Shinji walked into his apartment, finding the space dark and silent. He looked at the calendar and lightly chuckled to himself. It was deadline day at the newspaper. Ryozo would be stumbling in half dead about about 4-6 in the morning. His roommate may have the easiest job most of the time, but when it came to crunch time, Shinji wouldn't trade him for the world.

Shinji took the empty apartment as a blessing and took a hot shower, changing into more comfortable clothes. His thoughts kept wandering back to the young man at the bar. A blush rose to his cheeks as he remembered the interest that the man had shown in him and those intense red eyes staring into his. Shinji shook the thoughts off. People were dangerous creatures and often led to heartbreak or pain. He had been left by so many people, he couldn't even handle the idea of getting close to someone.

He pulled his cello out of the closet, wondering when the last time he had played it was. He settled into a chair and rested the cello between his legs and after a few minutes of tuning it, played songs buried deep in his memory. Hearing the music from his instrument drift to his ears took him back to a time he had fought so desperately to forget. However he found himself remember some of the fun times that kept him sane. On a day like this, he had played in an empty apartment and Asuka walked in and actually complimented him. It was an amazing thing and while she would surely laugh at him for it, hadn't ever forgotten the small appreciation she had granted him.

Thoughts of Asuka led to thoughts of Misato which led to many others he pushed to the back of his memory. After defeating the angels, Nerv was disbanded, and they all went their separate ways. Asuka returned to Germany, Misato began working for yet another top secret agency in the Japanese government. His father had dropped contact and for all he knew was dead.

Rei . . . .

He hadn't thought about the enigmatic young woman for quite some time. He couldn't even recall what she wound up doing. His mind flashed images of thousands of clones floating in a container of LCL, a pained and bleeding girl, and piercing red eyes. Eyes that were not quite human . . .eyes he would see in one other being . . . . .

He shuddered, shaken by the vivid pictures in his mind. Red eyes seemed to burn the back of his skull and he wished he knew why. Rei was an amazing creature, gentle and generally kind, but withdrawn and always sad. Was she happy, where ever she was? At this, Shinji set his cello aside and walked out on his porch, breathing in the cool night air, hoping to clear his head. All of this had snuck up on his rather unexpectedly, he wasn't quite sure how to handle it. He fought the urge to sink to the floor of the porch and sob, like he would have so long ago. He stood strong and just stared out. He wondered what all those people were up to and if they thought about him. Or was he nothing more than a part of a nightmare.

A sharp ring threw Shinji out of his thoughts. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone, flipping it open.

Came a tired voice over the phone.

Come pick me up, I'm too tired to drive home, It was Ryozo, his voice thick and slurred.

I haven't got a car, Ryozo, Shinji said, continuing to look out on the night sky.

Then catcha bus or somethin' and I'll let you drive home, Ryozo sighed and Shinji heard him thunk against the wall.

Alright, I'll be there soon, Shinji hung up and grabbed his coat off the peg by the door and made his way towards the newspaper.

He stuffed his hands in his pockets and stared at the ground, wanting to get to the news press as quickly as possibly. He ignored people that passed him by, not glancing up once.

Hey! You shouldn't be out here, walking alone this late at night, A voice came to his ear, causing him to look up. A flash of red caught in a street light, startling Shinji. Images flashed across his mind and were gone before he could process them.

Who's there! He called back, drawing his coat up around his face.

The figure stepped out from the steps he was sitting on and into the full light. Shinji recognized the voice to belong to the man that had hit on him on the bar earlier.

Were you following me or something? Shinji asked, instantly suspicious.

Kaworu pulled a knitted cap off his head, causing silver hair to fall into his eyes. No, I live here. I just saw you walking by yourself. I didn't realize it was you, from the bar, up until a second ago, Kaworu explained, standing calmly, playing idly with his cap.

Oh . . . well, I've got to get going. I'll catch you around, Shinji said and began to walk off. Kaworu followed on his tail.

I don't think you oughta be out here alone, He said, striding along side him. Shinji began to walk faster.

Why? So I can be safe from creeps? Shinji glanced back, seeing that the other man had caught up effortlessly.

And you're not one? Shinji asked, sarcastic.

Well, no.Sure seems like it to me, Shinji was about to take off running.

Please, let me walk with you. I'm not malicious, I promise, Kaworu smiled politely.

