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Asuka yawned as the sun set over the ever stretching prairie, her equally bored companion sitting with his heels up in the wagon, lazily strumming his violin and chewing on some dry buffalo grass.
“You just HAAAAAAD to choose Nebraska of all places, didn’t you?” She exclaimed, glancing back to see him choking on the blade, regaining his composure only to be berated again in quick succession.
“I had suggested California or Oregon, but nope. You said the land was rich and the climate perfect for farming. But you know what I think? I think all that’s out is here is a bunch of idiots like you and their poor wives that had to tag along because their stupid husbands believed a railroad company poster!”
“A-Asuka…” He finally stuttered back. “W-we can always file again. J-just give it a chance won’t you?” He sat down his violin and crawled onto the bench beside her, taking his turn on the reigns. Man, could Pen Pen go any slower? He pondered. “Besides, there’s a Swedish settlement not far off! Gothenburg, I think…”
She glared over at him, and he prepared his ears for the cannonfire that would surely follow.
“SO WHAT! I’m German, not Swedish, dummkopf!”
Shinji sighed, tugging Pen Pen to a halt. He sat there a minute, his head still spinning from the bombardment he had just received. Finally, he spoke quietly. “W-we should probably camp here tonight. We should be there by noon if we get up early enough…” He trailed off, glancing over at the fiery redhead still fuming. After what seemed like ages, she grunted a “fine” and hopped off the wagon.
Asuka began to unpack their few remaining belongings, heaving a wool bedroll at her still disembarking husband, sending him into a patch of Plains Prickly Pear with a grin. He squealed, rolling over in an attempt to escape the thorny onslaught, yet he was only met with more of the miserable plant. Asuka groaned and trudged over, freeing him from his well deserved fate. “Idiot…” She muttered with a guilty smirk as she attempted to pull out the little lances one by one, resting him chest first on her lap. “So, who’s gonna be doing the farming anyway, Mr. Langley? It sure as Hell isn’t gonna be you, with this soft skin of yours.” She stripped him of his shirt, inspecting his reddened hide with a huff. She leaned down and kissed the almost invisible wounds, which led him to shiver a bit and turn red all over.
“Look, Shinji…I’m just scared.” She admitted, stroking his dusty, hat-shaped head.
“I know.” He said, rolling over to look her in the eyes. “Look, we’re gonna make this work. I’m scared too, but I have the Menace of Vicksburg at my side. The Great Asuka Langley.”
She chuckled at the reminder of her old title, and she leaned in to give him a soft kiss.
“And don’t worry…” He piped up as the kiss broke. “I’ll do all the cooking. And cleaning.”
“Oh, thank God.” She said, parting his lips for another peck as the coyotes began to howl, the hum of crickets keeping time to their heavy, beating hearts.