Three weeks had brought no new words between Maka and Spirit besides the simple pleasantries. While it seemed like Spirit had taken Black Star's advice, he was starting to believe that it wasn't going to do much of any good since Maka was set like stone. Since she'd set him straight, Black Star had honestly tried to stay out of it, but as they awoke that morning, he decided to throw fuel on the fire. "I think I'm going to take Crona out with me today. Maybe hunting."
Maka's eyebrows furrowed as if he had spoken another language. "I'm sorry, what?"
"Me, Crona, out. Bonding. Manly shit. Whatever you want to call it."
"In what demented corner of your little mind does that sound like a good idea?" She was up from the bench at her desk and walking to his side of the bed to tower over him as if that was at all threatening.
Black Star made sure to slip from sitting as soon as she got too close, getting out of reach of that hand that was quite often itching to strike him over the head in these moments. "You told me to be nice to them. I think I have and taking them out of being in the middle of you and Spirit is a gift. I believe what I should be hearing out of your mouth is 'thank you for being so considerate, Black Star. You're a treasure, a-"
"Idiot," she snapped but the thin line of her frown faltered.
Ask for help, princess, because if you don't… Black Star raised his eyebrows as he waited for the request to keep her buffer intact but as the frown stayed true he sighed. "I'm taking them. We'll be gone for most of the day. Stay out of trouble. Got to get something good for the dinner table, anyway. Those babies need it."
The curve was no longer debatable and while he'd heard Maka whisper assurances more than once that she was maybe halfway, Black Star was sure there was no maybe about it. That comment brought a quick sigh along with her now signature move of smoothing a hand over her stomach. "Fine. Just don't be gone all day."
"Is that an order?" He smirked as he narrowly missed her fist coming for him by opening the door and slipping quickly into the hallway. His chuckles didn't drown out her stomping after him and Black Star found himself rushing to get into the kitchen and see if he couldn't make a quick getaway with Crona. He was blessed to find his prize already standing in the front doorway. "Let's go, Crona!"
"Where are we going?" They looked as if they were about to slam the door shut rather than allow themselves to be pushed out into the street, but a little of the timidness has started to wane.
"Out to get Maka some nice things," Black Star offered slyly, knowing the incentive of pleasing Maka was an easy way to tip the scales.
"Oh," Crona half-smiled, that anxiety still keeping it wobbly. "Oh, OK, you and me?"
"You and me," Black Star nodded as he reached them in the doorway and planted two strong hands on their shoulders. "Right now. Bye, Maka!"
"Crona, don't let him-" but any warning Maka could give was cut off by the slam of the door. A forlorn sigh broke from her lips as she grabbed the teapot off of the counter and began filling the sachet with tea leaves. She ladled the water that had been left to warm over the fire onto the leaves and watched as they floated and drifted apart. I know what he's doing, that idiot. But I guess it's not technically him getting in the middle. The teapot felt the brunt of her anger, clattering against its lid as she slammed it to the table. As she grabbed a cup she heard the footsteps in the hall and hesitated before taking a second cup and putting it across from her.
"Oh," Spirit searched the room before his eyes settled on her again. "Where's the other two?"
"Out," Maka offered with a sigh.
Spirit debated the arrangement before noticing the second cup, using it as an allowance to sit across from her. "Together?"
"Together," she echoed.
"Interesting…" Their eyes met before Maka brought them back to the teapot, staring intently as she poured the amber liquid in her cup and then his. "Doing anything special?"
"Black Star said hunting, but who knows with him." Maka set the teapot back down gentler this time as she eyed her finger while it played with the lip of the cup.
Spirit chuckled, "Crona hunting might be an interesting spectacle."
Maka let a wan smile flutter across her lips in reply.
"How are you feeling?" he tried next as his hands clasped around the cup, stealing warmth in the face of his daughter's icy walls.
"I don't know," she answered honestly before she brought her eyes to his. That was something she'd inherited from him, those glowing green eyes, and every time she looked at them now it felt like the last reminder that this was actually her father since the love that she wanted to have for him was gone. Realistically, it hadn't actually disappeared, just covered under grime, age, and a thin veneer of disappointment. "I'm tired. They move around a lot, almost constantly, and…" As if calling it forth there was another kick, definitely becoming more pronounced from the flutters of weeks ago. "Kicking now. So much kicking."
