Work Text:
Let it snow
It was snowing on Tokyo 3.
Ever since the Second Impact, and the radical change the climate had gone through all over the world, Japan had not been the same. Very few countries had not suffered some kind of changes in their climates. For Japan, some islands had been swallowed by the sea, the summer heats were longer, more intense, and more deadly, the rainy season had changed too, and looked like the Indian monsoon now. There hasn’t been a single white winter in a decade and a half. But today, for the first time in fourteen years, the sky was grey, and small snowflakes were falling down.
A lot of people weren’t believing it, it was a small miracle in these troubled times, where giant monsters were trying once again to destroy humanity. It was, for some of them, a sign that things were going to get better, and many prayers were made, and wishes made. It was a sign of hope…
But not everyone was feeling happiness, hope, and joy at the frozen water falling from the sky.
Misato wasn’t happy with the weather. She hadn’t seen snow since the Second Impact. Since her father's death. Since the South Pole, and Antarctica… She hates it, she hates the cold, and she hates the white cover falling over the city, and the onslaught of memories it was bringing her. Her scar was itching and felt raw with the cold, the skin feeling too tight. She was furious, and bitter, so much that it should have melted the dreaded things before they touched the ground, or herself. But it wasn’t. That is why she was acting petty, and childish by stomping on the crisp, immaculate white layer of snow in the streets. She couldn’t be bothered to carry an umbrella with her, even if she had one in a tasteful purple color somewhere.
Ritsuko rarely sees the sky, what with her constant work with the MAGI, and the EVA or other things for Gendo. Once she heard about the snowfall, she took a rare moment for herself, to get out of her lab, out of the underground fortress, and see for herself the heavy grey sky, and the littles miracles of snowflakes falling. Under the snow, she felt nostalgic, from what she wasn’t sure. A world before Gendo? Before Angels? A time when her mother was alive maybe? Her own childhood? She wasn’t sure. There was nothing more simple than snow, its structure perfect and wonderfully filled with symmetry, and mathematics, chemistry and logic. Maybe she was craving for a time where things were simpler and logical? Was it the reason she was standing alone under the snow, with a quenched cigarette at her lips? Nostalgie? She lost track of time, alone under the snow, without protection, until an umbrella cut her view of the clouds, and her dear assistant Maya offered her a cup of coffee with a little smile on her lips. They stood together under the grey sky, under the snow, under the silent weight of the world.
Gendo couldn’t care less about the weather, about what was falling from the sky, or even the color of said sky, and hadn’t cared for years now. Not since his beloved Yui disappeared after the activation test of the EVA 01. After that day everything turned grey, cold and dull for him, the sky like the people. Yui has always enjoyed the snow, the delicate dance of the white crystals falling from the sky, the bite of the cold on her face, the sounds of her feets on the whitened ground, and making her umbrella twirl like a child… She had always dragged him for walks under the snow, asking him to hold her umbrella… He didn’t get out of the Geofront, because today it was snowing on Tokyo 3, but because the ice in his heart was harder, and colder than anything falling from the sky.
Asuka couldn’t care less about this so-called miracle, like the idiots in her class, or even her friend Hikari called the snowfall. Snow was still common back in Germany after all, even after the Second Impact, every year there was snow, so why should she feel amazed about something stupid like that? In fact she wasn’t a fan of winter, she didn't like the cold, and couldn’t wear her best cute or sexy clothes under the snow. No low-neckline, no short skirts, no shorts or tank top, how was she supposed to win the heart of Kaji-san in a puffy jacket, and winter coat? Wasn’t Japan supposed to be warm all year round since Second Impact?! Frustrated, she gripped her umbrella with more strength than necessary and with a scowl on her face, she continued to walk through the familiar snow. From above, her umbrella, a deep red one, looked like a drop of blood, or the feared S2 organ of Angels.
Rei had never seen real snow before today, she had read about it, and seen pictures, of course but have never been in contact with the real thing. It was strange, and new, but in a good way…? It was cold, but it wasn’t unpleasant, she supposed. It looks delicate, but it could be deadly. Like her? She was watching the snow falling from the sky, she was lost in the sight when Ikari-kun joined her. When she looked at him, his face was a bit red from the cold, but he was smiling.
“The snowflakes look pretty in your hair, but you should be careful. It would be a pity if you were to catch a cold.” His smile was kind, and she couldn’t understand why she felt warmth in her bosom at the sight. He gave her his umbrella without a second thought, and left her to do errands for tonight's dinner. She could feel herself blushing at the gesture, she who was compared to a yuki onna by people, and was somehow always cold, felt warmth.
“Ikari… Shinji-kun...”
