A/N: I don't own Soul Eater.

He was the one who said it first.

They were just chatting about anything and everything on their break when Maka heard Black Star shout in the background that Soul needed to get back to pouring cocktails or he would trickle warm beer into his ear when he caught him sleeping at the bar next time. Soul yelled something snappy back at him, and Maka laughed.

"Ugh, okay, I have to go."

"Don't work too hard."

"Yeah, yeah. I'm coming, Star! Calm down!" and then back to Maka, "I won't, believe me. See you soon. Love you."

It wasn't until after he hung up that he realized what he had said. He froze. Shit, did he just...? And then hung up before she could say anything back? What could she even do with that? What would she say if she got a chance to? Would she say it back? Or just stay silent? Or laugh in his face? (He really hoped she wouldn't do that one.)

"Did you hear me, kid? Vodka on the rocks."

Soul shook his head, suddenly aware of the man sitting in front of him.

"Huh? Oh, I'm sorry."

"Is this guy giving you any trouble?" Black Star popped up from under the counter (strange, he wasn't there a second ago) and pointed at Soul. "He's a rascal. Let me know if he does somethin' wrong. Wouldn't be the first time."

"Are you trying to make me look bad?" he hissed at the now-cackling Black Star, who sat on the bar with his legs crossed.

"I'm just kidding, man. Lighten up."

Soul poured the drink and sighed. "Yeah. I just…"

"Feel like an idiot since you told your girlfriend you loved her and then hung up?" Black Star nodded thoughtfully while taking down a shot.

"You're not supposed to drink when you're working," Soul said grouchily, taking his glass.

"No one actually follows that rule." He belched. "And you're changing the subject. Just talk to her about it. She's probably just as nervous as you are."

"And what the hell do you know about relationships? Your idea of a pick up line is 'Hey, I have blue hair. Wanna have sex?'"

"I know more than you think. Don't underestimate your god, Evans. I have a date tonight."

"Oh? With who?"

"That chick who works down at the cafe with your girlfriend. Tsubaki?"

"No way, man."

"Yes way, man! She's awesome! Sweet blue eyes, long black hair..."

"...taller than you…" Soul refilled the customer's shot glass and smirked.

"Shut up. She's perfect."

"And totally innocent. Don't mess with her, seriously. Tsubaki's a good one." Soul had met her when he swung by the cafe a while ago to visit Maka, and she was probably the most patient, pleasant person he'd ever met. It was hard to imagine her with an egotistical, self-centered guy like him.

'I wasn't planning to, asshat." Black Star scowled. "I'm taking her to dinner. Like a gentleman. If you wanna tag along with Maka, feel free."

"Maybe I will."

"I can't believe I actually agreed to this."

"You're the one who had to start arguing with him." Maka adjusted his tie. "Hold still!"

"This is going to be a nightmare. I don't see how you're being so calm."

"I know that Tsubaki can handle herself, and if they look like they're doing fine-"

"We can ditch 'em and get takeout instead?" Soul perked up.

Maka tapped his shoulder. "Great minds think alike. You're all set."

Soul held out an elbow. "Out of the frying pan…"

"Into the fire."

Tsubaki and Black Star were chatting up a storm, much to Soul and Maka's surprise, and so the latter couple spied on them for a while.

The dark-haired girl was dolled up pretty enough to star in a modelling shoot, although she always looked like that. A dark blue dress that sparkled like it was sewn out of diamonds and stardust floated around her like she was sitting in her own little galaxy. Her date actually cleaned up nicely as well; he had a black tuxedo and a messily put on tie, which Tsubaki looked eager to fix for him but sat still nonetheless. His rowdy, immature personality was complete opposite to her shy, reserved self, but she opened up to him and he listened quietly while she spoke.

Soul was impressed and felt bad about shaming him before. He was proving himself to be quite the charmer.

"Sir, are you going to be needing a table, or-?"

Soul looked up and flinched. A waiter was staring puzzledly at them.

"Oh, uh, yeah. Thank you."

"Would that one over there be all right?" Maka pointed to a table on the other side of Tsubaki and Black Star's, which was hidden from sight but made it so that they could still hear them.

"Yes, miss. Right this way."

They plowed through one and a half bread baskets and two refills of complimentary champagne before anything interesting happened. Tsubaki excused herself to the bathroom, saying something about having to powder her nose (who even said that anymore, this wasn't some flapper girl scene or old western movie with cowboys and saloons where you could walk up to the counter and ask the bartender for a sarsaparilla), and Maka tailed her. Soul, meanwhile, scooched into Black Star's seat, scaring him out of his wits.

"I came, didn't I?"

"Where's Maka?" Black Star asked wearily.

"Hosting an intervention with your date in the ladies'."

"I swear to God, if you two mess this up…"

"We won't. We just wanted to see how you were doing. Good?"

"Yes! Very good! Great! You can leave now!"

Soul spun his glass around thoughtfully. "I don't think so. This is actually more fun than I expected."

Maka's surprise arrival frightened Tsubaki so much she had to sit down. She saw her in the mirror behind her and screamed like a banshee, which in turn scared the pee (literally) out of the other women in the bathroom.

"Sorry," Maka laughed, helping her friend up. "Me and Soul came to see how your date was shaping up."

"Wonderfully!" Tsubaki beamed. "I really like this guy, Maka. He's not as dumb as everyone thinks he is, he's very thoughtful and considerate. I think this is going to work."

"Then we could go on double dates more often!"

"I don't think this counts as one, though. You and Soul are just sneaking around the restaurant."

Maka's face fell. "You mean you saw?"

"I did. Black Star, not so much."

"We could have a double date right now, if you want. We could join you two."

"Are you sure? Soul didn't look to excited about eating here."

"He's a sourpuss. Nothing can get him excited."

"Except for you." Tsubaki gave a knowing smile. "So how are you two lovebirds? You and Soul seem really happy."

"We are! You know, having a boyfriend isn't at all what everyone says. It's not about chocolate or flowers or teddy bears, it's about accepting everything about each other, even the parts that can be improved on. I thought dating Soul would just make things weird between us, but to be honest, nothing's changed. We've always been this way. It's just… natural."

"We've got a good pair of boys."

"But there is one thing… Soul said he loved me for the first time today. And I didn't get to say it back. And now I don't know if things are weird."

"He's probably just as nervous as you are," Tsubaki said gently. "Don't rush it. If you feel the same, tell him. If you don't, wait it out. It's okay to be hesitant sometimes."

It turned out that Soul didn't want to stay for the rest of the date. He was looking forward to fast food and turning in early, not bite-sized entrees and expensive desserts that, judging by their prices, must have been made out of pure gold and the tears of unicorns.

Their pals seemed more than happy to let them leave. They were too busy gazing into each other's eyes to notice they had gone, or that their filet mignon had gotten cold.

Maka and Soul dressed down, re-dressed in pajamas, ate their cheap, crappy food, and went to bed. They didn't need fancy clothes or food or wine to have a good night. Neither did Tsubaki and Black Star, but for their first date, it was a nice touch. Their first date also ended with a goodnight kiss and two very bashful smiles.

Maka and Soul's ended with the former whispering "I love you" into the latter's ear. He, of course, wasn't even asleep in the first place and kissed her cheek. And that was all she needed.