Had this passing idea for a good while, finally decided to write it out! Another time traveled themed one, with a bit more twists. Centered on the time period after the manga's end.
14: Tornadoes
"There's another person there!" Maka called out, heart thrumming in her ears.
She can see it, a tiny soul amongst the piles of storm wreckage around them.
Kid's eyes move in the direction she points out, golden eyes narrowing. The amount of life lost in just the few hours is devastating, the bodies tossed into the air by the fierce winds, crushed under buildings toppling…
The endless scent of blood.
And for the past few days, all they've been doing is cleaning up the mess from said tornadoes, late spring storms from the infamous 'tornado alley' blossoming up being one of the major contributing factors according to the recent weather reports.
"Are you sure?" He whispers, stepping closer to her.
They're both tired after all, weary and senses fatigued.
But Maka nods, emerald eyes sparkling with familiar self-assuredness.
"I know, someone's there." She repeats.
Before he even gives her the nod to go ahead and check, she's already racing towards the scene. The sky crackles again in warning for more storms to come later, the low whistle of the wind blowing her hair every which way.
'Focus, focus. Get to it before the light disappears…before you're too late!'
Her hands ache and get scraped pushing particularly heavy signs out of the way, rolling away the rocks until she sees signs of a figure.
"Can you hear me?" Maka yelled out.
The figure lit up in recognition, turning towards her voice. "Ah, yes!"
'It's a child.' Maka notes from the tone. A boy, perhaps no more than 6 years old.
Through a crevice in the cracks sees leaps down to him, surprised when he rushes to her first.
"Mama!"
'Huh?'
Blue eyes tear up as he gives her a good look over, squeezing tiny arms around her figure. He isn't injured for the most part she realizes, a few prominent bumps and bruises that he'll need to have checked out nonetheless.
"You're okay, I thought for sure when I couldn't sense you anymore after that flash of light-"He trails off, burying himself into her as his voice breaks down into sniffles.
Maka smiled, rubbing his back soothingly. It's damp and dark on all sides of them so maybe she just looks like this mother of his…
"Shh, it's okay. What's your name?" She questioned.
The boy pulled back, sending her an odd look as if she should've already known such an answer.
"It's Christopher…or Chris. You know that." He murmured.
Her stomach twists with fear as she takes a sweeping glance around again.
She can't sense any other people.
'Don't tell me his parents might be…'
"Mama, let's get out here." Chris continues, snapping her from her thoughts as he tugged on her shirt.
He winced as he tried to start walking towards the crack in the wall, wobbly on his feet.
"Ah, I know you may think I look like your mother, but…" Maka started.
But Chris shook his head, interrupting her.
"Only mama has the Grigori soul, right? I saw it." He stated, waving up one finger in emphasis with a small grin.
Her eyes widened then, gulping down a forming knot.
This boy could see souls too.
-X-
Maka sighed, wishing she could sink back into that hole in the ground.
"I'm telling you, it's just a coincidence!" She snapped to no avail, face growing warmer at the leery grins her friends gave in return.
Okay, so no one believed her. Perfect.
"Mama, can we go home now?" Chris whines from her lap, leaning back into her sleepily.
"In a minute." Maka grumbles, wishing he hadn't spoken so loud.
Black Star probably has the biggest grin out of all of them, staring between the pair once more.
"Come on Maka, don't you think it's a little odd how much he looks like you and Soul? I mean he has your sandy blonde hair and Soul's tan skin; how do explain all that?" He questioned.
Maka rolled her eyes, huffing. "Like I said, it's just a coincidence! Neither of us have his blue eyes for example. Besides, Soul and I haven't…well we err anyways, I've never even been pregnant!
"Doesn't your Dad have blue eyes though?" Tsubaki pointed out.
"Yeah, and I saw this one show ah, what was it called? Oh, it was about these woman who didn't realize they were pregnant until the birthing process actually happened! Didn't experience any of the typical signs either, like the whole morning sickness, weight gain, and weird cravings too." Liz added in.