Spirit sucked in air before clearing his throat. "Your mother said the same thing. You were always on the move. Kept her awake most nights."
For a horrible moment, Maka thought she'd sob, barely keeping it at bay by digging her nails into the cup and forcing a breath. "That's normal?"
"I think so," Spirit was about to shrug but saw the fear reflecting in her eyes, the glossy sheen that was starting to take over. "At least it was for your mother, and if it was for her, why wouldn't it be for you?"
Maka pressed a hand to her brow, forcing it down over her eyes to wipe away the rest of the urge.
"What is it?" Spirit knew he was testing the boundary but this was the first time she'd produced more than just a sentence or two for him.
The hand drifted down to her mouth before she let it fall completely. "No, it's nothing, just… I've never had a baby before, let alone two," a short, bitter laugh closed that sentence.
"You'll do fine," Spirit offered quietly. "It's not something you're ever prepared for, but you learn, and you were always a quick learner."
Maka's eyes focused on her cup as her fingers tapped the side to disturb the surface of the liquid. This is where we should stop. A sweet last word before any of it gets ruined. She tried to settle into the silence, the only sound her fingernails against the cup and the click of Spirit picking up his own to drink. Instead, she felt a strange tug at her heart until she produced something else to say. "Did you finish all that Stein sent you?"
"You mean the novel he wrote?" Spirit chuckled.
"It was a lot," Maka nodded commiseratingly.
"Mostly, but I think I should ask you something." Spirit was still smiling, even if his voice was drifting off into thoughtful tones.
"Me?" Maka hesitated, keeping the smile that wanted to reflect on her face at bay.
His smile slipped away as his jaw worked over the words before he gave them, "He wants me to ask Crona about that picture."
"What picture?" Maka's brow furrowed.
"The one that Soul drew," Spirit was offering bit by bit, watching as the confusion continued on her face. "The one of Medusa."
That defensive layer was back and even if it was an order from Stein, Maka found herself balking. "Why?"
Spirit sighed, "It's a little bit too much of a coincidence that Crona infects Soul with the black blood just to send him back home to a physician who dabbles in the black blood to take care of him. Stein thinks maybe Crona knows her, has something to do with her."
No, the blissfully ignorant word wanted to tremble off her lips but she knew better. It can't be a coincidence. Crona wasn't even from here, we know that much, but what will corroboration do? A connection between the two just means Crona is guilty all over again, doesn't it? "Why do we even need to know that?" The stupidity of the words hit her and she instantly flicked a dismissive hand with a sigh. "I know, I know, just… if you do that, promise me you're going to be gentle with them. I still don't think Crona even knows why they hurt Soul other than what that sword urged them to do."
"Well…" Spirit let a slow shrug roll through his shoulders. "Maybe it'll just be something we know. If your… husband is off killing Medusa anyway, maybe it won't make an ounce of difference, but if there's a chance that Crona knows something about her that we don't, something that could get rid of her, then that is something we need to know."
Even in the midst of the slow step forward, Maka let that raw sting take her. "Could you use his name, please? You know who he is."
"I know," and while Spirit was ready to take the scraping step back as well he bit it on the edge of his tongue. "I'm sorry. Soul. You just… it takes getting used to. Wasn't exactly expecting you'd get married any time soon, not after-" That bitterness he barely held back and let it drift out as a sigh instead.
"We're nothing like you and Mama." Maka wanted that with all her might to come back as biting, to be some kind of attack but it barely eked out as a soft whisper.
"Good," Spirit said decidedly. "I'm glad you grew up to be like neither of us." His fingers unfurled from the cup and as if that was the last thing to tether him to the table he was out of his seat. "Thanks for the tea."
"Papa," Maka called after him, catching him just the step before the hallway. Spirit stopped and turned glum eyes to her as he paused. "I'm not like her? Not at all?"
"No," he answered back quickly.
Maka's eyebrows furrowed as she searched for the words, finding the only one she could give barely enough, "Why?"
"Maka," he sighed as he let his eyes turn back to the hallway but his steps didn't continue. "You're strong like her," that admission seemed to come begrudgingly but the rest sailed smoothly from his lips, "but you got far too much heart to be anything like her." Before she could even call for him again, Spirit was gone, the sound of the backdoor the only thing to echo back to her.
