A/N: Bet you thought I'd forgotten about this one. I have been thinking about it, but I haven't been working on fan fiction as much because I need to work with my own characters more. I think I found a good compromise- I hope you agree.
Maka didn't really remember falling asleep, but upon groggily waking, became aware of a pair of golden eyes watching her. "Hey, you're symmetrical now," she smiled at the rings that now completely circled his head.
His grin was infectious. "Yes, I am."
"Did you sleep at all?" she asked, seeing Kid already dressed.
"For a few hours," was the shrugged reply. "I was going to wake you shortly, had you not done so yourself."
"Soul!" she said, shaking the still-snoozing male.
"Fuck off," was the grumbled reply, pulling the covers over his head.
"Oh, no you don't," Maka said, pulling right back.
"Is he like this every morning?" the shinigami dared to ask.
"Only the ones that Blair isn't around to shove her boobs in his face and scare him awake," the female grumbled.
Kid, who'd stood and was stretching, chuckled. "Perhaps you should take a page from her book, then."
"Like those little things-" Soul didn't even finish his insult before he was kicked off the bed. "You bitch!" he yelled, rubbing his head.
"Go get yourself cleaned off," she muttered, annoyed.
"Cleaned off?" he asked, but didn't wait for an answer, dashing across the hall to the bathroom. "WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS?!" he yelled to the other's snickering.
"Washable!" Kid called back.
"BETTER FUCKING BE!"
"When he's done, we can certainly stop at your apartment for a change of clothes, if you like."
"That'd be good, thanks," she told him.
"Kiiid," Patty's sleepy voice came from the hall. The newcomer yawned, scratching the back of her head. "Liz says we have to get up. But you're the boss now; we don't have to get up, do we?"
"Sorry, Patty," the male chuckled. "Not only do we have to be there the same time as everyone else, but Father's funeral is this morning as well. Dress appropriately."
The girl yawned again. "Okayyyy," was the returning mutter, padding back to her and her sister's room.
"So soon?" Maka asked.
"Mm. Your father had a busy night."
"Papa did?"
"Yes, he called me a few hours ago to let me know what as going on. Don't worry, he didn't see you or Soul. I'll leave you to get dressed in private; Liz should be making breakfast soon. Trust me, you do not want to miss that."
She managed a smile. "Okay."
Soul came wandering back in after the shinigami left, damp and still annoyed. "You two have at my back too?" he grumbled. "I got everywhere I could see."
She blinked, as if just now waking. "No, just your front. You were sleeping on your back."
"Good. What's up with you?" he asked, noticing at once she wasn't her normal self.
"Papa. He was up all night getting Kid's father's funeral together."
"Well, duh," the other scoffed. "He was his miester- it was the least he could do. Don't get any weird ideas, though- you have the audacity to die on me, and I won't be nearly as nice."
She couldn't stop a smile. "That was sweet, Soul. For you, anyway."
"Cool guys are caring when they need to be. Where's Kid?"
"Downstairs. He said something about Liz making breakfast."
"Nice."
"Get dressed first, we're stopping at the apartment for new clothes, don't worry, you won't have to worry about people thinking you were actually near me more often than absolutely necessary."
"Ouch. Where did that come from?"
"Cause you're always makin' fun of her, Silly!" Patty's voice came again from the hall. "Come downstairs! Breakfast is almost ready!" she added, and bounded away.
"Maka, I-"
"I know you don't mean it. I still don't like it."
"How about I tone it down- in public, anyway?" he asked, grinning apologetically.
She rolled her green eyes. "I suppose. Finish getting dressed in the bathroom so I can get dressed, will you?"
"Yeah, yeah," he muttered, walking off to do as told. "And if it means anything, I mean that they're little as being a good thing. Blair's boobs really do scare the shit outta me."
Maka laughed. "Go get dressed."
Soul snorted. That was as good an acceptance as any.
The school was silent. The school was never silent. Today though, today a pain echoed throughout the school and into the town. As many people as possible were gathered unto the front staircase, the crowd leaking off to the sides of the structure and back into residential areas, knowing they wouldn't be able to hear well (or at all), but that knowledge superseded by the need to be present, to show their respect for their leader- for the one that had done so much for them.
