Waiting was agony. Soul knew he had said 8:00 PM, but that was just a start time for work, leaving a window open for her until midnight. It was almost 9:00 and at every break between songs he was struggling to keep himself from scanning the entire crowd. Even when his first break came at the 9:15 mark, she was missing. He made his way to the bar, leaning over to awkwardly pour his own water before Liz noticed. He wasn't entirely successful as the tall blond caught him halfway.

"What's wrong with you tonight?"

"What?" Soul grumbled before taking a long sip of water.

Liz was dipping glasses, leaning down to put them into the washer one at a time. "You keep looking around like the mob's after you. You expecting someone?"

"Maybe…" This was dangerous territory since Liz and the waitress, her younger sister Patty, were usually too nosey for their own goods.

"Maybe!" A grin cracked Liz's face as she turned her attention to Patty. "Patty, Soul is going to have a guest tonight!"

Patty slid from the end of the bar where she had been putting in orders to them. "A guest?"

"Ah, shit." Soul pushed his empty water glass into Liz's waiting hand, trying to avoid even looking at Patty before moving back to the piano, knowing that their curiosity couldn't follow him there.

Soul slid back onto the bench, starting back into his usual jazz rotation. Saturdays he opted for more golden oldies, popular renditions, but Friday nights were his favorite. He stretched his fingers one last time before easing into "On A Clear Day" with as much exuberance as his nervousness would allow him.

It was in the middle of that song that Maka entered, her eyes scanning the entirety of the place before finally settling on him. He was lucky he didn't see her entrance, didn't see that bashful smile, accented by a blush to her cheeks as she focused in on his playing. That face would have derailed the rest of his playing for possibly his entire life. Instead, he only noticed her just as he was finishing up as she sat right at the edge of his periphery.

Soul forced himself to send her just a little wave, making his attention stay on his job and the next song on his lineup. It was a total battle of patience and the clock felt like it was working against him, the slow tick only crawling towards the 10:45 mark. Every time he took the opportunity to let his eyes fall on her she was staring, leaning on her left hand as it obscured the smile on her face. He finished just before his mark, damning any consequences, and walked to her table, trying to keep a lazy smile on his face. "Hey."

Maka removed the hand from her mouth, displaying a glowing smile that made him forget any of his restraint. "You're really good, Soul."

"Ah, sure, thanks." He sat down next to her, pulling the chair a little closer, trying to decrease the noise interfering from the bar. "It's just a job."

"You did it better than just a job."

"Thanks." The praise was unnerving, the way her eyes wouldn't leave his. "Do you want a beer or something? I could-"

"Here's your beer!" Patty split them, placing two tall, amber glasses between the two of them.

Maka put a hand up to stop Patty but it was useless. "Oh, I didn't-"

"On the house," Patty sang, sending a wink Soul's direction before ambling off and immediately returning to her sister. Soul could see them whispering, plotting.

"That was… nice." Maka slid the glass towards herself, the line of perspiration shining on the table.

Soul took a decided gulp of his before even touching that statement, trying to keep himself from a frown. "One of the many reasons why I work here."

Maka laughed, sensing the bordering sarcasm. She was slow to take a sip, beer not exactly at the top of her list of beverages, but at least it would take off the edge.

Soul let his eyes move past her, seeing the books tucked at the corner of the table. "Did you bring your homework?" He couldn't stop the teasing laugh, even after her lips pursed together in annoyance.

"I did." She took another, longer drink from the glass. "You play really well but if I'm staying until after midnight I may need something else to do."

Even with the cool glass in his hands, he could feel his palms break out in a sweat as his heart skipped a beat. "Until I'm off?"

"Well, yeah." Maka cleared her throat, touching a tentative finger to the cover of her notebook.

"Thanks," he winced at the uncool answer. Soul took another long drink, practically draining the glass. When he put it back down her eyes were still focused away from him, her fingers flexed out on the table. No big deal, he took another breath and wiped his hand on his pant leg before letting it rest on top of hers. "I'm going to have to get back, but, really, thanks for coming, Maka."

Her emerald eyes darted from their connected hands to his own eyes, the shock dissolving into a muted happiness. "I'm happy you asked me."

"Me, too." Soul allowed himself one more look, one more squeeze of her hand before tearing himself away. This felt like another short-lived moment of suave behavior from him, a little bit of the old Soul shining through, but he could only predict that he wouldn't be able to keep this up for much longer. What was her plan for after? Better yet, what was his plan for after? She'd let him touch her hand again, but how much more should he try to take?

