The Star Children

one

Shinji Ikari sat in an excruciatingly uncomfortable metal folding chair, his knees tucked under his chin. He stared at the ugly beige carpet on the floor. Clearly the Children's Resource Center was lacking funds. He had been sent here for a group therapy session by his foster-mother, Misato. Shinji had only been living with Misato for three months, and despite her shortcomings, he did like her. She loved him more than his father ever would.

Suddenly, the door opened a crack, causing Shinji to violently jerk from shock. Someone poked their head into the space, the receptionist, a girl with mousy brown hair who had introduced herself as... What was her name again? Mary? Shinji couldn't remember.

"Ikari-kun, another boy has arrived." She retreated back from the door and it opened all the way, revealing a teenage boy  standing besides the receptionist. He had very pale skin, bleached blonde hair, and a handsome face. Though he wore only a plain white t-shirt and a pair of skinny jeans, Shinji felt he was dressed quite impeccably. The newcomer smiled at him, and Shinji's stomach dropped as a warm, uncomfortable feeling filled it.

"Hello, Ikari-kun." His voice was warm and soothing. "My name is Kaworu Nagisa." He walked across the room to where Shinji was sitting and extended his hand. Shinji shook it, shyly avoiding eye contact as he felt his face heat up ever so slightly. He studied Kaworu's perfectly shaped fingers.

"I'll be going now! You two boys have fun", said the receptionist. Marnie? Maryanne? She left, closing the door behind her. The click of her high heels against the tiles rang through the thin walls as Shinji's  gaze slowly travelled up to Kaworu's arm.

It was covered in dozens of scars, both faded and obviously recent. Shinji instinctively took a step back in shock.

"Oh! Am I making you uncomfortable?" Kaworu asked. Shinji noticed just then that the two of them were holding hands now. Any hand shaking had stopped and he'd been too absorbed in staring to notice. Kaworu let go and took a big step back. Shinji wished he didn't. He forced himself to look up at Kaworu, and though the other boy was still smiling, the grin had become sheepish.

"You can call me Shinji..." he said after a long and awkward silence.

"I'm sorry, Shinji." Kaworu's reddish brown eyes had a sad look in them.

"It's alright, really", said Shinji as he stood up and stuffed his hands into his pockets. "There's nothing to apologize for. I was just startled by something. I'm at fault." As per usual.

"That chair looks uncomfortable", said Kaworu, abruptly changing the subject. Shinji didn't mind at all.

"It's not", he lied.

"There's that couch over there." Kaworu pointed to a ratty brown leather loveseat. "Would you like to sit next to me on it?"

It was so small that their legs would be inevitably touching. Being so close to such a gorgeous boy and learning more about him would be wonderful. Shinji was about to graciously accept when he realized that there were other people in the group who deserved a comfortable seat more than he did. He shouldn't be so selfish and needy. And what if he got too obvious with his attraction? He was too disgusting, desperate, and flirty, and he was sure Kaworu would notice and dislike him. Why he even wanted to sit with Shinji, he didn't know. But he needed Kaworu to like him.

"No, it's alright", Shinji responded . He could've sworn Kaworu looked disappointed, but it was gone as soon as it came. He leaned forward, presumably to get a better look at Shinji. "How old are you, Ikari-kun?"

"I'm thirteen", said Shinji, suddenly conscious of the fact that Kaworu looked ever so slightly older than thirteen.

"Really?" Kaworu sounded genuinely interested. You look like you're around my age."

"How... How old are you?" Shinji asked shyly.

"Fifteen", responded Kaworu. "Oh! You could call me Nagisa if you'd like."

Shinji nodded, embarrassed. "Where do you go to school, N-Nagisa?" He couldn't believe he was allowed to call him that.

"I'm home schooled, though it's almost as if we go to the same school, because of how familiar you seem." Kaworu looked him right in the eyes, causing Shinji's heartbeat to quicken ever so slightly.

"I go to Azabu." Shinji figured it was only fair to tell Kaworu since he had told him. The other boy's eyes widened. Azabu was one of the most prestigious private schools in all of Japan.

"You must be so smart!" Kaworu exclaimed. In reality, he was borderline failing and the only reason he had gotten in was his father.

"I'm not smart, really", said Shinji, dismissing the compliment.

"You don't need to be so modest." Kaworu smiled, and Shinji forced his lips to smile back. Smiling wasn't something he did very often at all, so it felt rather strange.

Just then, a knock sounded on the door. It opened, revealing the receptionist (Macy? Magdalene?) and a familiar looking face. It took Shinji a moment to register who he was looking at, but then he realized it was none other than Asuka Langley Soryu.