Can't really write in Soul's pov so instead of making y'all suffer, I'm sticking with Maka. Like sometimes Soul but it's not easy for me.
"Can you hand me the snare?" Clay asks to cut through the thick silence of them setting the stage. His voice a whisper but still like a needle dropping in silence. When he reacts to reach for the drum piece Akane had beat him to the job and carefully places it on Clay's huge drum set. He brought all of his equipment out today, including the bongos "just in case." they wanna mess around.
The owner of Chupacabra's agreed to let them host an open mic night after Justin came up with the idea instead of regular Friday night karaoke. Well, as long as they still played a set which was a small three song sacrifice. The tickets and lineup roster has call ins that desperately wanted to play today and the idea makes him content. The voices behind the calls were nervous at first, but their excitement evident, to the point where it might become a regular thing as Free has mentioned to them.
Music brings people together. He's had a sad past with the topic of making music but here, it's not something he's doing for his father or Wes. It's his hobby, his. He is the one who made this step and honestly won't ever regret it. He loves being the front man for Soul Eater. Sure, he hardly sings but it was his plan, his idea and the boys insisted he represent them. Maybe he'll sound egoistic when they grow bigger since his self-titled name [Soul] is the band's name, but he doesn't see himself taking all the credit. After all he's nothing but absolute garbage at composing lyrics. Expressing emotion through notes? Sure. It's another language he knows like the back of his hand. Lyrics, they will come out like a love song every middle school boyfriend sings to their girlfriend. Akane describes it as poetry that flows out, just like Maka had when she discussed her creative writing with him. He doesn't understand it though. A flow? Letting it all out, doesn't work and believe him, he has a lot of tension to squeeze out like a sponge. It's never worked for him, even as a prodigy musician.
The experience of being a musician- for Soul Eater- is amazing to say the least. They're creating a small loyal following and everyone of Soul Eater takes turns with instruments through covers and some original music, in which he plays rhythm guitar or (rarely) piano. Akane is their main source of vocals and naturally Clay is their drummer. Justine the bass player. Whenever they wanna have fun though Clay sings and Akane plays guitar, Soul will pick up the bass and Justine on the drums. They'll fool around through their own songs or Clay's favorites. Whatever he and Akane telepathically decide on, Justine and Soul follow to their best ability. Which has gotten better over the years. He no longer has to worrying of playing on the completely wrong key, or confusing the songs. He's always been horrible at that. Even in his strictly classic piano Sullivan James days. Playing alongside friends felt like a breeze of fresh air after one of those childhood Nevada heatwaves.
He loved Soul Eater. It's his life now, exciting. He doesn't think he's ever felt this joyful on a Friday night gig since they first started. It's new and breathtaking.
"What are we playing tonight boys?" Immediately Clay suggests that they open with an original song of theirs and go on to play some covers, maybe swap rolls. Soul is honestly ready for anything, and when the idea is settled he fingers through some of their songs.
Love is a large muse of Akane's. Even if he feels like he doesn't deserve it, which is a belief that Soul can relate to. It's not just his bad experience with relationships. He's just bad at love. He couldn't express it, and that often felt like he couldn't give it. Him and Maka were very one-sided. He really didn't know if he loved her or not. It's still something he's figuring out. She invades his thoughts. Haunts him. He isn't quite sure if it's empathy or if he really loves her.
The idea of Maka is and always has been a sensitive thing for him. Especially since Liz insists on being friends with his band mates and has already spilled that they knew each other during high school. Clay obviously knows that Soul and Maka are connected in some way now because Liz and Maka knew each other in high school. Questions have begun to be asked. It's daunting but he manages. He'd probably react the same way if they switched lives. Clay annoys him, brings back pain and reopens wounds for fresh salt but he has to recall that she's Clay's idol.
