**sexual content ahead** because we all deserve it. Plus a little more plot. Also, one of my anonymous lovelies mentioned discord and while I do have it, I use it for school but if you'd really like to correspond, I'll make a second handle. PM me.

Maka was testing him. It was impossible that he was multitasking, listening while his fingers worked slowly at the ties of her dressing gown under the sheet, but each time she asked a question for clarification or detail he offered it. He had untied everything on her one side and used that same hand to encourage her to roll over which she did with barely an ounce of resistance. It wasn't as if that was where the conversation stopped, either, just changing to his whisper right next to her ear as he brought his chest to her back.

As a wife, she knew she shouldn't be embarrassed that the position had sprung him to life and while he wasn't necessarily rubbing it against her she could feel it firmly pressing, speaking to her just as much as his words were. After his fingers had run out of ties, he rested his hand against her stomach, still keeping the tempo of the conversation but punctuating sentences now with deeper breaths and a few more sighs. Maybe it was him that should be testing her because Maka was unable to concentrate as that heated thought crossed her mind. It could be more than just making a child.

Maka nibbled into her lip while waiting for his next sentence to end. In the momentary silence, she moved her hips, creating friction that left his next correspondence as a groan. Taking the invitation, Soul rubbed against her backside, perfectly running the ridge between her cheeks. He moaned again but this time finished with a laugh as he grabbed at her hip. "Don't get me started just yet."

"Why?" Maka tried to keep the coyness in her question. "Do we have more to discuss?"

"Kind of," he murmured back. "I need you to tell me what to do."

"About what?" Rational Maka resurfaced, her face turning to his with concern only to find a bashful grin starting across his cheeks.

"Well, like I said, I'm not exactly… sure how to touch you… what you like… what would feel good." Each trail off added more color to his cheeks.

A fire was starting on her own cheeks as she rolled onto her back. "Soul, I… I'm not sure I know either."

"You never…" He choked on his next breath, having to clear his throat.

"Well," Maka let her eyes fall to the sheet. "I did but I never, I guess, I always stopped myself because…"

"Because?" he questioned breathlessly.

"I was thinking about things I shouldn't," she murmured softly.

A small smile managed to cross his lips, "It couldn't be that bad."

Maka huffed as she let a finger trail down his chest. "Well, I'd only ever been kissed once and that was the first time that I felt like that so any time that I did that I couldn't stop from wondering…"

"I can tell you what would have happened if I never had to go away." There was still a hint of anxiety in his voice, a little warble but it was still smooth and low, lulling her eyes back to him. "After the picnic, after I barely made it through Black Star's smirks and Marie trying to read into my nervousness, I would have waited until after dinner, when you usually got left alone to read in the library." He leaned in and planted a kiss on her neck and Maka could do nothing in reply other than let out a fluttering sigh.

"I would have not bothered knocking because I'd be too busy trying to keep myself from losing my mind to the jitters."

Maka's hand dug into his hair, pressing his lips back to her neck. "I would have probably tried to yell at you, just out of habit."

Soul laughed softly, feeling her shudder at the heat of his breath against her neck. "And I would have blurted it out, 'I love you,' without much to back it up." He tempered another laugh by pressing his lips back to her skin, experimenting with nipping at her lightly with his teeth.

Maka hummed out somewhere between thoughtful and pleased. "I want to pretend I would have kissed you, but I might have just been too…" She had to let it trail off as his hand slipped between the opening in her gown and lingered up her stomach.

"Would you have said it back?" he whispered huskily against her ear, sending a chill down her spine.

Even with the game, Maka didn't temper her honesty. "I would have been scared to because even if I dreamed about it, I wouldn't have expected us to end up here."

"Play along," he grumbled as his hand risked moving over the swell of her breast and cupping it. "I would have stayed there until we were old enough, stealing kisses when you would allow them."

"And then?" Maka panted as she pressed his hand through the fabric, giving him the encouragement he needed to play with her nipple between his thumb and forefinger. She trembled through a moan.

"I would have offered you anything," he used his leg to hook her, moving her hip so he could get her close enough to feel that friction again. Maka was too kind, giving him a reprieve from the awkward angle by slipping her hand down his chest and rubbing him through his pants. He let out an urgent groan before he panted out, "We could have run away together. Or married there. Or I'd risk bringing you back here with me because I'd do anything."

"Would you really have promised me that?" Maka's fingers gripped the outline of his shaft, the fabric barely enough to keep their pressure and heat from driving him insane.

Her neck was no longer enough and he ardently pressed his lips to hers. His tongue was desperate to break through and she welcomed him with a moan as he tweaked her nipple again. Soul barely had the mind for words anymore but as his hand changed direction, running along her center and over her belly button he managed to whisper breathlessly across her lips, "One way or another, Maka, I was going to marry you."

