Welter by Budinca, Archived version - "One day, Shinji inadvertently finds himself in a coffee shop. Then the next day too. Then the next. Then the next. He's probably doing some work along the way, but that hardly makes a difference. Featuring: sweater enthusiasts, big cats, 367 date ideas, macaroni & cheese, Christmas Spirit, 3 days of sun per year, a disconcerting amount of tea for a coffee shop, and existential crises ." - coffeeshop AU, posted 2014-2015

Idolization: Kaworu is Shinji's idealized self, according to Hideaki Anno. Because of this, Shinji is able to more easily connect to him as his defensive mechanisms are lowered. I Want My Beloved To Be Happy: In Rebuild at least, Kaworu's stated primary aim is bringing Shinji happiness. Some parts of the fandom differentiate between Kawoshin in the manga canon, the anime canon, and the movie canon, as the tone of the three relationships can be very different. In every iteration of Neon Genesis Evangelion canon, Shinji is introduced to Kaworu after settling reluctantly into his role as a protector of humanity and mecha pilot. Kaworu immediately makes an effort to become close to Shinji, while expressing overt affection and admiration for the other boy. Shinji is usually flustered by these overtures. Frequently, the two spend time together discussing or playing music. However, Kaworu's mysterious connection with Rei and the Angels eventually force the two of them into a situation in which Shinji has no choice but to take actions that will kill Kaworu.Remember, Shinji sometimes worried that he was alone and not worthy of living, but in the end realizes that he is loved and controls his life. Changeling Child by Katharos - "In another universe, a woman who died in the Second Impact did not. As a result, many things changed. For one, Kaworu and Shinji met much earlier." - AU, complete, posted 2005

The Works of Man by anonangelicarmageddon, Archived version - "After his battle with a gigantic monster known as an 'Angel', Ikari Shinji's life is thrown into chaos. Being drafted into the military organisation called NERV run by his distant father and forced to pilot a giant robot, his one comfort is the mysterious Nagisa Kaworu, who he met in the hospital. However, this boy is a lot more than he lets on...Kaworu struggles with his unavoidable destiny, but meeting Ikari Shinji brings him ever closer to the people he was born to destroy. As their relationship grows, Kaworu fights to protect his friends and the world he's come to love. But as the conspiracy grows deeper, Kaworu knows that he must defy fate to save the one he loves. But fate has been defied before, and changing history is never that easy. A.K.A: What if Kaworu was there from the beginning?" - AU, incest, mental health issues, Dead Dove: Do Not Eat, posted 2022Spoiler Warning: This article or section contains spoilers about character death in Neon Genesis Evangelion. If this bothers you, proceed with caution. Canon