A/N: I'm sure anyone reading this story doesn't want to hear about my personal problems. Suffice it to say, there was a personal family emergency and I am only recently pulling myself together enough to get back to writing. I know this chapter is short, (since when have I written anything for Evangelion that was long?) and I don't know when I will have the next chapter done. All the same please be patient. I will do my very best. Without any further ado, (bows) please enjoy the story.

Disclaimer: Trust me, Christmas hasn't even passed yet. There is no way I could possibly own Evangelion when I haven't even seen the movies.

The apartment was small, consisting of three rooms. There were cracks in the plaster, they didn't have many possessions, and the bedroom door looked like someone had tried to punch a hole in it.

But, Kaworu mused, it's not that bad. The air was clean, no smell of cigaretts or drugs, and they had considered that to be a good sign.

The rent wasn't very high either, and their neighbors seemed to be good people. Kaworu wasn't sure of everything in their surroundings yet. (He spoke enough English to hold a fairly good conversation with other people but that hardly made him an expert in western culture.) But so far, the week and a half they had been there was going well.

Red eyes stared at the window as rain continued to beat down on the glass. The storm was fairly powerful but the angel found that to be soothing. No one in their right mind with a choice in the matter would be out on a night like tonight. So while he honestly did not think that SEELE had traced them to America yet, this was reassurance that no one was out looking for them right now.

Shinji gave a sigh in his sleep and snuggled closer to his bed mate. His arm was draped over Kaworu's waist and his head was pillowed on his chest. The boy was warm and his unconscious cuddling wrapped more of the blanket around the both of them. In his sleep, Shinji was less timid about pursuing what he wanted. It didn't take much to turn him into a shameless cuddle-bug.

A fond smile tugged at Kaworu's lips as his attention was diverted to the Third Child. Even in the darkness of the room, the boy's beauty was obvious to him.

Kaworu himself, ought to be asleep at this hour but it hadn't taken him a long time to decide that Shinji was even more beautiful up -close and in the angel's arms.

A loud crack of thunder and a flash of lightning from outside caused the brunet's eye-brows to furrow and his body to tremble faintly. Pale fingers stroked over the boy's hair lovingly.

Kaworu's lips brushed over Shinji's face and eyes lids at the same time as he offered whispered words of comfort. He had been making progress regarding Shinji's nightmares, they had even gotten through a full night without them.

But other nights contained things like this.

A loud noise could be all it took to thrust Shinji back into Unit 01, fighting for his life.

Kaworu knew that it would pass with time but he couldn't help wishing that there was more he could do.

"Kaworu?" Shinji asked quietly, his voice hoarse with sleep. Half-open eyes revealed the boy to be barely awake.

The angel offered Shinji a smile. "It was just a dream, Shinji." He soothed.

"You were gone." The Third Child croaked. He wasn't crying, but there was no denying the terror in his voice. "I – I thought you were – "

Kaworu made a shushing sound and lightly kissed Shinji's lips. "I'm okay. I won't leave you." He rubbed his hand over Shinji's back slowly to help the boy calm down. "It was just a nightmare Shinji. Go back to sleep, I'll protect you."

Not really awake to begin with, Shinji took the angel's promise to heart. It wasn't even a full minute before sleep had pulled him back under.

The Fifth Child felt a small wave of relief when the brunet returned to sleeping peacefully. The stress from all of the recent chaos had been leaving Shinji exhausted and Kaworu would not be surprised if the boy didn't remember this event in the morning.

It still left the silveret feeling a bit bothered, all the same. But if Shinji was afraid of losing him that was easy to remedy by always being there.

Kaworu pressed one last kiss to the crown of Shinji's head before closing his eyes and going to sleep himself.

End

A/N: That's all so far. If it feels too short for you, feel free to call it the prolouge. I hope to see you all again next chapter (whenever that is). Thank you for reading. (bows)