Neon Genesis Evangelion Fan Fiction ❯ Sleep ❯ One-Shot

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Sleep
The Dude Slayer




I walk down the empty halls of my apartment. It used to be our
apartment, many years ago. So much has changed since then, so many of
us have changed since then. The war was so long ago, but it still
seems like it was only yesterday.
I lean against the doorway leading into her old room. It hasn't
changed it years. After the failed Third Impact, Gendo attempted,
Asuka had moved out and went back to Germany. That was a little over
fifteen years ago.
My little Shin-chan went off to college a few years after that.
Tokyo 2 University accepted him for their music program. Right now
he's probably in a great concert hall performing some greatly composed
song that he fell in love with while he lived under this roof.
I miss them. More than I'll ever say, I wish they would come and
visit me soon. I wonder if they ever thought of getting together.
They deserve one another.




-----------------------


I place my cello back in its case and lean it against the wall.
With a gentle yawn I look at the clock across the room, it reads just
after 2 am. I hope I didn't wake anyone. Haruna always loves to hear
me play, but I know I keep her up late at times.
I collect my papers and yawn once more. I blink back the sleep
for a moment as I place my music away in the appropriate folder. I
don't know what it is about "Kanon d dur" but that song seems to speak
volumes to me. What's this?
A picture fell out of my folders. I gasp as I see the faces on
it. It's my old family. Ayanami, Misato-san, Toji, Kensuke, the class
rep, and...her. Asuka. I haven't thought about Asuka in almost ten
years. Not since I went to college and met Haruna.
But there she is. Leaning up against me, taunting me, attempting
to pull me from my shell. But she never could. There are times when I
wish she had.

"Shinji?"

I turn around to see my wife Ikari Haruna. Her long brunette
hair is braided down her back; her light brown eyes are sparkling in
the moonlight. I smile at her, a gentle and loving smile I reserve
only for her. "I'll be to bed in a few minutes Haruna-chan."
Haruna nods and begins to retreat to our room, but she stops and
looks at me. "Shin-chan?"
"Hai?"
"What's that in your hand?"
I look down at he photograph and repress a deep sigh. Haruna
knows about my involvement with the Angel War and NERV. She knows
about the others. The only thing she doesn't know is how I felt about
Asuka all those years ago. Things are different now, Haruna is my life
now. I smile at my loving wife.
"Nothing. Just a memory that has yet to fade." I drop the
photograph and allow it to float to the table with my music. "Come
love, let us retire." I wrap my arm around Haruna's thin waist and
walk with her down the hall.



-----------------------------------



I look into the room where my son sleeps. It's been four years
since he was born, and almost five since his father ran out on me.
Bastard. He never could handle pressure.
Shinji rolls over in his sleep and mumbles something I can't
hear. I smile as I watch my son; he acts so much like his namesake.
I miss my Shin-chan. I don't know why I never told him how I felt.
I've had almost sixteen years to do so, so why don't I?
Then I remember. The invitation. Its still sitting in my
bedside table as it has since the day I received it seven years ago.
He got married. I'm happy for him. I never went to the wedding. I
should have, but I couldn't stand to see Shinji that happy with another
woman.
Plus I didn't want to deal with Misato. God knows she probably
wants to kill me. Who can blame her? I don't.

Shinji's kicking his feet quickly in his sleep, he looks like
he's running from something. I wonder what he's dreaming about? Is he
dreaming about his mathematics, or maybe worlds too far for the eye to
see? Are you dreaming about Jesus, or Momma, or maybe about all the
people you'll never meet.
Are your dreams in German or Japanese my son, or maybe some
language only you know. Or are they as silent as my entry plug was
just before the end of the war? Are you even cognizant?
I chuckle to myself at that thought. Hell, maybe you're wise
beyond your four years and you already know that what they teach you at
school is wrong, and your Momma had a part in the big war.

Shinji's rolled over again. I can see his eyes flutter open as
he looks for something. He finds his purple and green plush Unit 01
on the other side of his bed. Shinji smiled as he hugs his plush Angel
killer, never knowing what the real version could do.
I watch as Shinji looks at me and smiles. "Momma!"
I carefully walk into his room. "Shhh, my little Shinji-chan.
What are you doing awake? You've got school tomorrow." I lean over my
young son and gently tuck him back under his covers.
"Momma, I had a dream."
I tilt my head to the side gently. "Oh?"
Shinji nods. "Yeah! I saw my Eva come to life. He was steppin'
on things. I told him to stop..."
I place a finger on Shinji's lips and quite him. "Shh. Tell me
in the morning. You need to sleep now." I kiss Shinji's forehead and
smile at him before walking out of the room.



---------------------------------


I slide the door open to Shinji's room and sigh. It's been empty
for years, ever since he moved to Tokyo 2. I blink back a tear. I
miss them so much. This must be how a mother feels when her children
move out and begin their own lives.
I look at the phone and something comes over me. How many years
has it been since my own mother and I spoke? Too many that's for sure.
Maybe I should, but it's late.
I sigh and move to my own bedroom. Since when did I being
thinking of them as my own children and not as my roommates? Suddenly
I remember something so trivial that it's almost funny.

