Marie watched her daughter with veiled interest. Reina had been circling Maka; a predator waiting for their prey to weaken to the point of attack. She's too much like both of us. I read people while Franken reads situations, but together it's the most dangerous of mixtures.

She set out the tea and treats and suddenly Reina's eyes were alight. It most definitely wasn't the small plate of dango she'd included that had brought that twinkle, but instead the simple information displayed in the movement. "Where's Shiro-chan?" Reina offered towards her mother, wholly uninterested in Maka.

"I don't know," Marie twittered with as little expectation as she could. Still, Maka's shoulders set stiffly. "He left after he walked you back from the temple?"

"Mhm," Reina hummed as she reached for a skewer. "Maka…"

That did nothing for the tension in the girl, instead making her stone as she brought her eyes to Reina.

"Do you want some dango?" The child simply held up the treat, waiting patiently.

"Thank you," Maka murmured as she took it, balancing it between her fingers with little intention to actually bring it towards her mouth.

"I'll pour," Marie announced as she lifted the pot, filling the three cups for those in attendance. "Did Star go with him?"

Reina shook her head with a little too much adult exasperation. "Kuro-chan left this morning, Mama."

Marie snapped her tongue as she finished pouring.

"I think Soul's speaking to his brother today." Maka's voice still hadn't raised above a whisper and her hands were still very intent on the wood, twirling the spherical treats. "H-he plans on coming to live with us until it's time."

"Really?" Reina didn't temper her joy, popping up on her knees next to the table. "Does that mean he'll take Kuro-chan's old room?"

Oh, you devious little sneak. Marie focused on wafting the steam off her tea instead of ruining Reina's gentle nudge.

That brought the rustle of a cup, a slow sip before Maka could even form the shallow answer: "I don't know…"

Ah, young love. Marie looked across the table at Reina, steadying a blink at her before reaching for the dango plate and pushing it towards her. "Darling, why don't you take these out under the tree? See if you can find any kabutomushi. I think it's the right season for them." Reina waited, studying her mother for weakness in the same way that her father would. Marie's nod was enough reinforcement before Reina begrudgingly followed orders.

After the little footsteps receded, there was nothing but the sips of tea to fill the silence, Maka still toying with her dango. "Franken told us some news today, about the black blood."

"Oh–" Marie jolted back to attention. "He found something?"

"Crona has it too," Maka murmured before dropping the uneaten food to the table. "But it's worse, and I… I feel terrible about the idea of leaving Crona with it."

Marie sighed, pressing the cup between both palms. "I understand that. We can only assume he's had a hard life."

"Exactly!" Fervor was starting to build in her voice as Maka's spine straightened. "And doesn't that mean he deserves the same chance as Soul?"

"It feels that way." Marie tried to be gentle with her stare, even more tender with her smile. "In a perfect world, it would be exactly what we'd do, but… what about Medusa? What risk are you willing to take to free a man you barely know?"

The answers fell dead on Maka's lips.

"If you tell him, can you guarantee he won't go back to his mother?" Marie couldn't keep the chill from sprinkling across her words. "If he does, if Medusa finds out, you put all of us in danger. Is that an even trade?"

"Marie," Maka pleaded.

"Why do you think we haven't taken Soul before this?" An old hollowness made by anger and guilt widened in her gut.

Maka's lip quivered in reply.

"Neither Franken nor I could be sure he'd follow– that he wouldn't sabotage himself in some way that would put our family in danger." Marie forced a gulp of tea, trying to clear the obstruction that was the past from her throat. "I'm only sure now because of his dedication to you, his wife."

That word struck Maka harder than any blow, but Marie still felt the sway, the inability to leave just that hurt for her to bear.

"You have been the first person that has offered to only be his." She placed down her cup, using her warmed hands to gather up Maka's clenched fists instead. "I'm not saying he owns you, that he has rights to you, but imagine his fear of losing all that. He has never been greedy with you– not blinked an eye at your sharing your time with Star or Reina, but both of them are safe. For him, Crona is not. He sees all the possibilities of your hurt before he sees anyone else's. Remember that."


Tea with Takehiko wasn't exactly a common occurrence. It was rare for Soul's father to even take tea, and to expect some kind of social interaction was absurd. This was one of the few times Wes had bent to a request, so Soul had to use it.

"Father, brother," he projected that with all the surety he could manage, even if this morning's fight still played in an endless loop in the back of his mind. "Black Star's left and expects to bring back the dowry just in time for the weddin'." He bowed his head just enough to keep from reeking of the disrespect he was now so often accused of. "I plan to move back to the annex to be closer to her."

"Is she with child yet?" Takehiko grumbled as he took a disinterested sip of his tea.

"Father–" This was the closest Wes had ever come to scolding Takehiko within Soul's earshot.

"Not like I know all that much but it's too early, isn't it?" Soul tried to offer that with half a smile since there was now a vague itching coming to the back of his mind. Would… could that even be possible? That was our second time and… He shook his head. Like I should even be thinkin' about that when I almost lost it on her this mornin'. Jealous idiot.