Among the crowd but off to the side, Kid saw a figure that didn't surprise him as much as he thought it might. Although carefully hidden by a dark, heavy woolen cloak, there was no doubt in his mind who it was, and that they would want to talk later.
For now, he stood before them now, each side of him flanked by his weapons, each dressed in identical, simple, black dresses. "It does not surprise me to see so many present today," he spoke, looking out on the crowds of people. Maka and Soul were close to the front, most of those involved with the school were, his arm around her shoulders, her head on his, tears already wrapping her eyes. "My father could heavily impact a person he'd never met with just a word. Despite being the incarnation of death itself, he had… a true gift with people. It was remarkable to watch, really," he added, as if an afterthought. "Now, if you'll join me, take a moment to remember, each in your own way, Nabil Farooq, my father."
Just before the shinigami bowed his own head, he saw an… odd expression cross Soul's face. So he didn't know, huh? He kept the soft smile to himself, ready to brace himself for the barrage of questions that was sure to follow after classes. Just as soon as he took a moment for his father himself, of course.
"Hi everyone!" Maka greeted her class brightly, followed by a surly partner, who quickly found a nice little corner to stand in and be involved as little as possible. "I'm Maka Albarn, I'll be your teacher. That's Soul, don't mind him, he's just like that."
Red eyes rolled. Bitch. Right around then, he noticed a pair of bright, wide eyes on him. One of the students, a girl in long, brown, braided pigtails. Soul knew he was cool, but Maka Chop was not, so he did his best to ignore the girl.
Which apparently she thought was even cooler, and the boy next to her was eyeing them both and growing more and more annoyed at the girl's star-speckled eyes. Soul finally pointed at his own eyes, then Maka, trying to get her to stop already. She pouted, but did as asked. Maka herself, though, seemed to be having problems of her own, in the from of his problem's partner, the annoyed kid.
"I won't ask you again," she was warning him of his feet up on the desk.
"Gonna make me stand out in the hall?" he drawled.
"No, I'll send you to Shinigami-sama's office, and can guarantee his mood isn't all that great today."
"Stop it, Phoneix-chan," the girl next to him finally muttered.
"Stop calling me that," he snapped back, feet staying put.
"Soul, will you take him please?" his own pigtailed partner more growled than asked.
"Sure," he muttered, pushing back against the wall to nudge himself forward.
"Aren't you a good little puppy?" Before the boy even finished the taunt, Soul had his arm transformed, stretched forward, the point of the now-blade inches from the brat's nose.
Expression paled, his feet dropped to the floor.
Soul withdrew and leaned back against the wall.
"Overkill much?" Maka asked him. He shrugged. "Whatever. All right, back to what I was saying…"
Later in in the class, Kid smiled up the room now his own behind his mask, easily feeling Maka and Soul's resonance a few floors below. The two of them, so in tune…
"You're happy, Kid!" Patty exclaimed, laughing and jumping around the Death Room. "Yay! You've been grumpy all morning."
"Understandably so," Liz added with an arched eyebrow at her sister.
"Yeah, but it's good he's happy now, right?" Blue eyes stared widely back.
"I suppose. Why did your mood suddenly get better?" she asked him.
"…You two are imagining things," he spoke.
"We are not," the taller female shot back. "You totally just got a little happier!"
"It's cause of Maka and Soul!" the younger sibling giggled. "They're resonating! Can't you feel them too?"
"Of… Of course, I just didn't put it together," she admitted with a flush.
"Hey, did you guys see that hooded guy before?" Patty chirped suddenly. "He looked so familiar."
"How can you tell if a hooded person looks familiar?"
"There are ways," Kid answered. "Stance, stature… That he's right behind you and trying not to laugh…"
The visitor now had his hood pulled down in the artificial light, so when Liz turned to look, saw only a wide, toothy grin with large canines staring back at her- she jumped into her giggling sister's arms. "I remember you!" she yelped at the raven-headed man. "You're that creepy vampire that gets a sick joy out of tormenting everyone!"
"Not everyone," was the calm reply. "Just those who make it fun." He turned to the shinigami. "Good to see you again, Kid. Or is it Death now?"
"I'm not standing on ceremony, not now. Was it my father's funeral that brought you to town, Arden?"
"You wish," the other sighed. "As do I. I was sorry to hear of his passing; saying he was a good man is a gross understatement."
