Godsends
Chapter ten: Intimacy
Another day had gone by, but the afternoon wasn't as nice as others where.
It was 3:30 pm.
Maka had a horrible fever; her face had gone completely red, sweat was coming out of her forehead, her breathing had an abnormal timing, and her coughing didn't stop and her voice was almost gone.
Soul was dead-worried about her...
...But even so, they somehow still managed to argue.
"Why won't you understand?!" Soul shouted at Maka, who lay on her bed, weak and stubborn. "You are really sick right now; you just CAN'T visit them today, or expect to get visits!"
Maka glared so deeply at him that her eyes where barely visible.
"I'm…Okay…" She managed. Her voice sounded cut and hurt, as if her throat was in great pain; it probably was. "You're not…stopping me, n-now…" A raspy cough came along her weak voice.
Maka trembled and got up, Making Soul cringe.
"You moron! What do you think you're doing?!" He shouted.
Maka put a hand on the wall, and tried to walk. The other hand was covering her mouth, to prevent a cough to be heard, not with much success.
"Shut…up…!" She tried, sounding as strong as she could.
Even by her condition, Maka tried to assure Soul that she wasn't bad. That she could manage her own health all by herself.
On a note to herself, Maka remembered she wasn't doing this to show off or just to visit Chrona and Kid, since she hadn't fallen that deeply for him. She was trying to prove herself the fact that she was strong and wouldn't loose to an illness…And also the fact that there was no need at all to bother Soul with her own selfish needs.
"Hey…!" Soul called, trying to get her attention. He was beginning to feel useless against the girl's strong will: so much that he didn't even feel like getting to her; he'd probably make her struggle and damage herself even more, a fact that Soul wouldn't dare to cause by his own. He could only watch her go.
Maka didn't respond to any of his calls.
"Get back here, you…!" Soul tried again, still not getting a response.
Maka somehow managed to get to her front door.
"See? I-I'm just…okay…see?" She coughed again, eyes shut in obvious pain. "There's no n-need…to yell at me…"
Soul's hands closed in a fist, and his expression tensed.
"No. You're not okay, and I'm not letting you out of the room! Since when have you been like this?!"
Maka looked at her feet. "Like this…?"
"Since when have you been so SICK, I mean!" Soul yelled in pure anger.
"What are you saying…It's the f-first time I…*cough* get like t-this!" Maka defended, her lies being more than crystal-clear.
Soul looked at her, over raged.
"Do you think I'm stupid?! You don't get THIS sick from just one day!". He was now very tense. " You've been having fevers and illness symptoms and held them in?!" He asked, now finally getting how she had casually been so 'healthy' lately. Maka was actually keeping her coughs and symptons to herself, because she was so thrilled to have friends and visits, and because she didn't want to bug Soul at all.
"Tell me I'm right! Answer me!" Soul demanded, full authority on his voice, which made Maka flinch.
Her eyes narrowed, trying not to look at him.
"I…thought those where just…little fevers…" She said, weakly. "I didn't thought you would make such…a big fuss over it!"
"It's your health, you fucking moron! You just can't keep letting this happen!" Soul scolded, glaring deeply at Maka; his eyes cutting like knifes trough her- it was actually a very spooky sight to be glared by such sharp, strong eyes...
...But Maka was strong enough to glare back, so she did- They where now practically talking with their eyes.
They understood each other perfectly:
Maka's eyes where almost shut; they where weak, and narrowed. The green shade was turning red-ish, due stress and lack of sleep, but at the same time there was a burning determination reflected on her: The pride that wouldn't let her obey orders, and the independent personality that wouldn't allow her to ask for help, in fears of bothering people. At the same time, intelligent remarks and traps that had brought Soul to confusion many times before where available at view.
Soul, on the other hand, was difficult to read.
His crimson-colored eyes where at the moment focused on Maka only. It was hard to know if he was angry at her, if he was anguished, if he was determined to make her listen to him… The aloof and empty look on his glance had been long-gone by now, replaced by a determination so bright and intimidating that maybe even Soul didn't knew about. His eyes where just so deep, Maka felt fearful she would get lost and drown in them, like a few times before.
All Soul knew was: Maka would not leave today.
And that was a fact.
Soul had the key to make her his obedient nice girl, at least for the day- he knew what spell to use.
And now was the time to use it.
Soul broke the silence, pronouncing one simple word that Maka recognized.
She expected and heard it everyday, but not from Soul.