"Maybe it would be wise…" Wes leaned closer to his father as he lowered his voice. "Soul can keep an eye on her there."

He gritted his teeth through the insinuation. Jealous idiot, his mind repeated.

Wes pitched the other way, whispering close to Soul: "Have you given more thought to–"

"No," Soul forced. It doesn't matter what the actual question is, Wes, the answer's got to be no. He snapped a steady glare to meet Wes's. "And I don't have time to discuss it." Pausing would have made his determination falter, so Soul was instantly on his feet and striding for the door.

"Soul–"

He cut that easily with the slide of the door, letting his footsteps overtake any other sound the hall had to offer. I should… His hand fell to the corner of his mask as he rushed back to what he'd hollowly called a room since leaving the annex. I should see her, right? A nervous drum started in his chest. What should I say? Do I apologize?

"You'll watch her die…"

His shoulders set at the echo of that dark voice. No matter what, I can't leave her alone. Not now.


Maka had arranged an extra set of bedding on the floor next to hers but instead of calm, it brought the start of tears. As if he'd come back here tonight. After what I said to him… She shook her head as she let it drift into her hands. Her palms pressed firmly against her sockets, plugging the flood at least momentarily. I still feel like I'm right– like I know I'm right, but… Another mournful sigh leaked between her hands joined by a wash of tears.

"Maka."

Her name through the door alone was enough to make her jump but it was his voice on the other end that instantly dropped her hands from her face. "Come in." Please. Please. Please, be here to– I don't care! Just be there! Don't let it be my imagination!

The door slid open, Soul stepping in before closing it behind him. He pushed up his mask, letting it sit on his crown. "Are you…?" The words died as he studied her face. His movements were slow—giving her time to argue even though she needed none—but he reached her after a few aching moments. Hesitantly, his fingers touched her cheeks, clearing any bit of tears she hadn't reached.

Maka leaned into his touch, a desperate breath of relief passing over her lips.

"I'm jealous," he murmured.

Her eyes shot wide as all tears instantly dried up. "What?"

There was no sweetness left in his smile, just a bitter stretch of teeth. "I figure there's nothin' else it could be." His hands fell from her, fiddling in his lap instead. "I never felt this… this protective before."

"Not with Star?" She offered quietly.

"Nah–" A bitter laugh broke his words. "That's what I don't get. I bet Star's not even the only man you know—been alone with—and thinkin' about that doesn't bother me but… thinkin' about you alone with him, I can't." He shook his head with a sigh. "Maka, that voice– what it said– I've had my own demon for longer than I can remember, but it's only ever threatened me. Somethin' happenin' to me is fine, but to you…" That trickled into such a mournful note that Maka grabbed his hands.

"It's not jealousy," she whispered. "Or at least I don't think it is." Maka lingered over his knuckles, tenderly trying to will her love into each caress. "Do you think I'd kiss him?"

"What?" Soul balked. "N-no. That's– It's him I don't trust, Maka. I know that you– it's easier for you to love, but I'm not sayin' you'd do that!"

She sighed. "You're just protecting me." Her fingers wrapped around his, stationary except for a determined squeeze. "But at the same time, a part of me can't let it go."

Soul couldn't stop the frown from his lips as his eyes dropped to their connected hands. "I know I can't make you."

"I didn't expect you to try." Maka pulled in a slow breath. "Do you think we could try to… well, maybe we can compromise."

That lifted his head again, eyebrows included. "Compromise?"

"Maybe… maybe now isn't the time." The idea tore at her heart but the willful need to hold on to him kept her on the same path. "We don't know everything about the black blood, and we're in enough danger as it is just getting you out, so… maybe this should wait. At least until we know more. I-I refuse to give up, but taking time, gathering more information, and doing this safely might be more like what you want."

"Is that just what I want?" he murmured. Maka lurched as he pulled his hands away but found a shocking warmth in the way they grasped just above her elbows and pulled her closer. "Again, I can't force you. It's gotta be what you want too."

She nodded as she used his momentum, letting that tug bring her towards his chest to fall into his kosode. "It's a compromise. It's a piece of what you want and a piece of what I want. It doesn't mean I won't be impatient about it, but I'll agree to leave saving Crona for when we're ready. We're a team now. I…" She dug into him, arms wrapping around his waist as she pressed to the crisp white cloth that smelled so sweetly of him. "I know that making decisions has to be a discussion now, not an order."

His unanchored hands fell to her back and her hair, one stroking through the strands as he pressed a kiss to her crown. "We need to have one more discussion."

"Alright…" She closed her eyes tightly and latched even more firmly, willing herself to be inseparable.

"I talked to Franken before I came here." She could hear the uptick in his heartbeat as the next swipe over her hair shook. "About somethin' my father said."

Maka sighed, letting what should have been a thought tumble over her lips: "I'm not sure I care about what your father says."

That brought a rumbling chuckle under her ear. "Usually agree with you, but this… Franken told us to be careful, didn't he?"

