What was she supposed to say now? Was this really it? Was she going to have to confess to him right here and now?

"Tell me, Mare; I want to know." Stein said, looking at her with an almost longing gaze. It was a curious look, but perhaps its intensity is what made it seem longing. He wanted to know so badly; he hated to wonder about things; he just wanted to know the answers.

"I love you of course." Marie said with her eye turning into a cute arch as she smiled; on the inside though her heart was racing almost painfully.

"And why?" Stein inquired.

Marie's eye opened slowly, to examine Stein.

"What do you mean?" Marie asked. For some reason his question wasn't registering in her mind.

"I mean, why do you love me? What is it that you love about me?" Stein supplied.

Marie's eye widened in nervousness at first but shortly after softened tenderly, as a sweet smile appeared on her face. Gently, she reached out and took Stein's hands in hers and peacefully closed her eyes.

Stein's expression was one of shock and confusion. Marie's touch….the way she looked…

"Because….there's no reason not to love you. Because…I love everything about you….and because….it's what you deserve…" Marie said, lifting his hands to her lips to place a feathery-light kiss on them.

Marie…how was it that she could say the exact thing he needed to hear. He had lied to himself….the words "I love you"….someone had said that to him once before….but it wasn't the same as Marie…

Flashback:

"How's your mother treating you?" a tall blonde man asked, Stein.

"Fine." Was all Stein said.

How could he tell the truth? And why bother telling it? The man he was talking to wouldn't have done anything.

"Tomorrow is your birthday isn't it?" the man said coolly, taking a drink of his bottle of sake.

"Yes." Stein replied.

"How old are you again?" the blonde asked.

"You always ask that…" Stein said, looking off into the distance. "And you never look at me…father."

"Franken…I love you." The man said slowly, patting his son's shoulder with a fake smile.

Stein looked up at his father with a concrete face; completely emotionless.

"No you don't." Stein said, staring his father down.

'You don't…you're ashamed of me. Why bother saying that? You're just saying what you think a father is supposed to say.' Stein thought.

The blonde man let go of Stein's shoulder, slumped over and allowed his hair to cover his eyes; he chucked a bit.

"Yeah…you're right. I don't at all. I didn't want you truthfully….I don't even know who you are. You're not my child to me." Stein's father said, with an odd sort of smile; one that was confused and self-acknowledging…but oddly humored at the same time.

End Flashback.

"But you mean it don't you….not like he did…." Stein said aloud suddenly, catching Marie's confused attention.

"Stein…" Marie said frowning at Stein's now mixed emotions.

"He just said what he thought he was supposed to say, and he had no idea who I really was. You though…you really do don't you? And…you tried to know me….and do. Even after all of the terrible things I did, and how I treated you like you were nothing more than an airhead when we first met…you still wanted to know me. And you meant it. You smiled for me…cried for me. And then you came here for my birthday…Marie…" Stein said finally looking at Marie.

Marie's eye widened. His face didn't look emotionless, nor did it look full of any particular feeling…it was just…there…and the only thing that was in clear sight was the single tear that fell from one of those gorgeous olive eyes.

"It doesn't matter to me right now…I suppose. Because for now…the fact that you care about me at all, is rather…unusual. Marie…you're weird." Stein said simply, narrowing his eyes a bit more.

Marie made a small sound of confusion…unusual? Weird?

"However, I'm grateful. But you don't have to love me you know. I'd be perfectly fine if you didn't…" Stein said glancing away, but his attention was soon drawn back to Marie, when he felt a soft touch against his forearm.

Marie stared at him intently for a moment before sticking her tongue out at him, making Stein incredibly confused.

"Stupid." She said bluntly with a pouting face.

Stein blinked a few times at Marie's exclamation. Marie soon after smiled and giggled a bit though.

"Of course I don't have to love you. And I'm sure you'd live if I didn't…but isn't life better with someone loving you?" she said, with a calming expression…that healing wavelength…

"Now then, give me a hug! Do it because it's totally the right thing to do right now. Then I'll make us tea and strawberry cake. You're going grocery shopping with me, Franken Stein!" Marie laughed, outstretching her arms.

For once Stein felt that sort of offer….inviting. He wanted to take hold of the opportunity…take hold of Marie.

Wordlessly, Stein leaned into Marie, almost weightlessly, allowing himself to rest against her for a moment before bringing his arms up to embrace her just slightly. It was a light hug on his end, but he meant it…and it was well balanced with Marie's more purposeful embrace, full of warmth and simple care…like a breath of life.

"There now, let's go to the grocery store! I bet people won't even recognize you, the way you hold yourself up in here all the time. And with the way you look, I'm sure plenty of girls will be happy to see you." Marie said giving him a cute smile.

Stein could only stare at her in awe. She was so full of light and life…she didn't worry all the time, and she looked at life simply but at the same time she didn't…she looked at everything with such wonder and happiness, taking in the smallest things as if they were treasures. She truly was amazing.

"Well come on! Do you want me to wait until I get wrinkles?" Marie laughed, holding out a hand.

Stein closed his eyes and smiled just a bit before standing up and following Marie out the door.

I am grateful Marie, even if I don't seem like it. I enjoy having you here. It feels so natural…having you near me…

Feeling more at peace than he had in years, Stein slowly but surely returned Marie's hold on his much larger hand, ever so lightly, but enough for Marie to smile at the returned pressure.

Thank you Stein…I love you.

(A/N: Ugh I know the original description said this was a series of oneshots, but now these last few chapters have been consecutive. I hope that hasn't bothered anyone. The following chapters will be oneshots again though…Marie is going back home :( haha as I've said before, my OCD will force me to write up to chapter 30 as I hate landing on an amount of chapters that isn't by fives XD It doesn't bother me when others don't but for some reason…ugh now I'm babbling. Also, I would like to write a story for another Soul Eater pairing…but I can't decide which one. It would be cool if I could get some reader input on that if you'd like but no pressure k :D as always thanks for your reads and reviews! It is such a joy for me!)