Kaworu was fascinated by the lilims. He hadn’t shared their form for long, but he found everything about them absolutely incredible and fascinating. But a single lilim meant more to him than the others. Ikari Shinji was by far the most alluring thing he could think of, and as such Tabris was enjoying every second spent with him. His warmth, his sad eyes, his light, his very soul, was attractive to him, and he wanted to be the one to make a smile bloom on his face. It was a very human desire, a selfish one too, yet he was neither of these things. But right now what was making his precious young lilim smile was the weather... It was something he hadn’t been really interested in before, but the lilims reactions to it was entertaining. Snow seemed to have a powerful effect on the lilims, but he wasn’t sure why. It was just frozen water. He still felt wonder at the world around him, everything was new to him after all, but due to his nature, and unlike the lilims, he had to concentrate to make sure the snowflakes were melting once they touched him. It wouldn’t do to be suspected and found out before his goal was reached. Earlier he witnessed Shinji-kun lending his umbrella to that strange creature that was Rei Ayanami, and thus choosing to expose himself to the harsh element. He learned that lilims could fall sick and die from too much exposure to the cold, such a thing happening to his lilim was unacceptable, but he couldn’t explain why seeing such a scene was so upsetting to him, he was still lacking knowledge about feelings and lilims behaviour. He watched as the delicate snow fell down on him, melting against his warmth where he had to make a conscious effort to have the crystal melt at his own contact. How wonderful for the lilim to do so unconsciously. It made him wonder if he would go back to a liquid and unified state if he were to get too close to Shinji-kun warmth. Was it the same for the other albino girl who could have been part of his family under other circumstances?
The snow was falling harder now, as if the sky was crying in earnest. His precious lilim raised the collar of his coat, trying to protect himself from the wind and the snow. Soon the white crystals were catching in his hair without melting right away, tainting them with white. Kaworu wondered if Shinji-kun's hair would turn a pretty pure white if he were to stay any longer under the snow. It would go well with his ashen ones.
He decided to open his own umbrella, its octogonal shape amusingly reminded him of his AT field shield, and got close to HIS lilim. He would share the feeble protection of the umbrella with him, and thus enjoy the close proximity with this peculiar creature that was the lilim for a bit longer. He would enjoy the closeness of this peculiar being longer that way. He quite liked the way Shinji-kun cheeks turned more carmine with the proximity instead of the cold. The color, more vivid and lively, enticing really. He would share his own conscious warmth with him once they were out of the wind and the snow. He dislikes seeing the lilim in any form of pain, cold included. Yeah, the snow may be a blessing after all.
For the first time in his life Shinji was seeing snow. Real snow, not pictures. He wasn’t sure to like it though, it was cold, and wet. The noises in the streets were weird with the thick blanket of snow muffling everything, it was like everything was covered in coton, and the white overwhelming color was enforcing the thought in his mind. Yet, everything looked calm and peaceful under the snow, almost pure in a way. People were contemplating, or enjoying the miracle with smiles. Some older people were even trying to teach young children how to play with the snow. He wasn’t feeling like playing, he wasn’t a child anymore, and wasn’t keen on doing something that would make him look like an idiot. But it was nice to see. Not that everyone seemed to like the spectacle.
He had seen Misato frown in distaste at the flakes, and Asuka whined about the cold. He, himself, didn't say anything.
As usual.
He had seen Rei on his way from school, while he was getting groceries for today’s dinner. She had only been wearing a coat that looked too thin for the weather, and the snowflakes who were catching in her light blue hair weren’t melting right away, she had probably stood in the snow for too long. It was pretty somehow, with her blood red eyes lost in the snow covered scenery, she looked like a yuki onna, like the ones he read about in fairy tales as a kid. He had given her his umbrella, not wanting her to catch a cold. A few minutes later, as the cold was seeping into him in earnest, and he was blowing hot air on his hands, the snow suddenly stopped falling on him. When he turned his head, he blushed when he saw Kaworu holding his own umbrella above the two of them. The kind albino was making him feel things he had never felt before, and once again he wasn’t sure if he liked it or even wanted to feel them. But walking side by side with him, protected by the umbrella, the world around them, silent and covered in white fluffy snow… It was nice, and he wanted to enjoy it a bit longer.
Because for once… He didn’t feel like running away.
I will admit to shipping Kaworu and Shinji. He may have been an angel, but he chose Shinji, and you can’t fight me on this because when Shinji finally gave up during the third impact in the movie, it was only AFTER Lilith took his form. No, I didn't read the manga, only watched the anime and the movies. I should read them at some point.
Anyway to me it would be logical if some characters have mixed feelings toward snow. Especially Misato.
I hope you liked this small thing.