A Recipe for Trouble

Written by AgentKaji

Disclaimer: I do not own Evangelion or any of it's amazing characters.

Author note:
My first fic in years, a oneshot and complete. A more comprehensive author note at the bottom, thanks for checking it out!

[=========]

"You did what?!"

I tried to keep the anger out of my voice, I really tried. But after a long day at a school and a sync test that over ran by an hour my patience was at an all time low.

Shinji's day is the same as yours Asuka, he's probably just as tired as you are, A small voice in the back of my mind went.

I did my best to ignore it. As he stood there in that silly apron of his surrounded by the smoky haze in the kitchen, I really didn't have any sympathy. He had just burnt our dinner after all. Dammit, I was really hungry too! I wasn't going to say that to him of course. Telling Shinji I needed him for something? No. It would go to his head and give him strange ideas.

I last ate lunch at school and that was six hours ago. I was really looking forward to something to clear the taste of LCL out of my mouth. Even rinsing your mouth with water only did so much. Plus, a young lady like me has to be well fed after all! I won't accept- no, I don't deserve anything less!

Hands on hips, feet tapping I waited for his explanation. This should be interesting...

With his head down, he did that nervous little shuffle of his when had something to say but was just working up the courage to say it. You wouldn't think such a timid boy could be the pilot of something like an Eva or even anywhere near my level yet here he was. Dish towel in one hand and spatula in the other like he was getting ready to battle some culinary monstrosity spawned by way of Misato's latest cooking attempt.

"Well?" I said, louder than I wanted, part trying to get him to spit it out whilst also trying to cover the sound of my growling stomach.

"... erm, w-well like I said, I was trying... something n-new and I must have gotten the t-timing wrong and then it just kinda-"

New? I wonder what he was making? No, it doesn't matter now. It's done.

He gestured lamely towards a baking tray of charred mush. Waiting a few seconds more and the silence confirmed that was all the explanation I was going to get. 'Wrong' he says, as if it was a mathematical equation he'd gotten incorrect and not the remains of tonight's dinner. The invincible Shinji Ikari, Third Child, destroyer of Angels and now, failure in the kitchen. Not that I could do any better but it wasn't my place to.

It's what Shinji was for after all.

A quick once over around me confirmed some of his story, various ingredients and packaging arrayed around the kitchen top and recipe book held ajar by a dinner plate. This was something different for Shinji. Normally he isn't so messy in his domestic chores. And also doesn't take so long.

He'd wanted to go to grocery store to 'grab a few things' after our sync tests but I put a stop to that. If the idiot wanted to play housewife then he could do so in his own time. I was looking forward to a nice warm bath after such a long day and nothing was going to delay me. So we came straight home; me to the bathroom, him to the kitchen.

I wasn't expecting an apartment full of smoke when I finished however. Coughing and cursing at the smell that was no doubt going to stick all over my clean form and fresh clothes, I had found Shinji in the kitchen. His usual sense of ease around the stove having vanished and replaced with severe distress. He'd nearly jumped through the ceiling when he saw me.

Did I mention I was hungry?

I am bored of the rice and fish we eat all the time but did he have to choose today to be adventurous? Of course Shinji has to be so different, so special. A normal dinner like normal people just wouldn't do.

Coming back to the present, my eyes settled on the boy once again.

"Well, that's just great isn't it, Third Child? Now what do you expect us to eat?" Letting out an annoyed breath and jabbing him in the chest with my finger. That always seemed to get a response out of him.

He mumbled something I didn't quite hear, still not lifting his head. I could feel that familiar tick of annoyance again at this display. Seriously, what is wrong with him? I leaned forward, straining to hear his words.

"Can you repeat that Shinji?" My voice channelling Misato in her moments as our commanding officer.

"... I er, used up all the ingredients. We'll have to order take-out-"

This new piece of information was absorbed in the same manner I was breathing in the hazy apartment air. With abject disgust. Before I knew it, I had put myself right in front of him and was once again angrily jabbing my palm into his scrawny chest.

"And just how long-"

jab

"-is that going to take-"

jab

"Stop."

"-I've already been waiting for"

jab

"Asuka, stop-"

"-ages and now you want-"

jab

"-me to wait even longer! Are you serious-"

"I SAID STOP IT!"

The words exploded out of Shinji as his head snapped up, brow furrowed and eyes raised with a glint of... something. My own eyes widened in surprise and I'm pretty sure my mouth was hanging open too. Shock stopped whatever words I was going to say, my mind going blank as I stared at the now trembling boy.

And Shinji just carried on.