Maka sent the two glares, effectively shutting them up. Whose side were they on anyways?!
Kid coughed, reeling everyone back to the main point at hand.
The weather called for another round of heavy thunderstorms and tornado warnings tonight. Even now, the power flickered on and off in the one of the few classrooms they could find relatively undamaged. Outside, rumbling and a sea of grey clouds kept them on their toes.
"According to reports, it's possible we might have another batch of tornadoes moving in around 9 or 10 o clock. For now, we should all head home and prepare." He went on.
Maka is the last to get up, attempting to figure out the best way to maneuver herself with Chris now in tow.
Kid waited until they were the only two left before speaking again, studying the boy carefully. "You've grown quickly accustomed to him in such a short time."
She brushed a hand through his soft locks, reminded of Soul when he felt too lazy to spike his hair up with gel. His arms and legs were covered now with an array of colorful bandages courtesy of Stein after being poked and prodded by him with booster vaccines and testing. A numb feeling fell over her remembering his words.
"Well, the samples I took from him match up with you and Soul for a 99% relation, just to let you know." He mused, chuckling at her squirming.
She didn't want to ask how he had those samples of their DNA.
"Professor Stein, you sensed it too right?" Maka instead questioned, glancing up at him.
The hardened stare he gave through his glasses silently told her he had.
"We don't know what powers he has or if he's even aware he has them at his age." Stein theorized, leaning back in his chair.
"But, if I had to guess, someone sent him here to protect him from some type of danger." He continued.
"Kid, I…I don't want to go home just yet." Maka mumbled.
Kid arched a brow, small smile coming up. "Why? Because Soul is there?"
Her face burned at the implication, he was indeed home early from a mission he had had previously in Europe. They had grown closer yes with the few dates they had gone on, and while she was happy he was back…
'We're not really an official couple yet, how will I explain this to him?'
"Stein said he might have abilities he doesn't know about or even have control over." She stated lowly.
Kid nodded, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "So I heard."
"For now, you and Soul will just have to do your best caring for him until we can research and find more answers. We'll help you out too of course if you need any extra things though it's best we keep Chris's presence to the select few of Spartoi. I'm sure you two wouldn't like the rest of the DWMA knowing your temporary parents now or your own Dad for that matter?" He speculated.
Maka rapidly shook her head, groaning at the thought of the rumor mill and Spirit's antics.
'Blair went on that vacation with her other cat friends, it will be just Soul and I. Alone.'
Maybe she should take the long way home the more she thought about it.
Kid patted her shoulder in reassurance, helping her adjust on her backpack. "You're a great mom Maka, don't sell yourself short."
A mother? Her?
'How can I be a mom when my own mom has hardly been around?'
She kills the nasty thought before it grows, a painful ache gnawing at her chest for thinking about such a thing at a time like this.
Swallowing her queasy feelings, she gave him a simple nod in return. The rain has moved down to a lighter patter in the walk home as drops slide down her face, her reflections in the puddles make her flushed and jittery every time her gaze drifts a bit back to tiny body looped around her back.
His heartbeat is relaxed and slow against her, curling into her warmth.
Maka beamed, walking a bit slower to enjoy the brief respite from the more dangerous weather.
'This must be the love Papa spoke of, seeing your child at peace.'
-X-
"Umm, so Dad is sleeping. We can't wake him up just yet." Maka declared, blocking Chris's way.
Partially because Soul is truly tired from the flight and partially because she still has no idea what to tell him.
It's the third time now she's had to say this though, selective hearing is definitely at play.
And for the third time Chris stomps his foot, cheeks pouting.
"But, I want to play with him!" He argued back.
If Chris hadn't been so angry, she would've laughed at the cute display as he marched around complaining of 'rules' and 'Dad sleeps too long.'
'I wonder if he shares more of Soul's interests. He was reading through all my old children's books earlier for fun that I figured that would've worn him out.' She wondered.
Soul's door creaks open and they both stop.