"I'm sure everyone in the city would agree." Kid let himself smile. "What did bring you here, then? I hope it's better news this time."
"It's about the same. Truman."
"Wonderful. Just what I need. What do we know?"
"That, as always, depends on how accurate the intelligence is," the vampire replied with a sigh. "What we think we know is that Truman seems to think the abilities in this realm are pretty amazing- he wants them."
"If he found a weapon willing-"
"I don't think he cares too much about the willing part, or about partnership. He wants the weapon ability and to be able to wield it himself."
"How do you know that?"
"Tauk. He's proven himself more than trustworthy in the past, even when it comes to his son; it'd be foolish to ignore him now. The conclusion we came to was that he wants to 'investigate' your father's research."
"What do you recommend?" His father had always encouraged getting other points of view, especially when that other point of view had centuries of experience on you.
"There's a few people watching Truman, there should probably be someone as well as yourselves watching the school. Someone who knows what to look for in regards to Truman."
"Yourself?"
"Yes, but I was thinking as well of his son Toru. The only one I know of that isn't trying to following in his father's footsteps and be as big a pain in the ass as possible. He puts up a façade well. Maybe pose him as a temporary teacher, he already is one so it wouldn't be much of an adjustment."
Kid considered it. "All right, bring him by so I can at least meet him, see what subject we can place him in.
"Will do."
"Arden," the shinigami asked hesitantly; the girls were so going to torment him for this. "Before you go, could I ask you something?"
"You mean the question that's been standing strong in the back of your mind the entire conversation?"
"…You promised you wouldn't do that."
"It wasn't intentional, but to make up for it, I'll just answer and not be my usual self and make you ask. I don't know Soul or Maka, I can't say what would keep them happy. Anna and Lonan are very alike, so they easily keep each other occupied. There's not much to do on my end, other than coming out of my office now and then to prove I'm still kicking. So there isn't much I can offer in advice."
"Great. Thanks."
"But what I will say is as long as you listen to each other, there's no reason the lot of you can't at least part as friends. Probably not what you wanted to hear, but it's all I have. Anna's better at advice; I'll bring her next time. Ugh, then Lonan will demand to come."
Kid couldn't stop a snicker at the visitor's distain. "Is that bad?"
"He's hyper. Should've had Anna wait a couple years before turning him. He's learning, I'll give him that, but he needs to switch his brain on before opening his mouth sometimes."
"And Anna doesn't have any annoying attributes?"
"Anna is perfect."
Kid had yet to meet the woman, but that had to be an exaggeration. He still decided not to dispute it. "We'll be seeing you again soon, then?"
"Lucky you."
Scoff. "See you in a day or two, then."
Even after Arden had gone, the women still with him had nothing to say about any part of the conversation, it surprised him, but he knew better than to comment on the reprieve. That was just asking for trouble.
"All right Kid, what's with this name shit?"
"Soul," Maka sighed as the three walked back from school. "Don't make it Kid's fault you don't pay attention in class."
"You're usually too happy to lecture me on things I've missed," the other shot back. "I was asking Kid anyway."
"I'm inclined to agree with Maka," the shinigami stated. "Your short attention span is hardly my concern."
"Aw, seriously?!"
The other male chuckled. "Father had another name besides his title, as do I."
"What is it?"
"I can't tell you. Not yet, anyway."
"But if you have a kid, it's gonna be called 'Kid' too. That's gonna get confusing quick."
"Those in the city don't call me 'Kid' anymore. Just those close to me. If you figure out my name, please feel free to use it in private situations. If not, you can wait until Maka wants to be pregnant."
"And if Maka doesn't want to be pregnant?" the young woman asked.
"Then we've hit out first bump. I have to have a kid, Maka."
"Well, what if you didn't like girls at all like that?" she asked. "What then?"
"I'd be screwed. Probably have to figure out a way to deal with it, at least once."
"That's shitty," Soul stated.
Kid shrugged. "I'm glad it's not something I have to deal with; I can only hope for the same of anyone who comes after me." He turned back to the woman. "Now, how serious was that comment?"
"I don't want to see how crazy Papa will get at the prospect of grandchildren," was the admission with a shudder. "But, um, aside from that, I… guess I wouldn't mind once or twice."
"You saying we each get a shot, Maka?" Soul grinned.
