A Maka for All Seasons
By DarkAngel
Disclaimer: Soul Eater belongs to Ohkubo Atsushi-sensei. I'm just borrowing his characters for a bit of fun. ;)
Author's Notes: First time Soul Eater fic. :o Well, the first one I've published, anyway. I'm doing this fic as part of the LJ 42 Soul Eater Prompts community challenge. Please take some time from your busy schedules to let me know what you think, yes? :D
[13., 14., & 03. Chocolate, Whipped Cream, Lick]
Maka was in a good mood.
It was a Sunday, and she'd gotten all her homework finished. For once she and Soul didn't have an extracurricular assignment lined up. The sun was shining and for once no one was badgering her to go out and enjoy the sunshine – not Black Star with his basketball challenges; not Papa insisting that he and Maka spend some quality time together; not Soul, who usually insisted she'd sprout mushrooms straight out of her head if she didn't get some outdoors time. The aforementioned weapon was actually sprawled out on the living room couch reading (though it was only a music magazine) and he didn't look as though he'd be moving anytime soon.
Sometimes days like this just fall into your lap, and Maka wasn't so foolish that she'd let it go to waste.
She'd gotten the recipe from Tsubaki the other day. All the ingredients were sorted out; all that was left was to make it. Humming, she started mixing the first of the ingredients. Flour. Sugar. Cocoa. A pinch of baking powder. Maka tilted her head, brows furrowing as she looked over the recipe card. Was salt really necessary in a cake? She gave this another moment's consideration, then shrugged and added the small pinch as suggested. Tsubaki was a great cook: she wouldn't lead Maka wrong.
Next step came the non-dry ingredients. As she added and mixed various things in, she glanced at the clock on the kitchen wall. If all went well, she'd be done this sucker in about an hour and they could eat this for dessert. The thought made Maka happy.
Let's see, there'll be a portion for Blair and Soul. If it turns out well enough, I want to share if with Tsubaki, which means I should pack in double portions for Black Star. Oh, I can't leave Kid and the others out either…
She was so preoccupied with her work she didn't realize Soul had wandered his way into the kitchen until he was practically in her face. Startled, she nearly lost her grip on the cake pan.
"Gah, Soul! Don't just sneak up on me like that!" She took a moment to allow her racing heart to get under control. She gave him a curious look. "I thought you were reading."
Soul shrugged. "Got thirsty." He took a sweeping glance the bowls, bits of spilled flour, cartons of milk and eggs, and the can of whipped cream on the counter. "What are you making?"
"Chocolate pudding cake," Maka announced proudly. "If it turns out well, we can have it for dessert tonight!"
"Sweet." He gave her a glance. "It's your turn to cook tonight, isn't it?"
Maka made an affirmative noise, turning her attention back to her work. She picked up the bowl and started pouring the mixture into the baking pan. While she was doing that, she asked "Do you have any requests for dinner?"
There was a moment's silence as Soul gave this some thought. "I haven't had curry in a while."
"Curry and cake?" Maka wrinkled her nose, shooting her partner a glance.
"You're the one that asked," he replied grumpily, swiping the milk carton off of the counter. He opened it and brought it to his lips but stopped at Maka's look and with a sigh, found himself a glass. Maka reached for a spatula to get the last of the mix into the pan.
"True," she conceded. "As long as you don't mind the contrast, I guess." She tilted her head at Soul. "Can you open the oven door for me? My hands are full."
He did as she asked. Maka closed the door and wiped her hands on a towel. She put her hands on her hips, satisfied. "That's 45 minutes and we'll have pudding cake." Now, to see to dinner…
She tried to get to the refrigerator door but Soul wasn't budging. She gave him a quizzical look. "Was there something you needed Soul?"
"Mm?" He drained the last of his milk in one go, but made no move to put his glass in the sink.
"Only you're blocking the door and I'd like to make that curry." He moved aside, and she started selecting vegetables. Carrots, green peppers, some potatoes… her gaze narrowed on a small bunch of wilting parsley. Best to use that before it became completely useless. It would upset the balance of the flavour a little, but Soul seemed to like the stuff, so why not?
Satisfied with her selection, she stood up and turned toward the counter – only to see Soul standing directly in front of it, the can of whipped cream in his hand.
At this rate, she wasn't going to get much done. He's like a rabbit sometimes, Maka thought, half-exasperated. Snow white hair (fur). Red eyes. Got sulky when she didn't pay attention to him.
"If you're going to stand there you can help with the cooking," she announced, nodding at the veggies in her arms. Soul said nothing. Nor did he make a move, though his eyes did flicker from the produce in her arms to the can in his hand. And now Maka's internal radar was bleeping. No good ever came of things when he got that look in his eyes. Her own eyes narrowed. "What are you going to do?"
He laughed once, a single note confirming her worst suspicions. She brought the vegetables closer to her chest, as though they could protect her from whatever Soul had in mind.
Before she knew it, she was backed up against the fridge. She could see each and every one of Soul's very white and very sharp teeth. He held up the can.
"What are you doing?!" she practically screeched as she felt something cool on her cheek.
She froze when she felt something warm on that same cheek. Her eyes widened.
"Mm, delicious," he murmured. "Forget the cake, you taste much better." Maka flushed bright red. His voice dropped a decibel. "What's say we forget about dinner and –"
"MAKAAAAA CHOOOOPPP!!!!"
Soul went crashing down. He swore, clutching at his head. He looked up at Maka through watering eyes.
"Did you really have to hit me with a potato?!?!"