One simple word that determines the fact that Soul does care.
.
.
"Maka",
He whispered. It was almost non- hearable.
Softly, quickly, Soul had eaten up his pride and said his patient's name.
Maka's eyes widened in response, and her legs almost lost balance from the wall she was taking aid on. She slowly turned her head to his direction, being caught in his sharp eyes. She had to be careful not to fall for them.
'Did he just actually…call me by name?' She thought, feeling awe-struck.
"S-Say it again." Maka said, gazing at Soul with pleading eyes.
Soul didn't change his expression at all; he was very serious.
"No." Soul said dryly. "Because you won't listen to me," He stated, trying to catch Maka's attention. "It's fine. I'm just not calling you by name again" He calmly added, waiting for her next move.
To Soul's surprise, Maka was very quick to obey.
Almost automatically after Soul had spoken, Maka got back to her bed, covered herself in blankets, and rested her hair on a pillow, like a normal, sick person.
"There…" She turned to his direction. Soul was sitting in a chair in front of her, and Maka was laying on bed, looking at him alone. "Now, say it again?" She asked, in a hollow voice.
She wanted to make sure she was hearing correctly.
'Did he actually say my name?' She wondered for a second time.
Soul smirked.
He sighed, thinking: 'wow, this actually worked', satisfied with himself. Maka was most definately not getting out today, as he predicted, since now she was his.
"Maka".
Maka smiled softly, and giggled as she could…she coughed violently right afterwards.
Soul got worried, and passed water to her desk. "Don't laugh! You're gonna hurt your throat!" He warned.
Maka limited herself to simple smiles.
"S-sorry…I just…I never realized, how nice my name sounds…" She responded, dreamily.
Soul sighed. He sat himself straight. "It's cool, really"
Maka shook her head, still smiling to herself.
"No…it is. You never…really call people by name…right?"
Soul looked away in embarrassment. "Only close friends…" He said, recalling that he only called Liz, Patty and Tsubaki by name.
Maka grinned. "Hurray for me, then…"
The two of them stared at each other in silence for a little bit, just like some moments ago.
Maka seemed to be falling asleep, but in reality, was lost in Soul's strange eyes, failing horribly to her own orders of keeping away from them.
Soul seemed to check if Maka was feeling okay, but in reality was amazed by her naïve-ness and natural charm.
Both had no idea about how much they admired the other's eyes.
Soul found himself very surprised at Maka's next movement; since she was leaning closer to him, as if to study his face better.
"Maka?" He asked, a hint of slight surprise on his tone.
Maka took a breath, and dared to ask what she had in mind.
"Do you mind if… I try again?"
Soul got really worried about this. He knew what she meant, but even so, he still questioned her, praying to be wrong. "What do you mean, 'try again'?"
Maka's expression stiffened. "Hugging you... Please? Only if you want to."
Maka seemed to hold back to her own wishes, just to Soul's comfort.
She was so kind.
Soul doubted, but, he knew he wanted it. He wanted to feel her warmth. Feel her kindness.
He wanted to be embraced.
Even thought it brought memories back, those weren't the painful memories that haunted him. Those where nice memories, and they shouldn't do such a bad effect on him, he thought.
Soul was just afraid of remembering more than he should.
The memories that did make him suffer where blocked from his mind, and only came in the worst moments, but luckily, this wasn't one.
His family wouldn't like it if he was suffering so much, also...
It wasn't okay if he was suffering just for mindless hugs.
.
.
Soul nodded, hesitating. But he was convinced, he was going to do it right.
"Okay" He said.
Maka eyed him carefully.
"Are you sure?"
Soul nodded, trembing a bit.
"Just do it, it's not gonna be a big deal or anything. It's cool." He remarked, trying to sound as casual as possible.
Maka nodded slowly. "Okay, then…"
This time, this hug was now different. So that Maka wouldn't have to bother herself trying to get close to Soul, Soul sat on the bed. Lovingly, slowly, Maka crossed her arms on Soul's back, and rested her head on his shoulder. She noticed that Soul was cold right now. His whole body was stiff and ice-cold. How come? If the sun had been out for so long?
Was this how the real Soul felt like?
Maka was so tender.
So sweet.
So warm.
Maybe warm enough to melt the ice?
At first, Soul hesitated to hug her back, since little pieces of memories came to him:
.
.
.
'Mommy?' The little silver-haired boy said, after being hugged by the lady.
