Marie sat on the edge of Stein's bed stroking his hair delicately while watching his pale sleeping face closely.
I woke up but he's still fast asleep. He must have needed this nap terribly…poor Stein; he must be so tired.
"I'm going to go make some dinner for when you wake up, alright?" Marie whispered with a smile, brushing a few of his bangs out of his face. "And I'll clean up the house a bit too…"
Marie carefully lifted herself off the bed and made her way to the kitchen. She smiled lightly to herself and hummed delicately.
"Now…what should I make?" Marie asked herself. "Hmmm it's a little late right now, so maybe something simple. A pasta dish; that's what I'll do!" she finished happily.
Marie gently set some garlic and herb seasoned chicken in the oven and began to bring some water to a boil. After about ten minutes she dropped the pasta in. She quietly laughed in a cute way as everything started coming together.
"Now, while Stein is asleep I'll dust his lab. That place is filthy and when Stein is awake he won't let me clean that room up! Ugh there's no telling when the last time that place has been cleaned…." Marie said, shaking her head.
After retrieving a duster, Marie very quietly made her way into Stein's lab and closed the door behind her.
She began to lift beakers and test tubes with the utmost care, all the while thinking of Stein.
It was odd; she never thought that she'd fall in love with a man like Stein. He was definitely unusual; there was no denying that. He enjoyed cutting things open and had been that way for as long as he could remember. It was the firsts thing a stranger would discover about him; that he loved dismembering living things…but there was more to him.
Other than the fact that Stein is strong and smart…he's gentle and kind. He worries about the people he cares for and would do anything to protect them. He takes care of the students and is always working to help them improve their skills.
Marie closed her eye for a moment and smiled gently before opening it once more. Upon opening it though, she noticed something sticking out of a drawer. She raised an eyebrow curiously and made her way over to it. Pulling the object out, she found it oddly familiar…this tiny little booklet….
Finally, Marie remembered what the booklet was after she cracked open the cover and looked inside.
These photos of Stein….I saw them back when we studied for the super written exam together.
Marie paged through the photos until she landed on one photo of Stein sitting under a tree, looking to be about eight years old. He was adorable.
Marie traced her fingers over the photo delicately.
He looks so innocent…so sweet, like he wouldn't hurt a fly. But there's a similarity to how he is now…those eyes…that far off look. I wonder what he's thinking about there…it's hard to read what it might be. The first time I saw him was when I saw twelve. I always tried to talk to him, but he brushed me off each time. I wonder why I never gave up; I guess that's just never been the kind of person I am. I remember the first time he ever approached me; the first time he came to me first….
Flashback:
"I still can't believe I hugged him yesterday." Marie said to herself cutely. "I wonder if he'll come and have lunch with me today, like suggested."
Suddenly, Marie felt a rather strong, looming presence behind her. Turning around, Marie's eyes widened in surprise.
"Stein…" was all she could get out.
He stood there silent, behind her.
Then finally her face lit up with a huge smile.
"Did you come to eat lunch with me today?" Marie asked excitedly.
"Why are you so excited about it?" Stein said dully.
"Because I've been asking you to for so long and now you're finally here! I'm so glad!" Marie chirped.
Marie looked around and noticed the eyes of many others fixated them, especially of girls. Marie scowled at the disgusted looks she and Stein were receiving, and the whispers that filled the room.
"Stein, let's go on the roof." Marie suggested, smiling at him.
She did partly want to be alone with him so that she could get to know him better but she also was sick of people judging them; it wasn't any of their damn business.
She took Stein's hand softly and began to pull him along.
Stein stared at their linked hands with a look of confusion along with some anxiety; he didn't really like being touched; it was unfamiliar…but still…even though he wasn't used to it, he found this touch to be…tolerable.
"Here we go!" Marie said happily as she took a seat and patted the ground, implying that Stein have a seat as well; he took the hint and sat down.
"So what did you bring for lunch?" Marie asked cutely.
Stein ignored the question, in favor of asking one of his own.
"Why did we go up here alone?" Stein asked, looking off to the side.
"Because people were talking about us and it was rude! I hate when people are nosy like that…it's none of their business!" Marie said with a pouting face.
Stein blinked a couple of times before nodding in understanding.
"So, what did you bring for lunch?" Marie asked again.
"Not much. Just water and a sandwich." Stein said, taking out his food.
"Really? That doesn't sound like it would be enough for you…" Marie said worriedly.
Stein ignored the comment.
"What about you?" he asked.
Marie smiled; delighted that Stein was asking something about her and actually engaging in conversation.
"Oh um…I forgot mine today." Marie laughed, rubbing the back of her head.
