A/N: Chapter update activated! Thank you so much to everyone who has read, reviewed, and otherwise commented, both here and Tumblr. Extra thanks to the helpful reader who sent me a quick correction when this first went up on Tumblr! I AM A PERFECTIONIST AND I THANK YOU.
Soul kicked at a bit of coral on the sand in front of him, dawdling. The Hawaiian meister had implied he could put a lid on this thing, and godsdamn it, that's what he was going to do.
The beach was mostly quiet in the morning sunlight, but people were slowly starting to emerge. A pair of surfers had bolted by him already, diving into the blue water and popping up farther out, where they sat on their boards waiting for good waves. He'd been sprawled on the sand for a while now, long enough for a greenish-black honu to creep up on the beach for a rest. It blinked at him before shuffling itself back into the water and swimming away.
That's what he needed. A shell. It might help protect him from the heat that set the blood in his body simmering.
With a grunt, he pushed himself to his feet. Maka was probably awake by now and wondering where the hell he'd gone. He couldn't avoid her forever, so he might as well head back.
A pair of joggers slowed as they passed him on the other side of the road, staring openly. His hand went automatically to the edge of the scar peeking out from the scooped neck of his tank top, then to his hair. Living in Death City often made him forget how unusual he looked to civilians.
He flashed them a shark-toothed grin and felt pleased when one of them stumbled into the other and looked away. It helped banish some of the tightness in his gut.
Before he knew it, he was standing in front of their motel room door. He swallowed.
It wouldn't be a problem. He'd shut it away, just like everything else, and things would go back to the way they were. He had this.
His heart was stone. His face was neutral. His hands were steady.
The lock clicked and he pushed the door open. Maka's head snapped up from where she stood sifting through clothes at the foot of her bed. Golden sunshine lit her hair and face as she smiled. Her overlarge sleep shirt dipped to one side, exposing a bare shoulder.
"There you are," she said. "I was waiting."
It all came completely unglued as his heart pushed his pulse toward the triple digits, bursting through the crust he'd just encased it in to pound against his ribs.
"Waiting for what?" he said. His tongue felt like lead, but at least the muscle memory in his face kept his impassive front up. For now.
"For you to get back here so we could go get something to eat. Jinah called a bit ago and said we could all meet up with her and Keon at the training center for a workout." She selected an outfit from the pile on the bed.
He had no trouble responding naturally to that. "Ugh, you're going to make me train? The constant fighting hasn't been enough for you?"
Maka took a familiar battle stance - hand on hip, head tilted, expression unamused. "This mission is one part exterminating pre-kishin and one part cultural exchange. They have a unique fighting style and we can learn from each other."
"Uuuuuuuuuuugh," he said, faceplanting into his bed. "You're such a workaholic nerd."
"My nerdiness has saved our lives countless times and you are a giant whiny baby." She nudged him with her foot. "You look like a scrub. Get changed and then we can go get some shave ice for breakfast."
He snorted into a pillow and turned to look at her. "Ice cream for breakfast?"
She shrugged. "I hurt my leg and I'll do what I want. Besides, they put fruit in it. That's breakfast-y."
When she slipped into the bathroom to get ready, he complied with her request, changing into something slightly more presentable than a tank top. He was flipping through television channels - heavy rains expected tomorrow - when Maka came out. She was wearing a brightly-patterned sundress that went to mid-thigh. He tore his eyes away from her legs.
"That's workout material?" he drawled.
"I can move in it," she said. "Let's go."
Minutes later, they were strolling into town, passing by a variety of shops that were just starting to open. He waited while Maka eyed a few skirts in the window, and while she ducked into another shop to buy several gifts for Liz and Patty. Her voice filled his ears while they walked and he let her talk, relishing in the complete normality of the routine. Maybe he'd wound himself up for nothing. His heart had stopped trying to punch its way out of his chest, anyway.
Still, every now and again, he'd glance over at her and feel pulled. He ignored the impulse.