Shinji looked him over, obviously not jiving the idea. The man was tall and slender and didn't look to be concealing a weapon on him, but knowing this town, he wouldn't be surprised if he was hiding a knife or something.

I don't know you. And I don't trust people I don't know, Shinji told him. Kaworu nodded at this and thrust his hand out.

I'm Kaworu. Nagisa Kaworu.

Shinji took the extended hand and shook it tentatively.

I guess I do owe you my name, it is next time'. I'm Ikiri Shinji.

Kaworu couldn't help the smile that broke out brightly across your face.

Nice to meet you, Ikari-san, Kaworu shook his hand and began walking beside him.

Shinji is fine, Nagisa-san, Shinji said, shuddering. His father was Ikari-san.

And Kaworu is fine with me, Kaworu strode easily next to Shinji. Where is it you're headed?I've got to pick my roommate up from work, Shinji said, relaxing considerably around the other man, though his brain was telling him he probably shouldn't.

What's he do for a living? Kaworu asked.

He's a journalist. This is the one night a week he actually has to work his ass off, Shinji chuckled to himself.

Oh, does he not normally work very hard? Kaworu was beside him self with happiness, he and Shinji were just talking, no impending doom, no tension, just two young men talking.

I guess he does, but I'm on my feet for twelve hours a day sometimes, and he is making a butt groove in our couch, so I guess I don't always give him enough credit.That happens.

A silence fell over them and they just walked, a cool breeze playing in their hair. They walked peacefully next to each other, neither one quite sure where to take the conversation. But the silence was nice. It had been so long since Kaworu had really been in the presence of another person, he swallowed up the companionship. Without even thinking about it, he reached down and slipped his hand into Shinji's.

Upon feeling the warm hand in his, Shinji jumped and tensed. A warm flush rose to his cheeks and he suddenly felt like an adolescent boy.

Ummm, Kaworu . . . . ? Shinji asked nervously.

Kaworu, red eyes filled with innocence.

You're holding my hand.I know.Um . . .could you not? Shinji asked, his voice now quite small.

Kaworu felt a slightly stab of rejection and let the hand drop to his side. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you, Kaworu explained.

I know, it's just . . . nothing. Don't worry about it, Shinji said and looked off into the distance.

Kaworu watched him. Shinji was still the same scared boy, even after all this time. He had become even more closed off with time, trained at hiding his insecurities, his fears, putting forth an aura of false confidence. He had never worked through his demons, but suppressed them, living under the lie that they would just disappear. Kaworu wanted to help Shinji, now that he knew he wasn't going to become one of those many things that caused the young man pain. This time, Kaworu had time to crack the shell Shinji had put up to protect himself.

We're here, Shinji said, opening the door to the newspaper building.

Laying asleep on the couch in the lobby was one very worn out Ryozo. Black hair stained the white of the couch and the man was curled up on himself. Shinji walked up to him and nudged him gently.

Come on, Ryozo. Time to go home, Shinji spoke to the other man like a small child.

Kaworu watched his interaction with the other man and wished he could have surprised the pang of jealousy. Kaworu wanted that soft voice and that gentle touch.

Ryozo sat up and rubbed madly at his eyes and with Shinji's help got to his feet. 48 hours, Shinji. That's how long I've been up, Ryozo mumbled sleepily.

Shinji just nodded and helped Ryozo in to the back of the car, where he laid down and promptly went back to sleep. Kaworu sat shotgun, while Shinji attempted to get the car adjusted to him. He could pilot an Eva, but could never quite get the hang of driving a car. It was a rough ride back to Kaworu's apartment.

Thanks for walking with me, Shinji said when Kaworu opened the door to leave.

You're welcome, Kaworu smiled and started to close the door. Is there any chance we can meet up again?

Yeah, I think so. Good night, Kaworu, Shinji said and the door closed. He drove off, Kaworu standing in the cool night, feeling rather confused.

As a boy, Shinji had taken kindness and an offer of friendship with open arms, desperate and needy for one person to like him. Now he was withdrawn and guarded himself well. Shinji had found his one person to like him and seemed content with that. Kaworu sighed and walked back up to his apartment and put himself to bed. Tomorrow would be another day and he had no time limit.

Who was that with you, Shinji? Ryozo asked, half asleep walking to his bed.

Someone I've just met.It's about time you've met some new people, Ryozo said with a large yawn and succumbed to sleep for the night.