Maka groaned in relief as she plopped on the couch next to Soul.
"Rough day huh?" He asked in his nonchalant manner.
"I knew it would be but we were only gone for three hours and I'm exhausted. I didn't even buy him anything for his room yet."
"I'm surprised that he didn't come home with you. I know how much you hate leaving him in that cell."
"He needed time alone. I'll bring him his dinner around six anyway."
"Did you guys eat lunch?"
"Yeah. We picked up some McDonalds on the way back. I wanted to avoid fast food since he's already so unhealthy but...oh well." She sighed. "I suppose I'll just have to make an extra nutritious dinner."
"Hmm." Soul stared at her. "You're working too hard Maka. I can help with Crona stuff if you let me."
"Thanks Soul." She smiled at her partner. "Actually, can you go pick up all these dietary supplements from the grocery store?" She handed him a list.
"For Crona I'm guessing?"
"Of course. Have you seen how malnourished he looks?"
"Can you really afford this?"
"Papa."
"Oh. Dang that kid must mean a lot to you if you'd ask your father."
"I'd rather not think about it. Ugh. He's so creepy."
"Well I guess I'll go get these then. If you give me the money that is."
"Oh yeah...sorry." Maka dug into her purse and pulled out $20 to give him.
"What are you making for dinner?" Soul asked as he put the money in his pocket. "I could pick up ingredients or something."
"Hmmm...I haven't decided yet. Maybe salmon and sticky rice? We have a ton of rice but could you maybe get one of those packs of wild caught frozen salmon?"
"Sure thing." Soul headed for the door.
"Soul?"
"What?"
"Now that we have a house instead of an apartment I think we have room for three people."
"Don't beat around the bush. I know what you are going to say and it's a good idea."
"Oh." Maka breathed in relief. "Good. I just can't keep walking all the way over there Soul. And I hate that he lives in a dungeon. I want to talk to Lord Death about converting the storage room into a room for Crona. I think he'd agree if we locked it from the outside."
"Well, like I said, it's a good idea. You shouldn't have to walk around in a dungeon all the time. I like the kid. It's ok." He shut the door behind him. Maka lay on the couch and shut her eyes. She was exhausted. Even though it was only 3:00pm she had been up since 5:00am from her nightmares. A little nap couldn't hurt.
Soul returned to find Maka fast asleep on the couch. He smiled to himself. She looked so peaceful when she slept. It was unlike the fierce intensity that held her through her waking moments. He put the salmon in the freezer and left two on the counter to defrost.
"Salmon?" Blair jumped off of the refrigerator and onto Soul's shoulder.
"Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" Soul said, startled by the sudden appearance of the cat. "Jeez."
"When fish come a walking, Blair comes a knocking." She purred.
"Fish swim."
"Hmph."
"Hey guys." Maka came in the kitchen with a yawn.
"Whoa Maka I thought you were out cold."
"You guys are so loud how could anyone sleep?" Maka grumbled while maintaining a deadpan expression.
"Blame the cat." Soul said as he pried Blair off his shoulder and set her on the floor.
"So grumpy today." Blair mewed as she rubbed against Maka's legs. Maka actually enjoyed Blair when she was in cat form and reached down to pet her.
"I didn't want to sleep more than an hour anyway." She yawned. "Are you guys hungry? I ate lunch at like two, so I'm not."
"I seduced the fish monger today so..." Blair purred. "But I'm always in the mood for more!"
"Same here. Minus the seducing part." Said Soul.
"Ok, I'll wait until six or so." Maka trudged off to her room and shut the door. She pulled her backpack up onto her bed and took out her planner. Fortunately, she didn't have much homework. All, she had to do was fill out two worksheets for her DWMA History course. As she looked over the sheets she realized that some of the questions were quite difficult. What if Crona needed help? She had reminded him to do his homework before she left so she was sure he was working on it right now. Most people would have snapped at her not to treat them like a child. Soul got so mad whenever she bothered him about his homework that she made a mental note never to mention it again. Crona, however, would have not thought of such a thing. He was accustomed to being to told what to do. That wasn't exactly a good thing, Maka supposed.
