He would have thought that Maka would stop by again, even Hiro thought that she would. They both got a visit from their friends, minus Maka and Black*Star. Apparently Maka had 'work' to do so she was too 'busy' to visit. That left Hiro in a less happier mood, being as he had been waiting to see her again. It disgusted Soul that Hiro wanted so dearly to see his meister. He even hated the thought of them being in the same room together.
"Alright, looks like you can go home now." Ms. Marie looked at the boys sitting down. She eyed them until she came to a conclusion. "I'm going to trust that you two will act like adults and walk out of this school without hurting each other."
Both boys glanced at each other and grunted. "That's not hard I suppose." Hiro said. Soul remained silent.
"Then leave, have a nice evening boys!" She smiled and gave them a wave.
"You too Ms. Marie! Sorry for the little mishaps..." Hiro let a weak smile slip onto his face as he moved for the door. Soul happened to do the same, though he pushed past Hiro to reach the door first. The blonde just gave him an annoyed look and waited until Soul left.
"Hiro!" he heard the nurse whisper. He turned around to find Ms. Marie looking out of the door. "Okay, he's gone. Now tell me what happened. I know it had something to do with Maka, right?"
Hiro nodded.
"Oh, young love! It's just so sweet!" Ms. Marie clapped her hands together and squealed with delight. Hiro backed away, hands raised. "I remember the days where I had boys fighting over me!"
"Now now ! I don't think thats it at all. Maka... She's not interested in me at all. There could have been a chance if it wasn't for Soul. It's because of him that I can never get someone to love. He just has to show up and then the person I'm interested in is interested in him. It's as if it's his life long duty to make sure I'm never truly happy." Hiro sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He stared at the ground, not even daring to meet the other's eyes.
"Oh Hiro... That's tough. Saying I'm sorry won't help much so I'll say this, step up your game! I mean what else is there to do?"
"...Yeah, you're right. I guess I do need to. But right now we're on a nickname basis." He smiled.
"Bad nicknames?"
"No mam, I call her 'Bunny' and she calls me 'Weirdo'. I'm thinking it'll get better soon."
Ms. Marie laughed and patted Hiro on the back, which made him hunch, said their farewells and Hiro left. When he rounded the corner of the hallway he found Soul leaning against the wall. Hiro narrowed his eyes and decided to keep walking. He didn't have time to get hurt again. Besides, Ms. Marie did trust them to act like adults.
Soul fell into step beside him but he stayed silent. The only sounds that were heard were the squeaking of the teenagers' shoes. Both boys were grateful for the silence and neither dared to disturb it. But during that time Hiro started to think.
'Why did Soul wait?'
His question was answered as soon as they left the building. Soul was the one to speak first.
"Why the hell are you so determined to get to Maka?" His voice held no trace of anger and Hiro was thankful for that. Soul only looked at him with curiosity.
"Well, why won't you let me get close to her? I just want to get to know her."
"I didn't hear an answer. I heard a question."
"Why do you even want to know? So what that I happen to have a possible crush on her? What does it matter to you?" Hiro said harshly. He couldn't understand why Soul had such a huge problem with him liking Maka.
"She's my partner! I have to watch out for her." Soul said back. He was still calm. He wasn't going to tell Hiro why he actually cared, it wasn't any of his business.
Hiro just laughed. He laughed so hard that he doubled over. "Partner?! That's the reason? That's it? Since when have you started caring about being partners with people and actually caring about their being?"
Soul grunted and watched Hiro gather himself. He didn't think anything was funny.
"And why Maka?" Hiro continued. "As far as I know, you've been a complete asshole to her every since kindergarten."
Soul shook his head. Even Hiro was saying this. Soul knew himself and that wasn't like him. He didn't remember any of that. "Yeah, yeah whatever you say."
"I'm not finished Soul. She's too good for you. Remember what I said at the party? The one where you made me get this?" He held up his cast. "Maka's smart, generous, and well... smart! She doesn't deserve whatever you'll do to hurt her. I won't let that happen to her."
Soul nodded and tapped his foot with a big sigh. "Done yet?" Hiro grunted. "Good. First off, whatever I'm doing in my life, it doesn't involve you. You're trying to play the good guy when theres no need. And what makes you think that I'd hurt her?"
Hiro slapped the side of his face with his free hand and dragged in downwards. "What makes me think? Soul, you've done it to countless girls! How many of them do you think wince when you pass? The majority of them, all of your ex's."
