Hey Guys! Thanks for reading. We're back into the confused feelings of teenagers! Yay. Seriously, this is fun to write and your reviews motivate me to write more, so please, keep reviewing. Flames are welcome. Any sort of review is welcome. I feel awesome with reviews. : ) Also, I'm going to start putting the titles into the chapters.

-I'm here to enkindle courage.


Happiness That Is Only Skin Deep

What the fuck is happening to us? This thought constantly ran through both Maka and Soul's mind as the week went by. Their situations clouded both of their minds as the week continued on. It didn't become an outright argument; everything just…stopped. No words of anger or sorrow; just quiet. They would exchange simple comments or light conversation when around others.

After their hangovers cleared from their heads, they remembered the events of the previous night. Maka remembered Kid explaining to her that he was sad to leave on his journey because he would miss seeing her. He went on and told her that he thought she was amazing and completely perfect in every aspect. Maka remembered that Soul had left her to go be with someone else and Maka, drunk and depressed offered to go into her room to talk more. After the discovery that Kid had feelings for her and he kissed her. She had allowed herself to be taken in by his kisses because of her depression of Soul leaving her to go somewhere else. She remembered them start to get intense and they started letting their hands roam everywhere. No piece of skin was left untouched or unkissed. However when she took off her shirt and bra, Kid, being the gentleman that he was, wouldn't take her while she was intoxicated. She agreed and together they decided that they would wait for a different day. Before going to sleep, she grabbed the nearest shirt, which had happened to be Kid's shirt. She happily snuggled up to him and fell asleep in his arms but had the feeling that she should have been else where.

In the other room, Soul and Liz talked for hours. After hearing that Maka had gone into her room with Kid, Soul decided that he would allow his childish side to take over. He believed that if Maka could be happy with Kid, he could be happy with Liz. After pushing her into the wall, Liz and Soul kissed more than he could remember. Eventually, she pushed him onto his bed and Soul allowed her to undress him. He hesitated when undressing her, but with her being more sober than him, she led his hands to the hem of her shirt and helped him pull her shirt off. With kisses and whispers of small nothings, Soul took her without another thought. He remembered that he had felt satisfied but guilty at the thought of taking Liz's virginity while he was drunk. After vocalizing his thoughts, she had assured him that he hadn't. That she had lost to a previous boyfriend and was happy she did this with Soul. Soul, who had been a virgin, didn't really care about losing his. I am male after all. It's seriously not a big deal. He fell asleep satisfied but with an empty feeling of loneliness that he couldn't get over.

After they all came out of the bedrooms, Liz showed a much more touchy-feely relationship, which made Maka's stomach drop. The fact Soul was ignoring her and being the same touchy-feely with Liz, made her stomach sick. Her only escape out of the pain was with Kid. He made her laugh that day more than anyone. Every time a laugh came from her, Soul would pull Liz closer to try to forget that she wasn't laughing with him. Each longed for the other; each assumed the other didn't want them anymore after the discovery of the events of the night.

When Maka came out wearing only Kid's shirt and a pair of spandex, Soul felt terrible. However, when Kid came out shirtless, Soul felt himself become enraged at the thought someone else was touching his Maka. But after seeing her laughing with him, Soul let the anger fade. Her happiness is more important than my own. She looks happy with him. But she's not speaking to me. Maybe I made her mad somehow.

When Soul came out of his room, Maka was surprised to see Liz come with him. She narrowed her eyes at Soul when he wasn't looking. I can't believe he slept with her after acting like her liked me. Whatever. However, after seeing Soul smile with Liz, she let go of her anger. He's happy with her. Why would I stand in the way of their happiness.

After that day, their words became empty and shallow. They never went into the deep conversations they used to have. They wouldn't exactly ignore the other person, they would just simply allow a silence take over the house. Blaire had left to go on a trip with her company and without her, the house stayed mostly silent. The only noises were the sounds of either a tv, a music player, or the pages of a book being turned.

Their feelings however, screamed everything. Soul started inviting Liz over when Maka left, which he thought was when she went to Kid. Maka started leaving when she thought Soul was inviting Liz over. They would never speak their thoughts out loud because of the fear of what could happen.

Each assumed the other was mad at them for some reason and, not wanting to start a giant fight that would ruin their friendship, never said anything more than what an acquaintance would say. Talks about how school was or how the weather was or what was for dinner seemed to be the only conversations they got. They seemed to forget they even were partners and bestfriends. They were both scared of making it worse faster, they allowed their relationship to slowly deteriorate.

