Disclaimer. If it was mine, you'd know, but it's not.
Author's Notes. Written for the Launch the 'Ship challenge. Done for the hell of it, inspired by that scene in the final chapter. You know the one.
"Oh, look at this!"
"Hm?" Maka looked up from the leather-backed planner she'd been inspecting. It was a deep shade of red, but at the same time she hadn't finished with her old one just yet – set to last 'til the end of November. The question of whether or not to jump the gun on getting a replacement had been at war in her head when Blair interrupted her thoughts.
Her girlfriend had a thin metal candleholder in her hands, its rectangular walls carved to resemble a strutting cat. As Maka peered at it she could see Soul do the same, looking away from the small selection of records on the wall.
"There's only one spot for a candle even though the cat's twice the length of it. Isn't that kinda wasteful?" he asked.
"Aw, but I like it. It fits me perfectly, doesn't it?" Blair replied, holding it up to her face.
"...Blair, you say that about anything that involves a cat."
"I really mean it this time! And the rust means it's the right time of year for it, too… just in time for Hallowe'en. It's my season, you know."
"Ain't my season, too? I don't have that pinstripe suit for nothing, you know. Hell, the only one here who can't say that is Maka – she's too uptight for it," he replied, lazy grin on his face, eyes flicking over to her.
She socked him in the arm – less painful than a book spine to the cranium, but still possessing decent force. "You say that as though I haven't attended every Hallowe'en party Blair's wanted me to go to. From what I remember, you're never that excited to join the crowd either, suit or no."
"Oh, she's got a point, Soul! And we both know how much Maka can get into any Hallowe'en games."
The three of them laughed at that. Maka had refused to budge from her seat during a Hallowe'en game of Mysterium, fiercely debating with Blair and Black Star over the best course of action while Soul watched, occasionally interjecting with his own comments.
"Alright, alright. Hallowe'en's our season. Are you gonna get that planner?" Soul asked, and Maka looked down.
"Oh! Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to get a new one early… it does fit our season, after all."
"I'm happy you're learning to appreciate impulse-shopping. I'm going to get this candlestick holder – it'll fit in perfectly on the table if we have a party," Blair said.
"Hey, it's been a while since we've done that. What do you say, Maka?"
"Hm…"
"I promise to keep it low-key…"
"Oh, alright. I expect you to keep that promise, though!" Maka replies, lightly swatting Blair on the arm.
"Shows how you know me!"
Five minutes later, items in hand, the three of them were walking back to their apartment. The air was crisp and the clouds had parted just enough to let a little bit of sharp autumn light onto the streets of Death City. The leaves crunched readily underfoot, and the three of them took more time than they really needed to making their way home.
Author'sNotes. Original posted 202.10.14 on Ao3.