"I guess so. One each, and be grateful."
"I wasn't saying I wanted one. Maybe Kid needs to or whatever, but I don't."
"You might change your mind," she spoke, and the two saw the nervousness in her eyes. Was there something else she wasn't saying? "In any case, not for awhile yet. A couple years at least," was the add, emerald eyes flicking to the shinigami.
"Oh, don't mistake my persistence for haste," Kid laughed. "It just came up, so I figured we could get it out of the way."
"That's fair," she smiled.
A few days later, Soul was yawning, stretching out on the bed. The lack of obstacles told him he was alone; cracking open his eyes confirmed it. They shared the king bed every night now, but had to pursue any… activities on it. "It's the weekend, right?" he muttered. "Yeah. It's Saturday. Ugh, don't tell me Kid's an early riser too?"
After another yawn, Soul got up, and after a quick bathroom visit, set off in search of the other two.
"I must admit," he heard Kid's voice from down the hall. "Given your… history with him, I am surprised you picked a male for your partner."
Ah. Discussing Daddy. Whether she knew it or not, Spirit was one of Maka's favorite subjects- mainly bitching, yes, but the young woman was clearly trying to understand her father, even if she was failing horribly. Soul would have liked to help, but he didn't really understand the redhead either.
"Well," she was hesitantly replying now. "That was kind of a strange night. All the students were in in the school's main lobby, talking and stuff. I'm still not sure what pushed me to go into the hall, but once I was away from the noise, I could hear a piano. Of course, I had to see who was playing," she laughed.
"Naturally," Kid agreed- the eavesdropper could hear the grin in the other male's voice.
"I still have no idea what he was playing, but it was so beautiful." That would be Pachelbel's Cannon. Cliché, but yeah, a nice one. "I saw him from behind first, but I guess he heard me." She hadn't exactly been quiet about it. "And you know, Papa, I guess he's good-looking or he wouldn't get all those girls, and Soul is too, just in a very different way."
"How different?"
"When you think of a demon, what do you normally think of?"
The shinigami paused, probably in confusion, but answered all the same. "Well, usually something humanoid with claws, probably red- Red eyes. Sharp teeth. You thought Soul looked like a demon."
'Cuse me?
"Just kinda scary. So I thought he must be really nice, since Papa looks nice and acts like a fool. Stupid, I know."
Nah.
"But you were correct," came the male's reply. "Soul is a bit rough, but he is very kind, in his own way."
A chuckle was heard from the young woman. "Yeah, you're right. I was."
"Even if you are afraid to kiss him."
What now?
"Oh, stop. Like you wouldn't be just a little wary to put your mouth near two rows of pointy teeth."
"I already told you my thoughts on that." Had he? Mental note to find out more on that. "And knowing Soul, I am certain he would be careful."
Duh! Of course he would. Well, why not prove it? He turned the corner he'd been listening from, making a bee line for the woman. "Sorry Kid, gotta prove a point," he said simply to the shinigami, and closed his mouth around Maka's.
Kid couldn't help a smile at the sight. Soul was more of person of action rather than words.
"You should know better than to be afraid of me," the red-eyed male smirked when his lips parted from her own.
"I-I never said that!" Maka flushed.
"Not what Kid just said." Red eyes glanced to the other male. "What was your view?"
"Just the opposite," the shinigami supplied without hesitation.
A white eyebrow quirked high. "Nice," he grinned.
There was someone knocking at the door. "I doubt Patty's up yet, I'll get it," Maka stated. "Leave you two to your weird ideas."
Watching her go, Soul asked, "Did she just give us permission to…?"
"I think so," Kid replied.
"Awesome," was the return with a grin.
Two rooms over, Maka opened the door to people she'd never seen before. The shorter man was about her height, covered by a thick cloak, but despite that, once she saw under the large hood and into his green eyes, was so thin… did he eat at all? And with him, a man at least two feet taller, brunet hair and eyes, thin and yet muscular… very attractive. Maka swallowed, but kept her head. "Can I help you?" she asked as politely as she could muster.
"I'm looking for Kid. My name is Arden, this is Toru; he should be expecting us. Maka, I presume?" the shorter visitor asked.
"He hasn't mentioned you," she replied, still blocking the way.
A small smile- understanding- crossed his face. "We can wait here, but please bring him here if he's home."
