Note: I do not own Soul Eater or any of it's characters, nor do I actually know how to tie a tie. Though I do admire the art! This is rated T for very mild language and some suggestive implications.
Formal wear was a norm for him growing up. A suit and tie every other weekend, hair slicked back and shoes shined so well he could see his own reflection in them. By seven he had perfected a Windsor knot, and at nine he could tie an Eldredge knot better than his father could.
So, it's an understatement to say that it's nearly unbearable for him to stand idly by as Maka tugs at her necktie, pulling on an end to loosen her mangled excuse for a Trinity Knot, tightening it instead and causing her to groan and tug harder in panic.
In two long strides he's right in front of her, knocking her hands away and loosening her self inflicted death trap, flicking her forehead gently when she attempts to take the band of emerald silk back from his hands, and she huffs a little, but lets her hands drop to her sides. She attempts to watch his hands as he expertly loops and tugs, but goes cross eyed and gives up quickly, opting to let her eyes fall closed, tipping her head back and sighing through her nose in an attempt to quell her frustration with herself.
"Goddamn Maka, you really made a mess of this. Didn't your dad ever-"
And he cuts himself off, because she's glaring now, hands curled into tiny, destructive fists, jaw clenched and nostrils flared. He mumbles a little "Sorry", and her shoulders relax. She sighs again, but this time she sounds more tired than anything else.
"It's okay Soul. My uh.. My mama..She taught me how to do this knot a really long time ago but.. I just can't remember.."
His stomach twists uncomfortably at her confession and his hands stall in their movement, resting gently on either side of her pale silken throat. He can feel her pulse fluttering against his sensitive fingertips, and sees her bottom lip tugged between her teeth as if she's got a secret that she just can't allow herself to tell.
"It's okay, Maka.."
Her eyes are wide and terrified, scared that he just may be right, that maybe she's better off without her mom here, without her little lessons and cold demeanor. Maybe it really is okay that she hasn't seen her mom in years.
Maybe this knot she had been trying so desperately to perfect was just a noose of old memories holding her back from progressing.
Soul watches her expression curiously before he presses his lips to the furrow in her brow, feeling it relax beneath his mouth, smiling against her skin as soon as it does. He presses another kiss to her forehead, then pulls back to eye her tie once more. After a few moments of studying it, he starts reversing the process, silencing Maka's protests with a single "Trust me".
This time, he ties it in a different manner, a manner which he's absolutely positive is way cooler than anything her mom could pull off. When he's done, he readjusts her collar and places a tiny kiss on her throat just above the knot, smiling at her flushed cheeks and curled lips. He takes her by the hand and leads her to her dresser mirror.
A giant smile graces her lovely face, and he internally cheers. Hell yeah, he cheered her up!
"Soul, how in the hell, I mean, where did you even? What's it called?"
He chuckles at all her half questions and the awe on her face. Her eyes are so bright, they almost envelope him in their glow. It's so endearing, the way she's seen faeries, and witches, tragedy and miracles, yet still has it in her to be amazed by something as simple as a knot in green striped silk.
"It's called a pinwheel knot. Kinda silly I know, but I uh.. thought it would look nice on you and I was right so.. Ah, I-if you want I can teach you how to do it..?" His cheeks burn when she grins at him and nods excitedly. She scampers out of her room, and before he has a chance to ask just what the hell is up, she's back with a red and black striped tie, dangling it in front of him expectantly.
"You want me to teach you right now? Seriously? We're gonna be late ya know."
"No we won't, I'm a fast learner and you're great teacher! C'mon, please Soul?" She bats her eyelashes theatrically, lower lip jutted into a pout and hands clasped in plea. She looks like a caricature of her self, and Soul can't help but laugh.
"Fine, dork, but if we're late it's on you!"
"Yeah yeah, no problem, I've got this!"
An hour, several hickeys, a shredded tie and a fit of giggles later, Maka still doesn't know how to tie a pinwheel knot, but she sure knows what absolute joy feels like.
And really, in the end? That's probably one of the most important lessons anyone ever teaches her.