Black Star sent Crona home on the fifth failed attempt to kill something. Apparently, all creatures were too precious. At least he should find some weak comfort in the fact that Maka had been correct, he was utterly harmless and hence, for this trip, useless. Alone, Black Star faired better, a few rabbits in traps he left earlier in the morning and one young buck that had been stupid enough to wander too close to where he'd laid in wait since Crona has left. By the time he was trekking back, the light was almost dwindled out to nothing and he was sure that all he would get when he got home was an earful. She's not even my wife and I think I've gotten more nagging than Soul ever has.
With the deer over his shoulders and the rabbits hanging from his belt to thump against his legs, Black Star started home. It was a quick waft on the wind as he got close to the house and half his mind was telling him that the smoke was probably from their own hearth, but Black Star couldn't help the way his hackles raised. Paranoia had never done him wrong before so he let his eyes go sharp, looking along the road and, as he moved closer, the outside of the house. He didn't bother with the front door, moving to the stable to hang the carcasses out of view of the softer inhabitants.
Unencumbered, Black Star started the slow slinking around the exterior, kneeling and probing when something caught his eye. It wasn't just something either but somethings and his mind began to run careful calculations before he heard the back door open and quickly jogged back.
"There you are," Maka scolded. "What the hell-"
"Get back in the house," he said in a low whisper as his eyes still trailed along the yard. If he had the ability to think of anything else he might have been pleased with the way she didn't offer an argument, just followed orders and better yet, he heard the lock latch in place. He went back to the stables and did a better job of stowing the meat, taking just one rabbit with him as he walked back to the front of the house.
Maka had smartly brought them all together and Black Star did manage a quick smile as he came through the door, "Something for the pot." He offered her the skinned and gutted meat. "Sorry, Crona," he bookended quickly and was happy to see the smile that it brought to Maka's face that continued to deaden the cringe on Crona's.
"What's going on outside?" Spirit butted in quickly as he came behind Black Star to bar the door.
"Someone's been snooping around," Black Star lowered his voice as he took a seat. "Some footprints, probably all the same person. There's a fire somewhere out in the woods, can get it on the breeze every now and then but not too close. Lots of traffic at the windows, especially yours," he threw a nod at Maka.
"But nothing's out of place, missing, or worse?" Maka's back was to him as she fiddled with the pot but he didn't like the way her voice seemed completely unaffected.
"Not yet," Black Star laughed sharply. "Are we just going to wait for it?"
"What do you suggest?" Maka tossed her head over her shoulder, sending him a flippant glare.
"I go out there tonight and ki-" He paused, throwing a glance at Crona. "See what it is."
The glare became a frown, "By yourself."
"By myself," he repeated.
"No," Maka came back instantly.
"Funny that you think you're in charge," Black Star gritted through a barely placating smile.
Maka remained unphased, blinking at him as she turned and crossed her arms in front of her. "Because if you're not successful, what happens?"
"You avenge me," he replied through laughter. "I'm never not successful, Maka."
"No," she repeated flatly.
"Then?" Black Star shot back with little patience.
"It's me they want. Let's draw them in."
"Absolutely not," Spirit was quick to snap back and Black Star used the opportunity to wave a hand of acquiescence in his direction.
"It's funny that you think him agreeing with you makes your argument any stronger," Maka hissed.
"Why don't we just stay here?" Crona squeaked as they clutched a hand in Maka's gown and gave it a tug. "Neither of you should be putting yourselves in danger. Not with your babies, Maka, and not with you being responsible for Maka, Black Star."
"And if it's more than just snooping, four against one is much better odds," Spirit added.
"Isn't that still technically drawing them in?" The words were sour from Maka's lips but she gave up on the attitude as she slumped back into her seat.
"I get it, you're tired of hiding," Spirit started but Black Star's grimace in his direction almost derailed him. Instead, he dared to continue. "But Crona's right. The babies are what's most important right now. Not how restless you feel."
While her face instantly registered the biting reply that was working over in her mind, Maka let her hands drift over the growing curve of her belly and, on cue, the little ones kicked their agreement. She forced the anger to stutter to a stop with a long, slow breath. "I guess I'm really outnumbered."
"Ew, are they doing it again?" Black Star's grimace easily drooped to disgust.
She rolled her eyes but still finished with a laugh, "Yes."
