It's been a year since the final impact but to Shinji it felt like longer than that. So much had happened since then and at times he thought he wouldn't be able to pull through. However, his friends gave him a place where he would belong, at least a place where he could pretend he did. Even after all this time though, he couldn't work up the courage to see her. That was until now.

He walked along the rugged path carrying some flowers in hand. He wasn't sure what her favorite was so he brought an arrangement of different kinds. The path was so much different from when he Asuka were last here. What once was barren and desolate was now covered in green life. Remnants of Nerv's last stand remained a few pieces of rumble, some tanks, cars, and other equipment was scattered about covered in moss and greenery as if they were part of a long forgotten battle. This kind of scene was happening all over the world; plant life was taking over wreaked buildings as if they were making up for lost time. They actually had to have volunteers pause construction and instead focus on weeding for a whole month.

Shinji paused in his stride when he stepped in something wet. He looked down finding his feet in a red puddle. This puddle was different from the ones he's known throughout his life. A bright blue ring surrounded the edges and the once vibrant red color is faded and see through. He looked to his left where a blood-red sea used to be. Now tinges of blue were eating the red away. He was told that the sea was blue before the second impact but it turned red and became inhospitable to most marine life.

Asuka believes that somehow the earth is healing itself and is reverting back to its original form. However, it was going to take a lot more work and time to make the sea hospitable again. Shinji had a feeling he won't see a completely blue ocean in his lifetime.

Stepping out the puddle, he continued his journey. His eyes fixed on the white gravestone ahead of him. There were many of them in this area, each representing a soul that has long since passed but his focus was on the stone with the cross necklace hanging off it. It surprised Shinji to know it was still there. When he approached it the necklace didn't appear damaged at all. He set the flowers down and took a deep breath.

"Hey, Misato," he said "It's been a while I know. I'm sorry, I couldn't save the world the way that you wanted me to…even now when everything is going back to normal I don't think I'm doing all that much to help. Though I'm trying to see the things you saw in me, I really am."

He paused listening to the sounds of the wind blow by. In the distance he could hear cheering. A celebration was being held today to commemorate how far humanity has come and remember the people who were long gone. Asuka and Sakura were going, they really wanted to dress up in kimonos so Shinji thought it would be a good chance to slip away for this private talk.

"A lot has happened since then, I'm sure you can see it from wherever you are…but a friend mine took up the role of leader pretty quickly. You wouldn't know it from looking at Guy but he's a great leader, he sort of reminds me of you. He managed to get everyone going after the last Eva fell even though most of us were hopeless. We've rebuilt the buildings the Angels destroyed and are working on organizing a new government. A couple of months ago Japan re-established communication with other countries. We still have such a long ways to go…but we're working on it.

Oh you'll be happy to know Asuka and I started school again. The building we're using doesn't exactly have a roof yet but it's still a school. We've even managed to find Hikari and Kensuke again…but it's not same like it was before."

He thought back to the first day of school. Since Asuka had a college degree, she volunteered to teach and walked with him. He remembered how Asuka stopped mid-sentence and dropped her bag when she spotted Hikari. For a moment he thought he saw tears in Asuka's eyes as she ran to hug her friend.

It was shortly after that Kensuke found Shinji and apologized for disconnecting with him. On that day Shinji smiled for the first time since the last impact and told his friend that it was alright. They shook hands and Kensuke began raving about the military's come back and who the hottest students were in the class. It was almost as if nothing changed at all, even though everything had.

Though he managed to patch things up with Kensuke, he could never do the same with Hikari. The four of them hung out with each other and she never showed any malice towards him but there was an uneasy feeling between them revolving around Toji's death. He doesn't think Hikari blames him but he still felt guilty around her. Hikari was going to the festival with Asuka and Sakura which was another reason he didn't go.

"Misato…there hasn't been any sign of him even though he said he'll be back. I feel as though I've lost so much. I got my friends back and we saved the world but who did I save it for? Everyone that truly loved me is…well you already know. And I feel so stupid for not seeing any of it before."

He gazed over the gravestone and set the flowers in front it. He brought his fingers to his lips remembering the kiss he and Misato shared. Tasting blood as he thought about Misato's vow to pick things up once he saved Asuka. Even though Kaworu promised he would be here, Shinji knew that promises can easily be broken.

"I'm trying to move on again but it's getting harder…Um well that's it for now I guess. Say hi to everyone for me, I don't know where their buried anymore. Tell Rei thank you and mom that I love her…and dad too."

Then Shinji turned around with nothing else to say. As he started to walk away from the grave site, he sees a figure walking towards him out of the corner of his eye. He thought nothing of it and continued to walk, thinking it was someone else coming to say hello to a lost friend. He continued his walk considering meeting up with Kensuke at the festival even though he didn't feel like celebrating.

"Excuse me but could you wait a moment?" a voice called behind him.

Shinji stopped in his tracks, his heart pounding against his chest. He knew that voice but he refused to turn around. He didn't want to get his hopes up; his heart couldn't stand for another let down. He heard the footsteps draw closer behind him and tried not to think about how soft graceful they were, so very angelic.

"You waited up, I'm glad," said the voice "This might sound strange but I believe I've been drawn here."

Shinji's heart continued pounding inside of his chest. It couldn't be. His heart was screaming at him to turn around but his head was telling him to run. Yet his body refused to obey either command.

"You see, I've forgotten who am I but I don't think that matters anyway. I woke up on the shore a beach and the strangest need to find something. For the past year I've been searching for that something and I'm not even sure what I'm looking for. But now that I'm here I realized that something might be you."

"You…," Shinji whispered quietly, tears forming in his eyes.

"I believe my life's purpose was to-"

Before the stranger could say anymore Shinji's lips were against his. Tears blurred Shinji's vision but his heart has never felt so free. This boy's voice, his warmth, he knew who it belonged to without even looking.

"I know you've told me that before," said Shinji as he pulled away "You might not know what I'm talking about but I'm tired of making the same mistakes over and over again. You don't remember but I'm sorry for everything and I'm so happy your back you're the most important person too me. I'm so sorry I never said it before Kaworu."

Kaworu stared back at him trying to wrap his head around what the boy said. Then he smiled back at Shinji and took his hand.

"You right I don't really understand what it is your saying. There are a lot of holes that need filling but I'm sure you help can help with that and perhaps."

Kaworu reached over drying Shinji's tears. Then he pressed his lips against Shinji's for another kiss

"I love you Ikari Shinji," he whispered.

Upon hearing those words Shinji felt an incredible warm feeling inside his chest like nothing he's ever felt before. He knew nothing could tear them apart again. As he stood by Kaworu's side, one thought changed his world.

So this is happiness.

Thank you everyone for reading and sticking with this Fan Fiction. This was my first one and I'm very proud of how it turned out. I'm very fond of this couple and I hope to write another one with them too. I hope you'll continue reading my future work. Until then this is the end.