The questions scare him. Sure. Clay knew that he was from Nevada when they first met but the thought of being from the same little town as Maka Albarn has him already bouncing off the walls and bombarding questions. Like if he ever saw her or talked to her. Clay had settled for the answer: yes but I didn't know she'd be the Maka Albarn you know today back then. It's true though. Soul didn't know Maka Albarn. He knew Pigtails who was selfless, troubled but living to the best that she could and still committing her whole heart to him through the pain. Even with the family who didn't try to be a family at all. His eyebrows crease at the thought. Clay's going to probably hate Soul when he finds out. He loves Maka, obsesses over her, who could blame Clay. He can't imagine how heartbroken he'd be when Soul tells him that they were a couple and neighbors for the majority of his life. That he screwed her over. When he saw her in concert he'd decided on slowly letting them know. It was best. It's time to stop hiding things.
The concert is still fresh in his mind, more than a week ago but unforgettable. Maka has a certain energy that she brings to the stage. The memory of that spunk being so lost when she was suffering without him pains. She's a great person. She deserves the world. She's an angel.
Grigori is what she used to say. She treasured the name, even when her mother didn't. He recalls teasing that she doesn't look Japanese, and her firing back that he doesn't look Italian. Small childhood bickering. Always getting her into trouble because she was brilliant except for when he distracted her. He should've realized that he was stealing her heart back then. Maybe then he could've stopped it. Maybe she could've been happy instead of singing all these troubling love songs. He doesn't want to sound self centered because surely Kid has some leverage on her inspiration, maybe other stories she's heard. However he knows that some of her lyrics are directly fired at him. Especially when she mentioned a lover leaving her. Those comments give him hope that there is some chance she'd still be a part of his life. They make him feel like she still remembers him. Like she might care.
They shared that quick glance that night, it broke him open. It could've been an imagination that she was looking at him. He can't stand it. His skin crawls at the thought of hurting her. She didn't deserve to be hurt by him, and he never deserved her. She wanted to believe that he was helping her. Maybe he believed he was helping too...
"Hey." The greeting scares him out of thought, the voice is far too feminine to be any of Soul's friends. He turns to meet the same Aryan who reunited him with this mess. She's smiling though, so he can't possibly be mad- physically.
"Hi." comes his response, sheepish. She smiles and waves to the rest of his band mates. He's isn't sure how she got in so early but then again Liz has her ways. Whether it be through flirting or just recognition to who she is. Soul thinks that Maka chose her just because she's an introvert who didn't want to find someone else. Maka's sense of fashion is very different from Liz. Sure a designer makes the customer "happy" but honestly Liz has a noticeable influence and diversity on Maka. He can tell who's idea an outfit's was. Like a reflex. This is why how they became friends before she realized that Liz and Kid were related perplexes him. They're polar opposites but can speak and speak for days. Hold conversation perfectly. Cry and spill to each other. Maybe they're more alike than he gets off. Maybe he didn't even know Pigtails like he thought. He shakes his head and tries to focus on whatever the group is conversing about.
"Are you gonna be singing tonight?" Justine's question is directed at Liz as she settles herself on a stool from the bar. She nods, then follows by holding a cold stare with Soul. It makes him shudder. She's ice. He'd never dare underestimate the authority Liz has.
"Yeah, with an old friend of Soul's. We've been needing to catch up. I thought this would be fun."
He's screwed. It's all over her face as she smirks and moves over to order a drink from Eruka. Something he'll have to join her with if what she said means he's got to see her. And knowing Liz? It probably does mean that.
Fuck his life.
Nervous can't even begin to describe what Maka is feeling right now. She's damn terrified. It's not because she's going to see him, or talk to him. It's really not. She's scared for herself. For her reaction because if any emotion is evident and obvious to herself right now out of the packed jar she just busted open.
It's anger because how fucking dare he. How dare she. They. All of them.
Maka is a threat when she's emotional. Like a hose that won't stop running until every drop of the water in circuit is spilled. It's a bad habit that Azusa like's to pick fun at. Often referring to it as her fuse. She doesn't know why she can't control it either, and it frustrates her more. Some of her fans argue that it's "Not anger. It's passion." Maka would sure as hell like to agree with them to defend her pride but it's been shattered enough by talk show hosts that purposefully ask questions that agitate her. Like Arachne or that bastard Asura.