Shinji and Asuka are sitting on one side of the table, I'm
on the opposite side of them. Asuka was rambling on about the new
fashions at the mall. Shinji is going over music in his head, I can
see him playing the notes with his chopsticks and noodles. It's sort
of funny to see, but he seems so mature doing it.
I take a sip of my beer and it strikes me. These are my
children. I may not have given birth to them, but they're my children.
They're not my duty and job, but their my family and my responsibility.
I smile and nod to Asuka as she continues to ramble on about shopping.
My children. I like how that sounds.


I shake the memory away along with the tear that came with it. I
lay down on my futon and curl up into a ball. I miss my children. I
miss my family. I miss... What's that sound.
My eyes dart around the room before I notice the phone ringing.
Who would call this late at night? "Moshi-Moshi?"

"I don't know if you've forgotten me, or if you've moved on with
your life. All I do know is that I love you and I always have. I'm
standing outside your door at this moment. If you cared anything for
me, now or ever, then open the door. You have one hour. Good bye
Misato-chan." The voice hung up.

I know that voice. Without care for whom might see me I run to
the front door of my apartment and throw it open. There's no one
there. Quickly I rush down the stairs and hurry to my building's front
door. I don't care what the neighbors say, they all think I'm crazy
anyway.

I round the corner from the stairs to the door and I can see him.
He's leaning against the wall, that damn smug look on his face. He
knew I'd come running. I stop and catch my breath. Eleven floors is a
long run.

Without even trying he reaches out and opens the door. That damn
smirk of his is plastered on that gorgeous face. I want to slap him
silly. Instead I run over to him and fall into his arms.
I feel protected here. I feel happy like this. I need this more
than he knows. Silently I look up and see his eyes looking into mine.
We share a moment as we both understand what the other is saying.
Gently his lips move down and touch mine.
It wasn't a momentous kiss, it wasn't earth shattering, but it
was special. It was our first kiss in fifteen years. Fifteen years
without each other, without love, only pain and loneliness. Fifteen
long years.
We break the kiss and without another word I lead him up to my
apartment. He's never leaving me again, this time I'll make sure of
it.




-------------------------



Haruna's still asleep. I smile as I watch my wife sleep. I
remember when I fell in love with Haruna. It was the first time I
watched her sleep. She was sleeping on the couch in my college
dormitory where we'd been studying the night before.
I brush a lock of silky hair from her beautiful face and smile.
Gently I lean over and kiss her forehead. She mumbles something in her
sleep that sounds like my name. My smile widens as she grips my waist
and nuzzles my chest.
Happily I return her hug. Its still dark out and I have a few
hours before I need to be at the concert hall. I lay back down and
return to a blissful slumber with my loving wife.



--------------------------------



I walk down the empty and silent hallway. Shinji went back to
sleep, thank goodness. I look at the phone and wonder what Shinji
would say if I called him. No, that wouldn't be fair. He has a new
life now. One I won't ruin for him.
I silently head back to my bedroom. I hope I don't wake
Muriyaki. She's been irritable recently. I still find it funny when I
think about it. I never saw myself with a woman for a lover, but when
Kaji died, after I left Japan, and that asshole left Shinji and I
Muriyaki was the only one able to comfort me.
She was there for me whenever I needed someone. Then one day it
seemed like a natural action we shared each other's bed. It wasn't too
much later that she moved in here with me and Shinji. Still I miss my
Invincible Shinji at times.

I climb into bed and wrap my arms around Muriyaki. She says
nothing, only pressing closer to me. I think she's gotten used to
these urges I get to check on Shinji. I know she loves him like her
own son, but sometimes I wish he was his namesake's child.
"Asuka?"
I open my eyes and see Maki's bright green eyes staring back at
my sapphire blue ones. "Yes?"
She yawns and smiles at me. "Checking on him again?"
I nod. She knew I was.
"He's fine isn't he?" I nod again. "Good, then come over here
and kiss me goodnight."
I may be a domineering, controlling, hard-assed bitch, but I can
still take an order when I want. I lean over and kiss my lover
goodnight. "Good night." Muriyaki kissed me back and soon we were
asleep in each other's arms.






----------------------------------- -----




The morning sunshine burns brightly on my tired face for a moment
before I wake up. Slowly my eyes begin to register the bleak, familiar
walls of my bedroom.
A tired heavy weight presses down heavily on my chest. I look
down and am greeted with a familiar and heartwarming sight. Misato had
fallen asleep against my chest, again. We've been going at it like sex
crazed nymphomaniacs for the past week and it seems its finally taken
its toll on both of us.
Lazily I wrap an arm around Misato as I think back to the dream I
just had. An older, more beautiful Misato walking around an empty,
unfamiliar apartment thinking of two children that she thinks of as
hers. I shake the thoughts from my mind as I think of which classes
I'm going to miss this afternoon as I run a hand across my stubble
covered, forever unshaven chin.
Misato groans in her sleep causing me to smile. "Forget class,
I'm staying here today," I whisper to no one.






