Title: Reciprocate

Rating: PG

Pairing: KidxCrona (or Chrona)

Prompt: # 38: "I knew what I was feeling, but what was I thinking?"

Summary: It's a new day for some, but not for all.

A/N: Crona is a guy. This meaning that it's shounen-ai, OH NOES (not REALLY). I'll also be using the official Crona instead of Chrona (even though I prefere the latter).

"Crona…just what are you doing?"

"Eh? Th-This?"

"Yes," Death the Kid pointed, "That."

"I-It's that…you know…that."

"No…not really."

"Hey, Crona, they're wilting again."

"AH, crap…" Crona sighed sadly, placing the bundle of flowers down. "I'll go pick more." He pushed himself off the floor, slowly rising up and away from his little project.

Kid twitched. It was totally asymmetrical…to an unforgivable point. "Crona…what are you doing again?"

"Me?"

"Yes, YOU."

Crona looked down at his project, back to Kid, back down to the sad looking item, and then back to the twitching mess. "…N-Nothing."

"There is no way THAT is nothing!" Kid crossed his arms impatiently. "I want you to tell me in a PERFECT and CLEAN CUT way," he picked up the strange object, "Just what IS this?"

Crona looked at the item for a long time, a deep blush decorating his cheeks quite nicely. "…G-Gift…a thank you…gift."

"A…thank you…gift?"

"Yeah…"

"For…who?"

"M-Maka…"

"I see…"

A small laugh erupted from behind.

"Shut up, Ragnarok, or I'll kill you."

"Oo, I'm scared shitless."

Kid coughed, "What exactly are you trying to make?"

"I'm…not really sure myself."

"A heart I bet."

"Ragnarok!"

"Isn't that what you said?" Ragnarok's eyes became shiny, "I want to make a wittle heart and give it to Maka and then we'll be happy and make babies and—"

"I NEVER SAID THAT!"

"You were probably thinking that."

"Far from it!"

"Lover boy."

"I'll rip your head off!"

"Oh! Someone's mad!"

Kid watched the amusing display for some time before taking action. He placed a strong hand on Crona's shoulder, and when he received the boy's attention he grinned. "I'll help you."

"…R-Really?"

"Yes, because that's what friends are for." Kid smiled gently.

Crona slowly smiled, "Th-Thank you…!" He relaxed under the grip, feeling less tense around the symmetry obsessed child.

"Alright, just give me some time to get the design down." And out of nowhere came an elaborate and tools infested stand. He was sitting in a high stool, pencil ready in hand.

Crona paused; remembering the many stories Liz told him about Kid's antics and annoying characteristics. "W-Wait, let's just make it simple, simple, and quick!" His chest was constricting. This was so embarrassing.

"Do not worry! This will not take long!"

"Three months…" Crona mumbled, "It took you three months to pluck Liz's eyebrows…"

"…Let's go find some construction paper and start then, shall we?"

Crona held the item close to his chest, walking down the corridor with Kid by his side. "This is so embarrassing…I don't know how to deal with this pain!" He gritted his teeth, straining his neck.

"It's called a crush, now hurry, before she leaves to go home!" Kid gently pushed Crona along and the two of them ran down the corridor.

"Why am I running!? I don't know how to deal with this!"

"Hold on, we'll find her soon!"

"Let's hope you didn't miss her, lover boy!"

"Stop calling me that, Ragnarok!"

"Lover boy," Ragnarok drawled.

"Shut up already!"

Kid sighed at their antics.

Crona didn't want to run. In fact, running was the one thing he didn't want to do. He wanted to take his time, find her himself, but no, it seemed to be impossible to get out of that situation. He looked down at Kid, and noticed that Kid was actually shorter than he was.

And it seemed strange, because it always seemed as if Kid was taller than him. If not physically, than in the confidence Kid had in himself, in comparison to the confidence Crona had for himself.

And this envy didn't make him feel uncomfortable necessarily; rather, it made him feel as if he could depend on Kid. Just until he was able to stand on his own two feet.

"I see her!" Kid stopped running, huffing a bit, his shoulders rising and sinking with each breath. "Go, go and tell her how you feel."

Crona nodded, and slowly walked down the corridor to the balcony. To the place where Maka showed him the breath taking view that was Shibusen on a good morning. And it was a special time in his life, because he was able to see that the world was more than blood and souls.

And he stopped, stiffer than a corpse.

Maka was with Soul, but it wasn't as if they were doing anything together. They were chatting, like they always were. Together, socializing on the balcony like two good friends. But the chemistry between them was different, and not because they were a boy and a girl. They were undeniably comfortable with each other, and were able to be so close to each other. To be able to talk about anything without having long awkward silences…

Kid walked up next to Crona when he noticed that Crona wasn't moving any further. "What are you doing? She's right there." And he was more than sure that Soul wouldn't mind.