"Doing what?" Crona was watching Maka's hand intently.
"Kicking," Maka laughed softly again. "If you want to touch, you can."
"It's gross," Black Star shook his head swiftly at Crona.
"Well…" Crona looked between the two, their hand hovering hesitantly over the globe.
"Don't listen to him," she murmured softly and pressed their hand down.
There was a squirm to Crona's smile, a wiggle at the corner of their lips. "It's weird."
"Alright," Maka sighed as she released his hand. "Both of you are just lucky it's not you who has to carry the babies. Imagine what it feels inside rather than just under your hand."
"Can I?" Spirit wasn't in any way close enough and hadn't even bothered to hover out of his seat, his expectations still settling low.
"Oh," Maka stared at him as a slow breath crept across her lips. "Um, sure, Papa. Hurry, though, I don't know how much longer they'll be going."
Even with the suggestion, it was a slow move to her side, his hand tentatively hovering just like Crona's before he planted it gently against her stomach. Maka's warning had been useless anyway, the twins fluttering around on their own accord without any consideration for their mother's insides. Spirit chuckled softly. "Yeah, just like you. Definitely."
"Really?" Maka let the tips of her fingers meet his just as her eyes looked up at him expectantly.
"Told you, your mother said you were relentless. They're just going to be spitting images of their mother, I guess," Spirit answered with a soft smile.
"Great," Black Star scoffed. "Like we need two more Makas."
"Hey," father and daughter chided at the same time, allowing them both to drift off into a laugh.
Black Star watched the two of them, letting them have an extra minute before he stood. "Maka, talk to you for a second."
Maka narrowed her eyes at him but stood anyway, walking back towards the bedroom. As soon as they were through the door she closed it with a sigh. "You already got your way. I'm not going to sneak out and try anything, so why the secrecy?"
Black Star fiddled with his frown for a moment before letting out a sigh. "Ideas for who it is."
"Why would we have to have this conversation without the two of them?" Maka jumped quickly back on topic, refusing to let him have his way.
"Because I don't think it's a witch," Black Star dropped succinctly, "and I'm wondering who Papa might have pissed off. I know it's been a while, but you remember who doesn't like him?"
Maka sighed as her lips pulled tightly together to barely eke out the words. "And you don't think Spirit would be honest about this?"
"I'll go out there and ask him if you want," Black Star waved an arm but still forced his voice low, refusing to make this a show. "But the two of you were having a nice little moment and the last thing I want to do is throw shit in paradise."
"It's not paradise," she snapped quickly.
Black Star planted a soft hand on her shoulder as he raised his eyebrows at her. "It wasn't too bad, though, was it?"
"Just shut up," she murmured as she pressed a hand to her brow. He didn't push and just watched her massage her fingers there for a moment before she whispered. "He never had debtors or anything. A few drinking buddies but… for all the unhappiness, everyone around us was always happy."
"And no one knows Crona is here?"
"No one knows Crona exists," Maka shrugged helplessly. "So if it's not a witch, not someone after one of them, who is it?"
"Someone after us," Black Star offered lamely. "Look, you get some rest. Those kids'll keep you up half the night so you might as well start now. I'll send Crona in to be your bedtime buddy tonight."
"What are you going to do?" she asked skeptically.
"Don't worry, not going against orders," he sighed. "I'm going to stay awake. See if I can't at least get a glimpse to get a general idea of what's scouring around the house."
Without hesitation she walked over to him and grabbed him by the face, smacking each cheek in the process. "Do not go out there or I will kill you myself."
"Oh, fuck off," he grumbled as he slapped away her hands. "Who the fuck do you think you are, grabbing me by the face like that." Black Star continued to pepper curses about as he wiped at his cheeks to get rid of the residue of her touch before turning with a huff. "Like I fucking care-"
"Get over it," she threw the nearest thing at him, a pillow off the bed, and laughed as he let it renew the trail of profanities. He left her with a quick grin and heard him crowing to Crona and even though it was just a moment by herself, it was in those absences that she had no control over the feeling. I wish Soul was here. I wish this house had one more in it and it was him laughing with us, living with us, staying alive with us. Because… where is he? What is he doing right now? Is he happy or sad or thinking good things or bad? But as Crona rounded the corner, coming into the room with a quivering smile, Maka pressed it quickly away again.