------------------------------------ -----------




I look at my husband as he sleeps peacefully next to me. Gendo
Ikari, it seems that our little baby is going to grow up into a well-
rounded young man. Beautiful wife, career he loves, and friends that
care for him.
I pat my slightly protruding stomach. Young Shinji, I hope you
enjoy the life I saw you living in my dream. Asuka and Haruna, whoever
these girls are; I hope that they both treat you well.
You're our future Shinji, I just hope yours is better than ours
turned out to be.





------------------------------------------ -




I scream out as loud as my lungs will allow. I scream for what
seems like hours, until a strong reassuring hand falls onto my
shoulder. Quickly I turn and grab onto my lover's chest. "I'm not
gay. I'm not gay. I'm not gay. I'm not gay."
I keep repeating the words over and over in my mind and out loud.
"Shh. It's alright Asuka-chan. I'm here." Shinji's strong
voice surprises me. I have to remember that he's not the weak little
boy he was when we met.
I look up into his deep blue eyes as he smiles reassuringly at
me. "I'm sorry Shin-chan. It was...a nightmare."
Shinji smiles at me again. "I bet it was. I haven't heard you
scream like that since you came out of your coma ten years ago."
Shinji pulls me closer and I hold tight to him. He gently rubs my hair
as he lowers me back onto the bed. "C'mon. Let's get some sleep. We
both have to work in the morning."
I smile weakly. Good old reliable Shinji, always thinking of how
to keep busy. "You're right, I'm sorry Shin-chan."
Shinji kisses my forehead gently as he holds me tighter. "It's
alright. If I ever thought you were gay I'd invite Mana over. She's
always had a thing for both of us."
"BAKA HENTAI!!!!!!!!!!!!!"






End




*The Dude Slayer walks onstage. His obsidian duster flaps in the
non-existent breeze. Silently he walks upto the podium and begins
sorting a few note cards*

*Vampboy walks onstage. His black duster lies flat against his
shoulders and back. He takes his place at The Dude Slayer's right side
he says nothing*

*Firefingers walks onstage. Her fiery aura is gone. Her red
leather jacket is resting comfortably on her back and shoulders. She
takes her place at The Dude Slayer's left side*

*The Dude Slayer coughs and gains the audience's attention*

TDS: Good afternoon all. I am sure you're all wondering where
the chibis are. Well they are off on a nice little vacation. They
will all return in the Barstool Sessions II.


*at that moment in a UPS office in Siberia*
*a large box with many different stamps, stickers, and names are
written on it sits in the room, ever few minutes it moves*
~ Translated from Russian.

FedEx man1: ~ What's this?
FedEx man2: ~ Unsure. It's from somewhere in America though.
FedEx man1: ~ America? Let's open it.

Box: Let us out! Let us out! God dammit, Dude Slayer. We'll
kill you!

*FedEx men run off screaming*


*The Dude Slayer looks to Firefingers*
TDS: Did you hear something?
FF: Nope.
TDS: *shrugs* Whatever then. *looks back to crowd* Now I must
say to you all, cuz I know someone's gonna want my head soon for this.
No, I do NOT think Asuka is gay. I am a true Asuka-Shinji fan. Asuka
Forever!!!!!
But I needed a good scene for Asuka to complement Shinji and
Misato having their own lovers. I didn't want Asuka to be alone. That
would make me sad. :(

VB: Crybaby.
TDS: *slaps VB up the back of his head* Baka! Now the reason I
chose to give Asuka a female lover is contrast. The girl had a fucked
up childhood, stapled with the Angel War, add in that no one ever
showed her any affection, and a total mental breakdown and you have a
woman with some SERIOUS problems.
It was also a bit of comic relief from an otherwise lame story.
VB: I say you're still having...

*Firefingers and The Dude Slayer slap Vampboy*
Both: SHUT UP!!
*Vampboy falls to the floor moaning*
TDS: I know it looks like I hate Vampboy. I really do put him
through some shit in these notes, but really. The guy's my best
friend. He knows it's all for the comedy.
VB: *groan*
TDS: Sorry bro.
VB: ugh...no...problem...
TDS: Uh...anyway. Where was I? Oh yeah. This story was a
stupid little thing that I wrote after work. Not sure what song it was
that inspired me to write it. Oh well.
FF: Disclaimers!!! Gainax owns all characters except Haruna and
Muriyaki. Also. My idiot brother used a few lines of the Barenaked
Ladies song "When You Dream" for Asuka and Chibi-Shinji's scene.
TDS: Thanks sis. I think that covers everything. Uh drop me a
line if you like it, hate it, want more, wanna know more, etc...

the_dude_slayer@yahoo.com


http://the_dude_sla yer.tripod.com/Home.html
Ja ne