"I tried ok? Isn't that what you want? I tried! I really wanted to make this for-"

He stopped, blinking as if realising where he was.

And who he was talking to.

His mouth pressed into a thin line, face flushed, the hands at his sides now empty and balled into fists. As he took a step back, I realised how much closer we had been standing, He continued, this time in a much quieter voice though still tinged with an edge.

"But it never matters, does it Asuka? No matter what I do, you will never- you never care."

His voice now steadily rising again and I resolved to put him in his place. How dare he?! Who does he think he is speaking to me like that? Crossing my arms, I stamped one foot forward, daring him to come closer and ready to give him a piece of my mind.

"Why should I-"

And he cut right through me, as if I had never spoken.

"Do you think I care?!"

He asked with a shout. And for the second time, stopped me in my tracks. Past the anger, his words struck deep within me. For once, no obvious reply came to me. No sarcastic remark. Not even one of my usual insults for the idiot.

Since when was that such an awkward question? Does that mean he doesn't...? Not even my own thoughts wanting to finish question. I blinked, as if the action would somehow buy some time but Shinji was already moving. Now face to face once again and I opened my mouth to say... I don't know, something. But his next words, whispered in the now quiet apartment silenced me.

"... well, I do."

I blinked again, I'm sure I had a stupid expression on my face at this point. Still processing the entire thing. Shinji didn't wait for a reply, shoving past me and out the door. But not before I caught one last sight as he went past.

Of tears shimmering in his eyes.

[=========]

I don't know how long I stood there for, as the adrenaline coursed its way through my body. I could feel my heartbeat, fast and loud, my face very warm and let out a breath I didn't know I had been holding.

My own hands, curled into fists, slowly relaxed but not before-

"Argh! That idiot! Who the hell does he think he is?!"

It felt nice to let it out but I soon felt foolish with the realisation that I was alone and was shouting at an empty apartment. It was in that moment that PenPen made an appearance, grabbed a beer and with a sidelong look that somehow showed both boredom and pity he quickly waddled back into his cooler.

How does a penguin act so human?

I suddenly felt very stupid. Letting out a grunt of frustration I kicked the nearest object-

"Owww!"

The table which had been the target of my anger, said nothing. That's what I get for not thinking. Damn you Shinji! I silently cursed, my thoughts dragging themselves back to the boy. And what he had just said.

"...well, I do."

That idiot, saying something like that. What do I say to that? And more importantly... why I do care?

I side lined the thought and decided to concentrate on the here and now. My eyes scanning the kitchen with the remains of Shinji's untidy attempt at... something, I realised how heavy the silence that had settled was. Along with the smoke it gave the place a very eerie atmosphere. Normally when I'm in here there's always something going on, whether it's the sound of Shinji cooking or Misato drinking the day away. Never just me. And in that moment, though you'll never hear me say it out loud, I felt very alone.

Looking at the clock I realised Misato would be home soon, she would no doubt be expecting the table to be ready... and Shinji home. That is one conversation I am not looking forward to. Of course she'd be worrying about her little Shinji-kun, mentally rolling my eyes. I had to do something. My head turned in the direction Shinji had left, towards the darkened hallway leading to the front door.

Narrowing my eyes, I settled on a course of action. Never let it be said that Asuka Langley Sohryu runs away from her problems! I'll find him and drag him back to finish what he started. How he had gotten so far in life I will never know but I'll be damned if I let him think he can just do whatever he wants.

And say whatever he wants. I'll find out what he meant if it's the last thing I do. So here I am, about to run across god knows where to find him. It's not everyday a pretty girl runs after the guy, you know! Does Shinji realise how lucky he is?

My stomach growled in response. Ugh so hungry.

But first, a trip to Hikari's.

[=========]

A quick change of clothes, a frantic attempt at drying my still damp hair and a short trek across the city and I had found myself at Hikari's house.

"Asuka?"

She didn't look surprised at seeing me though I put that down to the fact that we spent time at each other's places often. Placing the empty bowl of miso soup down next to the first, I sat crossed legged in Hikari's bedroom. My hunger somewhat satiated, I had explained the days events to her. She calmly took in my explanation of what had happened. Unlike, Misato or Shinji, she never interrupted or told me to quieten down.

She's such a good listener.

"And that's when he shouted at you and left?" She asked quietly.

I kept the fact that I had made the boy run out in tears to myself, not sure if I would be ready for Hikari's reaction to that piece of the telling.

"That's right! It was just so... so..."

