Warnings for Ch 7: I used up all my embarrassing warnings last chapter


"What the HELL!" Soul gasped, tears streaming from his eyes.

"You startled me!" It wasn't an apology, but she was working towards that.

"You startled me! Care to tell me what you're doing, sneaking around at night, spying on me, hiding in draperies, wearing– is that a tablecloth?"

He was standing now, and his face was nearly as pale as his hair. Gobsmacked was the word that came to Maka's mind, as she watched him open and close his mouth like a dying fish. She noticed his teeth glinting in the lamplight, as sharp as ever.

Maka raised her chin and managed an indignant scowl. "It's a shawl! And I simply came down here because–"

Oh dear! What could she say?

"–Err, I was in my room and…"

Was he aware of his brother's preference for men? Even if he were, her cheeks burned at the thought of describing why she had been forced from her room.

"I decided to go downstairs because I needed…"

"What?"

Her stomach growled again and she was hit with inspiration. "...A bite to eat?"

"A bite to eat," he repeated incredulously.

"Yes! So I was going about my business when YOU... accosted me!"

Soul's bewilderment slowly gave way to a small, smug smile, as if he thought he were about to win the argument, or whatever it was they were having. His voice dripped with triumph as he drawled, "Oh? Are they still serving food behind those drapes at this hour?"

She snarled.

Then her stomach grumbled again, even louder this time, and his eyes widened. "You're really that hungry?"

She let the silence stretch, punctuated only by her small shrug. "I haven't eaten much these past few days."

His face smoothed out into an unreadable mask. Then he turned and began walking toward the door.

"Wait– where are you going?" she called.

"To the kitchen. Are you coming?"

She could hardly argue– if she said she weren't hungry he would know she was lying, and if she went back to her room– there was no telling what she might hear.

So Maka followed him out to the corridor, where they walked in uncomfortable silence to the kitchen. She was so embarrassed, she almost wished she had been found by someone else and taken for a thief. The police would surely make less awkward dinnermates than Soul Eaton.

"Are you sure this is alright?" she asked as they reached the dining room. "I don't want to impose–"

He snorted and handed the server their order. "Too late for that."

Maka bristled. Was he telling her she was imposing on him? Wasn't this whole thing for his benefit? If he didn't want her help, why didn't he simply tell Wes to call it off?

She was still pondering how to bring this up when their food arrived.

"How did you know I liked roasted chicken?" Maka asked suspiciously.

He glared at her. "You stole enough of my sandwiches on the train..."

"Oh." She fidgeted with the edge of the tablecloth hanging around her shoulders.

"So, are you going to tell me what you were really doing downstairs?"

"What? I told you, I wanted a bite to eat–"

"You're a terrible liar. And you were nowhere near the kitchens."

Maka paused. "Well, I was looking for a library. I thought I would read a book."

"You have books in your room. Why did you have to come downstairs at this hour?"

Maka fought her rising irritation and screwed her eyes shut. He wanted the truth, did he? Well! She would tell him the truth!

"I have the suite adjoining your brother's."

"So?"

"He had company."

Soul went pale. "Oh, God," he whispered.

"I was indisposed to eavesdropping, so– I came down here." Maka looked down at her lap and bit her lip. Soul's manner had changed so abruptly she felt certain he knew exactly what was transpiring between Kid and Wes at this very moment. Still, she couldn't help but rub it in– he had been so very insolent, after all, so she continued.

"I hope I shall not have to speak plainly about what I heard?"

"N-no", he choked out. "I am sure that will not be necessary."

"Anyway. Once I was downstairs, I really did think I would try to find a library, so that I could read before bed, and I… found you." Maka took a deep breath. "I apologize for listening to you play. If it makes any difference, I didn't know it was you behind that door."

"How long were you there? What did you hear?" he asked sharply.

"I truly am sorry, I shouldn't have– It was wrong of me. I began to hear it and I lost track of time."

He appeared to be wrestling with some great emotion, and Maka could see the conflict splayed across his face as he struggled to find words.

"Did you… understand it?"

"I-I'm not sure how to answer that question– I liked it, it was very–" sensuous? dark? haunting? What could she say that wouldn't be completely embarrassing?

"I don't think I understood it, but I did like it," she finally answered truthfully. She looked at Soul to gauge his reaction, and found him staring at her as though he had never seen her before.

"Are you alright?" It wasn't the right thing to ask, but she could think of nothing else to say.

"Yes–sorry." He flushed and began to attack his food with intensity, avoiding her gaze.

She wished he wouldn't be so embarrassed. For the life of her, she couldn't see what was causing his odd behavior.

