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"Hey baka-Shinji, you wanna go clubbing with us?"
Shinji looked up from his phone and looked back at his childhood friend, Asuka, buried between the couch cushions of his apartment. She lived in the college dormitory that was near the building and never fails to show up at his place during the weekends.
"Who are going with?" Shinji questioned.
"Mari, Rei and few friends from class..."
Shinji's eye widened in surprise. "You actually convinced Rei to go clubbing? You guys didn't peer pressure her into anything, did you?"
Asuka glared at Shinji and next thing he knew, a magazine came flying over to hit Shinji. "Don't make me look like the bad guy here! She's coming because she wants to."
"Oh. My bad then."
Asuka huffed. "So you coming or not?"
Shinji frowned slightly. "I don't really know anyone apart from you three and I've never been clubbing before. You sure it's fine if I joined along?"
"It's not about who you know or not. It's about how you yourself want to spend your weekend," Asuka replied, "and besides, in case you feel uncomfortable, you can walk away on us at any moment and we won't mind."
"In that case, I'll join you guys," Shinji responded, smiling hesitantly.
After years of hatred and fights, vampires were granted lives among regular humans with a large set of rules for both beings to follow. Though Shinji wasn't one of those who still carry the prejudice to this day, it felt a bit odd since he has never interacted with a vampire before since he never really had a night life of any kind.
Apart from that and the oddness of actually going out at night, the whole feeling of being in a club somewhat intimidated him. The loud music, the dancing crowd and the mixed scent of sweat and alcohol filling his lungs immediately upon entry. The darkness and the blaring purple neon lights only added more to the claustrophobic atmosphere. Sure, the warmth of the room was comforting in the cold, winter night but Shinji only having second thoughts about this.
He heard Mari let out a long, excited "WOO!" before running off to the bar to the side of the room. Shinji and the others followed her so that they wouldn't lose her in the crowd and also to get themselves a few drinks to start their adventurous night. Shinji ordered himself a beer, totally not expecting a really tall glass of it placed in front of him, which caused Asuka to laugh loudly at his shocked expression. Rei watched with amazement as she watched the bartender work a cocktail for her. The bartender shot her a charming smile at her keen gaze and Shinji noticed the smile having long canines or as they usually call it, fangs.
Rei seemed really pleased with her drink and even offered Shinji a sip, which Shinji found tasting amazing. "Didn't take you for a drinking type," Shinji told her, mirroring the smile on her face.
"I just really like trying out different tastes of cocktails once in a while. This one might be my new favourite even," Rei said, grinning happily. "Is this your first time going to a club as well, Ikari-kun?"
"Yeah. It's better than I expected... in some ways." It almost felt like he was trying to convince himself into thinking that so he wouldn't ditch the people who invited him so kindly. Heck, even Asuka's friends were nice to him and that's not something you witness everyday.
"Rei! Come dancing with me!" Mari yelled out, lips curved with the most widest smile he has seen from her. "You too, puppy boy!"
Rei finished the last of her drink and turned to Shinji. "Are you going to join her?"
Shinji contemplated it with a hum before responding, "You go ahead. I don't really feel like dancing." Rei looked hesitantly between him and Mari for a moment.
"Will you be alright on your own?" Rei asked, worried to leave him by himself in the unknown place.
"I will. Have fun out there." He added a reassuring smile to show her it was alright.
"Text or call us, if you need anything, alright?"
Shinji gave a nod. "Be careful out there though."
"You're not joining us?!" Asuka shouted in question after she finished paying for her drink.
"Well..." Shinji couldn't think of a way to phrase his hesitance without feeling like a fool in front of her.
"Suit yourself. You do you, I guess," Asuka said, shrugging. "Hope you try to have a little bit of fun. Don't want you boring yourself out like this all alone."
Shinji smirked teasingly at that. "Aww so you really do care afterall."
Asuka's eyes widened furiously at the remark. "Don't take it that far, you idiot! I'm just— Urgh, you're so useless! I'm out of here. Bye, you asshole." Shinji couldn't help but laugh quietly as he watched her storm off like that.
Shinji continued to watch the crowd from the sidelines while bobbing his head slightly to the loud music. He watched his friends and the others dancing in the crowd, feeling glad that they get to have fun like this together. Rei, Asuka and Mari took turns dancing together while laughing animatedly without the care for the world. Shinji's smile faded when he lost sight of them and he turned back to his beer that stood just as big and intimidating as he left it. He decided to drink at least half of it and decided to leave for his apartment after. The others were having a great time, Shinji being there as the only one who isn't enjoying himself would only ruin the night for them. Why did he even come here? If he had just stayed at home, they wouldn't worry about him leaving like this. He just keeps ruining everything for the others.
"What's got you so gloomy?"