She read and reread the assigned chapter of the textbook. When it was mostly committed to memory she filled out the worksheets. Glancing at the clock she realized that the homework had taken her a full two hours and it was about time to start dinner. Maka headed to the kitchen only to find a human Blair and Soul covered in sticky rice.
"What the..? What happened?" She exclaimed.
"We are cooking. What does it look like?" Blair laughed.
"It looks like more food got on you than in the pan." Maka smirked, causing Soul to make a face.
"It's been awhile since I made dinner. I thought I mine as well. Then Blair decided to help and well...anyway...I hope Crona likes his salmon extra spicy." Soul rolled his eyes at the cat. "She jumped at me while I was pouring the spice. Who does that?"
"It will be delicious!" Blair pushed his shoulder and giggled. Maka stepped forward and looked at the salmon in the pan.
"It smells good. But how did you manage to get covered in sticky rice?"
"Don't ask." Soul muttered. "But there's a whole bunch in that pot. It turned out okay I think."
"Thanks guys. I'm going to take some over to Crona now. He's probably hungry."
"Are you going to eat there?" Soul asked. "Why not bring him here? Who wants to eat in a dungeon?"
"Good point." Maka nodded. "I'll fetch him. That is, if he feels better." She turned abruptly and headed out the door.
"Maka really cares for that boy doesn't she?" Blair asked once Maka was gone.
"Yeah." Soul smiled. "She does."
When Maka arrived at Crona's door she gently called out. "Crona! It's Maka. Can I come in?"
"Yes!" Crona squeaked as if startled out of a daze. She unlocked and creaked open the rusty old door. The boy was sitting on his bed and staring at his bag of new clothes. He turned to her and a delicate smile crossed his face. "I missed you." His voice was faint, almost a whisper.
"I wasn't gone that long!" She sent him her signature smile and seated herself next to him. "I thought you needed time alone?"
"I did. But I always miss you."
"Why don't you come over for dinner? Can you handle that?"
"Oh! Ok. I'm ok."
"Do you want to wear one of the new outfits?"
"Uh...I don't know. I...I"
"What's wrong Crona? You've worn that white suit. That was a big step and you were fine." She placed a hand on his shoulder.
"It's not just that. It's...also...what that lady said. What did she mean? I should do the paying because I'm a boy. Not that I shouldn't but...what does being a boy have to do with it?"
"Oh that..." Maka sighed. "It's just a stupid outdated practice. Back in the day women didn't have jobs so the men paid for everything. Some people still think that way but it's dumb and sexist. Don't worry about it. But again, if you're worried about me spending money on you remember that it's not really ME paying. The school gives me money. Remember when you were a trial student and they gave you a little money for food and such?" He nodded. "Well that now goes to me. So don't think about it. One day maybe the black blood will be stable enough but for now Lord Death wants you under supervision. I've told you this time and time again." Crona still looked troubled. "You don't have to wear the clothes yet if you don't feel comfortable." She patted his back.
"Are you sure? I don't want you to have to wash it. I can use the sink right here."
"I don't want you to have to do that. I'll wash it while you take a shower tonight. I admit I want you to wear more outfits but I don't want you to be uncomfortable either. So it's okay. I know I was a little pushy about going shopping but at the time I felt I had to be that way."
"Well, I think I need to keep wearing the robe tonight. But you don't have to wash it Maka! I'll wear different clothes tomorrow I promise!"
"Ok. Well you better bring some with you. I'd rather you spent the night again. Are you ok with that?" He nodded and pulled the turtleneck and a pair of black sweatpants from his bag of clothes. "Did you finish your homework?"
"Yes."
"Did you understand?"
"I think so."
"Do you want help?"
"If you want to. A couple questions were hard to deal with."
"Ok. Bring your worksheets with you then." Crona ruffled around in his backpack and pulled out his textbook and folder. He put them along with his clothing in a black tote. Maka smiled as she took Crona's arm and led him out of the dungeon.