Soul Eaton was a puzzle she just couldn't quite work out. He'd been friendly on the train, and then he'd practically spit daggers at her when Wes suggested they conspire to help him woo Anya. Then he nearly jumped out of his skin when she'd heard him playing the piano, but he'd escorted her to the dining room to allay her hunger. And now he could barely look at her.

She'd meant to wait before confronting him, but it occurred to her that there would be no better time than this. She had him where he couldn't escape. He'd started on his dinner and there was nothing to distract them from this conversation.

"Soul. Can I ask you a question?"

He gulped. "What?"

"Why are you being so obstinate? Wes is only trying to help you. We all are. Why don't you want my help?"

"Look. Don't take this the wrong way, but," he rubbed the back of his neck wearily, "it's complicated, and I don't really want to discuss it."

"Oh really?" She propped her elbows on the table and rested her chin on her hands, gazing at him earnestly. "Feel free to take this the wrong way: I have no personal investment in you or anyone else involved here. I'm only in this so that your brother will pay the cost of my legal expenses. But I do know this; I don't have a chance of succeeding without your help. And I'm not really in the business of wasting my time. Either you enter this as my partner, willingly, or I'm out. I can't pull the weight of both of us."

Soul opened his mouth to answer, but she held up a finger and continued. "However, if you work with me, I have no doubt that we can pull this off. We'll make you the most eligible bachelor in all of England."

"You really are so confident that this can succeed?"

"Do you think me so plain as to be incapable of inspiring jealousy?"

His face got very red and he mumbled something incoherent.

"What was that?" she leaned closer, invading his personal space, and he leapt back.

"Someone with a more womanly figure might be a good place to start–" he began defiantly, but Maka cut him off with a copy of Les Miserables to the skull.

"The hell? Where did that even come from?!" he shrieked. "Did you take that from the library earlier? Where were you hiding it? Under that stupid tablecloth you're wearing, or–"

"Stop waffling." She stowed her book away and turned back to face him. "Are you going to tell me what's making you so hesitant about this plan? I have all night to listen."

"Yes, you've proven to be an excellent listener, alright."

"I already said I was sorry! Besides, I don't understand what's so shameful about someone hearing you play. That's what music is for, you know, to be listened to. I liked it." She stuck her chin out a little, daring him to argue, and he sighed.

"I just… Don't think it's right for you to be caught up in this mess. Wes is always coming up with harebrained schemes and usually everyone ends up the worse for it."

"So you are worried on my account…? But don't you see that this plan will help you with Miss Hepburn? You do love her, don't you? That's why you're pursuing her, isn't it?"

"I already told you; it's complicated." He ran his hands through his hair. "I like her well enough, I suppose, though I've only met her a handful of times. But more than anything, she has fortune and an opportunity for freedom from debt to my brother. I cannot continue to live off the charity of my brother. I've overstayed myself as it is."

"But Wes loves you, of that I am certain. I am sure he does not begrudge you for it."

"No, Wes has never begrudged me a thing. But… My whole life, I've been the odd one out. All I want to do is get out of my brother's shadow. He's always been the only one people see– the perfect gentleman, the embodiment of what the heir to the Evans line should be."

Maka wondered if he saw the same Wes Eaton that she did, because the extent of her experience with the elder brother so far had included bizarre dog figurines, waving fireplace pokers, and being upbraided for her choice of clothing. But she could also tell that Soul cared deeply for his brother, so she wisely said nothing.

"It would be hell, to continue to live off my brother, never doing a thing for myself. I've been a burden on my family for far too long, and it's time for me to take care of myself for once. I need to be my own person, do things for myself."

"I understand," Maka told him quietly. "My mama was like that too. I want to be just like her. Only…"

"What is it?"

"Well, I can't leave my father the way she did. Even though he's a lecherous traitor and irredeemable womanizer, I– I still don't want him to be killed for someone else's crimes."

"He won't be," Soul said quietly. "Kid is a fantastic lawyer. He'll free your father."

Maka's heart leapt. "Does that mean–?"

Soul grinned. "Yeah," he held out a hand for her to shake. "Let's do this." Maka smiled and let his hand eclipse hers.

Their partnership forged and the air between them cleared, they finished their dinners and Soul escorted her back up to her room.

They listened at the door to the suite next to hers, which he shared with Wes, to be certain that there were no more activities occurring inside.

Apparently satisfied that Wes and Kid were sleeping, he bid her an awkward goodnight and they went their separate ways.


It's strange, Maka thought, what a difference a conversation can make. She felt a surge of confidence, knowing that Soul would be her partner in this scheme and stop working against her.

She drifted off to sleep with the memory of his music in her mind.