It was only a couple more days before Shinji was released from the hospital. He wasn't sure why they couldn't have let him go right way. He felt great! In fact, when Misato picked him up, she even remarked on it.

As they made their way to the parking garage, she said as much, "This has gotta be the best I've ever seen you out of the hospital."

He shrugged, "I have no idea why they kept me for so long."

"Probably just to be safe. You did spend a whole month as primordial soup," she pointed out with a cheeky smile.

He shrugged as he climbed into her car and they got onto the road.

All he could guess as to why he felt so great was the fact he had to be built back up from scratch. Or maybe he was thinking too hard about the physical component and not the mental. Sure, the things he saw in his dream were nightmarish but in the days past, they had faded away from his memory. All he really remembered was that his mother had made an honest attempt at keeping him there.

That was the last thing he expected and now, out of the dream, he couldn't help but feel an undercurrent of guilt to having rebuffed her so harshly. Then again, staying there just wasn't an option. The closer they crept towards the end, the more his friends would need him. She'd just have to understand he had built his own family in her absence, one that needed him far more than she did.

He really hoped that wouldn't cause a problem next time he found himself in Unit 01's Entry Plug. Then again, outside of sync tests, he really should only have to pilot one, maybe two more times. Whatever happened to the Evas after they averted Third Impact, he could hardly care about. It would no longer be his problem. He was certainly looking forward to washing his hands of the whole ordeal regarding them.

His mind turned to the future. If Asuka's previous world was anything to go by, then all that had come after this was the final Angel and the JSSDF's attack. Kaji still hadn't shown back up, something he wasn't sure bode well or bode ill. Kaworu had assured him that the final Angel was nothing to worry about so were they waiting for someone to lose their patience, whether that be his father or the SEELE people?

Maybe some different Angel would show up?

Or maybe, his mind whispered, Kaworu had been lying to him this whole time?

He frowned deeply. Kaworu had never lied to him before. Back in his own previous world he had been deceived but he hadn't lied to him. Of course, had hadn't volunteered the information he was an Angel back then too but he had probably assumed it wouldn't be an issue.

That was an unsettling thought; the idea that Kaworu assumed it wouldn't be an issue this time around but he ended up wrong once more.

"C'mon, Shinji, why's the long face? I thought you'd be happy to be going home!" Misato's voice broke into his thoughts.

"It's not that," he deflected, "I'm just...I'm thinking about the future."

"That's some pretty deep thoughts to be thinking right outta a hospital stay, don'tcha think?" she quipped.

He hummed then shrugged, "I dunno. I was just thinking how weird it was that no Angels showed up while I was gone."

"Awfully polite of 'em for once," Misato agreed, "I can't blame you though. Now that you're back, I can't help but feel we're just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Which is probably why Ritsuko has you kids scheduled for a sync test tomorrow. Consider that me giving you the news!"

He decided to drop the topic for the time being, finding it depressing to ponder. He was getting to go home and sleep in his own bed; he should at least find some solace in that!

They didn't talk too much for the rest of the ride, simply enjoying the silence and atmosphere of an evening drive. Shinji was looking forward to getting some rest though he supposed he had to contend with eating something before then. Oh well, he'd have to settle for one of Misato's instant meals. They weren't so bad—once you made them correctly.

She led them up to the apartment and when she opened the door came the cry of:

"Surprise! Welcome home!"

He blinked in surprise, finding Asuka at the door, grinning wide. Lurking behind her were Kaworu and Rei, wearing similar yet restrained smiles. "Huh?" he asked dumbly.

Misato lead them into the kitchen where, on the kitchen table, was an array of takeout with a chocolate cake as centerpiece. She explained, "It was Asuka's idea. She just had it last night."

He nodded, "What's with the cake? That's a little...over the top."

"I was in the hospital on my birthday," Asuka explained, hands on her hips, "So I never got a cake!"

"So you're...using this as an excuse to have one?"

"It has been the second time she's done this. I think she just likes cake," Kaworu cut in, a mischievous glint to his eyes.

