Chapter Rating: T
Chapter Warning: Cursing?
Author's Notes: I hope this chapter is of reasonable length because I kept adding in detail until it reached the 3,000 mark. I think I may have went over it though, not sure. ^^ Enjoy!
As they made their ways to the apartment, Maka occasionally glanced back at Soul with a suspicious look. She wondered why he wasn't so tired as he seemed just hours ago and a little... happy? She didn't want to pry in and ask what's got him to upbeat but it seemed that he was in his own world at the moment. She felt glad that there was at least a particular mood change in his weapon that was either tired or calm. Smiling is a pretty rare sight for her to see and it was quite fascinating to wonder who or what caused him this, considered fortunate action. But...
" Who are you thinking about?" She suddenly asked and her sly look increased when Soul blinked from his inner world.
" Wh-what?"
" I said," Maka stopped in front of her flustered weapon and put her hands on her hips," who are you thinking about?"
" Wha-no one, why?"
" Okay then... what are you thinking about?" Soul made a move to walk on the other side but she blocked his path again.
" Seriously, I'm not thinking about anything."
" Liar!" Soul jumped from the loud accusation." I noticed something going on about you, you think I don't notice."
" Because I didn't think you'd be literally on my ass all the time." He stated and sighed when his partner had once again, blocked his path. Her bugging is really making him want to...
" -Black Star." He blinked in a questioning manner in which Maka stepped forward." Liz said you and Black Star were acting strange. I also noticed what she meant as well earlier." Soul's heart began to sped in a his nerves began to run high. Oh no, had they heard their conversation that night? Black Star promised to keep it a secret though...
" I-I don't-"
" And there's no use lying since I have a witness." The scythe's heart sank. So he had told everyone? But he trusted him no to, he even promised yet...
" I'm sorry Maka I-"
" Honestly trying to hide that little secret from us. Do you know how much it hurts that my own weapon doesn't trust me? All the things you did behind everyone's backs." Eyes began to water but Soul forced himself to keep his guilt in. The sadness, the betrayal...
" I have nothing against you two dating." Soul blinked with widened eyes and looked up. Red eyes blinked once and twice from statement as he tried to process what the ash-yellow haired girl had said. Did she just accuse him of dating Black Star!? That's just... no!
" What the hel- What made you come up with such a thing!?" He finally managed to say with a flustered look. Soul felt the weight on his chest completely rise as his beating heart had calmed down. This false meaning is clearly a way of showing that Black Star had not told anyone and in fact, kept his promise. Still, he was a little miffed that Liz had the nerve of telling Maka of her opinion of him and the other meister. Maka counted off her fingers as she listed some 'evidence'.
" You guys locked yourselves in the bathroom. You practically let him take care of you. You act different around him. And just now you were pretty jolly, I'm sure you were thinking of him."
Well she's half right on the last statement.
" None of those things mean that we are dating!"
" So you admit it?"
" No! I mean," Soul huffed and tousled his hair," None of those things are true. We just talk about things that you or Liz don't need to hear about. It's sick just thinking of us like that."
" That's not what Black Star said." Maka countered with a serious look and Soul seemed a bit taken back as the two began to walk again," I also confronted him about this and he said something about worrying about you. He didn't say it specifically but I could pick up the real meaning. I'm still wondering on what you guys do behind closed doors. Talking, sure, but by the way he sounded to me, I kind of want to know as well." The weapon didn't say or do anything to respond what she had said and it was an uncomfortable silence before he finally managed to say something.
" If you already talked to him about it then why are we even talking about this?" His partner shrugged.
" I wanted to see your take on it." The two made it home and went inside. Soul set his bag down and was about to go to his room for the comfort of his bed but he was unfortunately dragged to the kitchen. " I know how long you take to cook so start now. It's around four anyway." Soul glanced regretfully at the door to his room. Well, that longing thought is going to be put on hold. Of course Maka would do this because as he was preparing dinner, she was speaking non-stop to him. He couldn't blame her because it is kind of rare that he out of his room by the time they get home because privacy is policy. Or just being rude in her terms. However, Soul listened and peeled potatoes at the same time. It was quite pleasing in the atmosphere when Blaire happened to hop through an open window, changing into a human form with the skimpiest outfit ever.
" Hi guys! How was school?" She greeted cheerfully while sitting on the counter next to Soul. Maka didn't say anything about being interrupted but decided to use her manners, something the damn cat seemed to not remember or use.
" It was fine, the usual."
" Soul~? Did you miss me?" Blaire especially asked with a cat smile at which Maka rolled her eyes to.
" Define 'miss'." He muttered and Blaire huffed at the insult but expected it anyway. Of course he was teasing...
Right?