"I guess that's where the fantasy stops." Her hand came over his, her eyes opening to see him seemingly observing every detail of her smile. She guided him down, pressing his two fingers between her folds. "It helps if you… dip your fingers to get them wet."

"Dip?" But he was answering his own question with those two exploring fingers, finding her opening and testing it, discovering exactly what she'd described. As he pressed those two fingers into her, Maka's hips moved to the motion and he was attentively watching her face as she closed her eyes with a trembling breath. "Then?"

"Here." She moved his hand a little before her opening, the soft button of her clit under his finger. "Keep rubbing."

With slick fingers, he easily glided back and forth over the nub, and Maka began to pant helplessly. She couldn't even think of stroking him again, her hand moving instead to clutch desperately at his arm as the trembling almost instantly overtook her. "Are you alright?" he slowed his fingers as he whispered.

"Yes, just don't stop," pressed from her lips wildly as she dug her nails into his skin.

Soul could almost be amused by the impatient order if he wasn't so taken with the way her lips were parting and producing one moan after another. Compared to her whispering quietness this morning this was a symphony and he was glad to hear it, choosing to litter kisses on her neck again instead of risking silencing her. He tested the pressure, adding to it slightly and was instantly rewarded with her gasping for air, her nails definitely leaving their mark in his arm.

"Soul," she managed to murmur before another moan. "Please…"

"It's alright," he soothed with a low baritone against her ear. With one more distinct, loud cry she locked her hips against him, slowing his fingers as she tucked her head closer to his chest. Spurts of air and a few last groans puttered out against his chest as her legs trembled around his hand. "Did that feel good?"

"Good?" she murmured with a laugh. "I don't…" Maka's fingers slowly released from the flesh of his arm before another shaking breath exited against his chest. "I didn't know it could feel like that."

"Like what?" Soul let his fingers drift out from between her legs, wiping them on the sheet before letting them trail back up her stomach.

"Like I can't feel anything but everything at the same time," another laughed followed her half-delirious reply. "I'm sorry, that doesn't make sense."

"As long as it was what you wanted." He only got to press his lips to her hairline momentarily before she was tilting her head up to meet him. Her lips told him the definite answer as she wrapped her legs around his waist, giving him a clear flashback to the morning. It was only then that he realized how frenzied his need for her was and he proceeded to struggle out of his pants with no more grace than before. Maka didn't waste any time, his ankles barely out before she was grasping him, trying to lock him to her.

The best parts about it were the same: the silence within himself and the way he was once again assured that there was nothing missing to him anymore. But entering her was a completely different sensation, the beautiful glide to her warm center, the absurd but still enjoyable sound of him slapping against her as he reached his depth. This was easier for both of them, and as the soft moans continued while he plunged he was sure there was no other way he'd start making love to her ever again. He only hoped that she could forget the stumbling rush and only remember this.

Soul unhinged easily, letting go in a final, frantic thrust that left him groaning and huffing into the crux of her neck. He whispered a few nonsensical things, halfway between begging and exaltation as he collapsed on top of her again. "Is this OK?"

"You can stay like that if you want," Maka whispered contently as she ran her fingers up and down his back. The goosebumps followed her fingers as he sunk deeper while he murmured more against her neck. "What are you talking about?" she laughed.

"I'm going to do that for you every time," he reiterated frankly against her neck before loosing a sigh. "I'm sorry I didn't know how."

"Sorry?" Maka laughed incredulously. "I think I'm glad. It means… you waited for me. And I don't mind teaching you. I've done it for plenty of other things."

"Deal," he murmured back. There was a prolonged silence, his body still comfortably crushing into hers before he sighed out against her neck. "Maka…"

"Hm?" She'd moved on to playing with his hair, tugging out little spikes.

He barely lifted up on his arms, careful not to detach yet but enough to see her eyes. "If… when you get pregnant…"

"Yes?" Maka had almost entirely forgotten about that part of it in all the ecstasy. With that clarity, she planted her hands on his shoulders, trying to steady herself for his words.

"Can you…" he sighed. "It's not, I don't know, maybe it's not…"

"Soul," she pressed softly. "Just say it. Remember, we're not keeping secrets."

"Yeah," he nodded somberly before forcing out another huff of air. "Will you take care of the baby?"

Maka would have laughed at the joke if it weren't for the searching need in his eyes. "What do you mean? I, well, I'd be its mother so…"

"But it's normal to have a wet-nurse, a nanny…" he sighed.

Every last shred of words at her disposal were gone because none of that made sense to her. Granted, she didn't remember much of her mother being a mother, but both of her parents were still the ones who raised her. When Marie had her child, which only a few knew about since technically it was out of wedlock, the secret nature of it all only left Marie to care for the baby. Who doesn't raise their own child? Staring at him brought the answer. "Your mother had those things?"