"So what if I do?"

Chuckling softly, Shinji sat down at the table, finding himself more hungry than he expected. Kaworu sat beside him and smiled, "I might have encouraged her a tiny bit."

"It's fine," he waved him off with a returned smile, "This way I don't have to cook anything."

The other three settled around the table which, like every time before, was a little bit of a cramped situation. Shinji saw Misato's eyes linger on Kaworu. Their eyes met and, as quick as she had looked at him, she looked away. She put on a plastic smile and began piling her plate with food.

Shinji frowned slightly. That felt weird.

"Is something wrong?" Kaworu asked lowly, taking his shoulder.

"No, no...it's nothing," he dismissed.

Not entirely convinced, Kaworu nodded and began getting his own modest portion of food.

Shinji followed suit though he was having trouble shaking off the unsettled feeling Misato had given him. Even moreso when he noticed Rei was very pointedly only looking at Asuka as they shared small but amicable talk.

The only ones at this table would should know Kaworu's true identity was himself and Asuka. If Misato had any idea, she probably would have put her foot down on him staying, right?

After they had dinner and dessert, Rei had gone home and Kaworu had gotten Misato to let him stay over. He produced a movie for them to watch together: yet another Godzilla movie, one of the older and more light-hearted films. Shinji grinned as he took it from him, "Oh man, you guys really thought of everything!"

Kaworu smiled, his eyes crinkling, "This one was purely my idea actually."

With that, the pair took up post on the couch, bringing a light blanket from Shinji's room to cuddle up under while they watched the movie. They were a decent chunk into it when Asuka emerged from a particularly long and indulgent shower. Dressed in her pajamas, she lingered behind the couch, watching their movie, which at the minute involved some golden hydra destroying what was obviously a toy city. She commented, "The hell are you two watching?"

"Godzilla," Shinji commented off-handedly.

"Ah. I should have figured you for a fan of that."

"And what's that supposed to mean?" he half-twisted around to playfully scowl at her.

"I mean of course you'd like some cheesy flick like that," she grinned back.

"Actually, I'm finding even the sillier ones have quite interesting allegories," Kaworu cut in.

"Allegories, schm-allegories," she dismissed, wearing her playful grin still, "They look totally dated but if you two are having fun, I'll leave you to it."

She headed to the hallway and paused by her door, casting another look at them. The pair's heads were pressed together, sharing some quiet words, before they shared a chaste kiss. She looked away and frowned, ignoring the painful stab of jealously that coursed through her. She shook off her feelings. Regardless of those, they deserved their little pocket of peace to themselves.

---

It was the first time since his retrieval that Shinji found himself in Unit 01's Entry Plug. He couldn't deny that he felt nervous at the prospect of getting inside. Part of him was convinced he would be consumed all over again once inside. But it had been flooded with LCL for a few minutes now and here he was, still in one piece.

"Shinji, I understand that you might be nervous but I'm going to need you to try to calm down so I can get an accurate reading," Ritsuko's voice came from his comms.

"Ri-right. Sorry, Dr. Akagi…"

He closed his eyes and forced himself to focus on his surroundings; the lukewarm feeling of the LCL-filled plug, his own pattering heartbeat and the muted sound of the machinery outside. He didn't dare focus on much else, lest he disturb his mother deeper within. He couldn't tell what she was feeling but there was an energy inside, like someone was holding their breath. It lent to a tense atmosphere.

"Shinji's dropped a few points," Ritsuko observed from over Maya's shoulder.

"But that's to be expected, right?" Maya asked.

Misato moved to hover over them both, "Yeah, that's nothing to be concerned about?"

Ritsuko answered them both, "Considering how his nerves were just getting into the plug, I'm gonna attribute his lowered scores to that. I'm sure the next test we do will have more accurate scores."

Misato shot her a joking smile, "Yeah, once he sees she's not gonna eat him again."

"How crude," Ritsuko commented as she turned back to study the other two's scores.