Her breath stills as scarlet eyes move from her to Chris and back again twice over.
Seconds tick by in painful silence.
"Papa!"
Chris scampered forward, hugging onto Soul's jeans. "About time you woke up!"
Oh, if Soul had been sleepy, he was surely very awake now.
"I thought maybe our neighbors were being too loud, I didn't know it was coming from us." He states.
Maka lightly nodded, watching as he attempted to walk with Chris holding his legs prison. She sighed, going into the 'mom' mode Marie had explained to her.
"Christopher Evans, let go of your dad so he can walk properly."
Immediately he straightened, letting go and slinking back.
'Evans?' Soul thought, sending Maka a look.
Her face darkened all over again, avoiding his gaze for a moment. Fingers ball against the hem of her skirt, contemplating what to say.
Soul meanwhile, watches Chris happily go back to exploring the apartment, he notices his sandy hair flying about, tan skin so much like his own, and familiar cobalt eyes of a man who often calls him a brat.
'This child looks like…'
He understands it then without the need for words, embarrassment settling over him as well.
"How?" He instead asks.
Maka shrugged, biting her lip. "I wish I could give you a proper explanation. I found him among the debris after the tornado that passed this morning and I couldn't just leave him alone."
Soul blinked, staring down as the tiny figure brushed past him searching for more games or books littered about. "And his parents?"
She shook her head.
"You're not upset, are you? That I brought him here?" Maka shifts uncomfortably.
Soul chuckled, trademark toothy grin forming. "No, I'm more confused than upset, I mean we skipped the sex and went straight to a child so-"
Maka whacked him before he could say more.
"Idiot, watch what you say in front of him!" She related with a scowl.
For the most part though, Chris has already appeared to have moved towards the kitchen now, making a snack out of impatience at their talking.
Maka moved to follow after him before he cut himself (or inadvertently made his arm into a blade like he did earlier to her shock), Soul tugging her back.
"He's really our child then? From like the future or something?" He clarifies.
Her voice goes dry at his seriousness, managing a slow nod.
He pulls her closer then, warm breath fanning her face. "So, it's okay then? For us to be this close?"
"Yes."
Lips barely brush until they pull back at the sound of a gasp, footsteps hurriedly bounding around the corner out of view.
Privacy doesn't exist with children around.
-X-
"You and Mama aren't going to sleep in the same bed?" Chris asks, restraining back a yawn as Maka helped him into the oldest clothes Soul had that wouldn't be too baggy.
Soul coughs, glancing towards Maka for help who mirrors his expression.
"Umm…" Maka frowned, wracking her head for some answer.
"You always slept together in the same bed, why not now?" He reiterates, pursing his lips and both worry he's about to go into a tantrum.
"Maka and I or err your mother and I don't have the same luxuries as you're probably used to. For example, the beds we have now aren't big enough to fit the both of us." Soul quickly explained.
Maka was thoughtful for a moment, a flash of lightning makes Chris jump, hurtling him into Soul's arms. Most of their windows have been boarded up, but as the wind begins to groan louder around them she pictures the raging destruction going on not too far from them.
"Actually I think Chris makes a point, we should stay all together tonight. Perhaps not even in bed, but in the bathroom.
Soul looks amused and she reddens at where his thoughts have gone.
"Not like that idiot! They say to stick to low places during a tornado, places that have no windows. We don't have a basement to go to and it's either the bathroom or the closet that I can think of that doesn't have windows."
They're in for a long night ahead.
Chris settles between them in the blanket fort they've created in the bathtub, snuggling against both their arms.
"He had a broken pocket watch on him." Maka whispers when she hears his breathing even out.
She can tell Soul is giving her a puzzled look. "I mean, when Kid and I went through his belongings to properly identify him, he had broken pocket watch in his jeans. I think…I think somehow that's how he got here; using it."
Soul nodded in understanding. "We've faced madness and other creepy monstrosities, but it's a child that wears me out."
"He's strong like you, taking everything in stride."
