank you for reading, please send your reviews, and God bless!