I was lost for words, not knowing how to describe the actions of the Third Child. Now that I had put some time and distance between myself and our argument, I could think a bit more clearly. I know Shinji, he does have his moments when he's not a complete pushover, when he shows that backbone of his. When we were in that kitchen, he had the same look in his eyes, that... fire that I'd only ever seen before when he was piloting his Eva.

I just never expected it to be directed at me. He surprised me. One hand idly pulling at the collar of my top to keep the warmth at bay, I was lost in my own thoughts. It was just so...

I was thankful when Hikari interjected before I could finish the thought and my earlier words.

"
Manly?" A small smile across her face, cheeks tinged pink. Are those stars in her eyes?

Ok, maybe not thankful.

"Yes... W-wait, n-no! No! Hikari!" She was lucky there were no pillows in arms reach otherwise she'd have gotten the full Sohryu wrath! Settling with glaring at my friend instead, I turned my head away with a Hmph!, letting her know exactly what I thought of her words.

Doing badly at stifling a giggle, Hikari continued.

"Asuka... you know he was cooking for you, right?"

I didn't catch on, unsure where she was going with this.

"Well yeah, who else would he cook for?" Barely stopping myself from rolling my eyes at her. She could be so dense sometimes.

"No, Asuka... he was cooking for you. He told you what he was making right?"

No... because I was too busy arguing with him for ruining my dinner. I didn't say anything but Hikari must've seen the look on my face and switched to 'class rep' mode, her eyebrows knitting together slightly. She stared at me for a moment, as if deciding her words before coming to a decision with a swift nod.

"Shinji... came to me the other day, asking about German cuisine. I think he was trying to find out your favourite foods. I think he wanted to make something from your home. I couldn't really help him-"

My mind was already racing ahead of her words, pieces started to fall into place as I recalled the last few hours. The cookbook, the messy kitchen, the look of panic on his face. Shinji Ikari, the boy who couldn't even string a coherent sentence together in my presence, wanted to cook something... for me?

And a non-Japanese dish too!

You idiot. The thought held none of it's usual contempt, and I immediately wondered who it was directed at. Shinji was, for once, not the most obvious candidate. His words echoed in my mind.

"I tried ok? Isn't that what you want? I tried! I really wanted to make this for-"

For me.

Shinji wanted to cook something for me alone, that he knew I would appreciate?

Yes.

He had gone through the effort even if it ended in failure. It was... nice. No, it wasn't just nice. It was thoughtful. He had even asked Hikari, he had prepared and then done his best in his own, quiet way.

I could see a nice gesture for what it was. Never let it be said that Asuka Langley Sohryu is ungrateful!

"Asuka? Hello, Asuka?" Hikari's words snapped me out of my thoughts and I refocused my attention back on the girl. Her face softened into a sad smile.

"You know... I think you should go and find him-" She's right. I didn't really have anywhere else to go and after what he had done, I needed to talk to him, without any further words I got up, ready to leave.

"-and apologise."

My head snapped back around to face her, not even trying to hide my reddening cheeks. Words died on my lips as I was faced with the full Hikari glare and I shared some understanding of what the jock went through on a daily basis. Suppressing a shudder at having something in common with that ape, I knew it was no use in arguing with Hikari when she's like this.

"Asuka... doesn't he do a lot of work for you and Miss Katsuragi?" Cutting me off before I could get in a word.

"Well, yeah sur-"

"And doesn't he do your laundry and cooking everyday?"

"Hikari-"

"And he makes your school lunches too? I recall you really liked that tonkatsu bento he made yesterday-"

"... Ok, fine, you win Hikari." I'll give in, this time. It had been a really nice lunch, the memory making my mouth water slightly.

I decided to leave before I faced another lecture from the girl. Sharing a smile as I left her house, Hikari gave one final, wordless look before I went on my way. It was a look that said I would share all the details with her tomorrow. Details! As if there'd be anything to say. I blame all those sappy dramas she watches.

Now alone and on my way back to the apartment, I let out a sigh, holding my jacket close to myself to ward off the slightly cooler evening air. It was still early evening and I kept a steady pace, weaving in between the commuter crowds and shoppers in my journey through central Tokyo-3. I kept my eyes focused ahead of me, the usual attractions and lights around me not holding my attention. I can't say I was in a rush to get back to the apartment.

Not if Shinji wasn't there. Should I try and find him? Where could he be? What do I say?

Mentally checking off places he may have gone, I came to the sudden realisation that I really didn't know him as well as I thought.

None of the places I came up with seemed likely or plausible destinations for the boy. School? Closed. Nerv? No. His two stooge friends? Maybe, but it would be a cold day in hell before I turned to them for help. With every step closer to the apartment, I slowly ran out of options until I found myself within the complex itself and facing the door to the apartment. Misato would be home by now. At best, she'd be in a drunken stupor and I could slip past. At worst...

