Chapter 6, finally!

Death City Apartment Party

Tsubaki POV

Ugh.

I feel really groggy.

My mouth is so dry I don't think I'm able to pull my lips apart. My throat is burning slightly and there is a taste of acid lingering on my tongue.

I force my eyes open, wincing at the brightness of the room.

Eyes scrunched, I turn my head slightly to try and assess my surroundings. But the small movement causes a wave of dizziness and nausea to wash over me.

Oh dear.

My eyes are now fully open, but the room is spinning away from me. I frown at the ceiling trying to recall how I ended up in this state.

Raising a hand to brush some of my hair away from my face I bump my fingers against something hard lying on my stomach. Grasping the object, I lift it up so I can inspect it.

It's a wine bottle.

An empty wine bottle.

I drop it, and my hand bangs against the side of the bathtub. I freeze. Bath tub? Why am I lying in a bath tub?

And suddenly, memories come flooding back.

* Flashback *

"It's okay Black*Star," I coo rubbing his back.

Poor thing is slumped over the toilet, retching and purging himself of all the alcohol he chugged. I rub his back in soothing circles as he coughs up the last of it.

"I think I'm done," he says, as he sits up and wipes his mouth with a shaking hand.

"How are you feeling?" I ask, anxiously sipping from my glass of wine. I always get so wound up when Star gets like this.

"Fine," he grins, "Ready to get back on it actually!" he crows, flushing the toilet.

"No Black*Star," I say, draining my glass. I can never persuade him to be sensible and I know this time will be no different. Regardless of what I say, he'll go back out, drink an excessive amount again, be sick and repeat the cycle until he blacks out.

"No?" he echoes, raising an eyebrow at me.

I sigh.

"Fine. But not until you've drank a glass of water and kept it down!" I say, draining my glass in frustration. I can feel myself getting tipsy, but I need to be so I don't get overly stressed about Black*Star trying to kill himself with alcohol..

He looks at me, his emerald eyes boring into mine. I blush under the intensity of his gaze and look away.

"Okay," I hear him say, "If that'll make you happy Tsubaki."

I blush even deeper, he can be so sweet when he's not busy being an idiot. But I guess that's why I love him.

I turn away, my heart hammering against my chest. It's so loud I'm afraid he can hear it.

"Stay here!" I command, and leave the bathroom to get him some water. And to grab another bottle of wine for myself.

I think I'm going to need it.

I shudder at the memory. I can feel the wine gurgling in my stomach.

Forcing myself to sit up, I clutch at the sides of the tub desperately. My stomach and head are protesting wildly to the movement and my vision is swirling. Panting, I hang over the side, my face pressed against the cool ceramic. I feel my body threatening to black out again, but I fight it. I need to go find Star and see if he's okay.

As I move my hand to push myself into a sitting position my fingers brush against a rough metallic edge. I adjust my head slightly and see that Black*Star's jacket is draped over my body.

My fuzzy brain suddenly presents me with a very clear image of me puking into the toilet, crying, with a strong pair of arms supporting me.

"Tsubaki?"

The door cracks open slightly, and I hear Black*Star calling my name.

I groan in response, unable to form a coherent sentence.

"Thank Kami you're awake," I hear Star say. The door closes and I hear his footsteps get louder as he makes his way across the room. "You've been out for a few hours," he says, his voice close to me now.

I feel his hand slip around my shoulders and my head lolls back against his shoulder. I squeeze my eyes shut. I'm afraid I'm going to pass again.

"Hey now," he soothes, "Tsubaki, I have some water for you."

I crack an eye open, and I see his face just inches from mine. His brow is furrowed in concern, his lips pursed. His eyes are locked on my face and I feel myself blush.

"Open your mouth," he commands.

I do as I'm told, too addled to protest. Carefully, he lifts the glass to my lips and helps me sip. I watch his face the whole time, my heart trembling.

When the glass is half empty, he sets it down, and presses his hand against my face.

"You're frozen," he mutters. He grabs his jacket and proceeds to try and put it on me with one hand. I try to help, but my limbs aren't under my control anymore. I close my eyes. I can feel myself slipping back into unconsciousness.

