"Well, that's the last of it," Marie stated, wiping her dusty hands off on her skirt. The fruits of her labor, a small pile of cardboard moving boxes, sat at the door of Stein's house.
"Are you sure you aren't forgetting anything?" Stein asked her as he glanced over the stacked boxes. Marie hadn't brought much with her to Death City, and she certainly hadn't expected to stay so long that she would need an apartment.
"I sure hope not. I wouldn't want to infringe on your hospitality any longer. I bet you are happy to have me out of your hair," she added smiling warmly at the doctor.
Stein chuckled, "It's not a problem. It was much less empty here with you around," in fact you could actually stay if you wanted to.
"This is the last night I'll be staying here at your place so please try to not dissect me while I'm sleeping because it might leave me with a bad impression," she teased. She shook her finger at him in mock-scolding.
"I'll try my best, but it's not my fault if you wake up with a few missing organs," Stein replied without missing a beat. He shoved his hands into the stitched pockets of the white lab coat he always wore.
Stein watched Marie bustle about searching his house for any small belonging that she might have overlooked during her packing. He noted that the sky through the windows was pitch black and checked the clock. Almost 11:00. Marie usually is in bed by now.
Sure enough Marie paused in her hunting to let out a large yawn. She glimpsed the clock and a surprised look overtook her face, "wow, is it already this late? I must have gotten carried away in all of my packing. I should really get to bed if I want to be able to function tomorrow. Good night, Stein," she gave him a tired smile and turned away.
Stein, this is your last chance. Are you listening to me, Stein? She's going to leave tomorrow and you won't be able to do anything about it. Tell her she should stay. Tell her she's beautiful. Tell her she's the only one that keeps you sane. Tell her...
Marie headed for the guest bedroom that she had been staying in over the past few weeks, but before she could reach the door Stein's hand reached out and grabbed her wrist.
"Marie...I..." he stammered.
"What is it, Stein?"
Fuck this. He grabbed her face with his hands and pressed his lips to hers. Stein had honestly expected her to shove him off and call him a monster or something of similar meaning, but surprisingly she pulled him close enough that he could feel her heartbeat through the fabric of her shirt. A heartbeat that belongs to such a pretty heart. One I would love to see for myself. Steins hand gripped her thigh and tightened. Marie's cry of pain brought him back to his senses and he stepped away from her placing his hand over his face. He kept it as a mask over his face hiding him from Marie's stare. What was I thinking, what was I thinking, "what was I thinking?" he uttered aloud, "I'm just a monster. I can't love anyone." Stein felt a soft hand take hold of the one covering his face.
"Stein. Listen to me," Marie removed Stein's hand completely away from his face, "you are not a monster. You are just a man. One that I love and trust completely," she grasped his other hand in hers.
The silver-haired doctor smiled at her and replied, "would it be okay then, for a monster like me, to say I love you back?"