The quiver in his voice made her detach just enough to lift her head, meeting concerned scarlet eyes. "Yes…"

"There's somethin' we haven't been careful about." That trembling hand reached up and pushed a tendril of hair behind her ear. "Wes's whole point in wantin' me to marry was so I could have kids."

"Oh…" A flush of heat started over her cheeks.

"I-I didn't want to since I knew the only thing that would happen to them would be exactly what's happened to me. Just becomin' a pawn for Asura. I was gonna get out of bein' his puppet just by feedin' him my kids." He shut his eyes, but the pain of it was still etched in the grimace on his face. "Father asked me today if you'd– if there was a chance that you–"

"We haven't been careful," Maka echoed his fear as her hands smoothed along his back. "What did Franken say?"

A dry laugh bubbled up from his throat, popping his eyes open again but with no mirth to be found. "Our chances are higher. Turns out us syncin' up means we're compatible in more ways than one. Same thing with him and Marie havin' Reina."

For some reason it still hit her as a shock, that forgotten bit pressed to the back of her mind. That's right. One of them has to be a meister and the other a weapon if they knew Sid. And not just that, but… "Same with my mama and papa. They were partners first, then…"

"A scythe and a scythe meister, huh?" She caught a little dreaminess to his tone, amplified by the way his fingers grazed along her cheek. "No wonder you're so good at this."

Regardless of the little bit of pride that fed, Maka grasped his hand, stilling the sweet touch. "Keep your compliments for later. Right now…" She leaned away from his warmth, that tumultuous flutter of missing it fighting with her logic. "Two times we've… been together–"

"Joined together," he replied with a smirk that was at least close to half strength. "Your body and mine…"

Her ears lit up regardless of the honesty of it. "Soul!"

"You didn't seem so shy last night," he let the teasing linger, leaving Maka still stuttering over her next thought. "But, yeah, two times and that leaves us with… I dunno. An if? A maybe?" Soul gathered up her hands. "I know you said we'd have a home there with your friends, and I know that means we'd be safe, but… I'd like to be a little more than safe when we consider that."

"Children?"

"Children," he echoed, his own color finally starting to match hers. "Is that alright? Doesn't feel like a compromise since it's not like you put up an argument."

"No, I…" Maka rolled her eyes as she huffed. "Honestly, I didn't even think about the natural consequences, just"—she could offer him a smile then—"how much I wanted to be with you. I guess there was a lot we didn't exactly discuss before we jumped into this."

"Sorta what you do, isn't it?" Soul offered playfully. "You jump."

"But you think."

"Not about this." His fingers were climbing again, running over her shoulders before moving to cup her cheeks. "You wanna know the truth?" He was daring to sneak closer as if asking her for a kiss. "I would've jumped for Masao."

She tried to produce a breathy laugh but it fizzled as it reached her tongue.

"I knew then. It was a little harder to admit it, but… I knew." His thumb gently rubbed along her cheekbone. "Didn't change all that much the more I knew about you, but I'll admit you looked pretty damn beautiful in that kimono."

She shook her head softly to try to unsettle the daze. "Masao was…"

"Still you," Soul filled in the blank. "And it's you I want to figure all this stuff out with, so please– we may not have all this sorted out but I wanna try."

"Compromising," Maka murmured back.

He nodded, his nose grazing hers before he sealed that with a kiss.

Maka wound desperate fingers into his sleeves, trying to find a steady latch on his lips until she was dying for air. "So careful means…"

"Careful," his whisper buzzed huskily against her lips, "but I still wanna stay with you tonight. That is, if you'll break your rule."

"I put out another bedding, didn't I?" She slid her hands into his sleeves, playing softly against his skin.

That came as enough permission for him to capture her in another lingering kiss, his own fingers begging for contact as they sunk into her hair. "Maka…" he panted needily. Maka answered it instantly by shifting her weight, coming up on her knees to start that slow bend into the bedding.

The knock at the door jolted them awake from their pleasant dream as Maka stumbled back to seated. "Y-yes?" Even though she yanked at his sleeve, Soul stayed in the sheets with a sigh.

The slide opened, Franken's cat-like grin floating in the divide. "I assumed since there was no screaming it was safe."

"S'fine," Soul grumbled. "Did I forget somethin'?"

Franken's amusement never faltered, glance flicking between the two of them before settling on Maka. "Actually, this one is for you. I thought I'd ask rather than assume: wielding Soul hasn't proven to be a problem?"

Maka's hand searched for Soul's. "No…"

Her skepticism neglected to reach him as he leaned easily against the doorway. "But you haven't gotten much practice besides just transforming?"

"Well, there really wasn't another weapon pair to go against." Is he– he can't possibly think that we should–

"Maybe tomorrow we should change that." Franken brought a finger to massage at his temple. "It's very possible that Marie and I have gone soft in our respite here. And something tells me you'll need the practice."

That settled in Maka like a stone, but she nodded nonetheless.

Franken offered a toothy grin. "Good. Make sure you get your rest tonight. I'll get you before dawn."