Soul Eater
Well, I'm feeling rather sentimental today especially after watching a sad episode of Fullmetal Alchemist.
Anyways, a thanks to all my readers, reviewers, followers, ect.! Please excuse my grammatical errors and I hope this chapter meets your expectations. Sorry for updating so late. I was pretty sick this week. O.o
Untouchable
Chapter 52 - Shock
There was an awkward silence and Maka had no idea what to do. She could feel the tension building up. She could feel something strange forming inside her stomach. Silently gulping, Maka began to look around nervously as she sat in the dining room, in front of the beautiful elegant table. Somehow they had made it through dinner and now they were waiting for dessert. Unfortunately though, Soul's stepmother was running out of things to talk about.
Maka really felt sorry for her. She was trying so hard to lift some of the pressure, but it wasn't working. Her parents were behaving like children and she could see them glaring at each other. She wondered why they acted like that. First her dad starting flirting around with a maid and then her mother started bickering with him in front of Soul's stepmother. Things between them just couldn't get worse.
"So, umm, Maka, dear," Soul's stepmother began again, clasping her hands together, smiling nervously. "So how are you doing in school? You seem like a very smart and responsible girl."
"It's good." Maka replied, but she didn't know what else to say. She could see Soul breathing heavily next to her as he stared at his dad. They were probably the ones responsible for all the tension. Trying to make him feel better, Maka held Soul's arm from underneath the table. "I'm doing good."
"Yes, thankfully, she got her mother's smarts." Her mother suddenly began after taking a sip of her drink. The servants had just walked in and they started placing a plate with a piece of lemon pie in front of them. "She's the best in her class, the one with the highest grades. I'm very glad she's following in my footsteps. And you're right, Mrs. Evans, my daughter is a very responsible. She's one of the most important things I have and I'm glad she's living a happy life."
"She's important to you?" Her father blurted out. Maka tried to signal her dad to be quiet, but he wasn't paying attention to her. Instead, he was glaring at her mother. "That doesn't explain why you left her for so many years. What type of mother does that?"
"Spirit." Her mother said through her teeth and by this point Maka decided to just give up on them. Of course, she was glad to see Soul silently smirking at her crazy parents. "Now is not the time for this. Please excuse him, Mr. and Mrs. Evans. He forgets himself sometimes."
Soul's stepmother laughed silently before she picked up her fork. She snipped away a small slice of pie and placed it inside her mouth. Maka tried to do the same thing, but for some reason, she found herself having trouble to do anything. She exhaled and inhaled, looking down at the piece of pie that was placed before her.
Everything was going fine. They all seemed to be getting along, except for her parents but that was natural. She seemed to have won the kindness of Soul's stepmother and she was starting to get used to the idea that Soul used to be a rich boy, but she couldn't get over Soul's dad. His dad hadn't said one word since he had arrived, neither to Soul nor his stepmother. He hadn't even bother to greet her or her parents. Why? Maka turned to look at him, but his face remained the same, firm and serious. She noticed that he wouldn't stop staring at Soul.
Did he want to talk to him? She supposed it was normal since he hadn't really seen his son in four years. Still, why didn't he say something? Soul had finally come all this way and it was sad to see his dad so silent. Maka let out a small sigh and turned to look at Soul. She wondered if he was okay. None of this would have been happening if her parents weren't so bothersome. Even so, Soul would have had to face his dad sooner or later. He couldn't have kept avoiding his dad forever.
"So, Soul," His stepmother began and Maka was surprised to see that she was already halfway done with her dessert. Biting her lip a little, Maka looked down at her plate and because she could feel Soul's dad staring at them, she was reluctant to pick up the fork. "Why don't you tell us how you met Maka? I would love to hear that story."
Soul almost choked on the piece of pie he had just stuck in his mouth. Maka tried her best to not to laugh and she was glad his stepmother hadn't asked her that question. "What?" Soul responded after he recomposed himself. "Why would you want to hear something like that? It's not that amazing."
"It doesn't matter." His stepmother insisted as a warm smile appeared on her face. She wiped her lips with a napkin before she continued on. "This is the first time I ever meet one of your girlfriends, after all. I would love to know how you met her, Soul. Oh, please do tell us."