" Oh, and I hope you don't mind but I invited everyone to go to the park sometime. Before the exams and stuff." Maka said with a smile and Soul turned towards her with a questioning look.
" Exams?" He asked and Maka rolled her eyes but continued.
" Yes, exams. After studying, which I hope you did, I thought we all should have a little stress-relieving time."
" But I thought that's what the sleep over was for." Soul said while chopping the naked potatoes in blocks.
" Well yes, but after you and Black Star decided to get it on," Soul narrowed his eyes as a glare at her but she went on with a humored look," Things didn't really go according to plan since we retired early. And I'm sure no one else wants to have a sleepover again so a walk in the park seems fine."
" What if I'm busy?" He countered with an attempt to not go. He didn't really feel like facing anyone again. Unfortunately, Maka saw this coming.
" I know you aren't and even if you are, you're still going. It's like you don't want to hang out with your own friends."
Friends.
" What if... what if I don't?"
Maka's smile altered and she tilted her head in confusion.
" Wh-what do you mean?"
It's a good thing Blaire's not here, because she isn't going to help with this sudden change in atmosphere. Soul stopped cutting but didn't look at his meister.
" I said what if I don't want to go," He finally faced her," what id I don't want to hang out with my own friends?" Maka's eyes widened and she was left speechless. Her partner gently lay the knife on the cutting board before leaving the kitchen with a blank expression. The meister only watched, still processing what Soul had said.
" What if I don't want to hang out with my own friends?"
Tsubaki looked up from boiling the rice and blinked when the phone began to ring. She dried her hands and picked up the house phone.
" Hello?"
" Hello. Tsubaki? M-May I speak to Black Star?" Maka's voice said and the raven haired girl nodded hesitantly, wondering why her friend sounded so distressed. Nevertheless she went to give the phone to her meister who busy punishing himself for missing an answer in the textbook.
" Black Star, you don't have to do that for every problem you miss. And Maka wants to speak with you." Black Star looked up from doing his 200th pull-up and dropped down.
" Why?" Tsubaki shrugged and handed the phone before leaving the meister.
" Hello? Black Star? Thank goodness. Um, I need a favor. It's about Soul."
Maka took the silence as an answer to continue and flopped on the couch while holding the side of her tilted head. She thought about asking Soul what the problem was herself but she probably wasn't going to get an answer out of him. It was a while when she had finally thought of how close Soul seemed with Black Star, the two talking about things she had yet to discover so it was possible that maybe Soul could answer him. It made her a little disappointed in her weapon for trusting another meister instead of his own. However, she was too focused and worried of how Soul interpreted his previous statement. Hopefully, Blaire is doing a good job finishing up dinner.
" H-He said something weird when I asked if he was okay with everyone going to a park," She said in a low voice to make sure she wasn't overhead," a-and I just want to know if there is anything going on with him. He usually gets along with everyone but today he said he didn't want to hang out with us. I-It might not sound like a big deal but the way he said..." Maka waited for a response from the boy but all she received was click and the dial tone. The nerve! She huffed and tossed the phone on the couch next to her with an unresolved expression. If Black Star hung up on her maybe it was unimportant or silly to consider it a problem. Maybe Soul wanted some space from everyone, though it was the way he said it... It sounded...
Maka groaned while trying to ignore her headache when a crashing sound jolted her from the seat. An angry tick formed on her head and she growled when Black Star dusted the shards of glass off him.
" What the hell were you thinking coming into the window like that!?" She exclaimed and Black Star blinked before pointing at her.
" You said there was something wrong with Soul."
Maka grabbed the broom and pan from a corner and ushered the boy away from the mess of glass pieces to sweep up. " Yes, I did. But at least have the decency of knocking on the front door. It isn't important since you hung up, remember?"
" That's why I came here." Maka stopped and looked up with a puzzled expression before frowning.
" You came here immediately after what I said? You must really be concerned over him. Something you ought to know that I don't..." She hinted Before the other meister said anything, Blaire came through the kitchen with only an apron covering her body somehow.
" Nya? Black Star came over? Well there is room for more..." She hinted with a predatory look but Black Star was already down the hall, in which the magical cat huffed," Why do boy's keep rejecting me!?"
" Hey, where you going!?" Maka called out.
" It'll take a second."
Soul jumped when his door was slammed open and was beyond baffled to see his friend walk in nonchalantly.
" Black Star? Why are you here?" He asked with a raised eyebrow and the said meister leaned against the wall parallel from his side.
" Maka said you told her something weird." He only said and Soul looked down while thinking. Saying something weird? He didn't thinking he said anything that Maka could be suspicious of unless...