I hesitated as I braced myself for what was to come. I'm not afraid. I just knew that my hope of a quiet, relaxing night would be gone as soon as Misato saw me. After all, coming home to a mess of a kitchen, no food and neither Shinji or myself present would not put her in a good mood. Certainly would not help those wrinkles around her eyes. And I'm sure she's gained a grey hair or two since me and Shinji started living with her. Hah!

Shaking my head and reminding myself who it was who faced Angels everyday in her Eva, I opened the door, head held high and walked through with a smile. Let's get this over with. What's the worst that could happen?

The scene that greeted me however wasn't one that I had been expecting.

[=========]

There was no Misato. There was Shinji.

He had his back to me and apron clad once more. Cleaning the kitchen with practised efficiency, picking up the bits and pieces around him. Tidying it up, wiping a cloth here, tossing something into the trash there. He hadn't yet noticed me and I hesitated. Now what? I still wasn't sure what I was going to say to him, remembering what Hikari had said but unsure how to proceed.

Dealing with a drunk or angry Misato? Easy.

Apologising to Shinji? After nearly a year of having known him I still hadn't figured him out. But more importantly...

H-he... He's... He's already home?!

"Oh, h-hi Asuka." He said noticing me as he turned around.

I admit, the ability to speak temporarily left me as I faced the Third Child once more.

I don't believe it! Here I was w-worrying about him, going over what I was going to say to him, trying to guess how all this is gonna go! And he has the audacity to come home before me and carry on like nothing has happened? He's even humming a tune?! Does he not care?

I felt my pulse quicken as I stared at him, thinking fast I proceeded with the first thing that came to mind.

Attack.

"Y-you... you idiot! How come you're home before me? W-where were you? I even went-"

I stopped mid-sentence, not wanting him to know about my visit to Hikari's or that I had been thinking about searching for him. Though he had cowered slightly as I spoke, he recovered with a small cough, that now familiar smile radiating submissive friendliness.

"O-oh I, er... I just went for a w-walk. I just wanted to clear m-my head." He finished quietly, looking away.

A walk! He argues with me and then just walks it off?! I don't think I will ever understand him. Shinji spoke further, taking my silence as permission.

"Did... did you...-"

I could tell by the look on his face that I wasn't going to like where this is going.

No.

No, Shinji, don't you even think about it.

"Did you g-go looking...f-for me?" He stuttered through the words, his face bright red.

And there it is.

Despite what must have been an embarrassing question, he was looking straight at me. It's not often Shinji looks me in the eyes, certainly not with such a determined stare. I'm used to looks of lust or jealousy from others. But this? Blue eyes with a clear, honest... innocent intent. I felt my face heating up under his gaze. Damn it Asuka, keep it together!

"N-nevermind that! Where's Misato?" I barely kept my voice steady as I walked into the kitchen proper. The previous scent of burnt food now replaced with the airy freshness of pine and citrus from whatever Shinji used to clean. It was almost spotless.

"Misato's not here."

Shinji and his amazing powers of deduction. Where would we be without him?

I suppressed the urge to smack him and let out a frustrated growl.

"I can see that. Is she still at work?" I could see a light bulb go off in Shinji's head, his eyes widening for a second before he shut his mouth and looked away, returning to his task of cleaning the kitchen top.

"She'll be back late. S-she phoned to say she'd be spending the evening with... K-Kaji." Hesitantly answered, his back now to me. Which is good because it meant he didn't see my frown at the mention of Kaji... and who he's spending time with. I never liked being reminded at how easy it was for Misato to hold that man's attention.

Silence settled in the kitchen as Shinji continued to clean and I sat myself down, my mood soured, trying to find the right words to say to him. What am I afraid of?

Because he told me he cared.

Afraid that he meant what he said, that he was being genuine. It wasn't something I could ignore. Steeling myself for what I was about to do I called out to him. I knew if I asked him directly he would just retreat, this had to be done with grace.

"Hey Shinji..."

He must've noticed the tone of my voice as he turned around slowly, as if he was afraid of another argument, his face showing just the tiniest hint of fear. Making eye contact once more, I continued.

"What were you trying to make... before?" I winced at having to remind both of us of our earlier argument but figured this approach was best. He didn't say anything though he started to fidget, no doubt trying to find the words to express himself. Knowing what I knew now, I could understand a little bit of his hesitation.

I allowed a smile to show through, hopefully in a reassuring manner. Hoping to get him to talk.