"Girlfriends?" Her dad suddenly hissed from his spot. He took a gulp from his drink, leaning himself closer to the table. "How many girlfriends has this guy had anyways?! As far as I know, my daughter is a pure and innocent girl! I better not find out you were some sort of crazy man lover that was running around and chasing after girls! I can't believe my poor Maka fell victim to your traps! It's okay, sweetie!" He turned his direction toward her and Maka wished he could just be quiet. What type of image was he giving to Soul's parents? "Papa will protect you!"
"Spirit!" Her mother suddenly butted in as she slammed her fists in the table. All eyes went toward her and Maka suddenly got the desire of running away. "How many times have I told you that this isn't the time and place for this?! Can't you behave just once? Goodness, you feel no embarrassment. Besides, you're no one to lecture the kids, so just keep your mouth shut."
Her father pouted, but, thankfully, he returned to look at his plate. Soul's stepmother though was cracking up while Soul pretended to not care. Maka couldn't help, but silently thank her mother. "You were saying, Soul?" Her mother suddenly said to him with a smile. "You were about to tell us how you met our Maka. I want to hear that story too."
He grunted as he slumped back on his chair. Their meeting was definitely not a matter to speak in public especially not in front of them. Maka finally sliced a piece of pie and placed it in her mouth. She carefully ate, letting the rich flavor run through her mouth while she listened to Soul speak.
"Maka has always been in my class." Soul began, closing his eyes and trying to hide some his embarrassment. Maka could tell that he was struggling with his words. "So I didn't technically meet her. I always kind of knew her, I guess. Umm, I don't really know how to put it. She always just kind of been there, I just never talked to her until a couple of months ago."
Maka could feel her heart thumping loudly inside her and she hoped Soul wouldn't tell them their entire story. It would probably take three or four days to tell them everything they had ever gone through. From happiness to horrors, they had already lived through it all and all in less than a year. They were pretty amazing that they had made it that far.
"And?" Her mother said a bit excitedly, lifting herself from her seat a little. She was looking at them intently and Maka could feel the pressure she was sending toward them. "Go on, Soul. Tell us what happens next? Did you talk to her or did she talk to you? Did you two kiss? How did you ask her out? How did you even realize that you liked her? I mean, I know my daughter is beautiful and smart, but how did you notice it?"
"Mother!" Maka said through her teeth, feeling her face blush. "That's really not necessary! That belongs in our private lives."
"Oh, Maka. I want to hear Soul say it." She whined like a little kid and for a minute there, she sounded worse than her dad. Maka sighed and turned to look at Soul's dad. Of course, though, he was as stiff as a rock and he just kept staring. Maka wondered if he was even there with them. He was definitely weird, but some his serious and quiet attributes would probably fit quite nicely with her parents. "Go on, Soul. Maka would interrupt anymore."
Soul hesitated again and instead he stuffed his mouth with pie. That kept him occupied for a while, but when he was finished, her mother kept pressuring him. Pretty soon, he had no choice but to give in. "I started talking to her, okay?!" Soul snapped, probably hoping that was enough to make them happy. "Of course, being as stubborn as she is, she kept pushing me away and before I knew it she had me chasing her all over. Then we just started going out and now we're here. That's basically it."
"Aww, you didn't give us any details. You're just like Maka. She didn't give me any details either. I'm left the same as before." Her mother complained as she sat back on her chair. Then, Maka abruptly heard her laugh. "Still, it's cute. You guys are perfect for each other. I don't think I've ever seen my Maka so happy."
"Of course you haven't when you haven't even been here half the time." Her dad said under his little cloud of gloom. He was messing around pie with his fork, not even bothering to eat it. "I've seen Maka happy plenty of times, way before this boy showed up in her life. You should have seen her when she moved on to high school or when she made a perfect score on her exam for the first time. She was happy then." Maka could tell that he close to losing it, breaking in any minute into tears. "Oh, Maka! Why did you have to leave me?!"