They hadn't fought for weeks, due to Maka's left knee but it would be fit enough to fight with any day now. Both feared that day in silence. Maka even faked it hurting to delay the inevitable. But eventually, Stein pushed them into battle form. Thinking they were both still scared from the Asura battle and encouraged them to become like their old selves.

If he only knew.

However, Maka knew it was her duty to be a good Meister and a good Meister pushes aside everything but the battle away except for her weapon. Soul, being a dutiful weapon, knew that it was his job to work with his Meister and protect her against the other.

Stein had set them up against Kid and the twins. Pulling Kid aside, Stein whispered in his ear.

"Kid, I think they are still scared from the Asura incident and how badly they got hurt. Take it easy on them okay? They've been out of practice for almost a month." Kid nodded and kept his amber eyes of Maka as she stood there with Soul's weapon form in her hands.

On the other side of the field, Maka and Soul both silently were surprised Maka was able to hold him. Both assumed that the other was pissed off at them. This slight victory put hope back into their hearts.

"Okay guys, take it easy. If anything hurts, Maka, stop. Ready? Go!"

Maka dashed forward and took an aggressive approach to Kid's defense. I know he's going to take it easy and not attack. Best defence is a good offense. I have to make Soul not want to change partners. Even though it's Kid, I was to win this fight. Maka attacked with fast, shallow swings, forcing her opponent back. She swept her feet underneath Kid, making him jump upward, which she expected. Forcing the butt end into Kid's chest, she sent him flying down the field. Soul, slightly smirking, thought to him. That's the Maka I know. Not letting anything get to her. No pain, no thoughts.

"Maka, that was great. I think you'll be fine." Stein called from his chair. It's amazing she landed a blow on him. It seems Maka has been holding back before.

"Yeah Maka! I definitely didn't see that coming!" Kid smiled at her as he threw Liz and Patty into the air. They transformed and stood behind their Meister.

"Thanks, Kid." She smiled at him as she felt Soul transform. Momentarily forgetting to let go, Soul transformed with his hand in hers. Both let the hands linger before Liz spoke up and they swiftly let go of each other.

"That was great guys! Its gunna be just like old times!"

Patty looked at her sister and tilted her head. "But sis, it's only been a month! Not a few years." She said as she laughed.

Turning slightly pink, Liz spoke again. "You guys know what I mean. We can fight in a group again and kick some serious ass!"

Kid walked over and smiled at Maka. "Yeah, I've missed having you watch my back. I think Black*Star forgets I'm there when he enters one of his speeches." Giggling, Maka smiled back at the reaper.

"Don't worry, Kid. I'll make sure no one hurts you." I missed fighting with him. He's so powerful that I feel we're invincible when we're fighting together.

"Hey, Soul! How did it feel being back into the fight?" Liz bounded over to his side and hugged him. "I had almost forgotten what your weapon form looked like."

"Hey, not cool, Liz." He smirked and pointed his thumb at himself. "How could you forget what a cool scythe like myself looks like. I mean, I am the most badass one ever." He laughs.

Punching his arm lightly, Maka turned to her partner. "Geesh, someone is talking like Black*Star." Forgetting that Soul was probably mad at her, Maka quickly withdrew her hand and looked away from him. Well, at least he didn't yell at me.

Soul, slightly surprised she had talked, answered. "Hey, Black*Star over exaggerates. I'm just stating the obvious, bookworm." He laughs. I forgot how much I used to call her that. I kinda missed it. And I guess she isn't as mad as I thought if she's talking to me.

"Well, I guess we're done for the day, right Professor Stein?"

"Yeah. But Maka, did you feel any pain at all when you were fighting?"

I could lie to avoid fighting with Soul again, but we started talking because of it. Maybe he was mad because he couldn't fight without me? "No pain at all." She smiled at her teacher. He nodded and went back toward the school.

"In that case, it sounds like a celebration is in order. Care for lunch?" Kid said to the group. Liz, making eye contact briefly with Kid, pulled Soul's waist.

"Sorry, I have to go shopping for clothes! Have fun!" Patty strolls away from the group humming a song of no particular tune.

"Actually, Soul and I have made plans. He wanted me to teach him to make a certain dish that he likes." Liz swiftly spoke.

"I did what—ow!" He looked at Liz and she widened her eyes and slightly nodded toward the pair that was standing together. Oh, I guess Maka would wanna be alone with Kid right now. That's cool of Liz to pick that up. Soul felt his previous excitement fade and his stomach feel sick.