The shave ice shack was barely opening up its shutters for the day when Maka swooped in. A woman with a warm smile and crinkled eyes leaned over the counter, ready to serve her first customer. Soul eyed the list of available flavors and additions. It was absolutely massive, featuring everything from gummy candy to azuki beans to tapioca pearls.
He settled for a scoop of vanilla ice cream covered in strawberry shave ice with a drizzle of condensed milk. Probably a toothache waiting to happen, but it sounded good. Maka listed off so many flavors that he couldn't keep track.
They settled on a bench under the trees to watch the ocean while they ate. Soul had never had shave ice before - snow cones, yes, but this was much more like real snow than that crunchy, pellet-y stuff. He liked it. It melted on his tongue instantly, leaving a pool of sweetness behind.
Maka was still yapping about every topic that entered her head. "The history of these islands is seriously amazing. Did you know most of the plant and animal life isn't native? It was brought over from other places by settlers and visitors."
"I'm pretty sure that's how islands work," Soul said, his words a little thick through his numb mouth. "Isolated land and all."
She shot him an exasperated look. "I meant within the last few hundred years. Before that, everything that grew here came naturally by wind or sea. There are so many birds that ended up here and evolved into something totally unique… like the dozens of species of honeycreepers."
Soul chuckled. "Honeycreepers, heh."
That got him an eyeroll before she continued. "And the social history! I could go on for days."
"Please don't," he said.
She ignored him. "Did you know there was an attempted rebellion in the 1800's that tried to overthrow the monarchy of the island? Pele wouldn't allow it. Whenever outsiders tried to take advantage, she made them regret it. It's why the islands are still sovereign today. How does this not fascinate you?"
She flung her spoon as she spoke and a dribble of ice and cream plopped onto her bare shoulder. It made her wince and she went to brush it away.
Before she could, Soul automatically leaned down and licked it off, drawing his tongue over her like he'd planned to do it the whole time. He hadn't. When he tasted the sugar and salt of her skin on his tongue, his entire brain screeched what the fuck you fucking fool at him right before Maka cuffed him in the ear.
"Gross, Soul," she scolded, using the palm of her hand to wipe at the slobber he'd left on her.
Code red code red panic mode activated think fast you godsdamned dimwit!
"I don't let good food go to waste," he managed, lifting another spoonful from his own cup to his mouth and feigning nonchalance."Got you to stop talking, too."
She huffed and went back to eating after a final wipe at her shoulder.
Nailed it, he tried to tell himself while simultaneously hoping she didn't notice that he'd broken into a sweat. He needed to get a grip. His mouth still tasted a little like salt and something, a flavor that he didn't recognize but knew all the same. He wanted to taste it again and turned his face away so he wouldn't be tempted.
Christ, he was in serious trouble. He'd convinced himself he was fine, but he wasn't. Other girls never gave him these problems, but Maka was so constant, so familiar. Touching her was as natural as breathing, which turned out to be a big problem when touching suddenly went from daily routine to sending-tingles-to-the-danger-zone.
Without warning, she stood and dumped her empty cup in the nearby trash. "We'd better get going," she said, pointing to a nearby clock. "I told Jinah we'd meet them at 10. Black Star and Tsubaki are probably already there."
"Mm-kay," he said around his spoon. After he'd ditched his own stuff, she grabbed the front of his shirt and yanked him along behind her. He pried her fingers loose, trying to ignore the slight shake in his own hand.
Get it together. Build the wall. Be cool.
The training center was nearby, and they spotted the others right away on the open floor. Giant sliding pocket doors with floor-to-ceiling windows lined the opposite end, and they'd been partially pushed open to allow the island breeze from the lanai inside. Black Star, who'd been sparring with Tsubaki, turned and raised his hand.
"You're late," he shouted. "Long night? Long, quiet, missionary kinda night?"
Soul narrowed his eyes.