Maka pursed her lips, but gave a nod, closing the door before going back to the living room. "Kid?" she asked upon entering. The two men were talking still, even helping fold some of the laundry. The shinigami must be having a good effect on Soul; he never would have helped with chores that weren't his own before. "Do you know someone named Arden?"
"Yes. He could be staying here awhile. Where is he?"
"Outside. Wasn't sure if it was okay to let him in."
"Ah. He's never been here before, so he couldn't without invitation. I'll go get him."
"Oh. Sorry.'"
Kid gave her forehead a kiss. "It's all right. Arden would be the first to understand a protective nature," he smiled, and went to get the door.
"Wait," Maka realized after he'd gone. "Can't come in without being invited…" Her green eyes met Soul's. "He's a vampire? No wonder he looked so thin…"
"Cool," the other grinned. "Never met one before."
"You be nice, Soul."
"I'm always nice," the weapon retorted just before Kid showed the guests in.
"Maka, Soul, this is Arden and Toru," the shinigami introduced them.
"I'm sorry about before," Maka spoke quickly, shaking the vampire's hand. It was like ice; the taller man the opposite, burning like a furnace.
"It's all right," Arden replied, and it really seemed to be.
"Shall we?" Kid asked, and all of them found a seat. "Toru, Arden says you're a teacher already. Of what?"
"A subject I doubt is taught at your school," the man smiled, still in that friendly way. "My classroom is usually full of demons."
"You teach demons?" Maka asked before she could stop herself. Neither she nor Soul were sure what was going on, but for the most part, figured it'd be made clear in the conversation. "Why?"
If the question bothered him he didn't show it. "To promote maturing in a healthy way," he replied plainly.
"From what I've heard of demons, none of them are healthy."
"To a point, that's true," he calmly agreed. "But there are a few of us striving for a more balanced world."
Us. Oops. "… I see. I'm sorry, um, for interrupting."
"Not at all," he continued to smile, then turned his attention back to the shinigami. "I'm sure there's something I could teach."
"Likely," Kid agreed. "What subjects are you comfortable with?"
"I do well with language, also history- but that's probably very different here from what I know."
"To a point. Maybe you could just teach what you know of demons, if you'd be comfortable with that. I keep hearing there isn't enough variation in the subjects taught. How does that sound?"
"Permanent. I was under the impression this was temporary."
"It is. Tell everyone it's a trial start. If you happen to enjoy it, however, you're more than welcome to continue educating us."
Toru paused, thinking it over. Finally, he held out his hand to the other. "Deal."
Kid took the appendage. "Thank you for your assistance. And if you find you need a place to stay, even for the night, you're more than welcome here."
"That's very kind, thank you. I think I will return home, at least for now. Monday morning, I assume?"
"Classes start at nine, yes, but I'd recommend an hour early."
"I will do what I can," he promised. "And will see all of you again then."
"Has he been by before?" Maka asked after the visitors had gone. "Toru, I mean."
"Arden's been around a few times, but not Toru," the shinigami replied. "Why do you ask?"
"I don't know. He just seemed familiar somehow, like someone I saw a long time ago. Are you all right?" she asked at his alarm.
"I'm fine. Only… the most likely reason for that you won't care for." He swallowed before continuing, "It was never mentioned what kind of demon Toru is. He's an incubus."
The young woman was about to voice that she had no idea what that meant, but Soul cut in, exclaiming, "An incubus? Like, sneaks into your darkest dreams and sucks out your soul?!"
Kid remained calm. "It's not that dramatic, not with Toru and his family, anyway. They feed on life energy, yes, but it's replenishable. It's when… time with them gets out of hand that it becomes a problem. Toru would never do that, to you or anyone else, Maka. And we can find another route if the thought makes you uncomfortable."
"…No," the young woman slowly replied. "It's okay. Just… wow, you know?"
"Dealing with demons, it usually is. You probably already guessed what Arden is, as are his lovers."
"Was that plural?" Soul asked.
"Yes. Anna and Lonan. I have yet to meet them, but Arden usually has good things to say about them."
"They're the same deal as us?"
"Been going on for a substantially longer time, but yes." He saw Maka's expression. "You want them over, don't you?"
"Very much, yes."