She blows out a hot breath. Alongside her Blake is shuffling his feet as they finally walk into the damn bar after Liz incorrectly sent the wrong address. Twice. The place is coated in faux leather and warm lighting. The door opens up to the stage where a full kit is set up drenched in red lighting. The bar is mahogany with old stools that have seen better days. Behind it is a small variety of liquor brands and beers. The booths are decorated with couples sharing fast food. There are tables where people stand tall to watch the show and a small pit in front of the stage. She notices Liz waiting at the bar glancing at her phone anxiously. Maka curls her lip as the stench of alcohol hits her before fixing her wig back into place and pacing towards her, Blake following.
"Hey," she greets the blonde. Liz jumps and glances up to meet Maka's disguised self and Blake in his natural dark hair. A smirk grows on her face. Shaking her hand in Blake's freshly dyed hair.
"Ew Star! You haven't worn your hair down and dark since high school. I forgot what you looked like naturally." Blake smirks, "Sorry you were kept from my natural beauty so long." he fires back before slapping Liz's outstretched hi-five hand and fist bumping it. Maka hugs the girl and folds her arms under her chin when she's finally sitting next to Blake and his their ordered drinks. Her pastel pink hair falling to shield her eyes. She feels Liz pull it back and hook the strands behind her ear, motherly.
"Where's Patty?'" She's reminded to ask.
"Home. She's getting a little sick and wanted to rest so she wouldn't miss the award show tomorrow night." Maka nods and dismisses the idea of singing with Patty tonight, something she was looking forward to. Patty loves to fool when she can and Maka would jump at any opportunity to help release that award-winning smile.
"What's with the get up by the way? Though you would just come in and swing your angry ex girlfriend hammer around without a care in the world." Liz asks through sips of her mixed fruity drink. Maka snorts. She swirls the straw of her virgin piña colada.
"It doesn't mean I'm gonna hide. I just don't want any viable photo proof of me tearing his corpse apart." Liz laughs, tilting her head back and making Maka smile. She's not hiding, not here to observe. She's here for her closure. Even if it means saying bye-bye forever at the end of the night. However maybe this would give her space to calm down, hiding inside a persona. She shuffles her vintage bomber jacket off and folds it into her lap.
"Where is he anyway?" Blake cuts through. Liz cocks her head to a hall she hadn't noticed before.
"Setting up for their open mic night. I signed us up. Me, then Maka and I, then you and Blake and then all of us. Like you asked." The information of performing with Blake is new to Maka but she shrugs it off. It wouldn't be anything new. It'd be like tomorrow, another warm up.
"Do you know what you wanna play? It can't be any of our actual music." Maka states considering that her wig can only hide so much. No way will her wig disguise her completely. Maybe if colored contacts didn't irritate her to the point of tears she'd pull it off as a good voice.
"I want to play French Class together." She sheepishly suggests. The idea of playing Maka's favorite song is already winning, but that means that Blake will have to sing with Maka and he doesn't really enjoy doing that. However something in her face alongside Liz's own convinces him as he dismisses it with a "whatever," When Liz asks if it's okay for her to try singing one of Spartoi's songs with Maka on guitar she accepts. As long as Maka doesn't sing then it should be fine.
When they decide they move on to small banter about tomorrows show and Liz's good eye on putting Maka in a gorgeous navy blue slit dress that accents her long legs and brings out the gold in her Kid's eyes. Blake complements her on matching Maka and Blake for the performance. They'd be dressed in black and white. Feedback sharply cuts through their conversation and Maka directs her attention towards the stage where he stands with the same males he went to the concert with. Guys she now recognizes as his bandmates. She squints at him moving around, obviously nervous. She knows the feeling. Maka doesn't allow herself to get stuck in his trance and focuses on whatever the blonde is announcing.
"Anyways, this isn't to intimidate you guys since we're not that good either, but just a little warm up for the night. Thanks again for coming out, this is Arabella. Enjoy." He places the mic away somewhere behind himself and counts down the song before it opens slowly. She watches as their singer positions himself at the mic stand, covering Soul slightly behind his height. She watches as he carefully moves his fingers across the guitar. Their music is good. Could probably sound better in an actual studio or on a stage with good ventilation but she ignores it to focus on the lyrics.
'and when she needs to shelter from reality she takes a dip in my daydreams.' The music speeds. They're like indie rock, one of Maka's favorite genres however she isn't sure how she feels about them just yet.
