Chapter 12
I swear I always fall for your type (for your type)
Tell me why I always fall for you type (for your type)
I can't explain this shit at all… I believe in people like you
Black Star and Patty stood beside each other, watching silently as Kid stared at the painting he had just put up on the wall. He tilted his head to the left and then to the right before a scowl crossed his face and he rushed forward, giving the frame just the slightest tap to the left before going back to his surveying. He had been at it for an hour straight, trying to make sure that everything was perfectly aligned and only Black Star and Patty seemed willing enough to sit back and narrate most of what was taking place. A content sigh then left the OCD male before he turned to his pair of spectators. "What do you think?"
"It's great Kid! Sis will love it!" Patty chirped, earning an approving smile while the male next to her gave an expectant look.
"It's a painting of you guys… I don't get it." Black Star finally spoke up. Kid sighed and crossed his arms in a knowing manner.
"If you must know, it's a perfectly symmetrical painting of me and Liz!" He said and turned to the painting with shining eyes. "Do you see how the artist captured every angle absolutely perfectly?" He gushed, causing Black Star to roll his eyes.
"And this is your anniversary gift to her?" he asked. Without hesitation, Kid dug out his pocket and held out a ring box.
"This is… Liz wouldn't know how to completely appreciate this beauty without another." He answered easily, and shoved the box away once again when Patty made a grab for it. "A man has to know his girlfriend in order to live in some form of peace."
"Sounds troublesome." Black Star muttered, shoving his hands in his pocket. Patty giggled and gave him a mischievous look.
"Not when you're in loooove." she sang, giving him a teasing shove. Black Star scoffed.
"In love? You're kidding right? I'd never be as whipped as Kid is!"
"I'm not whipped!" Kid snapped swiftly. Black Star raised an eyebrow.
"So you didn't send her on a spa day just so you can prepare a romantic dinner for two without interruption?" he asked smoothly, causing Kid to blush. "Exactly… Dammit, when is Soul coming back? I can't deal with this anymore!"
"You know Black Star, when you finally fall in love I can't wait to rub it in your face." Kid stated. "Then we'll see who's calling the kettle black."
"What're you talking about? Black Star's already in love!" Patty informed brightly and turned to her confused friend. "With Tsubaki!" she said in a teasing sing song voice. Kid's eyes widened and Black Star's face dropped.
"Wait what?" Kid questioned as Patty laughed loudly, singing a childish song about the pair.
"Shut up, Patty!" he hisses while she made kissy noises.
"Tsubaki? Didn't she just leave to Japan a couple days ago?" Black Star gave a nod, trying to ignore the annoying song Patty was now saying and the expectant look on Kid's face. When Tsubaki had called him saying her father really wanted her to come home, he didn't argue. She sounded like she was going through enough as it was without him blowing up about how he'd rather her not go on this trip at all. It wasn't like he had that much say in the decision to begin with. She was simply giving him a heads up. That was it. If anything, he would have been content if he had at least been able see her before she left. "How long is she going to be gone for?" Kid asked.
"A week. She hasn't seen her family in over a year apparently." Black Star answered with a shrug. "She's really close to her old man, so it's a pretty big deal." Kid gave a hum of understanding.
"Well Soul will be back tomorrow so we can at least get back into the swing of regular band practice." He said, turning and walking off. Black Star followed, Patty skipping beside him.
"So, are we partying tomorrow still?" Patty asked earning a chastising look earning an exasperated sigh in return.
"It's tamer than that, Patty." Kid answered.
"Will there be alcohol?" she ventured, ignoring the statement.
"It's my father's event in honor of the latest crack down on crime in Death City. Some dignified people will be there."
"But there will be alcohol…" Black Star reiterated.
"Yes, Black Star, but I'm not sure if I want you drinking seeing as you have a new past time in picking people up when intoxicated." Patty laughed loudly at the dumbfounded look on Black Star's face.
"What do you mean? It was only once!" He snapped defensively. "And it's not like I have intentions on picking anyone up anyway." He muttered the last part, not acknowledging the knowing smile on Kid's face. Patty threw her arms around Black Star's neck as she leapt on his back.
