A/N: Hey guys, I just want to say that I'm sorry for not updating sooner.
But I promise you guys this: I won't leave this unfinished. I always hate when people do that. I will complete this story, no matter how long it takes.
I'm still loving the reviews! And each follow/favorite makes me smile!
Thanks for the support!
Even though I haven't read the manga, I may use things from it that I read in other fanfics or researched. But forgive me if any of it is incorrect.
Please leave a review with thoughts, ideas, praise, and/or constructive criticism!
The night had grown chilly and a light breeze was gently brushing the tops of nearby trees. Maka wrapped her arms around her body, shivering a bit as they walked. Soul glanced at her shaking form with concern, but she was oblivious to his gaze.
Maka was staring up at the sky again, not paying too much attention to where she was walking. Soul cursed her for being so careless as he quickly pulled her out of the path of a telephone pole, "You're such a stupid girl," he teased.
"Sorry," Maka blushed with embarrassment, making sure to watch where she was going the rest of the way.
After a couple of minutes they reached Soul's orange motorcycle parked out front of the café. Soul got on and started the engine while Maka sat behind him, hugging his waist. He started off down the road slower than earlier, actually going the speed limit. Maka curled into his back, escaping the cold wind that blew past, chilling her arms and legs.
The drive through the city was short and soon Soul was swinging into the parking spot outside their apartment building. He turned off the engine and twisted a bit to glance at Maka, "I'm sorry, I should have given you my jacket," he said to the shivering girl behind him.
"I'm fine," Maka pulled her hands from where they were warming her arms, "It really isn't that cold."
Soul swung his leg around the other side and turned to fully face her with his body. He pulled her into a hug, wrapping his arms around her shivering figure, "Then why are you shivering?"
Maka's eyes widened. Soul rarely ever hugged her; it just wasn't cool, especially not outside the privacy of their apartment. Regardless, she laid her head on his shoulder and snuggled into his warm chest.
"It's not supposed to be this cold in the spring," Maka mumbled.
"Death City just has weird weather."
She smiled, "Like that time it snowed in April?"
He laughed, "And it never even snows during the winter."
"It did once, a few years ago," Maka pointed out.
"I remember that. School was out for two days and we all met up at the park for a snowball fight. That was really fun," Soul nuzzled his nose into her hair, closing his eyes and breathing in the smell of her shampoo.
A few minutes passed before Maka started to feel a bit uncomfortable and pulled away gently, "We should go inside," she slid off the seat and stood up.
Soul reluctantly threw his legs over to the side and dropped to the ground, his feet landing softly on the pavement.
Maka waited for him on the curb, silently staring up at the stars.
Soul came up beside her, shrugging off his jacket, and laid it over her shoulders.
"Wha-" Maka looked at him confused.
"Come with me," Soul grabbed her hand and led her down the sidewalk past the apartment building.
"Soul," Maka stumbled along behind him, tugging his jacket on over her arms, "Where are we going?"
"I just wanna show you something," Soul insisted, following the concrete walkway down the block. He turned left at the corner and took another quick left into a gated archway.
"The park?" Maka stood beside him, their hands still intertwined.
Soul nodded, leading her towards the center of the grassy area. Due to the lack of street lamps to illuminate their steps, they tripped over twigs and holes in the ground before stopping on a small hill.
Maka was still trying to interpret his actions, "Why did you bring me here? I've been here plenty of times."
"I know," Soul sat down in the grass, pulling her down with him, "But take a look at this." He leaned back on the ground, resting his head on his left arm, the other splayed out to continue holding Maka's hand.
Maka hesitated before falling back into the soft blades of grass that sprouted from the dirt, her pose mirroring Soul's. She looked over at him, but he was staring up at the sky, a content smile on his face. Maka followed his gaze and gasped.
Spread out across the heavens were millions of stars; all different sizes. Out here without the street lamps, there was no light to compete with the tiny balls of fire out in space.
She lost herself in the twinkling stars above, mentally tracing all the constellations that she knew. With Soul's jacket on, the night air no longer chilled her. She breathed deeply into the collar of the fabric, inhaling that familiar comforting smell of her weapon partner. Maka relaxed her shoulders, smiling happily at the sky.
Soul gave her hand a light squeeze which she returned, "Thank you," Maka whispered.
Soul stared back up at the stars, lost in thought.
"Are you happy, Maka?"
Surprised by the sudden thought, she turned to face him, furrowing her eyebrows, "Um, yea. I guess so."
She took a moment to ponder his question. She had both of her parents, even though her mom was never there and her dad was, well, Spirit. She had a great group of friends that cared about her. And the best partner that anyone could ask for.
"Yes," she smiled, "I am happy."
Soul smiled back at her, "I'm glad."
"What brought that on?" Maka inquired with a tilt of her head.
"Just wondering," Soul gazed back at the sky.
A minute of silence passed before Maka asked quietly, "Soul. Are you happy?"
"Yes," he closed his eyes, "Very happy."
Maka smiled.
They stayed lying in the grass until it got too cold and their eyes couldn't stay open. Soul and Maka walked back down the street to their apartment building and up to the second floor.
Soul reached for the keys in his pockets then realized he didn't have his jacket on, "Maka," he gestured tiredly at the left pocket, "keys."
She understood and groped inside the pocket, producing a key chain. Fumbling for the right one, Maka inserted it into the lock and turned until it clicked. She pushed into the room and felt for the light switch. Locating it, Maka flipped on the overhead light and walked over to the counter.
A sudden growling noise startled Maka causing her to jump, "What was that?"
Soul bit his lip and looked down at his stomach, "I think we skipped a meal."
Maka sighed, a smile on her lips. "Well I'm not cooking anything. So help yourself." She shuffled into the bathroom, "There are some leftovers in the fridge!" she called before shutting the door.
Soul opened the refrigerator door and rummaged through the stack of Tupperware containers, setting a few out on the counter.
Maka went about changing into her pajamas and brushing her teeth while Soul finished off the leftovers from a few nights ago.
"I'm headed off to bed," Maka came into the kitchen, sleepily rubbing her eyes, "Don't stay up too late. We have school tomorrow."
Soul looked up from a plate of re-heated spaghetti, "Okay. Goodnight."
"G'night," Maka shuffled back into her bedroom and closed the door.
It took longer than she expected to fall asleep once she climbed under the warm covers. Soul had finished eating and was moving around the apartment from his room to the bathroom and back. As soon as the apartment was silent, Maka closed her eyes and dozed off.
A/N: I'm going to be busy with school for the next two weeks. I'll try to write on the weekends, but who knows.
Then it will be spring break and hopefully I can catch up while I'm on vacation during a 16 hour car ride to Colorado! So, bear with me! (Is that the right bare?)