"Oh, fuck," was a breathless mutter as he started to play again. Thankfully, Soul seemed to have the talent that as his mind became more tumultuous, his music only improved, leaving the bar in a half-hush as he pounded away at the keys. At the very least this thing with Maka tonight might actually get him a few more tips, having the room mesmerized by the intensity of the tunes. As he took a breath between songs he found himself caught in her eyes again, Maka seeming to pause from studying at the end of every song just in case he looked for her.

Soul wanted to reassure himself that she had to be into him, which should have been evident from her coming here at all. Instead, a feeling he was used to in other facets of his life but never romance was leeching in and he came face to face with self-doubt. Maybe they were just friends since this was something that friends might do, especially since all three of his roommates had been here once or twice. So, Maka was his new friend.

That was borderline the stupidest thought he'd ever had since a friend doesn't contemplate kissing his friend every time their eyes meet. That last wondering tightened a knot in his stomach that he knew would only get worse as the evening continued. His fingers felt as if they were in a frenzy as his mind finally came to the conclusion: he was going to try to kiss her tonight. Best case scenario, they'd be a couple by the time the party rolled around. A couple, Soul repeated the concept in his mind. She'd technically be his first girlfriend, the first girl he'd ever actually wanted to anchor to himself, to secure a place with. But he was way ahead of himself, at the white picket fence before he'd even planted a kiss.

As soon as he had set his goal, time seemed to fly, testing his courage as the clock struck midnight. Soul got up from the piano bench and stretched his back, trying not to immediately rush for Maka's table. Instead, he walked to the bar, waiting for Liz to settle up his tips. She had drinks to mix, so he had to stand for a few minutes, sending a glance back Maka's way. She wasn't looking for him, just bent over her textbook.

"She's cute," Liz elongated the u in his ear, making him jump.

Soul pushed her shoulder, giving himself some space. "Can I just get my cash and go, please?"

Liz was slowly counting through the cash, holding it out of his reach. "Why, impatient to be alone with your little cutie? What's her name?"

"None of your business," Soul enunciated each word sharply.

"I hope you know you looked at her all night. A little desperate, if you ask me." Liz wiggled her eyebrows as Patty squeezed in next to her. "This isn't like you, Soul."

"Nope, he's completely head-over-heels!" Patty chimed.

"Money, please," Soul sighed, extending his hand towards Liz. She finally relented, giving him his tips and letting him turn back to the tables as he pocketed the cash. I'm going to kiss her, he agonizingly repeated in his head. His steps slowed down as he made his way to her table, watching as she was beginning to pack her back. "Maka…"

"Hey, again," she smiled, stuffing the last of her things in her bag. "This was really great, Soul. You were amazing."

"Amazing is a strong word." He took his seat back, leaning towards her.

"Well, maybe I'm not the best judge, but I enjoyed it." She shrugged before bringing her bag back to her lap. "I, um, I didn't know what you had planned afterward."

"To be honest, I usually pass out at this point," Soul smiled weakly.

She released a deep breath. "I'm usually the same."

"Then," he swallowed, trying to take in air. "Let me take you home. I rode my bike but if you're not into that I'll take the bus with you."

Her cheeks started to tint pink, "I've never been on one before."

"Just move with me and it'll be fine." And it'll be close, his mind chimed.

"You're sure?" It sounded like a question from her tone but her smile wasn't wondering.

"Yeah, of course. Just give me a second, OK? I keep any extra helmet here, so I have to grab it." Soul couldn't move fast enough, half-jogging to the back staff room. He was smart, always leaving extra gear here, mostly for when Black Star got too drunk and he had to bring him home. He grabbed the extra helmet plus a jacket since the almost October chill would be noticeable on the ride. As soon as he exited the back he waved her over, putting the helmets on a chair at the bar. "Here, you'll need this." He held open the jacket for her.

Maka studied the jacket for a moment. "It's yours?"

He laughed at her hesitation, flicking the jacket in his hand. "Yeah, don't worry, not just some random jacket from the back." She put her bag next to helmet and slipped her arms through as he held it. Soul couldn't help himself, rejoicing in another whiff of her scent as she pressed the air out of the jacket. "Let's go outside." He tentatively pulled on the sleeve of the jacket, bringing her with him as he grabbed the helmets and she threw her bag over her shoulder.

Soul released her sleeve, fishing into his pocket for his keys and jingling them as if it would relieve the nervousness. The lot was mostly empty, his bike pressed up against the far end under the street light. They walked silently, the only sound the clink of his keys and his zipper as he closed up his jacket.