The albino clenched his hands together and started to pace. He looked at Hiro as if he was looking at his father. "Alright look, long story short. Stay away from Maka, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have a chance with her if you think I wouldn't." And with that he started down the stairs. He left a frowning Hiro staring holes into his back.
Soul was debating on going to Maka's or home as he drove away from school. He hadn't been driving long when she spotted two figures on the basketball court. He could identify one of the people without a problem. Black*Star was going against someone and it looked like whoever it was was tiring out. The person's movement were becoming slower each move they made.
Soul slowed down to a stop and listened carefully.
"Oh come on! Give me at least some competition! This is just disappointing!" Black*Star called. He stood in the center of the court, dripping the ball in front of the other person.
"You just gonna quit on me Albarn?"
Albarn? That couldn't have been his Albarn, not Maka. Soul leaned forward and made his hands into binoculars for his eyes, as if he would be able to see better. Sure enough, Maka was hunched over, hands on knees and panting. Her entire face was red.
"I'm not... giving up... yet!" She wheezed. Black*Star grinned and watched her start to sway. He lifted a foot to catch her before she hit the ground.
Soul laughed loudly. That was like Black*Star, to lend a helping foot.
The star turned his head towards Soul's direction, his grin growing even wider. He waved a hand to beckon him over. Soul mumbled some words and parked his bike. "I'm coming!" He said and jogged down to the two.
Black*Star moved his foot away slowly, letting Maka lay flat.
"So you guys were too busying playing basketball to visit me while I needed you most?" Soul said sarcastically. He bent down to pick up Maka, she grumbled but let him help her stand. "But in all seriousness, why the hell didn't you? Where were you?" The teen directed his questions to Black*Star, who was bouncing on his heels. Soul frowned when the assassin didn't respond.
"Black*Star...?"
"Oh shut up. I had a mission to do. Here, I'm sorry okay?" Black*Star laughed. He held out a hand as a wide grin spread on his face. Soul just grunted and slapped his hand away. He knew that his friend was lying because it was so easy to tell. The way his hand was twitching and the way he avoided Soul's gaze, it was quite obvious.
"Okay BlacK*Star, I believe you. But only because I know that you wouldn't lie to me, right?" Star nodded hastily. "Good."
Soul watched his gaze drop to his shoulder. He had forgotten that he had Maka propped up against him. She was silent and weak. She could barely keep her eyes from closing. It was a major change from what he'd been seeing for the last couple of days.
"Hey... I'll catch up with you later, looks like I'm going home early." Soul sighed.
"Home? Back to our house? There's no way that I'm going to let her step one foot-"
"I mean back to Maka's..."
"Right, I knew that. Just checking to see if you were paying attention." Black*Star lied again. "See you tomorrow then."
"...Yeah, okay." Soul held out his hand, waiting for another to connect so they could commence their usual handshake. That other hand never came. Instead it was in the air, waving as the body connect to it walked away.
Soul frowned as he watched Black*Star leave. What was up with his friend now? He'd been acting unlike himself the past three days, so much unlike him that it was starting to irritate Soul. But it also made him worry. He wasn't that cold hearted, he could care for others and not just himself. He wasn't sure what had Black*Star so on edge. The only thing that could come to mind was his and Tsubaki's break up.
Really it didn't make sense. Black*Star had broken up with tons of girls and been dumped by tons of girls. So why should Tsubaki be different?
"Maybe they were secret partners or something." Soul mumbled to himself, then he laughed. There was no way that Black*Star could keep a weapon secret. Besides, he never showed interest at all to Tsubaki when they were younger.
He decided to ditch the thought. He had Maka to worry about now. It looked like they were going to have to walk home, or at least Soul would. Maka would just have to sit on his bike and try not to fall off. She was in no shape to be able to hold on to him while he drove. He looked back to his bike, it wasn't so far away. He could make it while carrying her on his back. That's what he thought until he picked her up. He was still sore from the completely forgotten fight earlier today.
"This is just fucking perfect." He sighed.
"Maka, wake up. I cooked dinner." Soul poked at Maka's head. She was spiraled out on her bed, just how Soul left her hours before. "I made fish, your favorite."
Maka groaned when she sat up. The first thing she saw was Soul's curious face three inches away from hers. "That's not my favorite, it's yours." She looked around, surprised to see her room. She didn't remember walking home. The last thing that she did remember was playing basketball with Black*Star, she wondered who won.
