The soft pattering of rain droplets hitting the shingled roof of the house slightly lulled the silver haired boy in to a daze, as his blank stare locked onto the fireplace a few feet in front of him. The flames flickered slowly, almost seeming to be moving in slow motion. He was mesmerized by each different color, the shades consisting of red, orange and yellow. The flames licked the air, and swooped back down into the ashes, in no particular pattern. It was something that would drive the majorly OCD Death The Kid insane.
The old grandfather clock sitting in the corner of the room swung its pendulum loudly as the minutes ticked by, causing the boy's anxiety grow heavier. Where could she be? He thought furiously. The girl had been gone a long time, and was supposed to come back from her extra classes 1 hour and 30 minutes prior. More ticks of the clock, more wispy flames, and more anxiety.
Finally, he heard the slamming of the screen door against the wall, the soft thudding of footsteps, and the heavy sigh that escaped the blonde girl's mouth. "Soul?" The girl called out from the front hallway, hanging her dripping jacket on a coat hook. Soul sighed, relief flooding through him that she was alright. "Maka." He breathed, standing up from his sitting position on the carpet, hands imprinted with bumps and grooves from resting them on the material too long.
Soul trudged over to Maka, his face relaxing from the worried expression he had worn the whole time she was gone. It was times like that when Soul would feel an over powering sense of protectiveness for his partner. Maka let a small smile spread over her pale lips, as she bent down to un-tie her combat boots. "Why are you so late?" Soul asked, bending down to help her with the other boot. As his slim fingers worked on un-fastening the knots, Maka shook her head and frowned. "Stein kept me late because I wouldn't dissect that stupid endangered bird." The girl muttered, clearly annoyed at the crazy teacher's actions.
"He's a nut case Maka; he probably thought you would enjoy ripping apart an animal. I mean come on, what teen age girl doesn't love intestines and blood vessels?" Soul asked, heavy sarcasm lacing his last sentence. Once he was finished with her boot, he stood up slowly again, and looked back over at the tall mahogany clock. "It's pretty late you know, you should get some rest." He advised, watching as she removed her shoes, careful not to tip over. A quiet yawn escaped her mouth, her green closing slightly at the involuntary reflex. "Yah, I guess I'm pretty tired. Thanks for waiting for me, Soul."
"I'll always wait for you, Maka."