"And you're telling me that I don't have enough to eat." Stein said blandly.
"Oh well…hehe yeah." Marie said cutely.
Things were quiet for a time before Stein unwrapped his sandwich, pulled out a scalpel and cut it in half. Marie had to stifle a giggle at Stein's peculiar behavior, but her face quickly turned to one of surprise as Stein held his hand out to offer her one half of the sandwich.
"Um….." was all Marie said.
"Take it." Stein said.
"But that's your lunch!" Marie objected.
"You're a girl right? I should use some manners. Besides, how are you supposed to do anything on an empty stomach? You'll just end up complaining about it later. And you're already a bit lightheaded, so if you don't eat you'll become even more like that." Stein said with a nonchalant expression.
Marie sweatdropped a bit at Stein's remark about her being an airhead but smiled tenderly afterward.
'Stein….you aren't a mean person. You're good.' Marie thought.
"Do you want it or not?" Stein asked, shaking Marie from her thoughts.
"Oh! Um..yes!" she said taking Stein's offer.
They ate quietly for some time…until Marie finished her food that is. Now that her mouth was empty, she could talk all she wanted.
"Stein, thank you for giving me something to eat." Marie said kindly.
Stein didn't answer but rather ate the last bite of his sandwich.
"You're a very nice person." Marie said with a loving smile.
"Not really." Stein said dully, standing up.
He began to walk away.
"H-hey, hold on a second!" Marie called after him; Stein paused but didn't turn around.
"Will you…have lunch with me here again tomorrow?" Marie asked hopefully.
Stein stood still for a few seconds before continuing on his way, saying nothing.
"Stein…." Marie sighed.
End Flashback:
"Even though you didn't seem to care…you came and ate lunch with me the next day…and the day after that, and the day after that. Then I got you to start eating with Spirit, Kami, Azusa, and Justin." Marie said softly to no one.
Wait…lunch…food…ah! She forgot about the food!
Marie quickly rushed into the kitchen but was shocked when she threw open the oven and nothing was there. The pasta was out of the water too….
"You sat there for a while. Did those pictures remind you of something?" said a low tone from behind Marie.
Marie gasped and whipped around to see Stein setting a plate down on the kitchen table.
"I…" Marie began.
"The water was about to boil over when I came in. You looked rather absorbed in whatever it was you were thinking about, so I just finished everything for you." Stein said cutting her off.
Marie bit her lip. What should she say? Was he angry?
"Um…" was all that came out of Marie's mouth when she opened it.
"You should eat it before it gets cold; that's what you always tell me." Stein said sitting down.
He really is angry….. Marie thought, sitting down rather awkwardly at the other end of the table.
They ate in silence. Stein finished first, took his plate over to the sink, and began to rinse it.
"Hey don't worry about that; I'll do them." Marie said, standing up and placing a hand on his shoulder.
Stein set the dish down and turned to look at Marie, whose eye was full of anxiety.
"No doubt you're wondering what I'm thinking." Stein said coolly, turning the screw in his head a few clicks.
"Well….yes." Marie finally admitted.
Stein closed his eyes and took one of Marie's hands, causing her to make a tiny sound of surprise and her cheeks to turn pink.
He smoothly guided her over to the purple couch that Marie had purchased and sat down. Marie sat next to him with a worried expression evident on her face.
"You don't need to be tense, Marie. I'm not angry." Stein said, answering her unspoken question. "So you were in there cleaning?"
"Just dusting a bit." Marie explained. "I didn't mess anything up; I swear." Marie said quickly. "But um…that notebook…you must have had it out recently. What made you decide to dig it up?"
Stein took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a long drag, exhaling it as he spoke. "I haven't looked at them in a while; I suppose that was part of it. Maybe more so, however, I was looking back to a time when I wasn't struggling so much with the madness…perhaps I was subconsciously attempting to remember that I wasn't always like this." Stein explained with a calm expression.
His eyes had that far-off look again that Marie recognized all too well…those eyes had intrigued and captivated her; those were the eyes she fell in love with.
"Stein…" Marie whispered.
"So what did they make you think of?" Stein asked, taking another drag of his cigarette.
Marie smiled a bit this time. "When you ate lunch with me for the first time when we were twelve…you probably don't remember but—"
"We ate on the roof because you were tired of people gossiping around us. Then I gave you half of my sandwich because you forgot your lunch. You told me I was a nice person and then invited me to eat with you again the next day…and I ate with you again." Stein said with gently closed eyes.
Marie's eye widened and a barely visible tint of pink formed on her cheeks. Stein's dull green eyes opened calmly to stare into her caramel one.