"I-I was only trying to... trying to make..." His voice ran into a whisper at this point and I didn't hear the rest. He looked down and I could tell he was slipping away again. I fought to keep my own temper down in response.

"Shinji..."

"...strudel. A-apple strudel." He got out finally.

Again, Shinji surprised me. His words triggering memories and experiences I hadn't visited since I arrived in this damned country and for a second I lost myself in thought.

Our first battle, together inside Unit-02, both of us in red plugsuits.

"Argh! You're thinking in Japanese aren't you? If you must think do it in German."

"er, well I'll try...er, strudel, bratwurst-"

Just for a second though. I shook my head and focused back on Shinji.

"And you were making it for me?" I leant forward on the table, eager to hear his response.

"Y-yeah."

"Well you didn't do a very good job, Third."

"I-I know that." He blushed immediately and I couldn't help but smirk a little. Teasing him was always fun. Too easy, Third Child, too easy. I got up and made my way around the the table to stand beside him. I tilted my head just slightly upwards at him to make eye contact. Since when had he grown taller? Another battle I've lost to him, hmph.

I took a deep breath and resisted the urge to look at anywhere else.

"Shinji... before, when-"

"It's ok." A small smile on his face. Looking at him then, I could tell it never quite reached his eyes. No, let me do this Shinji, I can't let today go.

"But-"

"Asuka, it's been a long day and I know you were hungry. I'm sorry I b-burnt our dinner. Do... do you w-want to order take-out?" Again that hopeful look.

"Ah... I've already eaten at Hikari's."

"Oh." He looked like a kicked puppy and I felt my heart sink. Great job, Asuka. We stood there in silence for a moment, unsure how to continue until...

*GROWL*

It was my turn to blush this time, I'm sure the heat radiating off my face would've been enough to enough to cook with. I fought to keep my composure in front of Shinji as I saw, for just the briefest moment, his eyes flick down to my stomach in surprise. At that moment I wanted nothing more than to run to my room and bury myself under the covers. I held my head in my hands with a verbal sigh.

"Ugh... why me?" I asked no one in particular.

Shinji for his part just smiled I found myself returning it, lifting my head, embarrassment quickly fading as we exchanged a look. No judgement in his eyes, shining with a little happiness within them. After several seconds, something from our sync training kicked in and we both automatically turned, him towards the phone, me towards the list we keep of places and numbers for ordering out.

As we ordered and waited for delivery we fell back into our usual habits. I sat myself back at the table, idly going through the German cookbook Shinji had acquired. There's some pretty good stuff in here.

"You know Shinji, maybe you could try something simpler next time." I said with a smirk. Shinji whirled around, an indignant look on his face.

"H-hey! I told you I've never made it before and it's not like you h-helped!"

"Oh, you wanted my help? All you had to do was ask Shinji... though why am I not surprised you couldn't handle proper food on your own?" A giggle escaped me as I saw him turn red.

And so back and forth we carried on for the remainder of the evening, the usual barbs and insults toned down and replaced with something more friendly. I'll admit it was nice to just talk with someone, no distractions, no hidden meanings, no expectations of something more.

This was my apology to him. I think he understood that too.

A few times I caught him staring and I found that I didn't immediately break contact and neither did he. We didn't say anything about these looks between us, comfortable in spending the evening as it was, eating our food and putting a very drunk Misato to bed when she finally crawled in. God, does that woman have no shame?

Those looks... stayed with us long after the night had finished and we had both gone to bed. I'm certain he saw what I couldn't put into words.

You told me you care and I think... I do too.

With a smile on my face, I finally fell asleep.

The End

Author note:

Well there it is. The upcoming release of the final Rebuild film has dragged me back into the fandom and bloody hell, has it been a while! This was just one of a bunch of ideas that I had, I wanted to do something WAFFY because you can never have too many of those. I don't think there's anything in this fic that hasn't been done in less words by better writers but as this is my first fic in years I hope you can forgive me.

Asuka was always a fun character to write because she's just so expressive, writing her from a first person point of view was a challenge! If nothing else, I hope she didn't stray too OOC. My aim being to never letting the reader doubt they are in the mind of anyone but Asuka. Shinji, I tried not to make too defiant but he's always been someone who does have that hidden strength that can appear when pushed. Not always, but it's there.

My cooking related knowledge is basic at best so I kept the stuff around cookery, German and Japanese food intentionally vague. This was very much a test bed to see if I've got what it takes to return to fic writing, something I want to do. And like I said at the start, this is a oneshot because the only thing worse than a badly written Eva fic is an incomplete Eva fic.

Thank you for reading this far, I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it, please R&R and till next time.

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