"Oh, Mr. Albarn. We have to understand that our children grow up and that they'll have to leave sooner or later." Soul's stepmother said to him, but Maka wasn't sure if her dad was even listening. "It's better that they enjoy themselves now, when they're young and full of energy. I was always told that one must live life to the fullest, so you'll have no regrets in the future. They should live happily and make up for all the misery that's around the world."
"Yes, I agree as well." Her mother added, but Maka didn't believe her. Until not long ago, she wanted to take her away, not caring what she wanted or how she felt. "Even so, they should be careful. Because they're young and full of energy, they might end up doing some foolish things."
"Yes! I agree with that!" Her dad suddenly jumped in frantically. "Do hear that, Maka?! Don't do any foolish things! Even though you and this guy are living under the same roof, you must, I repeat, you must keep away from physical desires! Ab-"
"Dad!" Maka quickly said, stopping him before he could embarrass her even more. Why? Why did he have to do that to her and in front of Soul's parents? What would they think of her? Would they think she was attracted to that sort of thing? It was all her dad's fault. It was all his fault. "That isn't necessary! You don't have to say that over and over again! We get it already! Geez!"
"You know what? I think you're dad needs some fresh air." Her mother suddenly said as she walked over to him. She grabbed him tightly by the collar and pulled him up from his chair, not showing any sign of consideration. "Please excuse us. Spirit here, could use some fresh air."
The maid guided them out the dining room and Maka found herself alone with Soul and his parents. She suddenly felt a deep long silence creeping in, but she was too nervous to start a conversation. She could tell that Soul's stepmother probably felt the same way. Now that her meddling parents were gone, she could feel the heavy presence of Soul's dad. Maka wondered if he was always like that and she wondered how in the world Soul's stepmother could support being married to a rock.
Out of nowhere, Soul's dad suddenly stood up. His chair screeched loudly against the wooden floor, his dessert left completely untouched. He turned his head to look at Soul, making Maka silently gulp. He was definitely scary. They glared at one another for several seconds which intensified the atmosphere.
"Soul," His deep voice called out to him. "There's something we need to talk about."
With that, he walked out the dinning room and it wasn't long before Soul followed him. He didn't look too happy about it, but it seemed like he didn't have a choice. Maka watched Soul silently and, as he stepped out, he quickly turned around to give her a small smile. He probably didn't want her to worry.
Maka just hoped, from the bottom of her heart, that everything would be okay.
…
Soul followed him. He followed even though he didn't want to. Then again, Soul wasn't surprised to see his dad acting the same as always. He was always cold and distant from everyone. Even during parties or social functions, Soul remembered his dad always locking himself away in his room. Even so, Soul always got a feeling that his dad was especially cold toward him.
He never bothered to care about him, so what in the world could he possibly have to say to him now? As far as he knew, they hardly even crossed words with one another. It was strange that he had finally taken an interest in him after all those years that had passed by. He wasn't flattered nor did he care, he was just a bit curious. He wondered what type of thoughts were going through his dad's head. He wondered why he had suddenly called him out like that.
It wasn't long before they arrived to his dad's office. His dad opened the door for him and they both walked inside. Soul looked around and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't remember the last time he had stepped foot inside his dad's study room. There were shelves all over the place, filled with several rows of books and small sofas were smacked in the middle of the room. The place looked a little run down, with little to no maintenance.
His dad silently walked over to his desk, sitting down in his chair. He motioned Soul to sit down in one of the seats that were nearby, but he didn't bother. He wanted to get this over with this as soon as possible. He didn't know how much longer he could be there. The only reason he hadn't left already was because of his somewhat mom. Then, Maka's parents had been enough to keep his mind busy and distracted.
"I see that you're doing well." His dad suddenly told him, placing his chin on top of his hands, his face remaining firm.
Soul smirked and turned his gaze somewhere else. So now he cares how he has been doing? After many years of ignoring him, he finally looks at him? If he would have done this a couple of years back, then he probably would have been jumping with joy. Now, though, he could care less what his dad said. It wouldn't have any affect on him. Not now. "I haven't been doing well." Soul told him, making sure he grabbed his attention. "I've been doing great and it's no thanks to you."