"My days end best when this sunset gets itself, behind that little lady sitting on the passenger side." Her head nods slightly to the small build up happening on the stage. Their singer moves and she can see Soul concentrated on the riff he's playing out. She smirks at the joke of him taking anything seriously at all.
"It's much less picturesque without her catching the light. The horizon tries but it's just not as kind on the eyes as Arabella." She notices that some people in the crowd sing the lyrics back, Maka isn't quite sure what they are but she acknowledges that there is deeper meaning and a certain poetic feel to their music. Naturally she stands with Liz to join those who are dancing as Blake moves their belongings to an empty tall table.
'just might of tapped into your mind and soul, you can't be sure.' The riff ends and begins at the buildup once again. She watches as Liz fixes herself into the crowd and decides that she'd rather rejoin Blake. It's not that she doesn't enjoy the music, but she's never been the type to dance to this music.
'Arabella's got a seventies head, but she's a modern lover. It's an exploration. She's made of outer space.'
"They're not that bad," Maka says to Blake who is just staring at the stage. This isn't his genre forte at all. It means a lot that he's sitting through it.
"Yeah. I'm kinda digging it." She laughs a little but refocuses on the song. Her eyes scanning for Liz in the crowd who has merged into the front of the group. A smile paints her face before she finds herself moving her shoulders to the beat and mumbling what she thinks is the chorus.
"Just might've tapped into your mind and soul, you can't be sure."
She crosses her arms and watches the outtro, smiles at their instrument solo and claps when it's all over. She can't think of a good time to approach him but watches as his bandmates reset the stage introduce the next act before walking towards the bar. She elbows Blake and asks that he go find Liz before they waltz over to commute and congratulate Soul Eater.
She wonders if Liz told him she'd be here. If he actively looked for her during their performance. In any case that Liz did spill she can't detect any sign of him caring. When she glances again their lead singer is starring at her. Maka's reflex is to wave and it seems to embarrass him. No empathy is felt however, she does not like being looked at like a target. In fact she takes offense to it.
When Blake takes too long to convince Liz to rejoin them through the women singing 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody' on the stage she gives up on going as a group and walks over with crossed arms. Their drummer turns to meet her eyes as she approaches. Absentmindedly Maka pulls her hair from behind her ears to cover her face. She can't meet the gaze that Soul is giving her as she introduces herself.
"Great performance. That guitar solo was awesome." Soul's response is to mumble a thank you. Embarrassment evident. She still knows him, which is a good thing if she's got to say so herself.
"Thanks! I'm Clay." The drummer holds out his hand for her to shake and she takes it. His grip is tight, the shake firm. Her heart is exploding in her chest because now they're introducing themselves and starting small talk. There is no going back in what she started. Hopefully Blake drags Liz here soon enough.
"Did you come alone? I don't think I recognize you." Akane asks her, she crosses her arms and shakes her head. Trying to achieve nonchalance.
"No. I came with my friend Liz. I think you're acquainted?" She sees Soul rise from his slump sharply when the words flow, and sure enough Soul's friends practically force her to meet his eyes as he is now their center of conversation.
"Yeah we are. So you're an old friend of Soul's too?" Maka meets his eyes for the first time. He tries to look at something beyond her as she takes in his crimson pools swimming with fear. It's a look she had no idea would pour salt into wounds. He scans over her quickly, a crease in his brow but nonetheless facing a flash of recognition. She takes in a large breathe and huffs it out, a sharp pain building in her chest.
"You can say that." She responds. Her gaze has fallen to her burgundy doc martens and then she glances behind herself to see Blake and Liz walking towards them. Thank god. Blake rests his elbow on her shoulder and mumbles "what's up," while Maka shrugs him off and giggles slightly, looking for any distraction.
"I see you've already introduced yourself Ma-" Maka's eyes shoot a warning stare for Liz to shut the hell up about her name. It seems to confirm for Soul as he gives her a side glance, worry painted across his face. Her face feels hot, palms are sweating at the tension building between them and honestly she just wants a place to talk to him. She is not here for the pain in her chest or the hurt in his face. She wants to know if he's okay. That's all. Honestly she'd be fine if he can't give her an answer to why he left in the first place, the previous anger has long ago reduced and she doubts and harm will come to the missing Evans boy tonight. His friends have started small talk and Blake has already fixed himself into arm wrestling Clay to which Maka rolls her eyes. Soul is aloof and she takes the time to dive in for the kill.