"I'll see what I can do. In the meantime, it seems we have a deluded demon to prepare for."
"What?!"
"Yes," Kid snickered as he took a seat, the folding now finished. "Toru's father, to be exact. He enjoys causing trouble, as many demons do. Toru and Arden clean up after him a lot."
"What's he doing around here?" the young woman asked.
"We think he's after Father's research on turning people into weapons. Not sure for what, exactly, but I know enough about Truman to know I don't want him to have it. From what I understand of Arden, all the information we have is from Truman's father, Tauk."
"So that family has issues," Soul summarized.
"They're all, um, incubi?" Maka added.
"Yes and no," the shinigami replied. "Truman is the first of his kind; Tauk is a high-ranking demon that's very lazy and pacifistic. There was a woman of the same rank he… well, they knew each other well, and Truman happened."
"That's a little confusing."
"I'm sure Toru could explain it better. He'll be on the look out on school grounds, whereas you'll probably see Arden snooping about underground the school, possibly further on both counts. And I've been increasing patrols at night. That's about all we can do for now."
"Well, let us know when that changes."
"Of course.
Monday morning, Maka decided she would attend Toru's introduction. She couldn't say for sure if how she semi-recognized the incubus was as Kid had said, but she was curious to learn more about him. The shinigami stayed long enough to introduce Toru to the rest of the staff, but Soul was with her through a great many questions posed to Toru, many intrusive. Not much was known about any kind of demon, but it seemed excessive to ask about his love life.
But Toru smiled them all off as if he'd expected them, answering each one.
He lived in another realm that was not the afterlife, but had ties to it as did their own, and was where his father resided when he wasn't causing trouble. Toru had two sons of his own, Alex, almost thirty, and David, rounding six. He'd had a few lovers in the past, none that had any other living children, and had just lost their mother, Nina, a few months prior to the very man they were now searching for.
Afterward, when everyone else was quickly leaving, Maka approached Toru and thanked him for sharing so much.
"It was no hardship," he softly smiled. "You're most welcome. I do hope to see you in class. Gladly, I'm sure it won't be as personal as this was."
"I'm sure. A lot of that was none of our business. You could have said so."
"They're hesitant to literally take a demon at their word. It's understandable."
"You're the one who's understanding," the young woman replied. "Soul and I do have to get to class now, but you're welcome to sit in."
"May I ask what you teach?"
"Spoiled brats," the weapon remarked dryly, earning a snicker from the other man and a smack from his partner.
"Other scythe meisters and weapons," she stated.
"I think I will," Toru smiled. "Thank you."
The incubus sat quietly in the back of the room throughout the class, paying attention- Maka was pretty sure he was even taking notes. That was better than half her students. After she dismissed class, she asked him if he was staying in the area.
"No, I still have a class tonight, so I have to be going," he replied. "A class that I think may soon be getting a substitute."
"I wouldn't blame you; that's a long day. See you tomorrow, then."
"Looking forward to it."
Grading papers and making lesson plans did not excuse them from patrolling. They no longer hunted witches, but evil people still needed to be taken care of. Tonight was a quiet night, and while Maka was glad of it, it also made her feel like she was wasting their time.
"It's getting late, even for us," Soul spoke up, still a scythe in her hands. "Find Kid and go back to his place?"
"For once, we agree," the woman replied, and pushed her senses to locate the shinigami. He was still at his post for the night, a few rooftops over keeping an eye on building that housed certain research. She made her way over to join him.
He was crouched low on the farther end of the square, flat roof, looking over the edge to his target. Maka cautiously joined him. "Is something wrong?"
"Someone went in a little while ago. Might be a threat, might be a janitor. I was thinking to follow him to find out- will you stay here so I can go look?"
She was about to protest that she could easily come, but if that person wasn't a threat or a decoy, she'd be needed out here, and said, "You have five minutes."
Maka's eyes stayed on the shinigami as his skateboard took him down to the street and into the building, but glanced to the side when she felt a close breeze. "O-Oh," the young woman stammered when she saw the vampire. "Arden, right?"
"Nice to see you again, Maka; I apologize if I startled you."
"It's all right. You and Toru are patrolling too?"
"Just me. Toru's more information-gathering than beating up."
He was being very polite, but it seemed very forced. If this wasn't how he normally acted, it was good of him to play nice. "I see. Kid just went inside to check things out."