"Yeah I know, but I cooked it. So you're going to have to eat it." Soul grinned and helped Maka up. She was still a bit wobbly but she seemed to doing better. "Tsubaki said that I did pretty well with it. Not to toot my own horn but I believe that I did amazing. And it was my second time trying too." Soul's grin grew even wider, he was certainly pleased with himself.
Maka took a couple of seconds to process things. "Tsubaki?! She's here?"
"That's right, she's in the livingroom. She was here before we got here. Surprised me too... Is there a problem Maka?"
Maka looked at him wide eyed. Slowly, she shook her head and turned away. Having Tsubaki see her like this would be one of her worst nightmares. Maybe if she went back to her bed then she would have to deal with anything. But then again she knew Soul wouldn't let her, not after he fixed dinner.
"You know, the kitchen is that way, not through this wall."
The blonde jerked back. She didn't realize that she wasted time staring into space. And worse of all, Soul Evans had been watching her. He probably thought that she was crazy.
"Why do I care what he thinks of me?" She muttered.
"Who's he?" Soul muttered back.
"No one. Just thinking outloud. Hurry up and move, the food's probably cold now."
Tsubaki was sitting on the couch, just like Soul said she was. She seemed to be enjoying the little show that she was watching. Maka thought that it was a good sign. She wasn't worrying about Black*Star now. She hoped that she didn't jinx anything either.
Maka tried to pass her friend , thinking that she would greet her after getting her food. Unfortunately Tsubaki caught sight of her.
"Maka! You're up, how are you feeling?"
"Better, I've been worse." Maka gave her a smile, signally that she was okay. Honestly she didn't feel so great. Maybe if she had rested more, then she would have been able to own up to her words.
"I see, go get your food! There's some things I wanna talk to you about." Tsubaki held up her hands to shooed Maka to the kitchen. She did leave eventually, but that was after she gave Tsubaki a curious look.
Soul was leaning against the counter, presenting a plate beside him. "Finally your majesty, your food awaits." He bowed and straightened up with a grin. Not that she didn't mind, but she could tell that his bow was a bit clumsy.
"Why thank you Sir..." she caught herself. Maka wasn't sure if she could use his birth name. Soul hated being called an Evans.
"Go ahead, I'll let you off with an excuse this time." Soul said.
"What?"
Soul pointed to his head. "You forget easily huh? I can hear your thoughts. It's not as faint now. You want to say the forbidden word right? I'm giving you a pass. Use it wisely because you may not get an opportunity like this."
"May not?"
"That's correct, your majesty." He said in a mocking tone.
Maka looked and him and smiled. "Thank you Sir Evans."
"You're welcome." He grabbed the plate and offered it to her. "So, looks like we're in the nickname stage huh?"
Maka shrugged her shoulders. "Looks like it."
It took her another seven minutes to get back to Tsubaki. By that time her food was definitely cold. But she ate it anyway. She learned that her friend had a pretty good day compared to hers. She didn't have to avoid Black*Star being as he went missing. She didn't have anything to worry about, besides were her ex went. Maka on the other hand had to walk through the halls and reflect the gazes that were pointed at her. She heard whispering about how Soul and Hiro fought. A couple of times she heard her name, and every time she flinched.
"Well I'm glad you're doing better Tsubaki! So, are you planning to spend the night?" Maka asked. She knew it would come with an obvious answer but still, she had to asked. Sometimes things just needed to be said.
"I was hoping to." Her expression dropped a bit. "I know. I have to talk it out with him right?" Maka nodded. "When do you think is the right time?"
"As soon as possible. I think things would go better."
"She's right you know," Soul sighed. The whole time he had been leaning against the wall that was behind the girls. He agreed, talking to Black*Star now and patching up things would be best. His best friend was a mess. To him, this whole thing was a mess and he would have to talk to Black*Star on his own soon.
"Then I'll get to it... Sorry for bringing you into this." She didn't acknowledge who she was speaking to exactly but Maka and Soul understood.
"Well being as you'll be staying, I'll let you sleep in my bed." Maka said. She stood up and took her plate to the kitchen before anyone could speak. When she returned, Soul looked at her weird. Tsubaki took Soul's questioning expression, and put it into words.
"Then where are you going to sleep?"
"The couch." Maka patted the back of it with a smile.
"The couch?"
"Yes. You say it like I've never slept on a couch before. I use to live with my Papa, remember? I couldn't stand sleeping in my room when he brought women home, so I slept on the couch. It's not bad either."
