Disclaimer: I do not own Soul Eater, its characters, or its concepts!

Chapter 9: Baggy Eyes and Luncheons

Days later, and it'd still just felt like another day. Students were packed in the cafeteria, gossiping, complaining and joking amongst each other. Tsubaki remained absorbed in her work as a clerk, her face nearly super-glued to the phone. Her pleasant ways and patience was unparalleled. Her communication skills and impervious ability to understand anybody's situation gave the front line the best known service and reputation it could have.

Almost dancing outside the office was Marie, who had volunteered to be the first to break away from her duties. "Yes! Break time finally!" Marie exclaimed, throwing her arms high into the air, her hands in fists, as though she were celebrating a victory. Her positive attitude never ceased to drop, leaving everyone wondering just what medication or drink she'd been on. She leaped off merrily to where the other staff spent their free time.

However, today the lounge was packed. Marie glanced around, trying to find a close friend from her generation. As of late, Shibusen had been experiencing a lot of new and young, but seemingly worthy, faces showing up. Many they knew had already retired and moved on to apprehending their last minute dreams of relaxation. It was no bother, though, seeing that they had earned it.

Just as she had nearly given up on finding a familiar body and decided on sitting by herself for the day, she spotted a recognizable head of white hair. "Soul!" she exclaimed thankfully, a smile still on her face. Excited for the familiar company, she quickly made her way to where the man sat. "I almost thought I was going to have to eat alone—uh… Soul?" His head was lain down into his crossed arms. 'Awww, Soul's asleep! I wonder how long he's been out. I think I'll pester him a bit anyway!'

She prodded his shoulder lightly with her forefinger. "No Maka… stop…" he muttered incoherently. Marie could only chuckle at seeing him talk in his sleep, though it struck her curiosity. Nosiness was, in no way, appropriate, but he seemed rather distant lately. Maybe this was a good opportunity to find out what was really going on in his mind, since he refused to speak aloud in his consciousness.

Proceeding to bend down so her head was close behind his, she replied, hoping to get another answer. "Yes, Soul?" Amused at what she was actually attempting to pull off, she fully expected him to talk back, anticipating a quick answer. His reaction was not what she had expected, however.

Rather, he pulled his head up quickly with a fast jerk into consciousness. As he did, the back of his head clashed into her forehead, with a loud thud upon the collision. "Owww!" The sudden jolt was certainly enough to wake him up! He sighed heavily, after noticing his surroundings. "Oh… Just another dream…" The bags under his eyes showed that he had been lacking sleep. Finally, Soul noticed Marie, who was giving him a baffling look from behind. "Don't do that again, Marie! You frightened me!"

Rubbing her head, she replied to his half-sleepy self, laughing it off. "Ha-ha, Right! You'd think I learned my lesson by now, huh?" Still laughing off the minor bump of heads, she continued. "I'm sorry I disturbed you! Mind if join you?" He nodded in approval. As she pulled another chair out and sat beside him, the question that pondered in her mind was what the dream must have been about.

Unsure of whether to pry into his business, she tried to shift the subject lightly, only to find curiosity overpowering her plan to evade such temptations. "So, Soul… what did you mean by 'another'? You look rather exhausted!" She looked deeply into his eyes, trying to decipher his thoughts. He hid it quite well, too well for her to read, though.

"It's just that…" Soul began, but paused, wondering just how much to say. Coffee had been his best friend lately since late nights kept him up, and the minutes he did sleep filled his mind with images of the wife he'd missed dearly. "It's nothing really. Turning away from her gaze, Soul rubbed his eyes, attempting to wake himself up again. "Yeah, I'm alright. Just had a bad dream from last night."

Oh, but it'd been more than that one night… Truth was he'd been seeing her in his slumber every night. He would… wake, if that's what you'd call it, in the dark, checker-floored room, sat in the soft velvet chair, and there she would be, ready to talk to him and remind him of the moments he lost. It felt as though he were emotionally reliving that fateful night over and over.

Still, at least this response would throw her off the topic without causing too much worry. 'I can't keep going through this… I'm losing sleep over something that shouldn't matter anymore. Sleeping at work…. You're such an idiot, Soul! Not cool at all…' the weapon thought to himself. This was a very close call, too close.

Marie laid a hand on his arm. "If you need someone to talk to, I'm here for you, Soul!" She wore the same comforting smile again. Looking into her eyes alone could sooth any negative mood, at least for most. "You don't have to pretend you're alone now." These words did not faze Soul. He knew he wasn't alone, but words alone were not comforting enough to send the feeling away.

Marie could only sigh in with little content. "Have you eaten?" she asked insistently.

Soul shook his head. "Don't worry about it, Marie. I'm not really hungry. "

"Soul…" Ahh, that tone of discipline. "Seriously, you've gotta take better care of yourself! Now come on with me for lunch, or I'll tell Kidd you were sleeping on the clock!" Maybe she couldn't get him to talk, but she wasn't going to let him starve himself.

The deathscythe sighed reluctantly. "Fine… but only because you asked, alright?"