Disclaimer: I do not own Soul Eater, it's characters, or its concepts!

Note: So… this chapter is slightly longer. I'd wanted to make sure I included two different relationship reflections since I hadn't touched up on one of them in a while!

Chapter 35: Cuddles on the Couch

Maka sprinted down the hallway swiftly. Just as the blonde girl turned the last corner within Shibusen's halls before reaching the infirmary, she'd bumped into a figure she didn't expect to be there. "Ah!" she let out as she fell back, catching herself on the floor. Gasping, she greeted him. "Oh… Papa! Sorry, I didn't see you there!"

The man turned around, realizing the collision with one of the two people he'd been worried about encountering. Not that it didn't make him happy to see her, but the chances that Soul had let her in on his dirty deeds? That was always half and half! By the smile on her face, though, it seemed the fate he'd ultimately meet one day hadn't occurred yet. For this, he quickly switched the expression of his furrowed brows into excitement. His traditional smile spread from ear to ear when his eyes fell on his daughter.

"Oh Maka! No, no, I'm sorry! So so sorry! Silly me, I was in your way!" Now that was smart, standing in the middle of the hallway like a dummy! The older Deathscythe got so lost in his thoughts, pondering whether he should attempt a visit with Soul or not, that he had to stop before making his presence known to the infirmary. Realizing he ought to be more of a gentleman, though, Spirit bent down, extending a hand to pull her up.

"Th-thanks!" she exclaimed merrily, accepting the offer and pulling herself up. Now she proceeded to dust off her black cloak.

Spirit wasn't sure what to say, but he'd desperately desired to have one last happy conversation with her while he could. "So…" he began, without a plan of topic. Hesitating, he quickly masked it with the first thing that came to his mind. "Eh heh heh… SO I hear Soul's going to come back home with you today!" No, that wasn't what was supposed to come out! Anything that didn't involve Soul would have been better! Things like that were… reminders.

"Mmm hmm!" Maka answered delightfully. She clasped her hands behind her back and danced up and down on her toes.

"So I suppose you're going to see him right now then?" Why, of all things, was this conversation still about Soul?! This wasn't the kind of happy he'd wanted, a one-sided glee he didn't share about the weapon partner he'd accidentally cursed horrible things on. The father would have preferred to make his last good conversation about something other than the very thing he'd trying to avoid from thinking about. That was it, he had to change the conversation! "Oh, Maka! Do you think that perhaps we could share a lunch together today first?"

His daughter brought a finger up to her chin in thought. "Well…. I told Soul that I'd see him today…"

Spirit sighed in disappointment. Of course this encounter would end in disappointment… It would have felt better to just walk away now than hear the rest of her answer! What she replied with wasn't what he'd expected, though.

"Well…." Maka began, sounding somewhat hesitant. Oh, that horrible pause! Spirit sucked in his breath, waiting for the rest of Maka's eventual decline. "Ooookay, I guess we could… but just this one time! I don't like keeping him waiting when he's stuck here like this." The only reason she'd felt okay taking this moment with him was that for one, she'd actually shown up earlier than she originally intended. Secondly, she couldn't deny that he'd become a little more laid back lately, and well… how long had it been since their last descent daughter-father bonding time anyway? Besides, she'd visited Soul earlier today, so thirty minutes wouldn't hurt.

Spirit could have jumped like a fan girl meeting the world's hottest celebrity! It took all the control he had to stop himself from sending a fawning tackling hug her way that would knock her down a second time. Barely mustering his cool, he smiled genuinely, sticking his hands into his pockets so she couldn't see him fiddling his fingers. "It's my treat! Anything you want!"

"Chinese?"

Spirit raised an eye brow, wondering where the motivation for Asian food came from. Since when did Maka volunteer for Chinese food? Her real motivation, though had been that she could bring left overs to Soul. This way she wouldn't have felt so bad about being later than intended. Despite her father's confusion on the choice, though he DID say anything she wanted… giving a quick nod, he smiled. Perhaps this little run-in would turn out better than he thought.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Now having been given official permission to come home, Soul and Maka had finished a rather light and dainty evening meal, considering the rather filling one they had earlier. For some unannounced reason, Soul had found it in himself that he didn't want to leave Maka's presence. For this, Maka had judged it to be affection coming back to him after all the chaos they'd been through, and perhaps the stress they'd been through. All considering, what if they were needed again? But that was unlikely after a full scout of the area was completed.

Every now and then, she'd catch him gazing at her a little longer than average throughout the evening. As they cooked, cleaned, and now as they sat in silence on the couch, unsure what else to do for the night. Returning to a regular routine felt odd. Thoughts seemed to plague their minds. The girl didn't even have a book in her hand!

Normally, in the midst of a gaze of such kind, Soul would turn quickly to hide the blush that covered his cheeks or get up to start another task as a fruitless way to play it off. Only, this time Soul's eyes remained locked on her, unwilling to let go of the sight of her.

