A small girl sat on her bed, dusty blonde head resting on her curled knees.
Outside, the stars twinkled coldly, bright points on a blurred black sky. The girl sat up, looked up for answers she knew she wouldn't find.
Mama was out there, somewhere. Just not here. And that was her choice. That was okay.
In a way, Maka was almost glad Mama had left. She had been great- still was!- but it reminded her that people were free to make their own decisions, no matter how close they were. And that no matter how much they care, sometimes they need space. Even if she wanted them close.
Maka didn't hold a grudge; her Mama was only human, after all.
A soft rapping caught her attention.
"Come in," she called quietly.
And the snow white boy wandered in, a smear of light in the darkness. Maka felt herself smile unwittingly as Soul came to kneel by her bed, lying his head on crossed arms. The boy who stayed with her, no matter what.
"How'd you know I was awake?" She didn't turn.
"You're always up staring out the window on clear nights. And no damn tests for you to get sleep for!"
Normally, that comment would've been rewarded promptly with a Maka Chop, but she settled for a pointed glare. Her weapon grinned casually in response.
"Just had a feelin'" he mumbled. She hummed.
The girl patted the spot on the bed next to her, still facing the window. Soul sat mirroring his meister, knees curled, staring at the stars. They sat and watched in silence, content in each others' warmth.
Slowly, Maka's head drooped onto his shoulder, and her eyes narrowed to drowsy green slits. Just as he became sure that she was definitely asleep, Soul heard a quiet murmur:
"'M glad you're here."
He smiled genuinely, in the way he only could with Maka: the girl who offered him a lifeline, a way to be himself, when he hardly knew who he was. The one who heard his soul, and accepted him.
"Me too." He pressed his lips to soft hair. Though she had already dropped off, he could see a smile creep onto her countenance. His soul glowed with affection.
And if they woke the next morning tangled together with cramped necks, and souls warm in contentment…
Well, then no one had to know.