Soul handed over the phone as he sat next to Layla on the couch. The channels weren't all that interesting, so half his ear snuck into her conversation.

"We're going with the twins. Uncle Kilik has a date, so it'd just be Papa. Do you want to come?" She was twirling the end of today's French braid as she chattered on. "Oh, it's the new superhero movie. The one with that cool girl from that TV show we were watching together."

What TV show? Soul wondered absently, trying to picture that actress and whether or not her other work was entirely appropriate for an eight year old. He narrowed his eyes as more of his attention filtered towards that side of the couch.

"You could ask Aunt Patty, too," Layla chimed pleasantly before flicking her eyes at Soul. He just caught the moment and watched with growing worry as that utter innocence started to glow on her face. "Do you know Maka?"

Air squashed in his chest.

"Oh, you do?" Layla was strategically lowering her voice and with the rapid rise in his own heart rate he could barely hear the next part. "Could you ask her if she wants to come too?"

Soul's hand dropped from the back of the couch to Layla's head, manually turning her attention towards him. "Hang up," he mouthed.

"Okay, just ask Papa about the time. I have to go." At the very least, she was quick to follow the order, holding the phone out to him. "What is it, Papa?"

"You sure you want to invite Maka?" He tried not to let that quiver off his tongue. "You only met her once, bug, and–"

"I liked her," Layla insisted immediately. "And Aunt Liz likes her too. You could be friends, Papa, if you tried. I think she'd be a good friend for you."

Friends. Soul let a blustering breath flutter over his lips. "You gonna start callin' her Aunt Maka then?" Maybe there was a bit of slyness to that, or maybe it was just the way friends kept reverberating in his head.

"Not yet," Layla replied without hesitation, her eyes now too intently focused on him. "Do you want me to call her Aunt Maka? I thought you only met her once too, Papa."

His palms were suddenly a swamp, transformed back to his teenage days when his mother would catch him climbing back through the second story window. "I mean, we talk at work. Sorta have to, so it happens."

"Oh?"

He in no way, shape, or form appreciated that tone. "And sometimes when she's waitin' for her appointment… It'd be rude not to talk."

Layla's eyebrows raised as she wiggled the cell at him. "So you talked all summer, Papa? Why don't you have her phone number?"

"Ha–" The sound wheezed from his throat before he could catch it. Yeah, three– almost four months, bug, so why don't I? If we're just friends, if this is another Liz, Patty, Blake situation, why haven't I just asked? I blabbed that Layla liked her, so… why didn't I just add her to the collection of Aunts and Uncles?

"I'll text Aunt Liz for it." Layla pulled the phone back to her lap, already unlocking the screen with an easy swipe.

"Layla–" That came as an embarrassing yelp as his hand hooked one of her typing thumbs. "If Aunt Liz is askin' her then it's not like we need to."

"Fine." She finally offered the phone back to him, and he grabbed it with a healthy dose of shame. In exchange, he placed the remote in hers.

"Pick a show," he muttered before staring down at the screen. He opened Liz's contact and tried to make his typing look lazy rather than frantic. [[Did you ask her?]]

[[That was quick]]

He clenched the edges before looking up at the screen. The pictures were still flicking by, voices changing while he ticked away the time hoping for another buzz between his fingers. Instead, his thumb tapped away again. [[Well?]]

[[She's happy to come unless you don't trust me and want to text her?]]

His jaw clenched. [[Don't have her #]]

[[I'll ask ?]]

Soul's toes tapped anxiously. The image before him was now set, some drama with a man and a woman leaning over coffee cups.

[[908-555-3467 just don't overdo it, tiger]]

[[Thanks]]

Overdo what? Soul highlighted the number but paused. And what's the point of textin' her? Liz said she'd be there, so if Maka has questions… "Bug, change it," he muttered.

"Why?"

"They're gonna kiss." He jutted his chin towards the screen.

"Papa, I know what kissing is," she answered with all the exasperation she could muster. "It's not a big deal."

Maybe I just don't want to watch it. He drove his elbow into the arm of the couch, leaning so that his cheek sunk into his palm. Haven't thought about that shit in a while. Kissin'. Holdin' someone's hand. Runnin' your hands through someone else's hair. He sighed, eyes refusing to budge from the tiny screen in his hand. That isn't what's happenin' here anyway. Layla's just got a new Aunt on deck.


[[This is Layla Vivienne Evan's secretary making sure you received Friday night's invitation]]

Maka snorted a laugh, closing her book for a moment so she could answer the unknown but easily guessable number. [[Liz told me. Sounds good. Time?]]

[[4:30 be warned there will be 3 kids]]

[[Layla's multiplied?]]