"Mm. I thought I'd come over in case assistance was required."
"…Are you living here? Because you're more than welcome to stay at the house…"
"I'm aware, and thank you, but I'm fine," he spoke, but his brow furrowed.
"What's wrong? Is it Kid?" she asked, knowing the other's senses would be much stronger than her own.
"Kid's fine, on his way back out, but keep watch for him; I'm about to become very-" He stopped short when a pair of arms wrapped him from behind. "What are you doing here?"
Maka side-glanced the petite woman holding his arms down in a hug, then looked down to the building's entrance. Kid was coming back up. Good.
"We missed you," the new woman said, releasing her hostage. Oh, there was a man with her too, that Maka noticed now. He might've been hugging too. Were these the other ones Kid had mentioned? And if so, why was Arden so cranky at their appearance?
When the shinigami rejoined them, he seemed a little confused at the banter as well. The newcomers were clearly happy to see Arden, but the man himself remained snide and sarcastic.
"Are they…?"
"Going off Arden's attitude, I'd say so."
Maka's head turned to face him. "He just told them to go home. Not even nicely."
Kid still had a smile. "It's dangerous here; naturally, he wants them to go."
"Well, he could do that with less swearing."
"Aw, but then he wouldn't be Arden," the raven-haired woman smiled, and held out her hand. "I'm Anna. Nice to meet you."
"M-Maka, nice to meet you too," was the reply, reciprocating the gesture. Her hand was ice; definitely a vampire.
"And this is Lonan," she said of the young man who'd arrived with her, at least a foot taller and brunet. He didn't say anything, but gave a polite nod.
"I think I may have to retract what I said earlier," Arden spoke now. "If you happen to have room for us to spend the day, we'd appreciate it."
"Of course," Kid promptly replied. "The next shift will be coming on soon; we can all head back then."
"All right."
"There was nothing going on inside, then?" Maka asked.
"Nothing that shouldn't be," the shinigami replied. "Ah, here they come now."
Once the new teams were updated, the tired group gratefully went back to the mansion. Kid offered them any of the rooms available, and everyone retired for the night- or day, as it were.
Maka made it known first that she was not going to bed without a shower, and Soul followed soon after; Kid preferred to wash up in the morning. But in going to the bathroom, Soul passed the room their visitors were staying in, and found it not exactly… quiet. There was quite a bit of moaning and encouraging, and the weapon found himself standing outside the door much longer than appropriate. And the most inappropriate of reactions building in his pants. At that point, he continued on to the bathroom before someone caught him. He'd never hear the end of it if it were one of those sisters.
Once safely inside the room, he tried several deep breaths to calm himself down. No go. Sleeping between Maka and Kid for almost two weeks now, his own imagination, and now all those pleased sounds ringing in his ears- he had to do something. So after starting the water, he did.
This was far from the first time he'd let images of the two waiting for him dance through his head, but he knew Maka, at least, wasn't ready to move forward, and that was fine- he just took a little longer in the bathroom, waiting for the day he both couldn't wait for and borderline dreaded.
Vampires must have a ridiculous stamina, because those noises were still coming out of the room when Soul walked past again. This time, he only moved forward with a sigh. Part of him really wished their lives were like that already, but once he saw Kid and Maka in their pajamas chatting and laughing on the bed, he was happy to remind himself of the perks he already had. "Oi, I thought it was bedtime. You guys were just whining about how tired you were."
"We were waiting for you, but if you're going to be ungrateful-" the woman began, but was cut off by the newcomer climbing onto the bed to take his spot with them, smack dab between them. "Yeah, that's what I thought."
"Shut up. We going to sleep or not?"
Kid had a surprise for him first, leaning down for a kiss from him- Soul was too happy to oblige.
"Got one of those for Maka too, I hope."
"Already did. You took forever in the shower."
"I missed it?" the other groaned before he could stop himself.
The shinigami eyes rose to the woman's. "Oh, you just want another kiss," she accused.
"Can you blame me?" he asked.
Maka rolled her eyes, but did lean forward. Kid did as well, and Soul got to see them kiss not inches from his face. He couldn't resist leaning up himself from the pillows to add to it, grinning cheekily when the other two turned to look at him and pretend to be angry.
They weren't successful.