"We went to bed early, actually," Maka said as she slipped off her shoes before walking out to meet them. She either didn't register Black Star's words or didn't care.
"Oh really?" Black Star leaned around her to beam at Soul.
"They're on Hawaiian time," Keon said, throwing a look at Soul's tensing shoulders. "It happens."
Soul kicked off his own shoes and strolled out. "I heard we were training?"
They broke off into two groups, meisters on one side, weapons on the other. Jinah asked to see Soul's Death Scythe blade and he showed her, the black and white piano keys stretching down his limb. She was fascinated by his advanced abilities and sounded a little wistful that she'd never get to discover her own. Even so, she had things to show them, too. She shamelessly flirted with a blushing Tsubaki as she positioned their hips and feet, showing them how, with practice, they could achieve the same flow and control she had when she danced.
Every now and again, he'd cast a glance over to Maka's side, where Keon taught her similar grounding techniques. His blood pressure spiked a hair when he saw the boy's hand on his meister's lower back and he tried to reel it in. Keon had made it pretty clear he wasn't going to try anything. Still.
"'Ey, frowny-face," Jinah said, snapping her fingers by his head to get his attention. "Maybe you're ready for a break, hey? Go sit 'til your head's back on." She jerked her thumb toward the benches against the wall.
With a mumbled apology, Soul did as he was told. He hadn't really wanted to train, anyway... even if he was still a little envious of Jinah's dancing.
He had about two minutes alone with his thoughts before Black Star came over and sank down in the seat next to him. Soul closed his eyes, sighing and waiting for the next onslaught of asshattery.
"So did you guys make out like the awkward penguins that you are or what?" Star said, bobbing his head like a bird pecking at something.
"Can we not do this?" Soul asked, refocusing his attention on his meister and Keon.
Black Star pinched his cheek. "You're blushing like a freaking schoolgirl. Gross."
Soul knocked his hand away. "I don't fucking blush. You're fishing."
"Then quit being a mopey sad sack. It's so boring."
"Go away."
Star kicked him in the leg. "Man, I'm seriously just trying to help. You need to get your rocks off so badly that it's actually physically painful for me to watch."
Soul shot him an angry glare. "Oh my weeping gods, you are the worst person in the universe. Why are we friends?"
"We're friends because I'm a perfect specimen of masculinity to which you aspire and I take pity on you. Do you see that thing that's happening right over there?" He pointed at Tsubaki and Jinah, who were sharing secret smiles and getting very chummy with their close combat training. Black Star pointed at his own head. "Do you see this face? Stoic as Siddhartha."
Soul scowled.
"That pissy shit, right there, is what you look like every time the giant island dude comes within two feet of Maka. Either cut that fuckery out or make a move."
"Whatever you think is going on," Soul said, leaning back against the wall and letting his hair cover his eyes, "you're wrong."
Black Star shook his head. "Last chance, dude. Do something about it or shit's about to get real uncomfortable in here. You're forcing my hand."
"Go find something shiny to chase."
"I warned you." Black Star stood up and went to rejoin the meisters.
Keon had his hands on Maka's hips and was showing her how to move them when Black Star came up behind them. Soul lifted his gaze and listened, wary.
He heard Black Star say, "Maka's a kinesthetic learner. Maybe I can help."
Soul scoffed. Maka was an everything learner.
Keon raised an eyebrow and released the scythemeister. Then Black Star grabbed Maka from behind and pulled her flush against his body. She seemed a little put out, but he whispered something in her ear and she nodded.
Black Star bent his knees, forcing hers to go along for the ride as he spread one palm over her belly and used the other hand to run down her thigh.
"Like this," he said. "Move with me."
By now, Jinah and Tsubaki had stopped to watch, too. Keon facepalmed nearby.
Now Black Star moved his hips side to side, and Maka's followed. Soul was instantly reminded of their dance at the luau, among other things. Now-familiar heat crept up his neck even as he fought to keep from showing his teeth. Star was goading him and he wasn't going to break.