Tsubaki nodded slowly. "If you're okay with it then..." She looked at Maka again before saying her 'goodnights' and heading towards Maka's room.
"So, are you really okay with this? Cause you know, you can have my bed. Or share. Either is fine really." Soul spoke with his usual tone. Being as he had barely spoken as much as he planned, he felt relieved.
"Sure I'm fine with it. It's not a big deal. I'm sure I'll be okay. It's just a couch, not a human eating monster." Maka laughed some. "I'll be getting blankets if you need me."
Soul smiled, so Maka Albarn did have humor. "You should get two of them."
"Two of them?"
"Yeah you might get cold during the night. It's best to come prepared right?"
Maka just agreed, not wanting to argue with Soul about whether she'd get cold or not. She still didn't feel well and sleeping seemed like the best thing she had heard all day. Arguing with him wouldn't get her closest to that.
When Maka left to get her blankets, Soul sat down on their loveseat. He figured he'd make himself comfortable for the time being. He had already thought the whole thing out. He would use the excuse of being bored to sleep and watch tv. He would wait for Maka to fall asleep and go his room to grab some pillows and the other blanket he asked Maka to get. From there he'd go to sleep on the loveseat.
There was no way that he was going to let Maka sleep in the living room alone. That would caution the protection of his meister and he couldn't have that. It was also possible for Hiro to come in. That was something that Soul would definitely not allow. It was downright creepy. In his opinion, anything that Hiro did would be considered creepy. Soul had to admit, he had been quick to turn on his friend, and for what? A girl he asked to be his meister just because he felt like he knew her more then most would think? Like they were childhood friends?
Honestly, it still didn't make sense to him so he decided to shake it off for now.
"Alright, two blankets, check. I can assure you that I will not freeze tonight." Maka said when she walked into the living room. "What, not going to bed?"
'Plan's in motion. Step one begins now.' Soul thought. Hopefully Maka wasn't tuned in. "Not yet. I'm not tired so I thought I's watch some tv. Is that cool?"
"Yeah... It's fine. Try not to make too much noise okay?"
"Yes Ms. Albarn." Soul groaned.
Maka paused in mid step. "You know, you haven't been calling me those names lately."
"Yeah, I thought I'd take a break. Haven't been feeling the need." Soul said as he spread out.
"Is that so? That's really unlike you. I'm worried!" Maka started to prepare her couch as she spoke. "I'm joking if you couldn't tell."
Soul made a sound form from the back of his throat. "That's too bad. Our bond as meister and weapon probably could have become stronger if you did care."
Maka chuckled. "Look at you! Starting to learn huh? Are you paying attention in class now too?"
"Ha, ha, ha. Very funny Maka." Soul muttered under his breath. He wished that she would hurry up and sleep. All her talking was starting to make him tired.
"Thanks, even though I hate to admit it, but I'm slowly learning."
Soul didn't respond. Instead he flashed her his wide grin and reach for the remote. It only took three more minutes until Maka was finally done with preparing her bed for the night.
"Soul?"
"Mhmm."
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight Maka. Try not to dream of me."
"You ruined it, you sharkface." Maka grumbled as Soul lightly chuckled.
'Step one, complete. On to step two.' Soul chanted within his head. Now he had to wait for Maka to fall asleep and try not to fall asleep before her. After that, he could sleep, knowing that Maka didn't know he was still there.
It had been two hours since step two began. Soul had waited one hour and an extra one just to make sure. He was currently tiptoeing into his room to grab his pillows. Careful not to make any noises, Soul twisted the doorknob. He let out a sigh of relief when he made it through the door without making a sound. Step two was halfway done.
He took the pillows, headed out of the room, and went back to his destination. Soul was about to face the hard part, getting one of Maka's blankets. Technically speaking, one did belong to him already since he planned to take one from the beginning.
He tossed his pillows to his couch before standing before Maka. 'Step three has begun.' He breathed in and braced himself as he slowly reached for the top blanket. 'Slowly.' He told himself.
Soon enough he did manage to get the item into his possession and covering him within ten seconds. His mission was accomplished. But little did Soul know that he failed he see the small smile that the very much awake Maka had on her face.
I do not own Soul Eater~ Long time no see huh? Sorry about that!
You want to ask anything about this story you can find me at my Tumblr, Jadeger, or my DeviantArt, xXJadetheWolfXx
I will continue this story!