Kaworu and Asuka remained on for sync tests, leaving Rei now officially off the roster. The Commander had suggested it to streamline their current resources. Ritsuko idly wondered he wanted her to focus solely on her remaining purpose.

Her eyes drifted to the back of the command center where Rei sat. She had followed Misato in like a ghost. Considering she hadn't said anything about it, she assumed there was no issues letting her sit in. She looked awfully lost, like she didn't know what to do with herself. She wasn't even really watching the screen, instead staring at the floor, seemingly lost in her thoughts.

"How are the other two faring?" Misato asked.

Peering back at the screen, she reported, "Asuka's gone up a few points but she's holding steady around 87. Kaworu's score is recovering somewhat too. But that's to be expected considering."

Misato leaned next to her to peer at the data, as if any of it would mean anything to her. "Considering?" she echoed.

Ritsuko raised an eyebrow, "I hardly know the boy and I can tell Shinji's return has perked him up significantly."

She leaned back, "I just found it a little odd."

"A healthy dose of skepticism never hurts but it has to be healthy."

Maya watched on, wondering what they could possibly be actually talking about. Then she turned away, deciding whatever it was, it was probably best she didn't know.

---

Asuka had intended to stop Kaworu before he left, to congratulate him on his recovering sync ratio but she caught Shinji and him walking away back down the hallway towards the trams. In what seemed an uncharacteristic show of PDA, Shinji's whole arm was wrapped around the other boy's midsection, leading him along.

She weighed her options: go intrude on what might be a sweet moment between the pair or let them go.

She hung her head and did the latter.

She didn't realize how long she lingered until she caught Rei stopped beside her. The other girl tilted her head, "Are you well?"

Asuka cast another glance down the hallway, finding both boys had rounded the turn and disappeared from her view. She nodded, "I think I've got a lot on my mind."

"So have I. May we go together to the surface?"

Asuka's eyebrows raised at the quite forward offer but nodded, "Sounds good to me."

The pair walked in an amicable silence though it was an itching paranoia that kept Asuka silent. She had something she wanted to ask Rei but the interior of NERV headquarters was feeling more and more suffocating by the day. She could feel eyes on her skin and surely her friendship with Rei made them raise.

So no words were said between the pair until they reached the surface and were a good couple blocks from the entrance. Asuka asked, "So they gave up on waking Zero back up?"

"Yes," Rei said, "It's been decided she be formally decommissioned."

Asuka frowned and ventured, "Does that...bother you? Not being an Eva pilot anymore?"

Rei's gaze dropped to the ground and she murmured, "I must admit it's strange. I think I preferred being one to this...lack of purpose."

"Lack of purpose? You don't need to have something like that just to live."

She stopped underneath a streetlight, which cast her in an ethereal glow in the sunset lighting. Her whole face was full of tension as the gears in her head ground against each other in a cacophony. She started, "That's not it...it's without Eva...I fear I can't protect you...I…" she trailed off, still struggling.

She looked up to find Asuka's beautiful and brilliant blue eyes looking at her questioningly. She couldn't just tell her what her true fears were, that would put her in danger. She all but spat out her rushed explanation, "I fear I'll put you in danger because of that."

"I completely understand."

Rei let out the breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Asuka was fidgeting with a lock of her own, vibrant fire-red hair as she explained, "If they booted me off the roster tomorrow, I'd feel so helpless. I'm...going to admit something to you, Rei."

Rei tilted her head and leaned in, curious now. Asuka continued, "There was a time when I thought if I ever stopped being an Eva pilot...I'd have no purpose. I'd be nothing without her. Then I learned that's not such a great thing to do...so my purpose evolved. You...Kaworu, Shinji...you guys kinda became my purpose."

"I've heard one shouldn't live solely for others," Rei murmured.

"And I'm not. I live for me too." Asuka corrected, "You guys give me a reason to keep on kicking. So maybe, even if you can't protect us, being our friends is enough."

