Disclaimer: I do not own Soul Eater
Along For The Ride
Chapter 1: Family
If Maka had to describe it in one word, it would be lavish. She'd always known Soul was well off. Despite his estranged parentage the lump sum deposited into his account in their name made it clear that neither parent was keen on having their son starving while he trained in Death City (whether that was his brother's doing was still up in the air). To an extent, they were invested in his well being, and this was something beyond well being.
"It's…" she began slowly, unsure if Soul would appreciate what she had to say.
"Extra? Over the top?"
"I was going to say big," she said. Big was certainly another would that would be comparable. The Evans' summer home was like any other home, but on a much grander scale. It was larger, with pale, white walls and large glass windows. It sat perfectly juxtaposed by the greenery and the hint of deep blue water just past the trees.
"Whatever."
"Come on," she said, taking his hand and pulling her suitcase towards the glass door at the end of the trail. "Let's go see them. They were kind enough to invite us here."
"You call it a kindness," Soul sniffed, hefting up his own bag and scowling as they moved closer. "They didn't just invite us, you know?"
That seems to strike a stronger cord in his meister and she couldn't help the grimace that overtook her face as they both looked behind them to see Spirit Albarn and his ex-wife standing at an uncomfortable distance from one another. Both of them had their respective suitcases, and Maka couldn't help but notice how they matched in colour. Clearly, her mother had not thought to buy another one that would be distinctly separate from that of Spirit.
"Let's just go," she said, her grip tightening. "I've never spoken to your parents face-to-face. It'll be interesting."
"Call it what you want," he said. "Just prepare yourself."
"I'm ready," she affirmed and as they got onto the front steps, she knocked. Maka was nervous, and she knew Soul could feel it too. She heard footsteps and watched with baited breath as the door opened to reveal a familiar face. Maka grinned up, letting go of her partner's hand and allowing herself to be enveloped in a hug by Wesley Evans.
"Maka, I'm glad you could make it," he said, smiling into her hair and squeezing her affectionately. "Particularly glad to have you here with Soul. It felt like he was never coming home."
"That would've been fine with me," said Soul, "but here we are."
Wes released Maka to give Soul a hug as well. It had been a little over three years since they'd seen Wes, and almost twice that since they had spoken to his parents until they'd called to invite both Soul and Maka to their beach house for a week. Despite Soul's reluctance, Maka had happily accepted, hesitating only when they mentioned inviting her parents as well.
She'd never expected, however, that both her parents would show up.
"And you must be Maka's parents. Mr. Albarn." Wes shook Spirit's hand before moving to Maka's mother. "And you must be Ms. Sato?"
"That'd be me, yes," she said and shook Wes' hand. "Wesley, I presume."
He nodded. "Soul's one and only older brother. Let's all go inside and we can talk more. I know it's a lovely day, but I'd prefer you all put your stuff down and get comfortable. My parents will be waiting."
Wes led them through to the door to the wide, open expanse of the beach house. Everything was clean and pristine, with a few intricate art pieces adoring the walls.
"It's so different than you room, Soul," Maka teased lightly, trying to diffuse the tension building in her shoulders. "Are you sure they're your parents?"
"I've checked, and they are," he said. He had more to say, it seemed, but Wes cut in with a voice smoother than silk.
"You can put your things down in the rooms on the second floor. Soul, you know where you'll be staying, and I can show Maka's parents to their rooms. We will meet at the base of the stairs once you've all settled in.
Soul nodded, and made a move for the stairs with Maka at his side, only for the voice of Spirit to stop them in their tracks. "What about Maka's room?" She turned to see her father's face reflecting how much he was dreading the answer that was no doubt to come.
Wes seemed to pick it up, and smiled apologetically as Maka said, "Soul and I are sharing a room, Papa."
"But Maka-"
"Soul and I share an apartment. Sharing a room isn't that strange, Papa, you know that."
"But-"
"Your father is right, Maka." She froze and glanced over at her mother. Spirit did the same in near synchronized surprise. "You're not married yet," her mother continued calmly, her face devoid of any emotion. "I'm sure me and your father would prefer for you to wait until after you've been married to share a bed."
Maka would have laughed at her father's gaping expression if she wasn't doing the same. Her flush was bright and fierce. The hand holding her suitcase handle tightened sharply, the ring on her finger clacking against the plastic. "Mama," she began, but her mother cut her off firmly.
"No, Maka. You and Soul will not be sharing a bed."
"If I might, Ms. Sato," said Wes, "my brother last roomed here when we were quite young. He was about twelve at the time, and we shared a room together. My parents haven't gotten rid of the bunkbed we used to share so perhaps Soul and Maka could share that room and still have their own beds. Would that be alright?" That seemed to appease her parents, and when Wes led them up the stairs, he placed a sympathetic hand on her shoulder before disappearing into the upper level. Maka buried her face in her hands once they disappeared.
"Your brother didn't have to do that."
"Find us a new room to make your parents feel better?"
"Try to make my parents happy," she said. Soul began to climb the stairs again and tugged Maka's hands away from her face to prompt her to follow. "He shouldn't have to do that. If they have a problem, they can deal with me."
"What happened to not wanting to cause trouble?"
"This is different," she said, "and I can't believe she said that I had wait till I was married. She didn't. And besides, we're nothing like them. We're not trying to jump each other's bones every chance we get."
"Don't stress," soothed Soul as they reached the second floor. "Parents intervene all the time. It's their thing."
"Since when did you get so calm?"
"We're partners remember?" he said, pulling their interlocked fingers up and kissing the back of her hand. "I'm supposed to balance you out."
"Ridiculous," she said, pressing her lips to his cheek affectionately. "Don't know why I like you."
"'Cause my parents have a beach house that you've been dying to see?"
"I guess," Maka said cheerily. "Now let's see this room. I hope there's some embarrassing posters in it."
Her mood felt improved already, and as she and Soul walked into his old bedroom, she was pleased to see that there were in fact a multitude of posters littering the wall. Drawing her suitcase up against the closet door and leaving it there, she plopped on to his piano bedspread with a laugh. "This one has got to be yours."
"Well, yeah. Wes got the top bunk. It's probably still got the violin covers on it."
"That's adorable."
"It was cool at the time," he said, taking a seat next her. "So, I know we're not sleeping here for at least another eight hours but are you going to…?" he trailed off a bit and Maka laughed at his modesty.
"She may be my mother, but she doesn't decide where I sleep. And I mean, sleeping in the top bunk all by myself? I'd get lonely for sure."
"Only if you want to," said Soul. Maka leaned into his shoulder, her nose skimming the smooth column of his neck. Instinctively, his arm curved around her, and he held her close to him.
"I wouldn't want it any other way," she said. "We are partners after all."
"That we are."
They stayed like that for a while, basking in the warm glow of affection until they heard Wes' voice from down the hall.
"We're meeting my parents after this? You ready, pigtails?"
"You still going to call me that when we are married?"
"If the name fits," he offered and she pulled back to shove him playfully.
"I'm not even wearing pigtails."
"Then why do you look like a kid?'
She rolled her eyes and got up. "Let's go. We have to meet them or they're going to think I'm horribly tardy."
"The fact that you got me to show up at all has made you an angel in their books. I can practically hear them cooing at you the moment you show up."
"Good to know that you think I'll be well-received. Don't know how they're react to my parents though."
"There is nothing they could say that would change my mind about us. You're stuck with me."
They linked their hands again and headed out. It was going to be a very long day but at least they had each other.