A/N: So...I totally meant for this to be a stand alone, and just be content with the fact I dipped my toe back into the writing pool. But, it would seem, the universe has different plans for me. This will be a place for all my song inspired one shots for the world of Soul Eater.

THIS IS MY UNIVERSAL SOUL EATER DISCLAIMER: I'm a broke 20 something year old woman. I am not in Japan, I did not come up with any of these people, I just come up with occasionally awkward situations to place these interesting characters into. So, there you have it. I own nothing except a laptop and an internet connection.

Sunlight filtered down through the trees of the park, glinting dully on the dirty blonde hair of a young woman, whose forest green eyes were closed in a light doze on the bench, next to the basketball court where her friends were currently playing. Maka's doze was sunlight encouraged, and for once, no one seemed in a hurry to wake her.

Soul Eater Evens kept an eye on his meister, his body playing the game without much thought behind it. This was her first weekend allowed out since their last mission. She'd been injured pretty seriously and Soul had not yet gone back to his previous relaxed viewpoint on the world.

Even though everyone knew that this was his pattern, more eyebrows were being raised then normal, and more meaning laden looks. But then, Soul rationalized, they hadn't seen Maka when she'd first come back from that terrifying mission. The blade that impaled her and ripped out her side was probably the most horrific item in his life. But, like the remarkable meister that she was, bleeding pints of blood at a time, she still managed to wield Soul to kill the Kisin egg before she collapsed.

And now there she was, dozing peacefully on a bench, soaking in the sun of a comfortable spring day. But Soul's thoughts lingered on her inevitable death. No matter what he did, no matter how strong he was, someday she would die. He was determined that if she died before him, he would most likely follow soon after while trying to avenge her. And, Soul realized, he was actually really uncomfortable with the idea of her going anywhere, even into death, without him. They'd been partners for so long, the trust ran so deep, he couldn't imagine her going anywhere without him.

"Hey Soul! Look out!" Black*Star's voice penetrated his thoughts just in time for Soul to turn and see the basketball for an instant before it collided with his face.

Clutching his face, Soul let loose a string of expletives as he felt Maka jolt into awareness. It's not that the blow to the face hurt, but she really could still use the rest.

"Soul? Soul! Are you okay?" Maka's worried voice sounded close to his shoulder as he continued to grumble curses at Black*Star and everyone else in the history of forever who happened to disturb his still healing Meister's rest.

"Yeah Maka, I'm fine. Calm down. I just spaced out, which was not cool for a guy like me playing ball."

With a roll of her eyes, Maka ran one more visual check over her weapon for anything more serious then a bruised ego before she turned and headed back to bench, throwing back over her shoulder, "Well then pay better attention next time."

Soul watched her with concern, her color still far to pale, and a slight tremble to her limbs from supporting her for even such a short time.

"Um…Soul?" Tsubaki's voice sounded quietly, "Maka is still a little weak, isn't she?"

Just as quietly, while looking away from both the Dark Arm and his Meister, Soul replied, "Yeah. She keeps pushing herself too far, so it's taking her a lot longer to heal this time. But she doesn't listen to me, she just compares me to her old man, which is seriously not cool."

Saying nothing else, Tsubaki slowly moved deeper into the knot of their friends, and had everyone's attention with a few quiet words. Soul wondered what it was about the kind weapon that managed to have everyone in accord in no time.

In the space of a few minutes, without any help from Soul at all, Tsubaki, Liz and Patti were all gathered around Maka, talking about a movie night for everyone. Something calm and quiet, in her own home which allowed her the comfort of falling asleep when she got tired.

Soul couldn't help but approve. And as the mess of young adults went first to the movie store, and then to the grocery store for snacks, Soul allowed his thoughts to wander once again.

He knew he loved Maka, but even at the age of 18, he wasn't sure what that love meant. Was it the love borne of trust and a long partnership? Was it a romantic love? Was he simply confusing the feelings a weapon has for their meister with love? He wasn't sure, but he knew, without a doubt that when Maka left this world behind, he would be with her. Hand in hand, just as they start every battle, in that moment before he shifts to his scythe form.