"It's okay Tsubaki," I hear Black*Star whisper as he zips the jacket over me. He hooks his spare arm under my knees and lifts me from the tub. My head is pressed against his chest and the sound of his heartbeat relaxes me.

Barely conscious, the hallway blurs past us, and I feel the crinkle of a bed sheet as he sets me down.

The last thing I am aware of before I pass out is a pair of warm lips pressing against my own. "I'll look after you Tsubaki," I hear Black*Star say as I black out, a smile on my lips.

Maka POV

I run my fingers through Soul's hair. We're lying on the balcony, foreheads pressed together, wrapped up in a blanket. My hand comes to rest, cupping his cheek as his breath tickles my face. He dozed off about ten minutes ago and I don't have the heart to wake him.

After we kissed, we stayed out here and decided to stargaze. Soul had wrapped his arms around my waist and pointed out the different constellations. The night air was warm against my face and I had leaned my head into his neck and let his voice wash over me.

But it was getting cold now, even with the blanket and our combined body heat. Soul's face is still warm under my palm, but the breeze is cold and I can feel the chill of the concrete creeping into my bones.

Shivering slightly, I pull the blanket closer up to my chin, glad Soul had snuck back into the apartment to grab it. Snuggling in closer to him, I sigh, knowing we should go back in.

I raise my head and plant a kiss on Soul's chin.

"Wake up." I say, pushing myself up onto one elbow. I shake him gently with my free hand, causing his head to roll from side to side.

He groans, and opens one red lazy eye. Catching sight of me he smiles, throws an arm out and crushes me against his chest.

"Shhhh Maka," he murmurs, "Go back to sleep."

I push away and shake him again.

"We have to go back inside now!" I laugh, untangling myself from the blanket and getting to my feet.

Keeping his eyes closed, he rolls onto his back and pouts.

"Come on," I coax, leaning over him, "We've got to go check our friends are still alive."

Heaving out a sigh, Soul opens his eyes and struggles to his feet. I offer my hand, which he accepts with a lazy smile. Bundling up the blanket, he slips an arm around my waist and leads me towards the doors.

"I bet Black*Star is dead," he says as we walk down the hallway.

I start to laugh, but my laughter dies on my lips as we enter the room.

The music is still blaring from the speakers and there are bottles, cans and cups strewn all over the carpet. The kitchen is in total disarray and there is a bra caught on the overhead fan, whirling sadly over the carnage.

"Crona!" I exclaim, spotting my pink haired friend dancing amidst the wreckage.

"Hey piggy!" Ragnorak shrieks, waving a can of beer.

"Maka-chan!" Crona squeaks, waving at me, "Come and dance with Patty and I."

I wave over at Patty, who looks dead on her feet. She waves back, and rubs her eyes. "I can't dance anymore Crona," she mumbles, "I want to sleep,"

Crona nods, as Patty grabs her sleeping bag. Unzipping it, she throws it onto the ground and pulls out her pillow.

"Do you wanna share my sleeping bag Crona?" she asks, pulling Liz's pillow out of the bag too, "I made the sleeping bag into a blanket so there's lots of space!"

Gaping at Patty Crona asks, "Are you sure?" Patty nods, smiling and tosses the spare pillow across the room.

"We can have a best friend sleepover!" She cries, snuggling under her impromptu duvet.

Crona catches the pillow and looks over at me. I nod, a smile creeping over my face. I know that Crona's dearest wish is to be friends with all of us, so Patty's offer means more to Crona than she knows.

"Okay Patty!" Crona says, crossing the room, "Let's have a sleepover!"

"Lame!" Ragnorak shouts, as Crona pulls the duvet up to crawl in with Patty.

"Night guys," I whisper, pulling Soul into the room to have a closer look at how much damage was inflicted.

The first thing I see is Kid is sprawled out on the couch, fast asleep, with Liz tucked up behind him. Their heads are at opposite ends of the couch and Liz appears to be sleeping on Kid's bunched up shirt.

"Whoa," Soul mutters, "I wonder what happened there."

Kneeling, I lean over Kid to check his breathing. He's fine, but he's half naked and I'm afraid he'll get cold. As I tuck our blanket over him I notice he has red lipstick smeared on his lips and there is a smudged trail of lipstick kisses along his jaw line.