Rei couldn't help but frown. Her words were comforting enough but, unable to tell her her true fears, she just didn't understand. The problem wasn't that she lacked a purpose, it was that she had one and she wanted to do anything but fulfill it. If anything, Asuka's words made her feel worse. If she fulfilled her purpose, it would be the greatest betrayal she could bestow to them.

Noticing her frown, Asuka hung her head, "I'm guessing I'm not that much help."

"You tried your best," she encouraged, "I'm just...having trouble figuring out what is making me so troubled. Perhaps, if I could help you with your own purpose in protecting us…"

Like a bolt from the blue, an idea streaked into her mind. A half-formed, probably ill-thought out idea but one nonetheless. Slowly, she added, "Wait one moment...I can help you, Asuka."

Asuka was staring at her now, curiosity burning in her eyes, "How?"

"I'm sure you understand why I must speak in a riddle but...you are aware there is just but one Angel left to visit us?" Rei asked.

Slowly, and to Rei's surprise, she nodded, "I think Misato mentioned it."

How Misato knew was beyond Rei's understanding. It was likely Dr. Akagi shared this with her. She continued, "I have my sources but I can tell you something of him."

Had she decided to no longer care of what the others knew? If so, that bode well for what it meant for Rei's loyalty. Seeing the opportunity she was being offered, Asuka pressed, "What do you know of the final Angel?"

"It is said it will come in familiar visage and prove simultaneously harder and easier than those that came before."

Asuka mulled over the riddle and Rei dearly hoped she'd understand. The riddle itself was as important as she referred to the final Angel. Tabris was a "him", not an "it".

Asuka added, "And there's nothing else you can tell me about it?"

"That's all I know of him. I apologize I cannot be of more help. Don't let anyone know you know this."

If only she could tell her she knew a hell of a lot more than Rei knew. But Rei was putting herself in the path of fire telling her this, so she had an obligation to not test her luck further. She nodded, "Thanks, Rei. I know this is a huge risk for you."

"I wanted to do something that may make the ordeal a little less painful," she murmured.

She reached for her hand and Asuka closed the distance with her own, taking it. She squeezed it and asked, "You still wanna just be friends?"

"I think its far too late for anything else," Rei murmured once more, her eyes flicking away to the ground.

"...yeah, you're right," she quickly covered her disappointment with a lopsided smile, "Can't blame a girl for tryin'!"

Notably though, Rei didn't pull away, letting them walk hand-in-hand. Together, they walked home under the dying sunlight of the day. Asuka further turned Rei's riddle over in her head. "Familiar visage" did indeed lend credence to her theory that it was some sort of shapeshifting entity that could possess others. That would explain both her wobbly memories of Kaworu being involved in the Prime Loop and his statement that it took different forms.

If that was the case, could the final Angel come looking like one of her friends?

Rei herself wondered why she hadn't just come out and told Asuka the true identity of Tabris. It was all but a given now that Kaworu didn't tell her for one reason or another. She wanted to believe it wasn't out of malice; after all his emotions seemed as human as her own. He cared for Asuka and Shinji and that care seemed genuine. If she tried to pretend he had no emotions, solely because him being an Angel, she risked alienating herself.

She was human, human enough. Kaworu was likely the same.

Would he be able to resist his fate?

Better yet...would she?

Her thoughts were broken by Asuka's voice, "Hey...would you want to come over for dinner? Maybe even stay the night? I can't see Misato minding."

Rei hummed softly in thought then decided she did want this one creature comfort. She nodded, "I think I'd quite like that."

---

Shinji had decided to take up the mantle of walking Kaworu home out of NERV. The other boy seemed to be wavering, despite his best efforts. He was so spacy Shinji nearly feared him walking out into traffic. Hence, why he insisted on walking him home.

Not to mention it made him feel better to keep him out of the Geofront as much as possible.

However, no matter the amount of times if he asked if he was fine or if it was going to be alright, Kaworu assured him both things were true. And since he had always been the rock of the pair. Shinji decided it was more than likely he was overthinking things. After all, Kaworu could pull himself together enough to begin rising once more in sync scores.