She smiled kindly. 'I know I don't do this often, but hugs are very practical ways to express your love'. She stated, lovingly.
'Then how come Wes, or dad, or the maids, or the butlers never hug me? Don't they love me?' The boy asked, innocently.
'Now, now- True, we all love you, but hugs are special! You have to wait for them, and they feel specially warm, and good when you do so—Only if you are really loved, or if someone cares specially about you, you'll get one. ' She explained, smiling tenderly at her son.
'That's what so special about them.' She finished.
'Like the one you gave me?'
'Yes'
The boy beamed with happiness. 'I get it now, then! I'll wait for daddys, for Wes's, and for everyone then!'
He smiled sweetly. ' Have a nice dinner, mommy!'
The woman kissed her son on the cheek. She seemed to adore him.
'Be a good boy, Soul'.
.
With no more doubt, Soul rested his head on Maka's shoulder, and took her by the back. He closed his eyes shut, to really feel her. He breathed through both nose and mouth; Maka's hair smelled fantastic, like fresh, femenine shampoo; she probably had a bath before he came in. A girl's scent was fascinating. So was her natural warmth.
Soul couldn't see it, but Maka was smiling from ear to ear, happy that she had finally brought Soul out of his cold exterior, and that now she could show him affection. Her eyes where closed shut like his, and feeling as she could fall asleep, embracing Soul. Maka was very relaxed.
Slowly breaking the hug, Maka smiled. "That wasn't so bad, huh?"
Soul chuckled lightly. "You where super-hot from the fever, so I was getting a bit suffocated" He said, joking.
Actually, Maka's warmth was very nice and soothing...but no one would catch Soul Eater saying this. Far too much pride.
Maka was about to scold him, but held back--
'Of course i was hot...If I had such a cold exterior, like him, about everything would seem warm-' She sadly thought.
Maka was about to comment it, but instead coughed twice. She was talking a bit too much, and Soul noticed.
"Oh, I know…I'll do the talking, just 'yes' or 'no' stuff. You're getting delicate, and you need to rest" He offered, quickly.
Maka shook her head. 'Hell no! I don't need to rest!'
She was very easy to figure out, so Soul knew every exact word she was thinking.
"I know how I'll make you shut up for good". Soul said, grinning.
He got out of the room, and quickly came back with folders, a pair of pens, and blank sheets of paper.
"Let's write to each other. Something to keep us both occupied for a while" Soul instructed. If Maka loved reading so much, she sure loved writing, then.
Maka smiled brightly and nodded.
The two of them took a folder to put the paper in, and started writing.
Soul decided to start simple, so he was the first to write. His letter went something like:
Yo.
Well, Hi XD
Is there anything you wanna ask about me?
Not too detailed stuff.
Soul gave the paper to Maka, who only tilted her head in confusion.
Maka took her pen and scribbled a quick note down Soul's. She showed it to him:
What does ' X-D' mean?
Anyways, yeah. Do you escape school to work? Are you in vacation? I'm really curious.
Soul read in awe.
"You seriously don't know what an 'X-D' is?!" He asked, very, very amazed.
Maka pouted in embarrassment, as she shook her head. She hadn't EVER heard what an X-D was...
Soul sighed. Maka was so hopeless…
"It's a face. The 'X' represents eyes. Closed and very shut. 'D' is the mouth: you normally use this face in internet, when you have nothing to say, or you think something as funny" Soul explained; he did it slowly so that Maka could catch up.
Maka's expression was her mouth forming the letter 'O', just like a little kid gets after being explained something new; she smiled widely, liking the idea of finally knowing what was that strange code that sometimes appeared on her mother's postcards….
Soul noticed how Maka was so childish and solitary…
He took a look at the question Maka had scribbled behind the X-D question.
'Well, crap. I can't just go 'Oh well, I'm a homeless bum who provoked a fire in a jewelry store, thus obligating me to become your nurse'. This is kind of…un-cool.' Soul thought, getting nervous.
"And, um, I'm on vacation. Since last week, when I started seeing you…" He lied, his words trembling slightly.
Maka smiled. The response seemed to please her.
"Say, Maka?" Soul asked, drifting his eyes to Maka's face.
"Mm?" She managed, staring back at Soul, with now lively eyes.
"How come you don't go to school? Is your illness that serious?" Soul asked, in a curious tone.
Maka sighed sadly, as she asked for the paper.