[[Kilik's twins. We swap every two weeks for sleepover]]

Double-dad duty every two weeks? Maka blinked at the screen, thumbs hovering. And he's not even… not really her father, is he? That's stupid, Maka. Whatever happened, he seems like the best Papa Layla could ask for. [[I'm not very good at sleepovers but I'm fine with the movie]] Those three dots played at the bottom of the screen, making Maka hold her breath.

[[Then no s'mores for you but I'll take your candy order for the movie]]

She smiled despite herself. [[You're one of those people who sneaks food into movies?]]

[[Prices there are highway robbery. Need to save for Layla's college fund]]

[[Peanut butter m&ms]]

[[? weird but OK]]

[[Peanut butter and chocolate literally are the best combination]]

[[But for a movie?]]

[[Fine then what's the best?]]

[[Liquorice ropes. Give yourself something to do so you don't get fidgety]]

Maka rolled her eyes, imagining Soul in endless movement. For all the cool he tried to produce, she'd seen enough glimpses of the opposite. He wasn't some smooth talking, smirking asshole even though he spent some of his time trying to be. He was kind, thoughtful, nervous about the stupidest things, and–

[[But Friday's really OK?]]

[[Why wouldn't it be?]]

Those hateful dots continued for another minute before his reply: [[No reason I guess. See you then]]

Maka stared at the screen, knowing that the conversation should slip through her fingers. There was a forlorn wave in her gut to lose it, her screen going dead again without another snarky comment.


Soul instantly jumped at the vibration in his pocket, digging quickly to dislodge it and bring it to his ear. "You almost here?"

"So, the funny thing about that is"—Liz was sweetly cooing in a sing-song that immediately drove Soul to wanting to drink—"Patty and I sorta have to cancel. But you'll be fine, right? Maka used to babysit in highschool so between you and her, three kids will be a piece of cake!"

"Liz," he squeaked.

"Just give the phone to Layla. I want to apologize to my darling little girl. Oh, and Cami and Eli too, of course."

He weakly dropped the phone without argument, just motioning it towards Layla who happily took the line. Fuck me. Me and Maka? That summoned the woman in question, blonde hair loose and fluttering over her shoulders as the air displaced when she opened the door. Well, it's– it's just with the kids, so… He offered a wave in her direction, green eyes connecting with it and then his face before giving him a smile that made his palms sweaty.

The kids were chattering, passing the phone while he assumed Liz apologized to each one. "Maka!" Layla had given the cell to Cami before starting the no-holds-barred run towards her. "I'm so glad you could come! I'm sorry about Aunt Liz and Aunt Patty." She instantly had a hand in Maka's, tugging her along at breakneck speed.

"I heard!" The sweet enthusiasm in her reply made him fumble to jam his hands in his pockets.

There wasn't a prayer to stop the perspiration but at least he could hide the jitter that his fingers had taken on. Fuckin' get it together. It's just a movie– and it's with the kids. She signed up for this, and if she didn't want to be here she'd have canceled along with the girls so–

"Maka, this is Cami and Eli." She motioned towards the twins, perfect mirrors of each other besides the length of their ashen-blonde hair. Cami had clipped hers short while Eli had taken after Kilik, tying up long locs.

"You work with Dad, don't you?" Eli's smile was entirely the same as Kilik's, and his lilt was almost the same, only needing a few more years to deepen.

"And with Soul," Cami tacked on as she glanced up at him.

Maka offered a hand to each, shaking much to their amusement. "Yes, and now I hope I can say I'm friends with both of them." She glanced at Soul, her smile turning slightly towards tentative.

"Sure." Soul shrugged with hands still firmly in his pockets. "And sorry you got stuck with the babysitting gig with me."

"You're not babysitting," Layla corrected with a roll of her eyes, spurring a laugh from Maka.

"We're seeing a movie, aren't we? Totally not babysitting." Maka looked down at her watch before raising her eyebrows at the kids. "And it's almost that time! Did we get tickets?"

"Papa?" Layla questioned as she gathered the rest of them, the twins instantly clasping hands before she could pull in Maka.

Soul looked up from the gaggle of children to the only other adult. "Just keep an eye on 'em for a second." He turned, moving towards the ticket booth. "Two adults, three kids." He toyed with his wallet as he waited, not daring to look back even though he could hear the delighted cries from each one of the kids. See? They're all excited, so why can't I muster even a second of it? Why am I just terrified? Just frozen here?

"Papa!" Suddenly it was Layla's arms around his middle, bringing air back to his lungs.

"Yeah, bug?" He slipped his card towards the woman behind the glass before looking down at Layla.