Shinji flinched in surprised at the voice, almost feeling caught for feeling down about himself. It was the bartender who made Rei's drink and from the looks of it, she wasn't talking to him but the man who stood in front of her, beside him. Shinji looked at the man who wore a faux smile at the woman's question. He wore a simple white shirt and a dark jacket, hair so light it appeared purple and red like the flashing lights. He couldn't hear much of what what he was saying but he seemed to look pretty attractive and Shinji couldn't help but stare at this beautiful stranger before him. Shinji would usually look away, feeling like an idiot but feeling a little tipsy from the drink, he continued on watching the man and the bartender converse with one another. A little gasp of amazement unconciously left Shinji's lips as he noticed how the man had fangs, similar to that of the bartender. A vampire.
The man turned to meet Shinji's gaze and gave him an amused smile, eyes crimson and Shinji could've sworn he saw them glow for a second. Shinji looked away, cursing under his breath for getting caught staring like that. How embarassing. Shinji took another swig from his drink, the bitter taste of beer making him grimace a little. Just as he was about to go for another one, he noticed the beautiful stranger now standing beside him, still smiling.
"Not too subtle with your staring, are you?" His voice teasing but not enough to mock Shinji's behaviour.
Shinji flushed in embarassment and let out an incoherrant stammer awkwardly before replying. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have—"
The man let out an amused laugh. "Oh no no, no need to apologize. It's completely alright." Shinji grit his teeth, regretting his actions and turned away to drink away his shamefulness. Why was he so embarassing? "What brings you here? You don't seem very interested being in a place like this."
Shinji wondered why this man would want to talk a stranger who was caught staring at himbut answered anyway. "I just came along with a few friends. It's my first time being in a club actually. Now I guess it's safe to say, it isn't for me."
"I feel the same as well. I was just about to leave myself." Shinji nodded slowly in acknowledgement. "Are you a student from Tokyo University by any chance?"
"I am. How did you know?"
The man's smile was wide. Shinji couldn't help but be reminded of a smiling cat meme Mari had sent him once. "I'm a student as well. I'm a music major."
Shinji's eyes widened. "I'm from the same major as well. How come I've never seen you before?"
"I attend the night classes," the man said, casually. Ah, night classes. Shinji almost forgot the person he was talking to was a vampire. "The name is Kaworu. Nagisa Kaworu. Nice meeting you."
"You as well. I'm Ikari Shinji," Shinji said with a polite smile, extending a hand, which Kaworu shook firmly, returning the very charming smile that made Shinji a little weak on the knees from how breathtakingly gorgeous this man was.
"Now that we are properly aquainted, what do you say we go back to our dorms together after we finish our drinks? I assume, you're going the same way?"
Shinji nodded to Kaworu. "Yes, I am."
As if on cue, the bartender placed Kaworu's drink in front of him before exchanging a smile with each other. Kaworu raised his drink, which looked more of a fruit drink if anything, and clinked it with Shinji's with a eye-closed smile. "Cheers."
Shinji laughed softly. "Yeah, cheers."
Shinji unconciously ended up drinking the whole glass of beer as he chatted away with Kaworu, which was exactly why he felt a bit fumbly as he walked back to the the apartment with Kaworu. Kaworu who wore summer clothes in a winter night.
"Do you not feel cold?" Shinji asked, concerned for the man.
"Not at all. In fact, my body is cold itself I'm like a walking ice cube!" Kaworu announced, pumping a fist on the air. Shinji laughed uncontrollably at that comment, jumping away from Kaworu with a surprised shriek when his hand touched his cheek to demonstate.
"So cold!" Shinji exclaimed, laughter still bubbling in his words.
Kaworu giggled with a hand over his mouth. "Didn't take you to be the one who uses puns."
"I'm not!" Shinji nudged Kaworu's arm with a smirk. "But didn't take a guy as hot as you to be this cold."
"Quite the charmer, aren't you?" Kaworu snickered.
Shinji didn't know how much Kaworu drank but he knew he was somewhat drunk as well from his constant laughter (turns out his fruit drink was actually alcoholic). Not that Shinji was complaining about his laugh, it was really cute and he really liked seeing the other man happy.
A while after, a few moments after they were done singing anime intros with each other, the two decided to visit the park on the way. Kaworu laid down on the grass with his hands behind his head when he noticed Shinji laying back on his back upon sitting. None of them cared if they had only met that day but it felt right to sit this way since they quickly befriended one another.
"How odd today is," Kaworu commented, drawing his words almost in exagerration. "My day just went from the most lousiest to one of the most fun I had in ages!"
Shinji smiled softly. "How so?"
Kaworu looked out into the distance and back at Shinji. "I work at a restraunt on the weekends to get some extra cash and for the first time, my co-workers actually came over to talk to me. They invited me to go clubbing with them and joined in because I thought they like me. I was actually waiting for them to show up but..."
Shinji felt like got an idea of what happened at the sight of Kaworu's frown. "You got stood up, didn't you?"
Kaworu pursed his lips and nodded slowly. "In a way. They gave the wrong address and hung out elsewhere," he sighed.
"I'm so sorry to hear that."