"We need to talk." She starts. Soul looks up at her and she hopes that her eyes read gentle to him because she's not angry. She's desperate for him to trust her, but that seems about it. There is panic written across his face and like a reflex her hand connects with his shoulder and a thousand words evolve from the reassuring gesture. She can feel him calm down enough to agree and stands, excusing to his bandmates that they should catch up as they move over to another booth. He walks forward where he wants to go and she follows after receiving a thumbs up from Liz and Smile from Blake. Her chest feels heavy but she refuses to let them know and smiles in return. It takes another moment to console herself before she turns to walk towards solitude with Soul.
The thick silence could kill. She can't get the words to come out. Like she's forgotten exactly what she came here for and the sudden urge to run out the door has popped into her mind. Deep breaths are taken and he's patient because this isn't easy. It's a gesture Maka appreciates.
"I wanna start off with I'm not mad. Okay?" It finally pours out of, her voice weak and slurred in the anxiety. He nods and she watches as his eyes scan to find a center of focus that is not her. She mirrors him, not being able to look. When she's paused enough she continues.
"I'm not here to ask why you did it either. I really just wanted to make sure that you were okay." And she's honest. There was a lot of paranoia in her mind. Years of just wondering how he's surviving nowadays and begging that it's well. Regardless of being his ex or not she cares deeply for him, still.
"I'm not gonna ask for any apologies and quite frankly I don't really want one." At her words he glances up at her and they start conversation normally. She can feel the smart ass response in his eyes. It's comforting that they can press on through the quiet.
"I'm gonna always feel sorry." Is his commentary, a small snort escapes her throat as she crosses her arms. Her lips purse into a frown because she's not sure what to say from here. Everything she fantasized and practiced in her mind has gone down the drain. Her mind is clouded.
"You don't have to." Is what she settles with. He frowns, visibly disagreeing with her but she'd rather not bicker about it. He falls back into silence and she gulps, glances around to find anything that she could save this conversation with. Especially when she pressed for it. Her eyes land on the occupied stage and his logo on the drum kit. A breathe in and out. This is salvageable.
"How long have you been doing this?" She jerks her head towards the stage and watches as Soul's eyes follow her movement.
"Almost two tears. We barely started the original music part. It's starting to kick off." Maka smiles at the lopsided smirk on his face, a gesture that used to drive her crazy. Somehow it's laced with sweet nostalgia.
"Your amazing." Skips out, painting him darker than the red lighting. Maka feels her cheeks sting at the heat spreading through her face. Poor Soul was never good at receiving compliments.
"Are you planning on recording anything?" She presses on. He shakes his head.
"We recorded one. It's on Soundcloud if you're interested." He meets her eyes for the first time, it makes Maka smile genuinely.
"Definitely." She slumps back into the silence, a clock ticking in her head. Liz has filled in for her on the stage with Blake and she wishes to wrap up this ever awkward conversation. Soul's eyes are shielded behind his hair. She lets out a hot breathe and goes in for the execution. Not opening Pandora's box. Smashing it.
"I saw you at the concert and a part of me just needed to know how you were." His attention has returned to her, "I know it might sound strange years later but I've been thinking about you a lot lately. It might be because you were there or that you left around this time." He winces. Pain spreads through her chest. "Whatever it is. I guess I was just looking for some closure but I can respect if you don't have it. It's really weird. I know we're still awkward and everything but I want to admit that I missed you, that I worried." She bites her tongue back so that 'I waited' doesn't spill out. Her heart is pounding in her ears. He sighs and opens slightly. Enough for her to peep into him. Enough for her to hold the door and wait for him to be ready.
"I missed you too, and I'm honestly really sorry that I didn't explain. I just couldn't take it anymore. I didn't want to look back and I'm so fucking sorry because I never meant to hurt you." She squirms at the pain in her chest and looks away, blinking rapidly to keep from crying.
