In started with him leaving exactly at 3:00 o'clock right after school.

"I'm going out Maka," Soul shouted across the room.
"I can hear you perfectly well," I mumbled, shifting myself on the couch to see the doorway. "No need to scream."
He flashed a toothy grin, "Wasn't sure if you'd hear me over that book you're reading."
I threw the book at him but it hit the closed door he had slammed shut.

The next day was similar with teasing goodbyes and annoyed welcomes 8:00 o'clock at night.

"Where have you been?" I would pester most nights.
He would usually respond with a shrug but every now and then his ruby eyes would give a wink.
It made me nervous how he returned every time with amusement playing on his lips.

And it was just..

"Leaving," he huffed, halfway out the door.
"At least tell me where you're going!" I exclaimed before the door closed in front of my face.

By November I started to get really bugged. It had been a month of him leaving at exactly 3 o'clock after school and returning at 8. I didn't know whether to be suspicious or worried. As much as I wanted to tie a leash around his neck, I couldn't, because he was already bound to me in so many ways that I guess in a way I was proud of him being a little free.

He sat on the couch watching the TV flicker. I walked and sat on the arm rest.
Noticing the air build up with tension, I blurted, "Is it a girlfriend?"
His eyes didn't leave the TV screen, but the corner of his mouth pulled and he shook his head.

His stature never changed in combat. So I guess he wasn't going to the gym.

"We need to work on our soul resonance, you've been going to who knows where and we're out of practice," I said trying to get him to stay.
"I'll take you out to lunch this weekend," he answered monotone, and shut the door yet again.
"That's not what I meant!" I screamed through the door.

I brought down every trick I had to make him tell me where he was going.

"YoU dOn't truSt yOUr mIestER?" I said sobbing.
"No it's not like that," he said awkwardly patting my arm.
"ThEn whERe arE yoU gOIng?" I screeched, tears flying everywhere.
He wrapped his arm around my shoulder, trying to find a comforting position, "Hey stop crying. It's okay I'll always be here."
I ran to the kitchen sink and tried to wash out my eyes like a crazy person.
"Holy shit Maka! What did you put in your eyes?" Soul called from the couch.
"Hand sanitizer!" I wailed.
I could feel him grinning even with my eyes being flushed with water.

Well he really did need to study.

"Mid-terms are coming, you need to study!" I insisted.
He took my hand and placed a light kiss on my knuckles. "I'll be back for you My Queen."
I pulled my fist back, charging for a punch, but he had already ran down the hallway laughing like a maniac.

I really did start to worry.

"Roses?" I questioned.
"Roses." He nodded.
"Yell-ow roses?" I mouthed slowly.
"Is that okay?" He shuffled around, his gaze never quite landing in my eyes.
"Wa-hat?" I wheezed.

I never thought I'd say I'm glad I went dress shopping.

"RAWR."
Out of the corner of my eye I saw a flash of white hair. I glanced down the isle of shops only to see Soul in a ridiculous shark costume, gnashing his pointy teeth at passing people.
I cried out in a version of surprise and hysteria mixed. I could feel the tears watering in my eyes at how cute he looked and how hilarious this situation was.
Soul heard me scream and paled instantly as he saw me.
I grabbed the wall for support and choked on my laughter.
He waddled over to me and I couldn't help the tears streaming down my face.
"Are you okay?" He asked, worried about why I was crying.
"Couldn't be better," I laughed, falling into his styrofoam fins for a hug.

Turns out he was working at a bait shop as a mascot.

"Stop laughing," Soul pouted.
I couldn't.
Just couldn't.
I was on the couch crying my eyes out.
A shark.
A flippin' adorable shark.
I couldn't get the image of him wobbling around gnashing his teeth at random bypassers.
"So not cool," he said under his breath.

I may have gone overboard.

"This isn't funny!" I heard Soul scream from his room.
I had hid an inflatable shark in his closet.