Shinji hoped he wasn't just justifying his denial.

In either case, walking him home came with its own boons; namely, Kaworu suggested they visit the video rental store just down the block from the apartment so they could return their movie and get a new one. Shinji let himself get lost in the idea of a movie night and readily agreed, even deciding to get some popcorn and soda to make it "proper", unlike the previous night.

So they returned to the apartment complex, a pair of Godzilla movies, popcorn and a six-pack of sodas in tow. Once they reached their hallway, Shinji blushed and asked, "So, uh, my place or yours?"

Kaworu cast an anxious glance to his door then down the hall, "Yours, I think."

"You're not afraid of Asuka third-wheeling or making fun of us again?"

The other boy shuffled anxiously and admitted, "I'm just not ready to go back to my apartment. I hope...Misato won't mind me staying over so much."

"Why would she?"

"Have you not noticed?" Kaworu asked, "I catch her...looking oddly at me. And she doesn't talk to me as much. She's giving me the cold shoulder."

Shinji scowled and crossed his arms. His concern that Misato had figured Kaworu out returned in spades. Surely, she would have made a big deal if she knew, right? After all, she had a vendetta against his kind. Then again, she also should know that Kaworu was the same as he had been months ago. He was the same person.

"If she has a problem with it, I'll cause a scene," he declared.

Kaworu smiled, amused, "Cause a scene? How...out of character."

"I'll do it!" he promised, "I'll tell her she's being awfully unfair! I was stuck in Unit 01 for a whole month. We've got to make up for lost time."

Looping his arm with his once more, Kaworu teased, "Who are you and what have you done with my Shinji?"

Shinji laughed and they headed down the hallway and to the apartment.

Inside, sitting in the living room was both Asuka and Rei to both's surprise. Kaworu forced his face to relax at the sight of Rei, as he couldn't help remembering their encounter on the elevator. They hadn't spoken seriously since then, mostly because Asuka was always with them when they were both in the same space. Typically because she was spending time with both of them.

Rei twisted around to see who was coming in and, upon seeing him, her eyes hardened. Then, as fast as she had initiated eye contact, she broke away to look at Shinji. "Hello Shinji, Kaworu," she greeted.

"Hey, Rei," Shinji smiled upon seeing her, "Are you staying over?"

"She is!" Asuka answered, waving at him, "Is Kaworu staying over too?"

"I would like but if it's too much…"

"It won't be!" Asuka cut him off, "Right, Rei?"

"Right," Rei answered, her tone only a little clipped, so Asuka or Shinji wouldn't notice.

With that, Shinji got about to reheating the leftovers from the previous night for them. While he was in the middle of this, Misato walked in and, upon seeing the gaggle of teenagers in her home, stopped in the kitchen to ask Shinji, "You guys having some sleepover?"

He nodded, "Kind of! Asuka invited Rei and I invited Kaworu so it just ended up this way. Is that...going to be alright? We'll all be quiet."

Misato's eyes drifted from Rei and Asuka in the living room to Kaworu sitting at the table, watching her with a guarded and wary look. Did he know she knew? In his eyes, she could swear she saw...fear.

This felt backwards. She was supposed to fear his kind, not the other way around.

Shinji cut in, "Misato…?"

She turned to him, adopting a forced smile, "Sure thing! I've got some stuff to do on my computer so just make sure to leave some for me for later."

Feeling unsettled for probably the dozenth time this month, she retreated to her room. In her mind's eye, it kept replaying that look in Kaworu's crimson eyes, eyes that reflected the color of blood.

When she was gone, Kaworu whispered, "She was looking at me oddly again."

"I'm sure she's just really stressed," Shinji comforted, leaving his pan for just a few moments to squeeze his shoulder, "She's overthinking."

"If you think so," Kaworu dismissed him, not believing him in the slightest.