"Oh, why not, Black Star? There's going to be a lot of unspoken for women there! I might even snag myself a rich boy." She hummed. Black Star glanced at her, noticing the devious spark in her eyes. The woman really was a little insane. He rolled his eyes, shrugging a shoulder.
"I'm not really trying to snag anyone." He answered, not wanting to admit that even with the idea of talking to another woman, a certain dark haired sweet heart would flash through his mind. He heard Patty pout.
"You're no fun now that you're in love, Star." She mumbled, sliding off his back and skipping up to Kid's side, asking him what she should wear for the event. Maybe he was a little more lax with his partying since he came across Tsubaki, but he didn't think he was in love… he never had the luck of falling for a good girl, so he doubted one would fall for him.
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"This is going to be so much fun Soul!" Standing with a scowl in his suit and tie, Soul tried to keep a straight face as Patty and Maka beamed at him. He had come off his flight, headed home in hopes to sleep, only to see Black Star and Patty sitting in the living room, dressed to impress, and drinking. Patty said they were pregaming for Kid's father's banquet. Soul figured he could easily slip out of that, but when Maka arrived, ready to leave with his two friends, she practically begged him to come along. Sleep be damned apparently. Black Star's tie was already loose around his neck as he hummed cheerfully to himself, walking along side his best friend. Drunk Black Star always meant something bad was bound to happen. Soul could use that as an excuse to leave early.
"I'm starved! I hope this high class food is good!" He called out to no one in particular. He tugged at his tie even more. Patty grabbed hold of his arm.
"Come on! I know where the Mayor keeps the good stuff."
"Oh yeah? Lead the way!" The two practically skipped off together. Maka walked up to Soul's side with a look that said she couldn't believe the cackling pair walking ahead of them. Her expression slowly changed to one of mild sadness as she watched.
"They're really close cuz they're both unbelievably hyper active." Soul informed, noticing the distant look that filled the girl's green eyes. Snapping from whatever she was thinking, Maka looked at him with an apologetic smile.
"Sorry… I'm just thinking about if Tsubaki was here." She answered, letting out a defeated sigh.
"She's with her family right now. I'm sure she's fine." Soul answered, offering his arm. "So let's just try to have a good time before Black Star brings the roof down." Maka linked her arm in his, allowing him to lead the way. When they walked inside the large hall, there were men and women alike dressed in their most presentable attire. He felt Maka's grip on his arm tighten some and he put his hand over hers in a reassuring manner. "Don't let them intimidate you. Half of these people are new money. They can't tell who does and doesn't belong here."
"Soul, I'm glad you were able to make it on such short noticed." Kid walked up to the pair, Liz at his side, the red vest he wore matching her dress. Liz smiled brightly and grabbed hold of Maka's hand.
"I'm glad you guys could make it! Maka come with me. I want you to try something. Oh! And did you see this gorgeous ring Kid got me!" The taller woman gushed as she pulled the smaller, stuttering one along. Soul shook his head and turned his attention to Kid.
"So, what have I missed?" he asked, following alongside his composed friend.
"Nothing much. There's been a serious crack down by the police lately. The information you gave up proved to be useful. We managed to snag some men and got further details… Some guy named Noah's been calling the shots from the shadows." Soul frowned.
"What happened to Giriko?"
"We caught him. He won't give out anything, but this Noah guy has some serious influence and he's going after previous members of that little gang from what we learned… I suggest you and Black Star watch out. This guy has some strange vendetta."
"Afraid old members will come back and take over, eh?" Soul asked with a scoff. "That's behind both of us, trust me. No good came from that life style." He reached up, placing his hand over the scar that ran down his chest under his shirt. Kid was watching him carefully from the corner of his eye but nodded.
"Father wants to speak with you and Black Star about this later. Tonight is about assuring the people that everything is fine and that his top men are on top of issue." Soul's shoulders dropped.
"What's he gotta say to us?"
"Nothing you haven't already heard before." Kid admitted and stopped speaking when a tall man with long red hair approached. He whispered something to Kid, and then paused when his eyes fell on Soul. An annoyed look crept across his face.
"It's you…"
"Do I know you?" The man swelled up significantly, earning a confused look from Kid and Soul.
