Title: In the Dark of Night
Author: WallofIllusion
Fandom: Soul Eater (manga canon)
Characters: Soul, Maka
Misc. Notes: SoulxMaka. Slight language. This was written for dA user Insanity-24-7's Kiss Meme; it's "Sloppy Kiss" plus "Apology Kiss." I think I love how Maka occasionally goes totally petty and childish and Soul just dryly indulges her. I was trying to capture that dynamic here.
I'm on chapter 72. I don't know what the preview is going on about, but I'm going to assume it's not actually as shippy as it tries to pretend it is and post this anyway. I do not wish to be told at this time. But if this suddenly disappears in five months, well, you'll know why.
"Soul…" There was a flush to Maka's cheeks, just barely visible in the orange of the streetlights as they walked home from the restaurant. "Would… could you kiss me?"
Soul's face went crimson. "A-are you supposed to ask for kisses like that?" he sputtered.
"I dunno. I just—if you don't want to, that's fine. Don't worry about it." The flush spread from her cheeks to her whole face. She looked away pointedly and took a few long strides forward, forcing Soul to have to trot a bit to catch up again.
"Hey. Hang on. I didn't say I didn't want to."
He caught her hand, and she looked at him sheepishly.
"You'll do it?"
"If that's what you want."
"Only if you want to."
"I do."
"Okay."
They looked at each other. A Deathscythe and his meister, elite members of Spartoi—
Two teenagers, trying to figure out how to be each other's first kiss.
Soul took a deep breath and put his hand on Maka's cheek as Maka closed her eyes. He could feel his heart thumping as he leaned in and brought his lips to—her nose.
Crap.
They both pulled back immediately, turning even redder than before. Maka's face twisted in horror and disbelief. "You missed!"
"Sorry—"
"I can't believe this! You suck, Soul! You screwed up my first kiss!"
She ran a few yards forward and then slowed, her shoulders sagging. Dammit, she was really about to start crying, wasn't she? Soul sighed and followed her forward.
"Maka, I'm sorry."
"My first kiss," she said again, and sniffed. "I wanted it to be perfect. I at least wanted it to be good. I thought my partner would know me well enough to at least find my lips!"
"I was nervous." He caught up to her and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. She didn't pull away, which was a good sign. "Let me make it up to you?"
"How do you make up a botched first kiss?" she pouted.
"No one knows about it. I won't tell anyone I missed if you won't. C'mon, Maka—" He murmured this into her ear. "Let's try again."
"…Fine." She turned around in his arms, placing her hands on his shoulders. They were much closer than they had been a minute ago, but for some reason, it felt more natural instead of more awkward. "If you mess up this time, I'm never speaking to you again."
"Yeah, yeah. Close your eyes."
She did, tilting her face up. This time Soul was careful; this time he made sure that his lips met hers—and this time it felt wonderful, felt whole, felt more right than resonating with her or anything else Soul had ever done. When they pulled their heads back, Maka gave a contented sigh and Soul squeezed her waist lightly.
"Do you forgive me?" he asked.
Maka's eyes shone as she gave a small smile. "Oh, I guess."