"You can relax." She shimmied him slightly. "You don't have to talk. It's just a movie."

He looked down at her. The fact that you know that, Layla… am I that bad of a dad? That I can't even keep a poker face with you? "Yeah, thanks." He heard the printer, and then the receipt, tickets, and his card sliding back through the window. After grabbing them, Soul threw an arm around Layla's shoulders. "Let's go."

Maka was already holding open the door for them, the twins in first before Soul came past with Layla. "Thanks for the ticket."

"No problem," Soul murmured through what he could force of a smile. A tight ball of twine was still winding itself around his heart, making it ache as she gave back more than he could. She was still glowing and all he could do was stay blinded by it.

Maka watched Layla as she guided the group like a flock of wayward ducklings. Her papa seemed to be the lead child, having adopted a lost, quiet look since he'd gone off to the ticketbooth. I wonder if he's alright. Not that he's always a talker, but I'm used to a lot more… something from him. She let out a blustery breath as she kept her steps in time behind the twins.

It was only moments before they were inside, rows of chairs beckoning to be filled. Layla led them to one of the sides, cushioning the twins against the safety of the wall before turning back to Soul. "Papa, can I sit next to Maka?"

He shrugged. "Askin' the wrong person." Soul glanced over at Maka, eyebrows raising. "You good with that?"

"That's fine." Maka's answer came with an immediate grabbing of her hand, Layla pulling her a few steps into the seat. Layla was quick to sit next to the twins, putting Maka into the seat next to her. Soul was left standing on the end, one seat left for him. "I promise I don't have cooties."

That tension he'd been holding withered slightly, a breathy laugh leaving his mouth. "Just gotta warn you, she crushes your hand at the scary parts."

"Papa," Layla hissed.

Maka found Soul echoing her laugh as he finally took the seat next to her. He slouched, stretching out his legs before reaching into his jacket. She hadn't noticed the bulge of the pack under his arm until he spun it towards his chest and unzipped. It was a treasure trove that he started doling out, making Maka part of the assembly line of candy contraband until he placed the M&Ms in her hand. "Still think you're wrong," he murmured as a whisper of his smirk came back.

"You're entitled to your opinion," she chirped back before ripping open the corner and popping a handful in her mouth. She performed a satisfied bit of chewing as he continued to chuckle.

"Somethin' about the way you say that makes me think opinion and wrong are synonymous."

"Only when it comes to licorice being better than chocolate and peanut butter." She lifted an M&M towards him to hover in the space between. With that bit of tan to his skin it was almost lost, but a flush of color, a shade distinctly between pink and red, started a line across his cheeks.

"Uh–" He caught the rest of that with a clearing of his throat before gingerly pinching the candy from between her fingers. He popped it into his mouth, chewing while he averted his eyes towards the screen.

What was that? She peered into his face, still catching the color that was almost refusing to fade as he pretended not to notice her stare.

"Maka," Layla whispered in a tone only appropriate for when the lights had already dimmed. "Here." She motioned her closed fist at Maka, waiting for an open palm.

As soon as Maka offered it, she received an assortment of candies– the kaleidoscope selection from between the twins and her. Just as she was about to close her hand, Soul's arm reached over, placing one liquorice lace on top. "Thank you," she murmured in Layla's direction before turning an appreciative smile Soul's way. He was still very intent on the useless scrolling of advertisements on the screen, but there was a small tweak of the corner of his lips that partially resembled his smirk.


Fuck, fuck, fuck– was the not so gentle mantra getting chewed through the gears in Soul's brain. Honestly, no matter the explosion on the screen, none of it was driving away the mental replay, the way she offered him that candy and for a fucking delirious second, he thought about just opening his mouth and plucking it from her fingers. What am I fuckin' thinkin'? Not cool, not smooth, nowhere near appropriate and–

Her smile.

Her goddamn smile.

He tried not to blow out his sigh, hiding it as a less than steady breath. This is stupid. It's just that I haven't been out. That's all. And I just– I don't get interested in anybody and she's new and it's just–

That circular thought broke under the weight of that image again.

Full of infectious joy.

A dangerous wit.

A glowing smile.

He leaned towards the aisle, trying to grab air that wasn't in her space– that didn't carry a whiff of her scent or the sound of her soft laughter. Hoping for some salvation, Soul tossed a liquorice rope in his mouth for good measure– having spent the last few minutes tying it into knot after knot until it was a giant ball rather than a string. Chewing brought no hope, and with a healthy twinge of shame, Soul snuck a peek at her through the corner of his eye.