"I think in the castle it's expected," Soul muttered.

"Well…" Maka touched his cheek softly. "Will you help me?"

The question was barely out of her mouth before his reply followed, "Of course."

"Then we won't need those things," Maka shook her head slowly. "But you were… concerned about that?"

"I…" He brushed his lips to hers to steal the courage. "Between your promise and that scare with the black blood, I've been thinking about it. It was easy to stay awake after your nightmare and just… let it be in my head."

"You do think too much," Maka caressed along his jaw again. "Is that your only worry?"

"No," he snorted a laugh. "That's barely the start."

Maka kissed him again sweetly and then planted one or two more for good measure. "Every night you tell me another one, OK?"

"One worry a night?"

"Yes," she nuzzled her nose to his. "And we'll tackle each one together."

Any given evening was spent tangled together and Soul couldn't determine how this wasn't how everyone spent their time once married because there was surely no other way he wanted to end their day. It was a quiet oasis in his life, or really not always with Maka's enthusiasm weighed in, and while he never asked, she seemed to feel the same. There was never another moment of hesitation from her.

And each night they fell asleep to soft discussion, unwinding the day and their lives. This was most certainly what they would call the honeymoon period. If only that was all life ever was.

Maka had been quiet since the letter was delivered and Soul bided his time. She had promised no secrets, and while she never did seem quick with them, he was sure it would eventually surface. But as they talked in the dark as always, there wasn't a mention of the parchment. Give her a little time, Soul reminded himself and that thought echoed into his dreams, leaving him thinly sleeping. It was enough that as she murmured in her sleep his eyes shot open.

"Crona…" It was a pathetic little mewl. "Please…"

Soul blinked out into the darkness and tried to force his mind to place the name as Maka started to tremble in his arms.

"Don't," she begged forcefully. "Please, don't."

For another night his chest was slick with tears, a feeling that he was growing used to but still hated. He gently shook her shoulder, listening for the tell-tale gasp of her violently being pulled away from a nightmare. "Maka?"

"I'm sorry," she murmured as she cleared the tears off his skin with the palm of her hand.

He ignored it since the apology was not what he wanted or needed. "Who's Crona?"

Something like a whimper left her throat that stuttered out to a sigh. "Did I share my dream again?"

"No, you were saying his name." Soul had to try to not make that sound biting since uttering it stirred something in his chest.

Maka took a quiet moment to rub her hands over her face before she sat up in bed, losing his arms around her. Soul didn't stir, only letting his hand drift to the small of her back. "You said you remembered that day."

"I did, I do," he murmured.

She took a breath as she pulled her knees to her chest, resting her cheek on them. "Crona. That's their name, the person that hurt you."

"The boy?" Soul offered.

Maka let out a weak laugh, "Well, the more you get to know them, the less you're sure to be honest. I've just settled on not pressing unless they tell me."

"What do you mean tell you? Are you saying…?"

She bit into her lip for a second before sucking in air. "After you were hurt, Stein and Spirit fought Crona."

No wonder there's no memory for this, I wasn't actually there. Even that reassurance didn't bring any comfort and Soul was dying to fill in all the blanks. "Spirit?"

"Oh…" Maka blew air between her lips. "My father, Spirit. He and Stein used to be partners before he met my mother."

Soul couldn't help but risk sidetracking them. "Have I met him?"

"Oh, yes," there was an ounce of amusement in that. "You most definitely do not like one another."

Soul sighed and let that settle before continuing, "But after they fought?"

"Well, eventually we tracked Crona down, and…" Maka finally turned her soft eyes to his and as they hit him, Soul felt his gut twist. He had been worried about a name instead he should have heard the pain of it all, a terror that shone in her eyes. "I wanted to kill Crona. I wanted to tear them apart for what they did to you. I tried, and we were actually pretty even in the end because I just kept remembering that you almost died because of them. But… when I touched them, my hand to their arm in a quick moment during the battle, I felt it. How sad, alone, hurt, discarded they were, and… I begged them to surrender instead."

"You mean they're alive?" Soul murmured weakly.

Maka nodded slowly as a faint smile took to her lips, "And safe, in a place that no one will find them."

Soul's forehead wrinkled but before she could open her mouth again he was sitting up and wrapping his arms around her shoulders. "You always fucking surprise me."

"What?" Maka was clutching to him, almost refusing to believe this reaction.

"I would have killed them," he muttered. "Without even considering the why. It would have been revenge with no second thought. But for all the rushing you do, you actually took the second to think of them and that's… something that makes you great."

"What?" she repeated incredulously as she pulled Soul away by the shoulders. "They could have killed you."