"Don't look so surprised." Stein said.
"It's just that…I didn't think you'd remember something like that." Marie said still slightly shocked.
"Why wouldn't I?" Stein asked.
"I don't know; I guess it just didn't seem like something you'd remember…" Marie said. She felt guilty. She hoped that Stein didn't think that she saw him as heartless. "I'm sorry Stein; I hope it didn't sound like I think you don't care."
"It's fine. It didn't sound that way to me." Stein said. "But Marie, tell me, why do you remember it? Why would you remember something like that?" Stein asked now with a slightly curious expression.
Marie didn't hesitate to smile at Stein with her warm caramel eyes staring deeply into his olive ones.
"Because it's important to me...because you're important to me." Marie said tenderly. "And why do you remember it, Stein?"
"Because you hugged me the day before and that was the first time I had ever been shown any real affection…and also because I had never eaten with anyone before." Stein answered, allowing his bangs to shield his eyes.
"Stein…." Marie whispered.
Stein continued. "And because nobody had ever smiled at me the way you did that day, when I chose to have lunch with you that day."
Marie's eye softened sympathetically. How long had Stein been without any real friends? How long had he been without anyone to care for him?
"I tried to understand why you were so happy about it. I had never done anything for you back then. I wasn't kind to you. I wasn't interesting. Yet, you seemed so thrilled…at something as simple as that." Stein said.
The way he spoke…it was odd; almost as if he was talking to himself.
Marie thought about the situation for a moment; she thought of all the words she could say to him. An explanation. Words of comfort. Words of love. No…she wouldn't give him words…
Stein sat still with his eyes closed and head angled so that his bangs still shaded his eyes. He made a small sound of surprise.
He felt Marie's warm, soft, small frame press against his strong body. To get closer, she slid herself onto his lap and rested her head on his shoulder and let out a sweet sigh; the sound of it tickled Stein's ear.
Her embrace…it was just like back then, when she first held him. It was sincere, warm, tender, loving, comforting...with an almost healing quality to it. It was…amazing. He…loved it.
After some time of Marie holding him, he slowly, and somewhat shakily, returned her embrace. He closed his eyes and for once decided to allow his logic to slip; perhaps not the best choice considering his ever increasing insanity. However, he wanted to do whatever was instinctual…perhaps it could be an experiment; a test to see what his actions would be if he left his logic out of the equation.
Slowly, one of his strong arms snaked around her to rest a hand on her lower back, while the other hand roamed to her upper back near the back of her neck. He was calm…no anxiety. In fact, this was the best he had felt since Asura's revival and the increase in madness. He pulled her closer and rested his face against her neck before moving the hand that was on the back of her neck up to rest in some of her golden locks.
Marie's heart rate had quickened a bit but wasn't as high as it could be; she was enjoying his returned embrace…it was…soothing. Amazing how a man who could be as chaos filled as Stein, could also be such a calming person to be around…his embrace was cooling her and making her loosen up; she felt as though she could practically fall asleep.
She took in a deep breath, inhaling deeply his scent. Oddly enough, her nose wasn't overpowered by cigarette smoke as she originally thought it might be. The smell was hard to describe…something masculine and musky but also cool with a sort of organic freshness to it…it was, as much as she hated to admit it, not only relaxing but also very seductive.
Stein carefully took in Marie's fragrance. It was soft and delicate…it was the same scent he remembered from all those years ago; it was wonderful; so comforting but enticing at the same time. The blended scents of vanilla, peaches, and honeysuckle intoxicated him to some degree…so wonderful…
Then Stein realized it; how intimate the setting was becoming.
"Marie…thank you…but for now I believe that's enough; don't you?" Stein asked, trying to medicate the situation without being rude.
"Um…yeah.." Marie said after a few moments.
She carefully removed herself from him and stood up with a simple smile gracing her features.
"I'm going to go do dishes ok? Let me know if you need anything." Marie said simply but still with the gentle kindness that her voice always held.
Stein nodded in understanding and watched as Marie made her way into the kitchen.
He wondered…how was he to deal with this? He wanted Marie by his side but…he was getting so many feelings since she had returned. Did he perhaps…Marie…could he feel…
I can't think of that right now….the madness…..finding the kishin and destroying it is the top priority right now. Focusing on my feelings will not help the situation. But still…I have to admit that it felt nice to have Marie in my arms; that I can't deny. And the memories I have of her, as well as her being here now, make me happy. Even in this madness, Marie has somehow found a way to make me smile…
(A/N: Awwww I really liked this one a lot. Sorry if my updates are slow….I kinda feel like a retard for that. Anyway, thanks so much for reading and reviewing!)