They both paused at the side of the bike, Maka studying it. "How long have you had this?"

"Since before I could drive it," Soul laughed, making a sweeping gesture at its beauty. "Found it half rusted in someone's garage. Fixed it up until I was actually old enough for it." He draped his helmet on one of the handlebars as he tucked the guest helmet under his arm. Her hand ran over the leather of the seat and he took the opportunity to slide the bag off her shoulder. "It'll be safer in the saddlebag."

"OK." She watched him unzip and hide it safely inside.

"Now the helmet." He handed it to her, letting her slip it snuggly on her head. "I'll get this part." He fiddled with the adjustable strap, trying not to strangle her while still keeping it tight. Once he'd heard the click his eyes moved to hers, catching those green orbs staring at him, her lips separated slightly by a heavy breath. "Too tight?"

"I think it's fine."

Do it! He gulped and took a step back. "Good. OK. Just keep the visor down unless you need to talk." He turned back to the bike, picking up his own helmet and fixing it over his head. "If you need anything, tap my right shoulder. Otherwise, hold on how you want to. If I lean, lean with me." Getting on the bike couldn't happen fast enough, especially since he'd blown a perfectly good chance for absolutely no reason. He'd be pissed if he wasn't focused on the idea that she'd soon be pressed up against him.

The bike started with a low, throaty thunder as Soul motioned for her to get on. He felt her rather than saw her, Maka sliding on right behind him with no resistance. It didn't seem as if she minded being that close, leaving no space and allowing her arms to circle his waist. All of his hesitations felt like a distant memory as the heat of her body seeped into his back. He had to force himself back into reality, "Everything OK?"

Her voice seemed so close to him even with the sound of the engine. "Fine!"

"Close your visor, tap if you need me, then." He heard the snap of her helmet closing and did the same to his. This ride home was going to be no big deal. Soul started off slow, trying to get used to the feel of her on his back, a definite difference from Black Star or any of his other random passengers. Maka felt synced with him, as if all of her was on the same time as him, heartbeat and breath. If he even dipped a little she moved with him just as ordered, keeping the ride smooth. He guessed some of her anxiety had disappeared because her grip loosened, her hands resting on the pockets of his jacket.

Soul had slowed down at a red light, feeling her hand move to tap his shoulder. He shifted his weight a little, flipping up his visor to see her waiting with hers up. "Could you…" she let the words trail off.

"What?" Soul didn't even bother to look at the light, the streets fairly empty at this time of night.

Maka shouted it out the second time, "Could you take the long way?"

"OK." Oh, but it really wasn't OK. He flipped his visor closed and was sure his heart was going to beat right up and out of his throat. She wanted to be like this longer. Or she just wants to be on the bike longer, he reminded himself, also honing in on the fact she wasn't plastered to him anymore and seemed to be enjoying the sights instead. This didn't mean he wasn't going to do as asked, so he turned down a side street, cutting to the backroads rather than sailing straight through the city itself. If he went this way, it would loop through some backwoods and send them to the back of campus, near the fields and stadium rather than the dorms. Hopefully, that would give her the time she needed.

It didn't necessarily end up being enough time for him though, his gut still tight and turning as he idled the bike in front of her dorm. He turned it off and waited for her to dismount, then kicked out the stand and got off himself. Maka pulled the helmet off, her hair a little plastered to her forehead. The helmet head at the very least spurred a laugh from him, making her toss the helmet into his chest to give her hands to fix it. While she made herself presentable again, taking off the borrowed jacket and fixing her hair, Soul plopped the helmet on the seat and went about taking off his own, not exactly concerned about his hair.

"Soul…"

He turned to the sound of his voice just in time for her arms to wrap around his waist, her head coming just under his chin. It definitely wasn't a friendly hug, nothing quick or separate about it. She was locked into him for what felt like minutes, allowing him to let his cheek brush against her hair. Saying he was overwhelmed was an understatement, drunk on the amorous assault to his senses. He even had enough time to wrap his arms around her shoulders, his open hands memorizing the texture of her sweater.

"Thank you," she whispered against his jacket.

Soul could almost only gulp in reply but managed to squeak out, "Yeah, no problem."

"I'll see you Tuesday, for lab." Her arms detached from his middle and he let her slip out of his fingers.