If he'd been watching or been even remotely on the same planet as the movie, he would have realized the emotional climax on the screen– the father and daughter reunion that was a central point. None of this had of course occurred to him, so when he glanced over at Maka and saw the start of tears in her eyes the only thing he could do was stare with dumbfounded shock. Cryin'? At a kid's movie?

Turning his attention to the flick now offered him the reality: a father and daughter, locked in an embrace, apologies floating between the two with all the emotional honesty movies like these could muster. It was cheesy as hell, but the sniffle next to him said it still hit home.

Soul reached into his magic bag and pulled out his folded stash of kleenex– something that anyone with a kid is bound to squirrel away in a myriad of places. He brought the folded white fluff of tissue to her hand, tapping it against her knuckles as they clung to the arm rest.

There was a flustered, sweet little "oh" from her mouth before she took them. "Thank you," she murmured.

It was as if the words gave him permission to glance, seeing her wiping at her eyes. Her cheeks and across her nose had taken on a little bit of pink, and it was– She's pretty. He wanted to sigh again but he used his breath for good instead. Soul leaned towards her, whispering closely to her ear. "Layla always insists on stayin' past the credits, so why don't you sneak out to the bathroom as soon as they start? It'll keep her from pryin'."

When he pulled away her eyes were no longer intent on the screen, instead locked onto his. There was still the sadness clinging to her eyelashes, but disbelief was suddenly there to widen the rims. Her jade eyes glowed at him, making that stuttering feeling in his chest that he'd barely kept at bay explode. It seemed for a moment that something would roll off her tongue, her mouth opening ever so slightly, but all she did was nod.


Maka leaned closer to the mirror, examining the red, puffiness to her eyes. He must think I'm an idiot. She sighed before patting carefully again with the tissues he'd given her. And I am an idiot! Crying over some sappy, ridiculous scene just because… Squashing that was her only hope if she didn't want to continue to add to the irritation on her cheeks. Pulling in a slow breath started the task but it was his face that finished it.

I don't get him. She worried into the kleenex, letting a bit of its fluff flutter to the sink. I don't get how he's so nervous but… he instantly pulls it together as soon as it's someone else. As soon as anyone needs him he's just–

Handing you a tissue.

Bringing you to the coffee maker.

Helping a student that everyone else gave up on.

Maka took her time through another inhale, eyes focused on the mirror. I guess he's the best kind of friend you could have… She glanced towards the door even though there was no chance it would summon him. Instead, it was an influx of other female movie-goers, signaling the end of her time.

There was no hope of entirely excusing her face, but at least it wasn't glaringly obvious, so she stopped to wash her hands before starting back to the door. It wasn't hard to find the gaggle standing outside, especially with Soul's white hair as a beacon as he towered over the rest. For a second, the idea floated over her mind of whether or not Layla would inherit that height until it hit her again: He's only her papa in name. She's someone else's responsibility that he took on and I still… I wonder why.

Their eyes met, Soul offering her a gentle smile as he waved her forward.

"Maka!" Layla barely sucked in a breath between talking to the twins to call her name. "What did you think? Did you like it? Papa said it was 'derivative' and he won't tell me what that means."

Maka produced a healthy laugh, letting a little joy filter over her mind. "I guess I can see what he's saying…" She tapped a thoughtful finger to her chin. "'Derivative' means that it takes its idea from something else. Unoriginal."

"Papa," Layla hissed. "It was not!"

"Alright, give me your proof, bug," he challenged, arms crossing his chest as if to ready himself.

The wrinkles in Layla's eyebrows worsened before she slid her lips into a pout. "After dinner. I want to think."

"Ah, alright, to be continued…" He flicked his chin at Maka. "Time to say goodnight to Maka, bug."

"What?" Layla jumped back to attention, sidling up next to Maka to clutch at her arm. "Why can't Maka come back home with us? We're going to have pizza, and s'mores, and–"

"Layla." Maka had never heard such coldness to the little girl's name, any of the playfulness draining away as if that had been a life or death question.

Layla absorbed it like a blow, her lower lip fluttering for a moment before she forced the stretch of a smile. "Maybe someday we could go out for pizza. Thank you for coming with us tonight."

"I'm just so glad you invited me. I had fun." She glanced at Soul, watching the frown shiver on his lips through a sigh. "Next time you go out feel free to have your papa text me, okay?"

"Well, I'll text you," Layla corrected, rolling her eyes in Soul's direction.

Soul accepted it, moving forward to take Layla by the shoulders. "Sorry," he murmured in Maka's direction. "But, yeah, thanks for hanging out."

"Of course…" What just happened? Maka wanted to plead, especially as Soul tried to jostle Layla into a bigger smile. He was suddenly a closed book, and as Maka started away from them, all she wanted was to turn the pages.