SOUL'S POV

The rain and all its glory, the lightning partnering up with the cloud's tears knocked against the walls of the apartment—music to the ears of few who respect the low drum of the thunder and the flash of light.

Soul had been standing there for what seemed like forever, realizing that his partner might not have the words to explain at the moment. Maybe he, himself, wasn't ready for an answer. Maybe he'd be better off to keep secrets unheard.

"You don't have to tell if you don't want to, Maka… I won't force you if you don't want-,"

The girl lifted her chin to him, a mess of tears on her face while her bangs clung to her dampened, pink cheeks. Her clouded eyes searched for his face, desperately trying to blink away the tears that never relented.

Soul, what the fuck have you done? Making girls cry, especially the one that means something to you is NOT cool; fix her- she needs someone, and you're the only one who can right now. Idiot.

Taking a step forward, Soul crouched down and looked up to Maka's broken expression—her lips pursed together as she let a hand come to her cheek to wipe her face, but before she could continue onto the opposite side, Soul murmured quietly, "may I," as he extended his hand.

She simply nodded her head in response and he cupped her face. Swiping his thumb across the side of her face, he began to pull away, angry at himself for allowing such an intimate part of him escape and show itself to Maka. He rarely to never touched people like this, not to mention a girl in this state of depression who needed him.

What struck him dumbfounded was a sickly gush of warmth that spread through him when Maka tried to lean into the palm of his hand. But he pulled away, studying her face with curiosity. She wasn't like this; she never showed this side of her— stripped of her defense and exposed to raw, bitter sadness.

Why was Maka reacting so oddly like this? Soul could understand that she could be uncomfortable if she didn't want to talk about it, but why the tears? Why would a question like this hit her in such a way that she accepted his presence, his openness to talk to?

Why did this affect him as well? Why did he get that bizarre, pleasurable warmth that seeped through his stomach when he stroked her face? Why did he fret, too, over Maka's bout of sorrow and why did he feel the sudden urge to do whatever it took to soothe her troubles?

"You are calm and composed. You are able to see through things clearly at this age. You are outstanding. And... Always being able to make the correct judgments, not falling into darkness. Outstanding. "That won't do", "This is wrong". You reject any number of paths... Choosing your path with cynicism. What do you want to do? How are you going to do it? What is your motive?"

The little demon's words echoed into his thoughts, swirling images of chance into his head before his mind was interrupted with a steady voice.

"I came to you first because you mean more than anything to me."

Flicking his attention to her dark hazel eyes, Soul picked out the lonely feeling of judgment and criticism in her gaze.

"Soul,

She really did have amazing eyes once you took the time to study them…

"I came to YOU first because you were there for me when I was weak in our missions. You pulled me together and you… you sacrificed more for me than I could ever repay back. When you'd first gotten your scar, it was because of me. I swore to myself that I would never let that happen; and it was then that I knew. I knew I was feeling something for you. I pushed it way- simple weapon/Meister connection y'know… but it's never left…"

Straining his expression so he wouldn't seem so surprised, Soul looked through his white bangs, feeling almost embarrassed that his Meister had kept a secret for this long and he had never known.

Maka had felt something for him, and he was oblivious to her feelings this whole time…

Three years; I've been waiting for her to make a move for three years and for this whole time, I wasn't man enough to do it myself. I'm such a hypocrite.

"I figured it might just go away. It might just be a moment of insecurity- but I feel something for you Soul! I don't want to end up like my mother, alone after having loved her own weapon; getting hurt in the end by a man who couldn't be faithful… I don't want to lose you. I'm so afraid that-."

Immediately, Soul brought a finger to her lips, hushing her rant so he could think for even the slightest second, but his emotions were filling him and oozing that disgusting, warm feeling into his stomach again. He began to chuckle at Maka who moved her lips against his forefinger, objecting at his suddenness.

"But Soul, I," Soul cut the girl off once again, tired of listening to Maka's continuous talking to cover up her feelings which she just expressed.

"You sure do talk a lot…," Soul said under his breath, surprising the girl with a soft kiss to end her endless protests.

Her lips felt warm as her mouth molded into his, and as he was growing more lightheaded, he strained himself to keep himself out of the foggy daze. Soul meandered on his conscience while he tasted Maka's tears and wished her pain away.

Maybe this is right for us… No matter how many flaws, vices and wrong choices we've made, maybe we can both pull each other out of the messes we've made. After Maka grows more stable in her condition, maybe she will find it in her to forgive her father (not that he deserves it…). Perhaps… even though it's cliché that she's my Meister, I've felt something for her all along, but I've always pushed it away…afraid of hurting her in the end…

I really hope this was a good choice… damn, Soul.

Ending the kiss, he pulled the girl into a protective embrace and rubbed her back gently as she shivered uncontrollably.

Planting another small kiss on her jawbone, he pulled back to examine Maka who was humming with a broken, jagged voice as if to withdraw from the sudden outbreak of feelings she just expressed to Soul.

"I'm…," she started, but shrugged it off letting her bangs curtain her eyes as she looked to the carpet.

Searching her empty expression, he furrowed his eyebrows before his hand became enclosed by Maka's cold, thin fingers. She toyed with his knuckles for a bit before she set it in her lap and sighed out a weak breath, "I've waited a long time… for that to happen. Thank you for making my wish come true, and, I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused you…." She hesitated a moment and added, "As I said, I'll be heading back home soon to discuss things with my dad. The probability that I'll come back is pretty steep, so would you mind if I stayed here full time as well? I'll pay half for the rent, I'll cook every night, and I hope you won't mind…"

Her green irises glistened as a streak of lightning swept pass the glass and a roar of thunder shook the room. Before Soul could determine what was going to happen, the heater turned off and all the lights flickered off, taking away the relaxing piano notes that played in the stereo.

Ignoring this for the moment, Soul exhaled, satisfied that Maka accepted the intimate gesture and had accepted the fact that she was going to have to face her demons sooner rather than later. She was already building up her securities and Soul had to admit, he missed that part of his Meister.

Pulling his mouth into a half-smile, he said coolly, "you're always welcome here…," Soul looked past Maka to the thundering clouds and added quietly, "I'll be lighting a shit-ton of candles; would you like to join…?"

He pulled himself up from his position and offered his other hand, gazing at the girl through his silvery-white hair, a wider smile fit on his lips.

Without hesitation, Maka took his hand and was pulled steadily to her feet, coming almost nose-to-nose with the weapon, for she was a tad bit shorter than Soul.

Taking his chances, Soul gingerly brushed his lips against her forehead before leading the two into the living room.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Sappy, and yes, I know I practically redid the chapter, but this time, I added more.

I hope you don't hate me that I'm repetitive in my chapters. I'm seeming to find thesauruses my best friend now adays. I'm trying my best not use words over and over and over and over again, so please, bear with me.

Yes… the quote from the Little Demon IS a true quote. Look it up for yourself if you don't believe me.

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Disclaimer: Soul Eater and any characters belong to the respected owners. Nothing belongs to me.

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