"Oh it's nothing," Kaworu chuckled, meekly. "They probably just didn't like working alongside a vampire like me, that's all." Shinji felt a need to say something but the no one words came out. He hated how helpless he felt when he couldn't find the words. He turned to look at Kaworu when he suddenly sat up and looked at Shinji. "I'm sorry, I should have made myself clear beforehand." Kaworu facepalmed and exhaled deeply. "I'm not trying to feed on you or anything. That's not why I proposed we could walk back to our homes together."
Shinji's eyes widened in shock. "No no, don't apologise. You don't seem like a person to treat people that way," Shinji affirmed. "Even if it were the case, you would've done it by now."
Kaworu's gaze softened. "You're right. Truthfully speaking, I really like you and I just didn't want this to be a misunderstanding between us," he said, smiling faintly.
He liked him?
Shinji felt warmth growing from his cheeks and just smiled back. "Of course. In that case, I'm very glad you told me this."
"Thank you," Kaworu said, "for being so understanding."
"And thank you for spending the night with me." Shinji didn't expect himself to say this thought out loud but Kaworu's wide smile melted away all that regret instantly.
They laid there, talking some more before falling into a comfortable silence. The part of the city they were at was asleep to clear the light pollution enough to see the stars in the sky. Shinji felt comfort envelop him as he gazed at stars above them and sharing the moment with someone who he enjoys company with was a new and easing feeling of its own. The feeling of grass on his back and the cool night breeze over their faces made Shinji feel more sobered up and cold but he wouldn't have this moment any other way.
"Stargazing truly is fun," Kaworu commented, softly breaking the silence.
Shinji chuckled breathlessly. "It's quite peaceful, don't you think?"
Shinji turned his gaze to see Kaworu smile to himself. "Indeed. The sentiment of it... it makes you feel like everything that's happening to you doesn't really matter in the starry eyes of the universe because of how vast the it is."
The words sounded familar as though he had heard it before. "That's a unique analogy. I guess maybe that's one of the reasons why I find watching the stars so calming."
Kaworu's gaze turned to meet Shinji's. "You do it from time to time?"
"I used to."
The vampire smiled warmly at him. "We should do this more often then." Shinji noticed the man's pupils shine softly with a crimson glow, brighter than the starry specks in the black canvas of the night sky.
Shinji felt his heart tighten in joy at his words and clentched a fist over his chest in excitement. "Yes. I'd love that."
Kaworu insisted he walk Shinji to his apartment since it was him who had a long day but Shinji didn't let him and walked Kaworu to his dorm, which was a lot farther, as a result of being saddened by their night nearing its end. Shinji wasn't going to admit the reason, of course. He already felt embarassed about the drunk comments he made on Kaworu being hot when he was drunk a few hours ago. Shinji stopped himself from sighing sadly when he saw them reach the entrance of the dorms. He glanced over to face Kaworu when he stopped walking and pulled his scarf closer to his face.
"Looks like we have reached," Shinji said, awkwardly, not knowing what to say.
"Home sweet home," Kaworu sing-songed, playfully.
Shinji hummed softly in response and gave Kaworu a smile. "I had a great time today. Thank you for tonight."
"In all honesty, it is I who should be thanking you." Kaworu returned his smile with a wide one, eyes closed adorably into the cute smile Shinji thought to look like a cat's. "Let's hang out again some time. I love your company so much I don't feel like letting you go."
Shinji chuckled at his comment, "I could say the same about you as well."
"How does dinner tomorrow night sound? If you're okay with it?" Kaworu asked, slightly nervous but eyes hopeful. How could Shinji say no to spending time with this wonderful man?
"Sure. Let's text each other the details," Shinji answered, giddy with joy from knowing he would like to spend time with Shinji like this.
Kaworu slowly took a step closer and Shinji couldn't help but stay where he was and blush furiously as Kaworu took his hand and planted a soft kiss on to the back of his hand. Kaworu's gaze held Shinji's as he observed any discomfort from Shinji before going for his question when he noticed Shinji shyly averting his gaze with a shy smile. "Is it a date?"
The ghost of the kiss and the strangely pleasant cool feeling of Kaworu's breath on his hand as he asked his question made Shinji feel butterflies. "I... I want it to be," he admitted, meeting Kaworu soft gaze again. "Do you want that too?"
Shinji felt his smile when Kaworu pressed another kiss on to his hand. "I'd love nothing more."
Maybe it was the liquid courage or it wasn't but Shinji gently pulled his hand from Kaworu's and caressed his cheek. His alabaster skin felt smooth and cold to touch but Kaworu's now toothy grin, both fangs exposed and ecstatic, made Shinji forget the cold from the warmth his smile brought him. Kaworu placed his own hand over Shinji's and planted a kiss in his palm, gazing lovingly at him, making Shinji's smile wider and warmer and heart fuller.
"Good night, Shinji-kun."
Shinji caressed the taller man's face with his thumb again before saying the same, "Good night, Kaworu-kun."