Soul watched Maka as she smiled, and occasionally gave a small giggle over something Kid said, or Black*Star did, over the gentle mothering of Tsubaki, the playful cajoling of Liz, and the innocent agreement that Patti gave. Maka caught his eye, and gave him a knowing smile, before mouthing a thank you to him, fully aware that he was the reason everyone was being so considerate.

Her warm forest green eyes evoked feelings in him that left him confused, once again, about love. The love he grew up around was based in fear, or restraint. It was earned by perfection, not given freely with trust. But he also knew that Maka's simple love of her friends, family, teachers, and him spoiled him for anything else. He'd never again see love as something so distant. It would always be paired with warm eyes, kind smiles, and concern. It would always be synonymous with knowing a person's favorite meals, music, and colors and making sure that on bad days there was a favorite movie in the DVD player, or a favorite song on the surround sound. It was laundry being done when you forgot to do your own, or a fridge stocked with your favorite things to drink when you can't sleep at 4 AM. It was all the things Maka did for him every day, just because she cared.

His thoughts were winding down of their own accord as they reached the apartment he and Maka shared, and he was able to respond to questions directed his way, and side step a very energetic Blair (allowing Black*Star to get a face full of woman, and by doing so his skull also avoided a dreaded Maka-Chop).

After making sure Maka was settled comfortably in the living room, he enlisted Kid's help in the kitchen, as the girls quietly made sure all of Maka's needs were met, and Tsubaki had a quick word with Black*Star, somehow managing to get the egocentric boy to agree to stay calm this one time.

As the two boys prepared the snacks in the kitchen Soul noticed Kid sneaking glances at him out of the corner of his eye. Around the 10th one, Soul finally had enough.

"What's on your mind, Kid? Or are you just checkin' me out? Cause that wouldn't be cool."

Kid snorted and rolled his eyes as he painstakingly arranged a platter of food to the perfect level of symmetry he required for his peace of mind, "Sorry, Soul, but I've got all I can handle with Liz and Patti, and you're just not symmetrical enough for me."

Soul bit back a laugh, truly appreciating Kid's dry sense of humor.

"So what's up then? If you're not admiring me, you got another reason for the looks."

Kid was quiet for a moment, eyes thoughtful . "She almost died, didn't she?"

The question was quiet, somber, and fell like a stone in Soul's stomach.

"Yeah."

"I thought as much from the way Father was acting. She must have been closer to death then ever before, or he wouldn't have been so worried."

This was news to Soul, who didn't think much could phase the strange, and kind of silly, Shinigami.

Kid continued in his serious way, "Maka… Maka is so important, I don't think most people know. I wouldn't have, if it wasn't for all the times I've been able to observe her. She's not special the way I am, as my Father's son, or like Black*Star is with his amazing strength. But she's the binding agent. She makes being around Black*Star bearable. Her kindness extends to all, and is able to change lives. Her bravery is staggering. And I'm afraid that it's going to get her killed…and then we'll all be lost."

Soul could feel his stomach dropping, his heart stuttering in fear as he listened to Kid's words. No one had ever voiced the feelings Soul had, but Kid came damn close. Maka was all important. She kept the lazy ones from failing, she gave a shoulder to any one to cry on, she got Chrona mission capable, which is where the young man was, and why he wasn't with the rest of them. Maka was Tsubaki's best girl friend, Liz and Patti's moderator, she was Kid's calming drought when things got out of control, and she was Black*Star's oldest friend, formidable in her anger and with her Maka-Chop. Somehow she was so important in all of their lives…and she'd come so close to dying.

Kid's stare broke through Soul's silent terror and brought him back to the real world. Looking into Kid's burnished golden eyes, a quiet accord was reached, one that would be spread to the rest of the gang… They had to do a better job of protecting one another. Of protecting Maka.

As he and Kid carried out the food and drinks to the rest of the group, they were met with good-natured insults about being slow, and the first movie was started. Soul settled on the couch next to Maka, and pulled her into a position where she could rest while watching the movie. He could feel the question on her face, but ignored it.

For now he could be content in the fact that in life or death, in light or utter darkness, he would follow her anywhere out of love and loyalty, and he would always be there to hold on to her, to make sure she stayed with him.