"I see." He coughed a few times before he swiveled his chair to the side. He stared at the wall with seriousness, his old hands gripping tightly onto the chair's handles. "I'm glad, then."
"You're glad?" Soul commented almost as a laugh. He was trying so hard to remain calm, but he could slowly feel his blood boiling inside him. "Like hell you are. Why don't you just come out and say it, huh? Why don't you just say that you've never given a damn about me? Huh? Why don't you just tell me that Wes has always been your favorite and you did everything you could to make me realize that? Huh? Why don't you say it!? Why do you keep holding it back?! You've never cared about me. You've never loved me, so what the hell could you possibly say to me now? You don't know anything about me."
"I don't hate you, Soul." His dad said, making Soul freeze in his place. He gritted his teeth as he clutched his hands together. "You're my son. I can't hate you and I can't make myself hate you."
"Oh yeah? That's what you say now." Soul told him, crossing his hands and giving him a devilish smirk. "You don't have to fake it. It's okay if you hate me because I won't care. You can do whatever you want and I won't care."
"I don't hate you and I'm sorry if I made you think otherwise." Even though he was saying that to him, Soul could still feel his voice a bit dry. It was strange for him to be hearing such words coming out of his dad's mouth. There was definitely something going on. His dad wouldn't just call him there just to tell him something like that or would he?
"I was being serious, though." His dad said again, spinning his chair forward again. He leaned his elbows against the table as he stared at him expressionless. "I'm glad you're doing well. I can tell this girl has done some great change in you. She seems to have influenced you well."
"Yeah, because she did what you never could. She gave me something that you couldn't possibly give me." Soul told him and even though he didn't like it, he could feel some hatred escaping from his voice. "Who knows where the hell I would be. If it wasn't thanks to her, I would probably be out dead somewhere. I always thought my existence was meaningless because of you. That's the impression you always gave. I didn't understand why. I didn't know the reason as to why you could hate your own son. I didn't get it until Wes told me."
His dad's face changed a little which brought Soul some more anger. "That's right. Are you surprised that Wes actually had the guts to tell me? I know everything and to be honest, I understand. I killed her. I brought my mother to her death. Isn't that right? Isn't that why you and Wes always felt resentment toward me? I took away someone important to you. My birth destroyed your life with her."
"It's true. You're mother did die and I did love her very much. She was everything to me, Soul. I never thought of the possibility of living without her. There were complications during labor and there were nothing the doctors could do. But she, out of her, managed to give birth to you." His dad closed his eyes as he choked on his words. "It was hard for me to look at you, Soul. You're her exact image."
There was a moment of silence and Soul didn't know what to say. He looked down at the floor, his chest suddenly feeling heavy. "I don't want to hear your excuses."
"I'm glad you paid Meredith and I a visit." His dad had completely changed the topic, pushing back his glasses. He took a deep breath before he turned his back on him. It seemed to Soul that he was finally going to get down to the point. "There's something important I need to tell you. Something that I have yet to discuss with Wes."
Soul stiffened a little. His dad was about to tell him something he hadn't even told Wes? Placing his hands in his pockets, Soul tried to act like he didn't care. He tried to act indifferent and disinterested. "Oh. Isn't this a surprise?" He replied with some sarcasm. "I wonder."
"A couple of weeks ago, I was diagnosed with emphysema." His dad began, but Soul's body was already paralyzed. "I don't know if you know about it, but it basically means that my lungs are destroyed. Naturally, I've quit smoking, but that isn't enough anymore. Therapy is no good and the medication give me little relief. I find myself running out of breath quite frequently along with chest pains. I don't know how long I've had this, but it's probably been for a while now. If I don't get a lung transplant, I'll probably end up joining your mother."
Soul didn't know what to say.
"Sometimes I think to myself. I wonder, if I even want a transplant. What's the point of living if I'm completely miserable?" His dad still kept looking away and the only thing Soul could see was the back of his chair. "The moment your mother died, a part of me died along with her."
Soul wanted to run out the room. He didn't want to hear his dad talk anymore. He didn't. He wanted him to shut up. He wanted him to tell him that it was all a stupid sick joke. He would preferred it a thousands times for his dad to tell him that he hated him than to hear him say that he was dying. Soul didn't know what to do. He didn't know what to think. He could feel himself getting angrier. He could feel himself getting frustrated.