"And you decided what you read from them was bigger than that," Soul shook his head. "I'm not going to doubt you."

A weak laugh tumbled from her lips as she clutched into his skin. "I thought… You know I don't know what I thought I just… you know I was going to try to talk to you about it tomorrow, I just couldn't… I almost doubted myself, my choice because being with you again brought back how painful that time was."

"Is that what the letter was about?" Soul eased her fingers from his shoulders, trying to coax her into squeezing a little less tightly in his own hands.

She nodded before letting in a shaking breath, "Spirit found out I was here and sent me… something."

"Something?" Soul had no hopes of mimicking her tone.

"I told you the two of you didn't get along," she punctuated with a roll of her eyes. "And I may not have let him know that I left Marie's or participated in the contest at all."

"Or got married?" Soul felt the necessity to add.

"Yes," Maka squeaked.

Soul could not think of an appropriate reaction so he risked a laugh.

"Soul," she scolded weakly.

He shrugged with a grin, "Looks like my mother isn't going to be the only pain in the ass."

She could laugh at that and he was happy to see some of the tension melt, her tight shoulders finally relaxing. "But the good news for you is that he can't really leave since, well, he's been the one taking care of Crona. But if you'd like to read his rant about our nuptials, you're free to." Maka took away one of her hands to dig under her pillow, bringing the letter back with her and pressing it into Soul's palm she left behind.

Against his better judgment, Soul opened the letter, letting his eyes scan over the opening pleasantries that spoke to a father's undying love for his daughter. The shift at the mention of Soul's name was a drastic jump off the highest cliff.

"I'm surprised that ass didn't leave you at the altar since that's all he's good for, abandoning you at the first inconvenience."

Soul forced a breath but he could feel the color starting to creep up his neck.

"To think that my sweet little girl is going to have the grovel around in utter misery since her husband is a selfish, vacant white-haired freak."

His fingers dimpled the edge of the letter, pulling the paper taunt as the color reached his cheeks.

"If he were here I'd beat him to a pulp, prince or no."

"Listen here, old man," Soul hissed in futility at the paper.

"I see you remember him." Maka tugged helplessly at the letter as Soul peppered through a few more curses. "Soul, give it up, please."

His eyes snapped up to hers as he waved the letter at her. "And he says I'm the ass?"

Maka laughed softly as she finally got it out of his grasp. "Like I said, you and he did not get along. At the very least I'm lucky that he didn't get wind of that promise I made."

"Or else he'd have something to say about his possible white-haired freak grandchildren," Soul spat.

She bit her tongue to keep the chuckle from leaving her lips. "More likely he'd attempt some kind of kidnapping to preserve my honor. But give him some time. He'll soften. He always does. I assume everyone does when faced with a child to love."

Soul grunted but it turned more towards clearing his throat as his free hand grasped hers.

"I know that face," Maka squeezed his hand. "We already went over one worry tonight before bed but I'll give you a second if you need it."

"Not that, just…" He worked his jaw for a moment of silence. "It's still too early to tell, isn't it?"

A beautiful, understanding smile passed across her lips, "Yes, two weeks is entirely too early. If you'd like, I can go to the temple after a month but I doubt there's anything Mira could tell me. Maybe two, three months before you can claim with any certainty."

He played with her fingers nervously as he sighed.

"It's definitely nowhere near a year yet, Soul," she reminded him softly.

"I know."

"But at the end of the first month I'll go," she nudged him.

"You don't have to," he sighed as he ran a hand through his hair.

Maka leaned in, waiting for him to bridge the gap and kiss her sweetly. He didn't disappoint. "It'll be a nice way to see Mira again either way."

"Thanks," he murmured.

"We should try to get back to sleep." She offered him one more kiss before laying back down in bed, blinking up at him as he stayed put. "Or are you going to go play?"

"I might write your father a reply," Soul's lips soured but were threatening a smirk.

"Soul," she chided.

"I'm serious, 'a selfish, vacant-'"

"Let it go," Maka laughed as she tugged on his elbow, causing it to collapse and sending him halfway to lay down next to her. "Come here."

"Come where?" He glanced around the bed.

"Here," she patted her hand to her chest and he raised his eyebrows. "To sleep," she added with a roll of her eyes.

He huffed as he rested his head on her chest, wrapping an arm around her waist to pull her tightly to him. It wasn't hard for his heart to start to unwind as she let her hand smooth over his shoulders and down his back, her warm fingers easing every muscle. "I'm still going to reply. Tomorrow."

"I think you'll be very busy tomorrow," Maka's matter-of-fact tone was interrupted by a yawn.

Soul grunted as he planted a kiss against her skin. "As if I'd abandon you," he muttered.

"I wouldn't dare imagine." Maka brought her other hand to his mouth, pressing against his lips. "Sleep."