@spillingdown
Utena & Shinji:
Utena and Shinji came off as an off-shoot from observing relations between Hideaki Anno and Kunihiko Ikuhara, but also some folks on Tumblr showcasing arts of both together and few small analysis-posts...
It's bit hard to describe both on my own take without having to get deep on their psyches, but here goes:
My baseline for Shinji and Utena were that their canon selves shouldn't most likely meet because they'd end enabling each other's major flaws really heavily: Shinji, within his meek and anti-social shell, is very dependent and receptful to what other people think of him to form validation of himself, alongside trying to go along with what they tell him/command him due being afraid of making his own decisions out of getting rejected by others - which'd only serve to fuel Utena's saviour complex majorly, especially in her gauding on people with the help she thinks they need.
They'd prolly get along first but after a while, they'd grow pretty wedged and unhealthy as Utena's shifting between not being able to handle someone like Shinji not thinking for himself much, having to coddle him quite often... yet, finding kind of twisted personal fulfillment in it. Whilst Shinji might Utena admirable to a point of glorifying her,maybe ponder if she's much feminine (she'd not like to hear that), and find himself pretty lost when she's not around.
So, I posited both on a more developed post-canon selves, where both come to live in the "real world" as opposed to the escapist-like worlds they were stuck in (See Ohtori Academy and Instrumentality Project standing in for cloaking out the real world) - alongside getting to become more aware of their characteristic complexes. So, when they meet each, in midst of mingling well, they come to notice reflections of people they'd have felt themselves drawn to... but come to realize that's in the past, and they've matured from it now.
I like to imagine both talking about what they used to be as they'd allow themselves to do things in without abandon - Shinji making his own decisions and trying to figure out what he wants out of life currently, with Utena supporting him along the way. (Shinji gains new big sister-like, hehhehhh)
Over time, they end up enough comfortable with each other to do fun jabs at their selves from the past - and maybe acknowledge they were handed quite heavy time in such young age. But above all else, they'll be out there living the life as regular teenagers to young adults!
(Shinji slowly starts taking practice of styling Utena's hair and provide cello music on their shared apartment~ )
They'd be joined by Anthy and Rei, and later on Asuka + Nanami (frenemies with attracted tension?) along the way. Misato as well, whilst Saionji and Touga would be neighbours.
( First image credit - https://www.tumblr.com/fuckyeahcrossoverships/162893126981/confused-and-lonely-and-depressed-bisexual-teens //// https://www.deviantart.com/naderegen/art/RGU-NGE-Utena-Shinji-501597289 )