Kiss her! His brain ordered but his body couldn't, wouldn't obey, just so struck by her touch, by the look in her eyes as she pulled away from him. Finally, it was her smile that hit him, stunning him to the point where he felt his knees tremble. "Tuesday, sure." But he was sure he'd sulk and struggle until then as if seeing her sustained him.

"Bye." Maka threw in a soft wave as she turned, making her way up the steps and through the glass doors of the dorm.

"Fuck," but it was too late for cursing at this point. He had to admit it. This wasn't no big deal.

The first warning sign was the back sliding door left ajar, thankfully the screen closed so that bugs weren't getting in, but definitely not the usual. The second warning sign was that it was a two-finger pour of bourbon rather than a beer in front of Soul on the rickety table. The final, and probably the most disturbing, was that it was way past his bedtime.

"Soul?"

"Yup."

Kilik threw his work hat on the table next to the drink before sitting in the other mismatched chair. "Mind if I join you?"

"Sure."

This was getting creepy. Even creepier was the deep sip Soul took from the glass, hardly even wincing as the fiery liquid sunk down his throat into his gut. Kilik cleared his throat. "So… tonight went well?"

"So well," Soul groaned before taking another gulp, not bothering to put the glass back on the table.

"So well that it requires way too much bourbon?" Kilik tried to snatch the glass but Soul pulled it away protectively. "Please tell me this is your first."

"Second," he croaked through another warming sip.

Kilik leaned back in the chair, crossing his arms before letting out a huffing breath. "Am I going to have to keep asking leading questions or will you just spill it?"

"She hugged me." Mentioning it brought the sensation back to him and even the alcohol crawling through his system couldn't deaden it.

"Like… a friendly pat on the back hug? Like the kind of hug you give your great aunt?" Kilik offered, trying to gauge Soul's face. It was definitely a look he'd never seen on the boy before, like defeat and exhilaration all mixed into one.

His eyes focused on the single ice cube dreamily. "Like there wasn't an inch of space between us and I could hold her like that forever."

"Oh, boy," Kilik muttered.

"And I told myself all night, Kilik, that I was going to kiss her. I had plenty of solid opportunities, too!" Soul took another swig, this time clicking his tongue at the punch from the liquor.

"But you wimped out?"

"A hundred percent."

Kilik stood with a sigh, now sure he'd gotten himself into a late-night mess. "I need a beer." As he disappeared back into the house, Soul finally relinquished his hold on his glass, placing it carefully at the table. "OK." Kilik reappeared, tipping his beer back before slipping back into his seat. "You wimped out."

"Because if I ruin this, man, I think I might die."

"A little melodramatic," Kilik eye-rolled before taking another swig. "How is kissing her going to ruin it though? I thought she seemed into you."

Soul sunk lower in the chair, his eyes starting to drift up to the night sky. "There's no guarantee. Right now we're partners, and we depend on each other, but that could just be friend stuff. And if I made things weird, I'd lose it."

"What's it?"

"That's a great question." He let a slow hand come to his face, rubbing at his eyes before pushing back his hair. "I told her about Wes."

"You what?" Kilik almost dropped his beer.

"I just barely mentioned him, but yeah. His name. The fact that he works there. The fact that I love him but can't stand him."

"OK, that's not a barely. That's shit we all had to learn through the long and arduous process of being your friends through the entirety of high school!" Kilik tipped the beer bottle in his direction. "This isn't like you."

"No, it's not," Soul murmured.

"Real talk, Soul, you're the most guarded guy I know. It takes time and effort for anyone to dip below the surface." He took another long sip of his beer before leaning forward, his elbows on his knees. "And while I hate to say this, Black Star is right when he says you're all about the hook-up, always have been, since you refuse to let any of those girls get under your skin. You purposefully pick girls who won't."

"Shit," he muttered before scooting himself back up in the seat, tentatively grasping at his glass.

Kilik was really settling into advice column mode. "I think what's happening is you're finally ready to want what the rest of us have already been looking for - love. Not saying you are in love, but you want it."

Without a word Soul picked up the bourbon, draining the rest of it down his throat.

Kilik watched him with a sigh. "That's your last one, right?"

"Yeah, OK." Soul let the glass slip out of his fingers and plunk back on the table.

"Because drinking isn't going to change it. Neither is forcing yourself with deadlines of I have to kiss her now." Kilik took another sip. "Maybe you just need to stop leading with your head. If you want to enjoy just the little stuff now, do it."

Soul frowned at him, "So I'm going to hug her and hold her hand?"

Kilik tipped his beer back, draining it, before reaching over to pat Soul on the shoulder. "Hell yeah, you are."