Maka shook her head, laugh lightly. "When I look at him, all I see is you. Minus, the jerkiness and stupidity of course!"
She feels a small pinch in her arm for said comment before he wraps around them to bring her and Chris closer.
If either of them show fear, then Chris will too.
-X-
'A bit of broken glass and knocked over furniture. It could've been worse.'
Sunlight peeks in through a torn board, now arched sideways against the couch. Luckily the tornado was only a F1, the damage isn't severe as the past ones.
"You were very brave during that storm Chris." Maka notes, ruffling her hand affectionately through his hair, as he helped her set the table.
Soul comes up behind her to help and she giggles as he asks for 'affection' too.
Mornings like these she could get used too.
Days past, Christopher goes to 'school' in the form of Marie babysitting him in the afternoons while she and Soul go to school. Gossip rises and dies when Black Star asks if he and Tsubaki can be 'honorary godparents' or if they need childcare advice from experts.
He still has the book spine bruises on his face.
"Chris has been acting a bit odd lately, hasn't he?" Soul questioned during a walk home, juggling groceries in one hand and his book bag in the other.
Maka said nothing, somberly gazing up. It was a clear day, blue sky going on for miles. 'He came to us in a storm, is he going to leave us on a sunny day?'
"Maka, did you hear me?" Soul asks again and Maka shakes the thought away.
"Chris senses it too, that he can't stay in this time period forever." She murmured.
Behind them, Chris has his nose in a book seemingly oblivious to the world. Every so often he peeks his head up, sending a toothy grin he's still behind them.
"Can't wake himself up in the morning, but can go through three books in an hour." Soul joked.
Maka huffed at his teasing, about to speak up until she felt it.
A powerful soul.
Chris dropped his book, eyes widening as he glanced around; he noticed it too.
"Mama?" He whispered.
And before either she or Soul can speak, he races off.
When they find him, he's already in the arms of another. A woman.
The woman scolds him lightly with a small bop to the head, before hugging him close tenderly. Her gaze drifts to theirs and Maka catches her breath at the sight.
Jade green eyes mirroring her own stare back at her.
"Thank you; everything is safe now." She mouths, smiling before standing up.
The man beside her nods his thanks as well, holding up a glittering object.
The pocket watch. Shiny and brand new as if it had never been broken.
Chris whispers something in their ears before running back to them, embracing them one last time.
"Thanks younger mama and papa, next time I'll bring my sister!" He states, whirling back around. A blinding flash encompasses them, time seems to slow down as their figures disappear into a light.
It seems like a dream, but Chris left his broken pocket watch behind…
His scent too still lingers around the apartment once they return home, as if he's only just stepped out. Maka watches as Soul tinkers with the broken watch, opening and closing it slowly.
"I'll fix it and give it to him when he gets here." He decides, putting it in his drawer for safekeeping.
Maka blinks, cheeks hot as her eyes absentmindedly drift to her stomach. "Soul…"
"Hmm?"
"He said he had a sister too, right?" She asks.
Soul shrugged, nodding. "Yeah?"
"What if...what if she already came here?" She went on.
Crimson meets Emerald, a long staring contest.
Oh crap.
-X-
"Come on, another round on me!" Spirit cheers out, holding the two ladies by his side close as they sway down the street.
"Spirit, you've already had 3 rounds! I don't think you can handle another!" The brunette to his right coos, giggling when his groping moves a bit too close downward.
Suddenly a bright flash halts them in their path, a child about four or so appears from the light; snow white hair falling around her face as she carefully looked around.
The girl soon turned towards them, green eyes sparkling in realization as she pointed Spirit out, running up to him eagerly.
"Grandpa!"
-x-
Another weather theme down. The show Liz mentions is an actual show on discovery fit and health I've seen called I didn't know I was pregnant. The name Christopher for Soul and Maka's son is the same one I used before, I just like the way Christopher Evans rolls off the tongue lol. Anyways, thanks for reading as always! Feel free to send me your ideas! :)
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