After they had dinner, Shinji invited Asuka and Rei to watch at least one of their movies with them, telling Asuka that "maybe she should give them a chance". Asuka grumbled she just didn't get the appeal, especially with how wonky the suitmation was. Though, by the end, had to admit a giant radioactive lizard and a bunch of other monsters ganging up on a golden space hydra was pretty damn cool. Halfway through, Rei, quite accurately, mused on the tragedy of a being who never asked to be what it was—then watched the rest in silence.

And so, the next day dawned and life moved on.

Asuka left early in the morning, telling the other three she needed to go take a walk on her own. In truth, she wanted to go back to Rei's old apartment and check it again. See if Mari had returned and see if maybe she had some insight no one else did. The waiting was going to kill her before any Angel could.

Unfortunately, when she got there, the apartment was just as her and Kaworu had left it weeks ago. She scowled and kicked one of the stacks of books down. "The hell did you go, Brit?" she spoke into the silence.

The books scattered across the floor and a rush of guilt went through her. She crouched down and began stacking them once more. By the sheer volume of her collection, she must have liked them. Or at the very least, found them a good way to pass the time.

She asked into the empty air, "Did you run off on some secret mission just like Kaji?"

She frowned and remained sitting on the floor. It had been nearly a couple months now since her and Shinji's encounter with him and a little less than that he left. They had no way to tell if he was alive or dead or if he'd even return with what they sent him to get for them. If he never returned...what was their plan B going to be like? Should she start thinking about doing what Kaji suggested and bring Misato into the fold? She had no way to know if the woman would believe her or not, just a flimsy hope she would.

She sighed, pressing her head into her hands, "I dunno why the hell I didn't come here with Kaworu. Or even Shinji. I dunno why I'm here alone."

She inhaled sharply, pressing her pain and anxiety down into her core. She raised her head and said to the empty air, "Alright, Brit. You better come back. And you better bring Kaji back too!"

---

Misato headed into work early that morning—though, without any Angel activity, it was a slow day. A good portion of it was being spent lounging around the command bridge, letting the technicians' chatter fill the air as she pondered the standoff they were seemingly having with the final Angel.

It was weird to think the final Angel had, more than likely, been staying with them the past few nights. That she had heard him and the other three having their fun watching a cheesy monster flick. That he sat around the dinner table, enjoying a good meal like any other person. That he seemed to love Shinji, truly and genuinely.

"There's no way," she murmured, "No goddamn way."

"What are you saying, Major?"

She startled from her thoughts to find Hyuga had wheeled over to her in his chair. She shrugged, "It's nothing. Just bored as all hell."

"Same here. I think Dr. Akagi is running out of things to give us to do," he laughed softly.

He paused then, in a dropped tone, asked, "Did you see our defense budget got cut again?"

Misato frowned, furrowing her eyebrows again, "Again?"

"Looks like the third one in the last two months. What do you think that means?"

Misato mulled it over for a few moments before suggesting, "Once the next Angel is gone, we'll probably be dissolved. No more Angels, no more need for Evas."

"Maybe you're right," he nodded before wheeling back to his station to deal with whatever busywork the doctor had assigned them too.

Misato leaned back, staring up at the high ceiling, as if she was instead looking at the sky many miles above them. What would come of NERV after the final Angel? Somehow, she doubted it was going to be as simple as them being dissolved. After all, there was still Lilith in the basement to deal with. Would she be merely terminated after, her purpose served?

Or was there some missing jigsaw piece she was missing?

Her eyes drifted over to the far side of the bridge, where Ritsuko was looking at something over Maya's shoulder, hand clasped onto her shoulder. She couldn't help but scowl. Lucky her. Meanwhile, Kaji was still off in the wild blue yonder, doing whatever it was he was doing. At least, he better be and not be dead.

Over at the far side, Ritsuko praised Maya, "Good optimization of my code here. I've always known you were the right choice."

"Right choice for what exactly?" Maya couldn't help but ask, a teasing note in her voice.

