"Fighting It" – a Soul Eater outtake
Disclaimer: I don't own Soul Eater, though I wish I did.
Author's Notes: Just a quick 500 word mini-drabble I've had sitting on my hard drive. SteinxSpirit, implied SoMa. No spoilers, and no real point either. Enjoy!
As Professor Stein's class ended, Shibusen students emptied out into the hallway. Leaving their partners behind, Soul scampered off with Black*Star. While Tsubaki appeared less than concerned, Maka had a somber, frustrated air about her as she packed her textbook into her bag and silently made her way toward the exit.
From the comfort of his wheeled chair, the Professor perked a brow at her. "Everything okay, Maka?"
The young scythe technician paused mid-stride. It was true that she'd been dealing privately with a particular tricky situation for quite some time. It wasn't an issue she wanted to talk about, either. However, doing the opposite hadn't been working; withholding all her thoughts and feelings was beginning to eat her up inside. Although her Professor was among the last people she would think to confide in, at least with Stein she knew that her secret would be safe.
Her shoulders slumped ever so slightly as she heaved a soft sigh.
"I know I shouldn't be feeling this way, but…" she began, her gaze centered on her feet.
"You love him," Stein finished for her. "It's alright…it's perfectly natural."
Maka's emerald eyes blinked at him quizzically. What would he know about love?
The Professor gave her a knowing look, his expression surprisingly kind. "Listen Maka, let me give you some advice," he offered gently, "If you fight it, it'll only make things worse."
The young meister mustered a small smile for her teacher and a word of thanks before trotting out of sight.
…
Later that day, Stein leaned against the railing of a balcony that overlooked Death City, enjoying a cigarette in solitude. Sensing a familiar soul nearing him, the scientist exhaled a puff of smoke and turned his head only slightly as he spoke to his guest.
"Your darling daughter and I had an interesting conversation after class."
Spirit casually sidled up next to his companion, folding his arms on the railing. "Oh?"
"Yes. It seems your daughter's in love with her weapon," Stein commented passively, blowing another stream of smoke up into the afternoon air.
Disheartened, Spirit's head drooped. His beloved daughter even talked to her teacher more than her own Papa? He sighed softly. The good news was that he could at least count on Stein to offer sound advice to Maka. "So, what did you tell her?"
"That it's normal, and she should stop fighting it."
Spirit groaned. Of course, the one time he would want Stein to take a cold, scientific approach to something was the one time he didn't. Go figure.
"It's really quite touching," the scientist continued glibly. But his companion didn't want to hear anything about his baby girl growing up, nonetheless taking in interest in that shark-toothed weapon of hers. The very thought made him feel slightly faint.
"Will you shut up already? You're not making me feel any better," Spirit grumbled.
Ignoring the protest, Stein continued. "What she doesn't know is that I've been there before," he paused. "…I loved her father long before she was ever born."
Spirit's weight shifted from his folded arms to his nearby counterpart as he leaned slightly against the scientist's shoulder. "…Still do?"
Curling an arm discreetly around the weapon's waist, Stein gave a soft nod.
"Yes, senpai…I still do."