"Hey…" Soul began.

Those gorgeous red eyes... Nobody's in the world were like his! Maka perked up, hoping Soul had finally decided to open up. "Hmmm?" she asked casually, playing off the anxious curiosity.

"Thanks…"

Maka wasn't sure what to make of this. Thanks for what? She'd just been doing what a meister dedicated to her weapon would do. She'd just been doing exactly what he would do. Then he continued before she could ask.

"Ah, I mean… well for covering for me today. That was really cool of you." Ah yes… about earlier that day as Maka had been willing enough to let her partner play dumb, pretending that particular piece of information was still forgotten. She'd allowed him to leave it a mystery that she would learn first before all. This was their silent agreement. It was difficult to respect such a request without expressing more persistence, but what if it'd been her instead?

"Yeah…" Maka answered, with a pleasant smile on her face. Still, why did he have to hide this forsaken truth from her? They'd always had such a mutual trust. When he said nothing more in their quiet moment, she proceeded to stand up. "I'm going to read, Soul…" Before she could rise completely off the cushion, though, his hand wrapped around her arm.

There was that longing look again, the kind she couldn't resist, the kind that meant that despite their speechless moment, she was the only one he wanted there. "If you don't mind, could you stay here just a little longer?"

Her lips curled up again in a more confident smile. Soul may have been silent, but it seemed she was still the one he trusted most, something he didn't have to say in words for her to know. The action alone spoke loud enough. It relieved her to know this as she let him pull her back down. This time, though, she found her body landing closer to his as he scooted so he was right next to her. He pulled her legs up onto the cushions, propping up to intertwine his with them, and leaned against her slender frame, sighing in contentment.

"Sorry I've been so secretive with you about this, Maka… I just…"

"Soul, it's okay," she answered, rubbing his hand that rested on top of hers as he held her tight.

"I thought I could keep the problem to myself, put it away so it wouldn't bother anyone else and ignore it. But I can't… I've made up my mind." There was a hint of sadness in his tone upon that last message as his eyes turned away briefly to eye the floor. Now he looked back up at her, though.

Maka's heart sat still for a moment as she awaited his next words to come. There was a bolt of confidence in his gaze. His fingers found way between hers now, and he gave her hand a tight, confirming squeeze, not letting loose as he continued. Whatever choice he'd made, he was set on it! "Maka, I promise I'll let you know really soon. I can't hide it from you, not anymore." The meister's eyes lit up. This was the Soul she knew… the caring, honest and faithful man she'd been so lucky to partner with, fight witches and kishins with, bond souls with, fall in love with... He was the only one she'd entrust her entire being with. "But not now. Tonight I just want to enjoy being home with you."

This was fine enough with her. At least she had his promise, and those he always fulfilled. "Of course, Soul. I'll stay with you here for as long as you want."

They both smiled at each other, still cuddled close. That urge though, why did it have to come back now? They were so close to each other, Soul could have merely leaned in to kiss her tempting lips. Her happiness to simply be there with him… it left his heart with the warmest love he'd ever known, a love greater than what his own family even had to offer.

Oh but … They were leaned in already! It'd startled Soul to suddenly realize he could feel her breath grazing his, too. How'd they get to this point?! Less than a second ago, he'd been dwelling on maintaining self-control and now… His heart beat ten times faster than it should have and his nerves shook wildly. Yeah, they'd kissed when he had to wake her up from that violent trance, but that… that was no real kiss! It was forced for reason beyond love, one-sided, and with no passion that could be called memorable in any positive way! This beautiful lady deserved one more genuine than that!

Before their lips could actually meet, though, he'd whispered, "Just let me sleep here like this with you. For just this one night…" This single potential kiss would have meant the world to him but alas… he knew good and well that letting it happen, well… was something he couldn't afford to allow right now.

Maka gasped lightly, realizing what had almost happened and pulled her face back shyly, a bashful smile falling on face. "O-okay." Neither of them was really sure what to say, so they leaned back toward the arm rest, Soul's arms wrapped around her soft, milky white form.

They'd already been dressed in their usual night wear, Soul in a comfortable pair of decent boxers and a t-shirt with a picture of band on it, and Maka in a light-weight tank top and some soft cotton shorts high enough to reveal enough leg for pleasure. They trusted each other, though, trusted each other enough that they need not worry about judging their sleep wear, trusting enough to know that neither one of them would purposely take advantage of the other.

Soul nuzzled his head into the crook of her neck comfortably, finding it in himself to relax and close his eyes. Maka grabbed a blanket that'd been lying on the floor next to them (which she'd originally grabbed because she was cold) and pulled it over them before settling down and closing her eyes as well. "Goodnight, Soul…"

"Goodnight, Maka…" Soul tiredly mumbled back before falling asleep.

NOTE: Don't worry, you SoMa fans…you'll get your moment of passion eventually! I just… there's something else yet to come, and this simply wasn't the right moment for it!