She scribbled quickly.
I'm not sure, but papa says it is.
I think I'd be better of at school, thought. Right now I'd be at high school.
Soul read quiclkly. "Oh, right. But what's your illness?"
Maka made a long pause before writing the answer.
When she was done scribbling she turned her look to a wall's direction avoiding Soul's look.
She didn't want to deal with pity.
.
.
Throat cancer.
.
.
As blunt and quick the response was, Soul didn't quite get it.
Wasn't any type of cancer at all, very serious?
And Maka took it so lightly, and could live so easily by just her own strength…
Soul never really said it, but he did this time:
"I'm sorry."
Maka smiled kindly, as she patted Soul on the shoulder, as if she was assuring him it was okay.
But it wasn't. It really couldn't be…
"Say…" Maka said, weakly.
"I told you not to speak anymore." Soul scolded quietly.
Maka pouted. She flipped the paper, since it was full on one side.
Do you miss school at all?
Soul grunted. Last time he had actually gone, he was still in junior high. He was now sixteen, and last time he was twelve. He only got to finish the seventh grade, and learnt everything he knew under Liz, Patty and Giriko's wing...Probably even more people, but heck. He wasn't going to remember them all.
"Uh…not much, you're not missing anything special…" Soul said, a bit nervous.
Maka angered her expression. She asked for the paper once again, her expressions saying something like 'Quickly, quickly!'
What?!
School is fantastic, you know!
Before getting hospitalized, I only got into the ninth grade, thus, I never made it to high school…It was my dream!
Maka rolled her eyes in annoyance, as she finished writing. She seriously hated slackers.
Soul read the new message, now serious, again.
"Hey…tell me, you weren't one of those workaholics, where you?" He asked in obvious concern.
Maka looked away.
"You mean you didn't get to enjoy school, get friends or anything at all…?"
Maka now glared at him.
"Okay, okay. I'll shut up now. But seriously, that's sad." Soul said, trying to get her patient to listen to some sense.
Maka accommodated herself in a sleeping position, closing her eyes.
Soul looked at a pocket watch, to see how much time had passed.
It was now 5:00pm.
Soul sighed. "Look, my Shift ends at 6:30, but you need to rest" He got up and started to move away. "Right now you're not okay, so I'll tell Eva to deal with you later…I'll be going now"
Before Soul could go, he felt something pulling him by the shirt.
Maka clutched to his shirt. "Wait…!" Maka's voice came in a raspy whisper, due to her state.
Soul got very surprised by her actions- she was awfully needy that day.
"I told you not to speak--"
"I just wanted…to thank you" She began.
Then, she said something unexpected.
"Thanks…Soul". Maka said, cutting Soul short, surprising him even more.
If it wasn't because of his surprise, Soul would have said something jerky like: 'Who said you could call me by name?' or something like that, but he was, somehow, relieved...
He bashfully looked away.
"It's cool. No biggie."
With that, Soul left the room, leaving a smiling Maka, who went to sleep right away; sweet and obedient.
.
.
"Um, excuse me?" Soul asked.
"What is it, Evans?" Eva responded.
"What do you know about Maka Albarn, and her throath cancer case? I'd like to know details, as explicit as you can…"
.
End Chapter.
AN: As I predicted, school royally sucked 8)
Even if I actually got really little homework, seeing the teachers again stressed the hell out of me, leaving me with no motivation to write. ._.
BOO FOR TEACHERS! and now, please let me say this before you review:
I'm very sorry if I put in Maka's illness in something as cliché as a cancer case. I'm sorry, but it just seemed okay, because I looked for the symptoms online, and I guessed that would fit in the story…-sigh- you can correct me if you know there's something out of place. By the way, I took inspiration on 'fullmoon wo sagashite' because the girl has that illness, but still acts and SINGS like a normal person, so…you know, it seemed alright.
As for chapter eleven, you can skip it if you want to, since it's not relevant to the story. You could call it a filler special, since it features Tsubaki and Black star. (I miss writing them!) I'm planning to make little bonus stories to give you a break from my not-so-angsty story, so be prepared! They'll strike when you less think they will :3
Lastly, I'd like to thank all the reviewers, I'm very happy on how the story's going!
HURRAY FOR GODSENDS 10TH CAPTER ANIVERSARY! (this is my longest story yet, so i'm very happy it has gone this far... ;w;)
-confetti comes out of nowhere-
Now, go review, if you please :D