Disclaimer: I do not own Soul Eater, it's characters, or its concepts!
Chapter 36: The Truth Shall Set You Free
"Hold on, Maka, stay here for a moment, will you?" Soul asked as he stood up from the table as he grasped the phone in his pocket tightly. They'd been out late with a mission, and being the time that it was, neither really wanted to cook, and yet had worked up an appetite at the same time. This in mind, it'd been easily agreed that they could take a late trip to buy some food.
Maka curiously looked up at her weapon partner, wondering where he was going off to. "O-okay… but remember, they're getting ready to close in a few!"
Soul turned to give his meister a lazy gaze. "Mm… I know." Instead of waiting for a reply, he walked off, diverting his path towards the restrooms. Just before reaching them, though, he'd stopped by a window close by and looked across the street. Red eyes lay upon a red-headed man sitting on a bench outside.
Yes, Soul knew his routine. He'd hang around Shibusen, train a little on his single-handed weapon skills before the sun fell, then later in the evening, Spirit would spend time with ladies and get drunk at Chupra Capras. Soul was no idiot to the use of this schedule to advert from potentially dealing with the duo. And there he was now, just like he'd expected him to be, leaning against the metal bench right by the brightly-lit entrance.
Spirit would potentially be there for the next thirty to forty five minutes to settle down from the high alcohol content he'd consumed. It'd been perfectly timed for when Soul and Maka were getting ready to leave the dainty small diner that sat across from it. At first, Maka had questioned why he'd chosen this place, knowing the place that resided directly across the street. But Soul had insisted. That, and it was one of the most convenient places that were still open.
Pulling his phone out and opening it, Soul had become hesitant to dial the number, pausing to ponder over the decision he'd made. Letting out a reluctant sigh, he resolved he had to do it. Who in their right mind just let someone get by with something like this, like what Spirit had done, and just continue living as if none of it happened? They were no longer in danger, and chances are he might not get another prime opportunity like this.
Moments later Soul returned to the table. They'd been given their ticket for the delicious meal and as their waitress came back by to pick it up, the weapon had left a relatively more generous tip than usual. Maka had been quite surprised, but upon Soul's insistence, she'd ultimately been quelled to accept it. Several pleads of thanks later by the young lady who'd served them, they found themselves walking out the door as a small bell rang behind them to wish them a well night.
Instantly, a cold stare met a panicked one across the road. The silence between them could have easily spoken in place for the loss of words they'd had for each other in days. But, alas, Maka had broken the awkward moment. "W-what irony. Papa's here, too… We should really leave before he comes over here! I don't want strange women following him over here!" It was just awkward being here… where he could be seen flirting with the nearly topless women!
Maka had proceeded to split off quickly from the restaurant, with expected Soul to follow, but before she could step far away, Soul's hand had caught a hold of her wrist. "Soul! What are you doing?"
"There's something I have to do." Grasping her hand now, Soul didn't let go as he strode across the street. She had no time to question him as they reached the curb. Now he stopped before they could approach her father. Before Spirit could reach them, though, Soul felt his heart stand still. What he was about to do would tear his heart apart. For this, he had to get something out he'd been holding in for so long. Turning Maka to face him just inches apart, he grabbed her shoulders and pulled her in close. His hands rose to her face to cup her cheeks as he gently pulled her in to close the gap. Instantly, his lips met hers in soft indescribable passion.
At first, Maka wanted to reject this sudden collision, aware of where they were and who was in their presence. Her heart beat twice as fast, and yet at the same time, froze. What had struck Soul to so boldly kiss her now of all times, and here of all places? Still, her heart won over the battle with her head and she returned the affection with arms wrapped around him in an embrace.
In this very moment, time stood still and nothing else mattered as their eyes closed to shut out everything else in the world. It was just him and her, together in the most physical hold they'd ever had. The feel of his hands caressing the side of her face and his lips brushed against hers was more satisfying than any soul resonance they'd had. Although those were pretty strong, too. The physical connection, though, it'd become more pleasing than she'd thought it would be. Her father would simply have to accept it. His fingers ran through her hair that he'd insisted she wore down. The exchange of their touch sent waves of shock between them that could have kept them embraced together forever. But she didn't mind.
But then Soul paused, and held her back out to take a longing look at her. She could say nothing more as he gazed upon her, his eyes burning the image of his meister before him into his memory forever. She'd grown into such a beautiful young lady, sophisticated and smart, things he could never be… Perhaps this was what had attracted him so. Her determination had always been disguised in her stubbornness and there wasn't a single thing in their lives together that he'd ever regretted.
As they'd been lip-locking, Spirit could do nothing more than but to stare in shock. In his head, he'd held in a silent cry to himself as he realized that the girl he'd raised was grown now. His little girl had chosen to make her own decisions. Was this how Soul was going to pay him back? By flaunting it in his face? It was pure mental torture as he stood still, unable to turn away as much as he'd wanted to. He may have been able to stop this before, but he couldn't now.
"I…" Soul started, unsure of what to say next. His gaze didn't leave her as he mustered the words he needed to say. "I'm sorry, Maka. But I had to, at least one time while I had the chance."
The girl softened her gaze in both comfort and confusion. "What are you talking about Soul? We have our entire lives. It doesn't matter what anybody else thinks." This was what she'd waited so long for… the freedom to express exactly how she felt about him, the freedom to return to him what he'd waited for as well. Sure, they'd made crude jokes now and then throughout the years that could easily be mistaken as tried and true insults. Tiny tits, chicken legs, hair the color of an old man, even a few references to Soul's demonic looks. But now none of it mattered.
Soul shook his head, though. There was a hint of sadness in his eyes. The red hue didn't shine as bright as it usually did as he turned his head to look up at her father. He hadn't even a single hint of blush across his cheeks. "Maka, I made a promise to you, and I think it's time to fulfill it."
She stood before him, anxious to see Soul finally open up completely. There were yet just a few things that he still disclosed from even her to this day. What she'd hear, though, wouldn't turn out as pleasing or satisfying as she'd expected.
Soul stuck his hand in his jacket pocket and pulled out a familiar object. The clear pendant lay flat in his hand as he grabbed hers and gave it to her, the gold chain dangling down. "You wanted answers, Maka? And your father can attest to them for you."
The jeweled necklace! How long ago had it been since she'd last seen it? The trimmings and shape were just like she'd recalled, as well as the chain it rested on. Except… her eyes opened wide in surprise. Her tone grew hesitant, afraid of the next answer she'd get, but she had to ask. Nothing else would satisfy her need to know. "Wait, wasn't this… red?" Only now it wasn't. It steadily remained the clear colorless shade it last ended in.
Soul nodded, shifting his gaze toward Spirit. If only looks could kill, Spirit would have been dead on that very spot as once admiring eyes turned into spite-filled ones. "Yes. Was. Maka, it was no witch that begged for my memories to get spelled away. It was him."