" ... No, I don't think I did." The weapon finally answered but the look in his eyes told the opposite. The assassin could clearly see this and knew this conversation is going to have to be longer than he thought. That is, if Soul stopped being so denying at him, even if it is pointless since the Bluenette can see more than just what the other shows. If he wants to play this game, he'll let him. But Soul will know the consequences later.
White-haired teen gave a suspicious look when Black Star walked towards him. He's about to be pushed to answer truthfully but he isn't going to give into the damn assassin all the time.
" What did you say?"
" I-I didn't say anything." Soul denied again and clutched his bed sheets when the other sat on it.
" You're lying... again."
" I'm not. Don't make false assumptions." Soul refused to look at the other and didn't intend to open up. He hated that Maka had the nerve to call over some stupid question he had. If only he hadn't brought up such a confusing thought to his over-worrying meister. Then she wouldn't have went to drastic measures such as calling Black Star to, hopefully not, knock some sense into him." I don't even know why you came here just because of me. It's pathetic really." The weapon whispered the last part and slouched. Fortunately, Black Star had heard the unintentional phrase and Soul missed the frown." Wha-!?"
Soul blushed heavily when he was pulled against the other teen's chest. His hands moved up to push away but strong arms wrapped around his body from having any chance of leaving.
" L-Let go Black Star!" He protested but he didn't get any signs indicating that he was going to be let go any time. Soul continued to scowl but with the blush on his cheeks, it didn't make it seem as menacing. Why the hell was his best friend hugging him as if he was some poor damsel in distress!? It's bad enough that two people are now watching him like a hawk but he really didn't need this kind of attention. Soul had finally stopped straining to leave since Black Star was three times stronger than him and huffed in defeat.
What was this supposed to accomplish?
Soul clenched the other's shirt as he thought. It isn't usual for Black Star to just randomly hug him. At least give him an explanation. More so, what irritated Soul the most is that he easily became a blushing mess. If this broke him down easily, imagine what would happen if they kissed... wait...WHAT!?
" What's pathetic really, is that you think I don't care for you." Soul's eyes widened and he looked up the best he could," Do you really think you aren't worth it?" The weapon looked down and his unconsciously tighten on the fabric in between. His answer was already implanted in his skin with the words fresh to remind him everyday. However, the thought of being worthless and unaccepted started to lose it's meaning every time he thinks of his blue-haired friend. All the things he's done and said help Soul try to recover from the actions he's done behind everyone's backs.
" I-I..." Soul started and only ended up trying to speak his mind. Why is it getting harder to say that he is worthless? Is that not what he was telling himself after all he's done to carve it into his own body?
The white-haired teen leaned more onto the male's chest to listen to the beating heart. No matter how annoyed he was with how he was drawn his friend, he still felt... protected in his arms. Though, what could he say now? Black Star would only say he's lying if he did admit it.
" You really are a girl sometimes." Soul linked from his musing and glared up at the other teen.
" What?" He asked in an irritated tone but Black Star continued unfazed.
" I said you really are a girl sometimes," He repeated as if the weapon didn't hear him the first time," If I hadn't known you, I probably would have mistaken you for one." Soul scowled.
" Dick." He insulted, even more miffed when he received a chuckled at the supposedly funny insult.
" The fact that you're the one hugging me isn't helping." Soul frowned and looked down to see that indeed, he was quite into the embrace.
" Ah! I-I wasn't-" Soul tried to move away but the meister re-wrapped his arms around the weapon's torso and leaned down with a smirk.
" It's cute actually." Saying that Soul was blushing at the unexpected statement is an underestimate. His whole face was as red as a ripe tomato and he tried to speak but only incoherent words and phrases managed to come out. Soul was beyond flustered at this point and was really trying to get away because of how confused he was of his emotions. More like, how to respond with this sudden saying. Most of all, he wanted to deny that he surely isn't a girl and that it wasn't cute at all! How dare Black Star use such a feminine term for a male!?
There was a knock on the door and Soul finally managed to free himself just as Maka had opened the door with a worried look.
" Is everything okay in here? It sounded like you two were fighting." Black Star stood up with his hands behind his head and began to walk out.
" Nah. I think the princess is okay now."
" Fuck you."
Maka rolled her eyes but smiled when her partner was back to himself. It's a wonder how the air-headed assassin managed it and even more questions in her mind were in need of an answer. She'll get to those later.
Soul watched the two leave and his cheeks turned rosy again at the nick-name. Princess. What a stupid name. How did Black Star even come up with that? First he's called a girl and now a princess. Just what is that idiot getting at anyway?
And why won't his heart slow down already?
I think that'll do for today. I hope everyone enjoyed this update, I know I had fun typing it! Please favorite, follow, review and I'll be getting to the next chapter soon!