Ritsuko rolled her eyes good-naturedly, "For being my apprentice. Nothing else—at least in present company."

"You say that but you've had me "drive you home" about every night since that wedding."

"I'm sleep-deprived! It's just safer that way!"

Maya couldn't help but laugh at her partner's defensiveness. They had decided it was better to keep their budding relationship subtle, considering how poorly it would look on them. Considering Ritsuko was her higher-up and her her underling. The apparent power imbalance didn't bother her that much. Ritsuko didn't seem to be interested whatsoever in taking advantage of her.

She looked back at her terminal and asked, "Say, what do you think will happen once the Angels are defeated?"

Ritsuko's face fell and she said slowly, "I suppose we'll be dissolved. Me and you will probably be able to keep some sort of job, if only to keep care of the MAGI."

Maya's gaze lingered on her and, deciding she didn't want to know if she was lying to her, forced a smile, "That's good to hear. I'd hate to have to go look for a real job."

"Oh please. With skills like yours, you've got plenty of job security."

Ritsuko's gaze drifted to the monolithic towers of the MAGI. The truth of what was to come was murky, most certainly by Gendo's design, but she wasn't enough of a fool to not guess it had to do with their guest in the basement and what Kaji brought to them. Lilith and Adam. It was all but likely to her that he sought a Third Impact for his own ends.

Most certainly to attempt to reunite with her.

Her gaze lingering on the MAGI, she decided later that night, she'd review their self-destruction capability. Just in case, she told herself.

Of course, that required all three of them to agree with her, something she couldn't completely count on happening.

---

"The days stretch long, don't they, Ikari?"

Once more, like many times before, the sunset found Gendo and Fuyutski in the former's office. There was a simmering tension in the air, like a rubber band pulled taut, just before it snapped back into place. At the epicenter of this tension was the Commander himself. Even though his cold, neutral posture, Fuyutski could tell his muscles were pulled tight by apprehension.

Gendo finally spoke in a grumble, "I wonder what delays the final Angel."

"If I had to take a guess, it's because he's sharing the good news with your son."

The room went so silent, one could hear a pin drop. Gendo exhaled sharply, "I am well aware what he's doing. Just not what delays him."

"Once more, if I had to hazard a guess, it's because he's so close with your son."

"It's a fool's errand he runs," Gendo snarled, "The Angels must die before the promised day is upon us. He's hiding from his fate. If I had thought to keep them away from each other, I would have. I should have."

Fuyutski blinked in genuine surprise at the show of emotion. He could hardly remember the last time he saw anything like that from him. He wondered if perhaps the last person who had was Yui herself.

Slowly, he ventured, "But there's little you can do about it now."

"Unfortunately."

Fuyutski sighed, looking out the window and onto the Geofront. Some of the pits and pockmarks from Zeruel's rampage had been haphazardly filled with dirt and sod, a half-done attempt to restore things to how they once were. He murmured, "You fear for Shinji's heart."

"Fuyutski," Gendo's tone was rising once more.

Against his better judgement, he continued, "I just imagine it seems awfully familiar. For your son's heart to be ripped from his chest. Losing someone he cared about."

The slam of Gendo's hand against his desk startled him and when he turned, he found Gendo's bright blue eyes boring a hole into him. He pointed to the door, "Get. Out."

"...very well," and with that he beat a hasty retreat out, genuinely unsettled.

Alone, Gendo sank into his chair, his hands clenching and unclenching. Eventually, his emotions shrank enough that he could pack them up and shove them away and he relaxed his hands. He fell into the comfortable finger-steepling position as he brooded.

For his better efforts, even though he had vowed to stay away for this very reason, his son would end up ruined because of him. But, as he had told Fuyutski, there was little he could do at this point.

He would have to keep going.

It would all be worth it, in the end.

Yui, Shinji...they'd forgive him in the end.

They'd understand...they would have to.

It can't be that he did this all for naught.

It's going to be worth it. It's going to be worth it. It's going to be worth it.

It had gotten dark outside before he felt calm once more.