"It's okay," comes her reassurance. "You did what you needed. I'm happy for you. Don't think you've ever been that happy on a stage and it's a new look for you. A great one.' She's embarrassed him again. His neck flushed, ears red.
"I-Soul I..." she covers her face with her palms, dragging cold finger down her face. The words have to escape because she'd die is she dismissed him from her life here. He hurt her. Hurt a lot but he also was a large part of her life. She can't lose him again. She wants him in. Even as just mutual. As long as she can see him around from time to time. As long as she can still acknowledge and say "Hi."
It's all she wants.
"I miss you. And if you want, only if you do I'd like to be your friend. It may sound selfish to want you to reconnect with us since we surely serve as painful reminders but I truly feel like we can move on. That we can be okay again. You're a part of me Soul." Her eyes burn. She's nauseous. The bass of Liz singing Misery Business matching her heart. She watches as he shifts in his seat. She hates to pry, really but it's all she knows to do. Maybe if she minded her own business that night they wouldn't have fought so harshly and he wouldn't have left. She can't deny that she fueled him too. That she hurt him.
'Just watch my wildest dreams come true, not one of them involving you.'
Maka is due on the stage soon so she shifts to stand out of her seat. His voice cuts her. It's gentle but it stings so bad.
"Okay." The word is short, his voice trembling but his eyes reassure the genuine of his statement. She smiles, cheeks burning and blinks to push back the tears. They're not okay. Far from where they once were. It's obvious that answers and anger need to be released before they can settle if they belong in each others lives or not, but those are battles she pushes away for a later time. Right now all that matters is that they can start again.
"Do you wanna watch?" She invites and he nods, a grin painted on his face, fueling her happiness.
His hand in hers complete her as she pulls him through the crowd to watch Akane play Kilik's guitar solo. Even if he lets go like right now, she'll be okay. There will always exist some optimism for the future.
( /w9bE7aV73lI) ( /MF2T6mP0KlI)
"This one is an old one but nonetheless good. Enjoy as we close out the night. Thanks for coming out. This is French Class." Liz introduces as she runs to play drums alongside Clay. Maka stations herself in front of the mic. Tambourine in her hands as Soul starts the guitar riff.
'Un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq, six... bonjour' She sings in french, being the only fluent speaker here. Blake takes over for her as she dances around the stage, her energy back up after sharing small talk and smiles.
"That night, you said baby, it's alright. And you couldn't tell, but I knew why. 'Cause there was no more tears to cry!"
'I don't know what to dowhen on my own, waiting by the phone (bonjour)
Ah damn, I don't wanna be there no more.' Maka shakes her hips as he takes over the first chorus.
"Cause I can't keep waiting for you. Waiting for you. No I can't keep waiting for you. Waiting for you!" She smiles and shakes over to steal Soul's beanie and put it on before taking the rose glasses from Liz to put them on. Her smile is permanently on her face when he grins at her.
''See that night, you said baby it's alright. And you couldn't tell, but I knew why. 'Cause there was no more reasons why!" People stare as she holds out the note and dances to smile at Liz who moves her hands across the drums.
"I don't know what to do when on my own. Sitting by the phone.Ah damn! Don't wanna be alone
Just wanna be there with you! (bonjour)" At this point the crowd has locked eyes with Maka. She can feel the tension building but doesn't care. This is far too much fun.
"I can't keep waiting for you. Waiting for you!" Blake gives her a thumbs up as she shakes her head, grooving with the beat.
"I can't keep waiting for you. Waiting for you. NoI can't keep waiting for you.Waiting for you!" She glances back to Blake, asking if he's ready. He grins at her and unhooks his mic from the stand she mirrors him and draws out the last line.
"I can't keep waiting for you. Waiting for you! One! Two! Three!" She shakes her hips to the right, then the left. Following by tilting her head back, arms in the air as the instrumental continues. Blake copies her. It's a little dance they've done for the longest and her reason for this being her favorite song. It's sad. The story relateable to her yet she can dance to this song. It was an inspiration for her After Laughter album. To Dance hard, cry harder. Who needs to worry about finishing it right now? Or about what people think of her.
As long as Soul keeps smiling at her like that she can do anything.