Playing along, he grabs Liz's waist, "Yeah, sorry guys. Maybe next time?" He smiles on the outside but his insides feel empty. I shouldn't use Liz like this. I know she really likes me. But maybe I can end up happy with her. I mean, Kid and Maka look happy.

"Oh, okay. Well, Kid, shall we?" Maka turns and starts to walk away. He looks so happy with her. I wonder what it would be like if I was her? Maybe Soul never really cared about me more than a partner or, at most, a friend. Kid's a great guy and do enjoy time with him. Maybe I can be happy with him.

Maka turns to see Kid laughing but Soul and Liz have started walking toward Soul's bike. At little flustered and confused at what he's laughing at, Maka stares blankly. "What's so funny?"

Calming himself, Kid answers her with a grin on his face. "Sorry, you just looked so depressed that you had to walk. You do know that I have my own means of transportation."

Sad about walking? What...Oh. Right. "Oh, Haha, right. Sad about walking. Yup. But two people can't fit on Beelzebub comfortably."

"Yes, but it will make our trip shorter if we squish a little. Unless you're too embarrassed to be seen so close to me." He challenged her.

"Yes, I just find you so asymmetrical that you disgust me." She laughed, expecting him too. Instead, he turned around and said nothing. Seeing her mistake, she speaks out again. "Kid, I was just kid—"

"You're right! Garbage! Useless garbage! No wonder you don't want to be close to me! I'm hideous! I'm a disgrace to be a reaper! I should kill myself!" He falls to the ground and starts pounding it with his fists.

Slightly overwhelmed by the outburst she had caused, Maka found herself momentarily speechless. "No Kid! You're amazing! You're perfect just that way you are." She says, awkwardly tapping his back. Ignoring her, he continues to shout unrecognizable words. "Listen Kid, you are like, the only thing that keeps me sane right now. I need you to calm down. Everything about you is perfect. You're a great guy and the asymmetrical parts about you pale in comparison." He stops crying to look at her.

"But symmetry is the only thing I know! And I can't even get that right. I'm pointless, Maka." He looks away, unable to meet her eyes.

"No it isn't kid. You have other features." She pauses and begins to think how to word things. What do I say to Soul when he's upset about not being as good as his brother? "You have a reckless sense of duty that causes you to wildly protect anything important to you, which causes you to put yourself in danger. Stupid, but admirable. Seriously, you should think about your own safety first but you don't. You have undeniable courage that stands out when everyone has backed down. You have a great strength that allows you to fight through any pain you have. Your kind words are enough to put anyone at ease. You're loyal and compassionate and bold and a great wea- meister. You mean so much to me. Please calm down and see all the good in you. Please? For me?" She opens her eyes to find him staring at her with a look of awe on his face. Obviously, he had long forgotten about what he was upset about. Oh death, I had almost forgotten who I was talking to. But thank goodness, he's okay now. She gives him a small smile and offers her hand to pull him up.

He gladly takes her hand but after she lets go he pulls her into him. He grasps her in his arms and hugs her. Overwhelmed, she stands as a statue for a moment until she calms herself enough to hug him back. With one hand on her back and the other at her neck, Kid pulls her close and whispers to her.

"Thank you, Maka. You're an amazing person." Letting her go, he calls up Beelzebub and steps on it. Holding his hand out for her, he smiles at her.

Kid, you are an amazing person. I really hope that I can be happy with you because right now I need someone to fix what Soul accidentally broke. Please fix me. I need someone who can.

Taking his hand, she steps onto the board.

"Okay, put your foot here and your other here." She ended up facing him with her feet on the inside of his own. Fighting the blush that was creeping up her cheeks, Maka stood like a statue. "No need to be nervous, I'll make sure you don't fall. This may be awkward but just hug me hard enough so you don't fall." He laughs as she manages to relax and grabs onto him. She can hear his calm heartbeat and it soothes her nerves. She feels like she could belong here, in his arms. But there was the nagging feeling that she would be a better fit elsewhere. But she knew that spot was taken by another. She feels that maybe, she can be happy here. If she tries her hardest to be happy. But shouldn't happiness be something that is felt, not thought? She lets this thought bounce around in her head and she hugs Kid tighter when the skateboard takes off.

"No need to be nervous, Maka. I've got you. I won't ever let you fall. Don't be scared or nervous." He smiles down at her and pats her back. She smiles at his and puts her head back against his chest.

That isn't what I'm nervous about.


Thanks for sticking with this story guys. It's far from finished however. We still need to beat the bad guy and to get to the right relationships! Please stick around and don't forget to review. I love you all :)

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