Smiling, I tuck Liz's bare feet under the blanket too. I hope that lipstick is hers.

Across the room, Soul unplugs the speakers and silence falls over the apartment. He grins over at me and pockets his iPod.

"Shall we call it a night?" he asks.

I nod, and he takes my hand again as we walk back out into the hall.

"I'll walk to you your room," he murmurs, and I giggle, suddenly extremely nervous.

I've read the stories. I know what should happen next. Usually when two people confess their love to each other the first kiss is followed by unrealistically amazing sex. But I am so not ready for that. This is real life.

"So," Soul says awkwardly, as we stand in hallway between our bedroom doors. I want nothing more than to run inside and lock the door.

"So?" I squeak. Is he expecting to come into my room and spend the night?

"I guess we shoul…" he begins, but I cut him off by throwing my arms around him. I give him a brief hug and then fly into my room. Slamming the door shut I shout "Not tonight! I'm not ready!"

I hear him chuckle. "Maka," he says, "It's okay. I'm not ready either. I was going to say I guess we should say goodbye for now."

I blush. Why am I so dramatic?

"Goodnight Maka," Soul calls through the door.

"Night Soul," I call back.

I stand, my back pressed against my door, until I hear his own door click shut. Tugging my dress over my head I get into my PJ's and turn off the light. Pulling the duvet over me, I close my eyes and try to fall asleep.

But I feel so lonely without Soul lying next to me.

Soul POV

I open my bedroom door, smiling to myself. Maka is so adorable. I can't get the image of her face when I first kissed her out of my head. Her eyes had gone all wide and sparkly and her cheeks had flushed a delicate pink.

Chuckling to myself, I walk into the darkness of my room. The light switch isn't beside the door, an architectural glitch that always bugged me. But tonight, not even that can anno…

BANG

I collide with something solid and I am thrown onto my back.

"Soul? That you man?"

"Black*Star!?" I growl, pushing myself back up onto my feet.

"Haha, sorry. Guess I'm a bigger man than you!" he crows. I can imagine him leering over me, hands on his hips.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, carefully making my way over to the light switch.

"Oh," he says, clearing his throat, "Well Tsubaki got really drunk and passed out in the bath tub."

"You're shitting me," I say, flicking the light on.

With the room illuminated, I see Tsubaki tucked up in my bed, sound asleep. And Black*Star is standing beside the bed, stripped down to his boxers.

"Ahhhh," I cry, throwing a hand in front of my face, "Dude, why are you naked?"

"Umm," I hear Black*Star mumble, "Tsubaki got sick down my back."

"Oh," I say, turning my back on my scantily clad friend. "I'll just go…" I mutter, grabbing my pajama pants out of the drawer and scurrying over to the door.

"Night Soul!" Black*Star chirps as I shut the door.

I stand in the hall, watching as the light creeping out from under my door is extinguished.

Okay, I think, I need to find somewhere else to sleep. Normally I'd crash on the couch if my bed was unavailable for some reason, but Kid and Liz are sleeping there.

Pondering, I spin on my heel and walk smack into a small, warm body.

"Ow!" Maka protests, staggering to regain her balance.

"Sorry!" I cry, throwing out an arm to catch her.

Once she's steady I ask, "What are you doing up? I thought you'd be asleep."

She flushes slightly and her eyes shift away from mine.

"Emm," she mumbles, addressing my feet, "I was coming to ask if you wanted to share my bed. I was lonely without you."

My heart skips a beat, but I try not to let it show. Cool guys don't get weak kneed over sweet words.

"But," she continues, oblivious to my reaction, "We'll just be sleeping. No funny business…" she trails off, her face bright red.

"Okay," I grin, nodding.

Her eyes widen slightly, but she nods too, a slow smile spreading across her features.

"Okay," she echoes, grabbing my hand and leading me into her room.

Yeah so, I paired them all off. I couldn't resist!

I have a small epilogue to upload later on tonight, but this story is pretty much complete! Hope you guys like it :)

Let me know in the reviews what you thought, and thank you so much to everyone that left a review while the story was being uploaded. Makes my day :')

Míle

x