"You're the octopus head that was trying to hook up with my daughter!" he bellowed. Kid's eyes widened and Soul scowled.
"Oh… I should have recognized you." He muttered, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Get over yourself, old man, I'm not creepin' after your daughter." He shot over his shoulder and walked away to find Maka while her father yelled things at him that caused some people to stare.
"Hey, what's all the commotion over there?" Maka asked, standing with Liz enjoying a glass of champagne. Soul shrugged.
"Some weirdo," He answered. "Where are Black Star and Patty?" Liz pointed at the pair sitting at a table stacked with food.
"Enjoying the simpler things in life." She answered, shaking her head in disapproval. "This is a formal event and even they can't present themselves in a sophisticated manner. It's not so much to ask, is it?" she asked with a defeated sigh.
"I guess we should be glad they're at least sitting if you want to be positive." Maka offered but Liz continued to dwell on her sister and friend's behavior. Soul easily took a glass of champagne from the tray of a passing server.
"I personally can't stand these events. They're too uptight for my tastes." He muttered.
"Well you certainly carry yourself as if you've been to enough of these." Maka informed, eyeing him suspiciously. Soul looked at her with a bored expression.
"I attended a lot as a kid," He answered. "Mostly concerts and recitals take place in atmospheres like this." Maka stared at him blankly.
"You mean like piano recitals?" Soul grimaced but gave a nod. Maka's eyes lit up. "That's amazing! Your family must be really well respected!" Uncertain of if she was serious, Soul gave her a calculating look. Liz let out a laugh.
"Maka, haven't you ever heard of the Evans family?" she asked. Maka turned to her and shook her head.
"No… are they well known?" she asked and frowned when Liz let out a loud, unladylike laugh.
"Uh, yeah! They're a family of very well known musicians!" she answered matter of factly and raised an eyebrow. "I figured if there was anything Soul would tell you it would have at least been that much about his own family." Maka turned swiftly to the annoyed male who was looking off into the crowd. Black Star had mentioned something about Soul being a musician before.
"Wait, so when you talked about your brother being a prodigy that was a reference to your family? You're loaded!" she asked and Soul grimaced.
"They're loaded, I'm just their rebel son." He answered. Maka's smile dropped.
"You haven't settled your differences with them yet?" she asked. Soul shrugged a shoulder. He still remembered the discussion he had with Wes before he left. They wanted him to come home because they felt he was getting himself into nothing but trouble in Death City. They wanted him to play in concerts and be adored by millions. They wanted him to be a renowned musician like many of the other members of the family, but he didn't want that. He wanted his own life. He needed an identity separate from his brother's. He had made his mistakes, but he was still happier where he was now than if he were to go back home. "Soul?"
"Hey, dance with me, would you?" he asked, ignoring her concerned expression as he held out a hand. Maka stiffened and looked around frantically.
"Uh, n-no! I don't think so. I can't dance and it's a slow song…. I'm super clumsy!" Soul cocked a brow at her.
"I'll teach you." He said, grabbing her hand before she could complain and pulling her forward. Out the corner of his eye he could see a girl whispering something to Black Star. The girl was slim in a black, polka dot dress and she had long light colored hair. Black Star had paused for a moment to consider her but shook his head and went back to his discussion with Sid, who happened to arrive not to long after they had. Nygus could be seen chatting it up on the other side of the room with a very chipper blonde haired woman.
"Soul, I really don't want too…" Maka whined as he turned and offered his hand to her properly. He rolled his eyes at her negative response.
"Would you relax? If you just relax then you won't have to worry. Follow my lead, will you?" Maka considered him for a moment but nodded, allowing him to place a hand on her hip while she placed the other hand on his shoulder and other hand in his free on. "Like I said, just follow me." Maka nodded.
"I trust you…" she answered. Soul smiled at her faintly.
"Good."
Author's Note: Posted early for backstar :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Sorry there wasn't any Tsustar in this one, but of course there will be plenty to come! Had to add some SoMa because I honestly really like this pairing! Also, I really actually love Kid even though he comes across as a jerk in some of the chapters. He must be redeemed!
I'll give you a cookie if you e who can guess who the girl was that came up to Black Star ;]