"To be honest, I don't know how much longer I have to live since I'm also vulnerable to a heart attack." His dad continued on and Soul could hear his voice silently fading away. "I haven't told anyone yet. I haven't told your brother nor Meredith. You're the first one to know of my condition."
"Why?" Soul said through his teeth, feeling angry at himself. He felt angry at himself for caring, for feeling, for understanding. He felt anger toward his dad for making him go through something like that. He wasn't expecting it. There was no way he could have prepared himself for something so devastating. "Why are you telling me? Why do you call me out for something like this? Huh? Why?"
"I can't possibly make up for all the years I've abandoned you. There's nothing I can do to give you the love and the warmth I was suppose to give you as a child. I know. I can't blame you for hating me. I can't blame you for anything because everything is my fault." His father finally turned around in his chair and Soul was surprised to see his dad, despite his solemn face, with tears swelling in his eyes. "Still, I've been thinking to myself, that there must be something I could to make it up to you. There has to be something I could do to show you that I've always cared about you, my son."
Soul took a step back as he stared at his dad. He was starting to fight back his own tears.
"So I came up with a conclusion," His dad told him, placing his chin above his hands again after pushing his glasses into place. "Upon my death, whenever that may be, you will inherit this house and also more than half of my fortune. You will succeed a great piece of my company and I will give you the music hall that's currently under remodeling."
Soul took another step back. He couldn't believe what his dad was saying and he had just about had enough. "I would much rather hear you telling me that you'll search for a desire to live! What's the point of you giving me all that stuff if you're gonna be dead!"
That was it, giving his dad one last look, Soul walked out his office, making sure his hair covered his face. He immediately came face to face with Maka and the others, but he walked right passed them. He headed toward the door at full speed, ignoring the maids that were asking him if he was okay.
When he stepped outside, he quickly went toward the nearest tree and banged his fist hard on the trunk, feeling blood pour out from his knuckles. The sun was out and the sky was cloudy, but there was nothing in that moment that could possibly warm him up. There was nothing that could change what he was feeling.
After four years or so, after his long absence, he finally faces his dad to receive the most dreadful news ever. He couldn't take it. Soul thought he hated him. He thought he wouldn't care, but he did. The fact that his dad was dying not only scared him, but it hurt him. He didn't want him to die. He was dad, his father, and despite his flaws, Soul did care about him. Even though he gave him the cold shoulder since he could remember, Soul didn't want him to go. Soul didn't want both his parents to leave him.
"Soul," He could hear Maka's voice behind him. He turned to look at her and he rapidly came into contact with her beautiful green eyes. She took a step toward him, his body completely shaking when her hand touched his. "Are you okay?"
"Maka," He whispered, wrapping his arms around her tightly. He couldn't hide his feelings from her. He couldn't conceal the sadness that was growing inside him. He needed her. In that moment, she was really everything he needed. Soul buried his face in her neck before he felt her patting his hair. "Maka."
He was going to inherit the vast house. He was going to get a part of his dad's company and a great amount of his money. He was going to get the music hall he had taken Maka to a couple of months ago as well. Still, he was going to get all that at the cost of his dad's life? No. He didn't want any of that if his dad was going to die. He wasn't ready to see him part the world. Not yet.
There were still so many things they could do. There were still so many things that could happen. Their relationship could improve like the way it had with his brother. Soul could learn to forgive. He could learn to forget the many years he wasn't with him. But, how could any of that happen if he was going to die? Why couldn't he just find that lung transplant and live? He had the money, so what the hell was he waiting for? What?
He still needed him. Wes still needed him. His stepmother still needed him. Was it that hard for him to see that he's still important? Soul wished his dad could stop living in the past. He wished his dad could just move on. His life had stopped because of his mother's death and he wasn't looking forward. His dad wasn't fighting for his future and there was nothing he, his own son, could do about it. There was nothing he could do to change his mind.
"Maka," Soul whispered again, embracing her tighter, burying his head deeper into her neck. "I don't want you to see me cry."
…
