Hey guys, MT here!

I hope everyone has been enjoying the story so far and I'm happy that people were fanboying/fangirling at the proposal xD

By the way, before I forget, a new fic will be making its way onto my account! It's going to be a time-traveling Highschool DxD fic so look forward to it!

Anyways, I don't really have much more to say right now so...ENJOY!

Chapter 38

It was now December 30th and Maka was relaxing in the parlor with one of her books. She was beaming happiness as her eyes drifted from the book to the ring around her ring finger. She still couldn't believe Soul had done that and they had spent the last few days cuddling and flirting as if their lives depended on it. Although Rosalie thought it was adorable, some people in the house were beginning to get a bit tired of it.

Edgar had told Rosalie that she should take Soul to get the ring Nana gave he and Maka to get sized for Maka and the two had left that morning. Luckily Maka's size was near identical to Rosalie's so she wasn't needed for the trip. Edgar was also gone with Nana to visit her brother's grandson who had just had his first child with his new wife.

Maka thought it was a bit lonely in the enormous house without them but she was killing time with her book as she awaited their return. As she was gazing at her ring, someone spoke behind her, starling her.

"You really love that ring, huh?" asked a voice. Maka jumped where she was sitting, dropping her book as she did so, and she spun around.

"W-Wes, you scared me," said Maka, sighing in relief when she found out who it was. She began to reach for the book but wasn't able to get it before Wes had picked it up. She looked up at him and he was holding the book out to him. She smiled and reached out to take it from him. "Thanks."

"I heard that Soul and my mother went out to resize the ring. May I ask why you didn't go with them?" asked Wes, curiously.

"Well, I wanted to Soul to have some alone time with his mom. I've been kind of stealing Soul for the last few days," joked Maka, giggling a bit as she said the last part. Wes smiled before sitting down on the sofa next to her.

"I'm very happy that my brother found someone like you to take care of him. I always thought he was a little strange but it seems I was worried for nothing," said Wes, happily. Maka smiled at him but frowned after a moment when she recalled an old memory.

"Hey, Wes, can I ask you something?" asked Maka, catching Wes' interest. He nudged her on with an 'Of course' and she continued. "A while back, not long after Soul and I became a couple, we were shopping around in a kind of flea market back home and we found one of your books. His mood became sour and I got him to tell me what was wrong and he told me about you. Why…Why did you say such mean things to him back then?"

Maka peered over at Wes, her eyes a bit glassy as she remembered how painful Soul's eyes and voice were when he told her about his brother. Wes remained still for a moment as he mulled over what she had said. He finally unfroze and sighed before leaning back into the sofa.

"Maka, before I say anything, may I ask when was the first time Soul played for you? And how you felt?" asked Wes, calmly. Maka's face contorted in confusion but Wes' pleading expression nudged her on.

"W-Well, the first time Soul played for me was when we met. I had heard someone playing the piano and I liked the sound so I followed it and found Soul. Even though I told him I was practically tone deaf and I didn't really understand music, he asked me to sit next to him and listen to him play. I'll never forget what he said before he played," said Maka while smiling, brightly. "He said 'This song is my heart'. The song he played was dark and mysterious but I loved it. It caught my interest and I didn't even understand music. All I understood was Soul was playing from his heart and I could hear it clearly."

Wes stared at Maka, surprised by how much of an effect it had had on her while she continued to smile, brightly, at the memory. He then smiled and chuckled.

"To think my brother made you fall for him with his dark music," said Wes, chuckling. Maka blushed a bit out of embarrassment but Wes continued after he stopped chuckling. "You see, my dear future little sister, Soul has a bit of a…gift. He can literally play his soul out. When I asked Soul to play for me the first time, he said he had never tried to free-style, that is play without any script or prior practice, and when he started to play, it was like he had rehearsed it a thousand times. The answer to why I said those things to Soul was that I was completely bloody jealous."

"Jealous? How jealous would you have to be to say something so cruel to him?" said Maka, angrily. Wes put out a hand to stop her and she stopped ranting so he could continue.

"Maka, I am a great musician. The press has told me. Legends have told me. Everyone has told me. However, I am only able to play the things others create. I have no ability to develop music on my own. I can never seem to get any kind of rhythm going. As someone who comes from a musical background, and who can play as good as I can, it is exceedingly frustrating. I've since come to terms with it but it was around the time that I was at the peak of my frustrations with that issue that I was trying to assist Soul in improving his own skills. When he had done what I was having so much trying to do, I completely lost control of my anger and unjustly took it out on him. Afterward, I had tried even harder to accomplish it but continued to fail. When Soul discovered his weapon abilities, I saw it as a chance to protect myself from the great musician Soul could have become, one that may have completely exceeded me, and attempted to push him away. After he was gone I realized what I had done and tried to find a way to contact him but we didn't know where he went. It wasn't until we saw you all in the paper that we knew Soul was okay," explained Wes, his expression turning sour, probably in self-hatred. The room remained silent for a moment and Maka stared at Wes as his expression flashed between anger, sadness, frustration, etc.

"Wes," began Maka, catching Wes' attention. "You need to talk to Soul about this."

"W-What? What could I possibly say to him to get him to forgive me? 'Oh, I was jealous of you talent so I all but completely ruined your chances of becoming a great musician but I'm sorry now'? I've ruined him, Maka. And his image of myself. As far as I'm concerned, the only reason he's been tolerating me up until now was because you wanted him to try and reconnect with his family. Otherwise, he would probably be glaring daggers at me the entire time he's been here," explained Wes, unable to keep his usually calm façade.

"Wes, Soul doesn't hate you. He was more disappointed in himself because he thought you hated his music so much that you hated him. He was confused and hurt by your words and he thought that by not playing again, you might not hate him. Granted, my wanting him to reconnect with you all is helping him behave, but I think he really does want to make up with you," said Maka, seriously. Wes stared at her for a moment and then sighed. He chuckled for a moment, confusing Maka.

"I finally understand what attracts Soul to you. You're a strong, resolute woman. It's quite attractive if you ask me," said Wes, causing Maka to roll her eyes.

"Now, now, future brother, you shouldn't try to flirt with your future sister. Instead, why don't you think of a way to make up with Soul because you're doing it when he gets back," said Maka, causing Wes to nearly jump in his seat.

"T-That soon? But I've only just come to terms with the idea. I couldn't possibly think of some way to reconcile with Soul in such a short amount of time," said Wes, uncomfortably.

"Well, when else are you going to do it? Soul and I leave on the 2nd and tomorrow will be busy with preparations for New Year's, and then there's supposed to be a party on New Year's, right? You won't have time to do it any other time," said Maka, causing Wes to sigh, knowing she was right. He muttered out a 'Fine' and Maka smiled, brightly. "Good."

She leapt from the sofa and went off to her room, wanting to give Wes some time to think, and she also wanted to get back to her book without distractions.

So? What did you guys think?

I'm sorry if it seems a bit short but I didn't want to cut into the scene with Soul and Wes bonding. I hope everyone enjoyed and I would appreciate Reviews of what you thought or ideas you have for the series!

Until next time...byeee :D