The movement of Black Star's hips took a decidedly R-rated turn as he started to roll and grind them into Maka. She played along, though her brow was starting to furrow.
"It's all in the hips," Star said. "All in the hipsssssss."
Soul's temperature was reaching dangerous levels, his fingernails digging into his arms. To his frenzied internal loathing, a deep cavern of want yawned wide in his guts. He wanted to rock into Maka like that and he hated himself for it. Still, he held back. It was only a matter of time.
Maka was definitely frowning now. "I don't see how this is help-" She stopped, the bewilderment on her face bypassing anger and going straight to rage.
There it was.
His meister broke free, whirled, and punched Black Star square in the face. He went down like a sack of bricks.
"Are you kidding me?" Maka screamed at him. "You nasty freaking troll!"
Soul finally let his teeth show in the form of a proud, wide grin. Him and Maka one, Black Star zero.
Star lay flat on his back, a hand over his gushing nose. He raised the other one to give a thumbs up. "Worth the look on your face," came his garbled reply.
Maka kicked him for good measure.
Jinah was curled in the fetal position on the floor and laughing so hard she could barely breathe while Tsubaki shifted from foot to foot, looking concerned about Black Star but not enough to help him up. Keon's hand still half-covered his face, but his smile was showing in the crinkle of his eyes. Soul got up to rejoin his meister, resting a hand on her head and smirking down at Black Star.
"You had that coming, man," Soul said.
Maka shot him a glare. "Did you know he was going to do that?"
"Nope."
"Good." She kicked the assassin again. "Pig."
There wasn't any way they could get their focus back on training, particularly considering Jinah was still wheezing on the floor, so they decided to call it a day. Tsubaki helped Black Star to his feet, giving him a firm smack upside the head before she let him put his arm around her shoulders. They all congregated out front, where Maka put a hand on Keon's arm to hold him up. Soul smoothed the frown that tried to furrow his brow.
"So I was thinking of trying to locate the other pre-kishin tonight," she said.
"Oh?" Keon said. "You need backup?"
Jinah came up beside her meister, clutching her side and looking interested.
"No, I didn't mean to fight, sorry. It's just… Soul and I have used Soul Perception in the past to locate specific souls. The last two seem to be lying low for now, so I think it's time to pull out the big guns."
A ghosting of pride flickered in Soul as Jinah looked at him, impressed.
"You can do that?" she asked.
He shrugged like it was no big deal. "It's how we found Asura."
"Nice."
"Anyway," Maka said, rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet. "Where's the best vantage point on the island?"
"Mauna Kea, no doubt," Jinah said, and Keon nodded in agreement. "Though you shouldn't go above the tree line. The summit is Poli'ahu's ground, and you're only allowed there by invitation. Not even Pele goes up that way without permission."
Keon pointed inland. "Just head mauka and up about halfway," he said. "There's camping there. Can't miss it… choice stargazing. Best on the island." His eyes shifted to Soul, glinting with amusement.
Soul ignored it. "Ma-what?" he said.
"He means fly toward the mountain, dumb-dumb," Jinah said. "And be careful. You won't be the first to get height-sick unless you go slow."
Keon scratched his chin. "If you plan on staying the night, we got camp gear." He looked them up and down. "You should dress up warm, too."
Soul snorted. "What for?"
Maka elbowed him. "Because it can get below freezing up there, that's why."
"Seriously?" He rubbed his ribs where she'd jabbed him. "In the tropics?"
"Read a book, Soul."
Jinah and Keon looked at each other, lazy smiles on their faces. Keon jerked his head.
"Come on," he said. "We'll get you set up. You find what you're looking for, you drop us a line and we'll come running."
Maka followed the pair and Soul slouched behind with a sigh. Just when he was starting to enjoy the thick heat, it was back to roughing it on a mountainside, and he hated the cold.