"Heh…see…Shinigami-kun," Crona used that name, "See them? They're so comfortable with each other. And here I am acting like a deranged stalker that found out his much loved pop idol was nothing but a raving whore."

"…I think that analogy is a bit obscure…but go ahead."

"I knew what I was feeling, but what was I thinking?" Crona laughed at himself, slowly backing away from the tired sun and the two who were chatting in their own world. "I…could never…" And he ran far, and farther away.

"Crona." Kid watched his back carefully and for some time. He knew where he was going, it was the only place he could go for now. He turned at watched Maka and Soul chat. Maka looked up and waved, and Soul did the same. Kid happily waved back, turned, and walked away.

There was something more important he had to do.

Crona dug his face deeper and deeper still into the pillow.

"Hey, Crona, don't let it get you down. There's always other girls, much hotter girls that'll probably like a cute guy like you." The sound of that left a bad taste in his mouth. "Don't get hung over one girl. Just fight for her! Yeah, you never know, you might be able to get her!"

"…No, didn't you see how happy she was?"

"God almighty, you're such a wimp." Ragnarok flopped over Crona and over the pillow. "Someone's coming. I'll leave the two of you alone." Because this was all getting boring enough, but it was possible that things might get more interesting if he didn't interfere.

A knock.

Crona didn't answer.

Another knock, "I'm coming in." The doorknob turned and the door screamed as it was forced open. Kid peered into the dark room, light spilling over, taking over the darkness and illuminating the shadows. "Crona…" he frowned, leaving the door open so that the room would be kept lit. He walked over to the bed where Crona sat, back to the wall, face buried deep into the pillow. "What are you doing?"

"I'm visiting Mr. Corner, except on the bed." Crona mumbled in the pillow, squeezing it even tighter.

Kid stood above Crona, who seemed even smaller and more resigned than usual. "You can't keep sulking in the corner like that, it isn't healthy."

"…I…" Crona cut himself off before he could speak any further. "Go away…"

"No."

"Go away…"

"No."

"Why…?"

"Because we're friends, aren't we?"

Crona lifted his head from the pillow; his eyes brimmed with frustrated tears. "I don't really understand."

Kid took a deep breath and sighed, a patient smile on his face. He settled himself down on the bed and (perfectly) slid to the spot next to Crona. His legs fell short of the bed, his feet dangling on the edge of the bed. It was oddly comfortable, and the covers were thick and soft.

Crona continued to latch onto the pillow. Oddly, he didn't feel nervous next to this short Death God (Shinigami as Tsubaki called him).

"Take your time when coming into our little circle. We won't force you to keep moving quickly, just as long as you keep moving forwards."

Crona widened his eyes. As simple as the statement was, he was moved in a way. And while it will take a while for him to feel truly comfortable around everyone, he was taking it one step at a time. And he smiled, because the thought of the many friends he could have delighted him. "Thank you."

Kid pursed his lips. What's this feeling? His stomach was churning, his chest felt tighter and his breath was constricted into shorter intervals. It was unnatural. Like as if he ran for miles and miles without a single break or finally completed his yearly spring-cleaning.

This was just Crona, so what made the difference now?

That smile?

Or maybe the way the light was shining?

Or how he knew Crona was finally getting it?

But getting what?

That's a simple question: getting that he's part of their family-like circle.

But then, that didn't seem to be the full story.

So what is the other half he can't seem to fully grasp?

"Kid, you okay?" Crona was relaxed, pillow, noticeably creased in half, was laid down on his lap, his feet and more dangling over the edge of the bed.

"Y-Yeah," Kid cleared his throat, although ungracefully so, "It's getting late, I better get back home. Liz and Patty must be wondering where I am by now." He quickly and sloppily pushed himself off the bed and out the door. "Good night."

"Good night."

And he closed the door, keeping his eyes at Crona's feet.

The door creaked and screamed and settled into place as he pulled the rusty metal door to a close. He pulled away from the door quickly and backed away until his back hit the opposite wall. He felt hot, so hot that he might need to take off his jacket. Mostly around his face; if only he had a fan. The heating's probably on. How stupid.

Kid stumbled down the hall and all the way home, where he had an unusually quiet dinner at home and turned in unusually early.

He closed his eyes, and when he opened them it was a new day.

But it didn't seem like a new day, as the feelings his felt the previous day remained.

(SE)

TO BE CONTINUED.

CUE DRAMATIC MUSIC.

NOT.

A lot longer than what I had expected, but nonetheless, I'm quite content.