SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE. (-currently avoiding any tomatoes or stones that may be projected at my face-) This past week/weekend has been so crazy! I really thought I wouldn't be able to get it up tonight, but here I am! About the chapter! So, our dynamic duo has found paradise~! Oh boy the trouble they will get in here. ;) I hope you enjoy this chapter with some sexual tension and of course, my favorite, good ol' fluff. I would greatly appreciate reviews!
Chapter Eleven . At The End Of The Day
- Maka -
Soul's voice and a gentle nudge on her shoulder broke Maka from her slumber. She jerked upright and glanced around at her surroundings in surprise. Having fallen asleep on the plane, she found herself struggling in a timeless disorientation. She shot Soul a groggy glare; wordlessly scolding him for letting her sleep on plane. She collected herself and made her way for the plane door with Soul close behind. She gave the door handle a hard twist and shoved it open. The door released a sigh and immediately swung open, allowing natural light to flood in and hit both their tired faces.
Maka could feel her jaw pop as it dropped and gaped at the world before her. Well, they weren't in Death City any more that's for sure. The most surprising thing to the Meister was the buildings, or, lack of them. She could see a few roofs peek through the dense vegetation not far off, but otherwise there wasn't any kind of city. Wild life dominated everything. Where ever she glanced to, vines covered, or massive trees loomed overhead. Some of the plants and flowers Maka had never seen before. She felt like she had just stepped into an exotic, mysterious garden. Maka glanced up to the sky, noting the thin clouds that swirled about lazily. Behind them, the sun loomed higher into the sky; offering the first rays of sunlight. Maka's stomach lurched at the sudden time warp.
"You are Shibusen students, yes?" A loud, rough voice broke through her amazement.
"Yes!" Maka chimed firmly, bounding down the stairs toward the man who had called them. He was short and very tan. His face was scruffy with facial hair and despite his hard exterior his eyes gleamed with genuine kindness. Maka extended her hand to meet his and gave it a solid shake; feeling the many callouses that covered it.
"Ah, thank you very much for coming." The man boomed; his accent extremely thick. "This way," He beckoned with a hand and gestured to their bags. "I show you to your suite, yes?" He grinned, exposing a few missing teeth.
Maka collected her belongings and shuffled after him. She didn't mind walking, but she was surprised by the lack of transportation...or roads for that matter. The three of them made their way along a worn path, comfortable with the some-what silence. There was an ever-present chatter of birds, and occasionally a shriek call would ring throughout the jungle and make Maka jump in surprise. She could hear Soul grumble in distaste from behind. Maka blinked and glanced ahead, seeing the jungle finally break and open. They entered a small community that had no more that 20 or so little houses and a single strip of path that appeared to be a market. Despite this, the village was lively and exciting. Throngs of people jostled about, chatting with one another. Maka could feel eyes train on her and she glanced over her shoulder. She offered a friendly wave and smile before continuing on her way.
Eventually, the village was past them until it vanished from sight. Maka took a deep breath, idly feeling the humidity of the warm air in the back of her throat. Just when she thought her jet-lagged limbs couldn't strain themselves a moment longer, the man stopped with a clap of his hands.
"We are here!" He announced gruffly and extended his hand toward the house behind him.
Maka glanced around him curiously and her olive eyes landed on the lamppost ahead of them with a Shinigami skull on it. Maka smiled, glad to see something that reminded her of home and bounded forward, nearing the house that was secluded by thick brush. The house was similar to those she had seen back at the village. It appeared to be made from bamboo and wood. She impatiently shuffled her feet as the local man unlocked the front door and jumped forward when it swung open. For the second time that day, Maka felt her jaw threaten to fall from her face. The Meister glanced around in awe at the house. It was small, but cozy and relaxing. Her gaze trailed across the floor, sweeping through the small living room, to the kitchen and dining room. What surprised Maka the most was how the back wall of the house was nothing more than window. Outside, there was a thin strip of jungle before it opened into a breath-taking view of the water.
"The bedroom is around back." The man jabbed a thick finger toward the glass sliding room door.
Maka arched an eyebrow and followed the direction of his finger. She pushed the door open and walked along the house on a thin back porch that acted as a path. She stopped at a small door and twisted it open. Maka found herself in a wide, alluring bedroom. The white ceiling had thick panels that arched up. The walls were wooden, but carved with delicate designs. A warm breeze caught Maka's attention. She glanced to her right and gasped at the massive open wall. It could close, Maka felt relieved but by a glass window. Maka glanced back at the sparse bedroom. There was nothing in the room expect for a bed, two bedside tables and a cabinet. The Meister's gaze lingered on the bed. It had to be a queen, at least. It was very simple; white sheets and tons of luxurious cream-colored pillows. Thin white curtains draped around the corners of the bed. This place was like a Honeymoon suite, Maka realized with a growing blush. "There's only one bed?" Maka demanded suddenly, much to her chagrin.
"Yes!" The man chimed with a smile, oblivious to her mortification.
Granted, Maka was aware of the sleeping arrangements back at their apartment. But this, this was a completely different caliber! Here they were in a luxurious, secluded suite with a king size bed that had sexual innuendo written all over it! Curse Shinigami-sama and his taste for lavish things. "Where's the bathroom?" Maka asked wearily, swallowing the dry clump that had formed in the back of her throat.
"Outside." The man answered casually. He must have noticed Maka's fish-out-of-water expression because he beckoned her to follow. True to his word, around the backside of the house there was an outside bathroom. The toilet was secluded by a stone half-wall, but the shower was open and for all eyes to see. Another stone wall divided the toilet and shower, but that was it. "You let me know if you need anything, yes?" He smiled easily. "I go now. Best of luck on your mission!" He waved, handed Maka the key and disappeared.
Maka glanced down at the small key and hung her head in defeat. This would be her hardest mission yet.
After the local man had left, both partners dismissed themselves to their own accord. They spent the time familiarizing themselves with the house; wandering inside and outside curiously. All the while, not a single person from the village ever wandered by. The only company there was were the strange bird calls from the jungle around them, but otherwise, the two were completely alone. Thankfully, Shinigami-sama had redeemed himself by providing the two with a kitchen full of food. Maka had already unpacked her things and settled in. She went to the bathroom, and used one of her shirts as a curtain to hide herself. That, she wouldn't get used to. Maka didn't dare shower, at least not with Soul so close by. By the time both partners settled in and had no excuses left, it was only noon. Maka sighed and made her way back to the bedroom. She glanced up, seeing Soul perched on the edge of it glancing out at the view with a cryptic expression. When he heard her he flicked his gaze to meet hers.
"Nice, huh?" Maka asked lamely.
"Yeah, it's cool." Soul mused quietly.
Maka shuffled her feet nervously, squirming underneath the awkward tension that had bubbled between the two. "Well, we should probably map out our search." Maka made her way toward the bed, grabbing the worn map that rested conveniently beside it. "We can rest for today, though." She added, feeling her groggy limbs ache.
"Alright. I'm going to shower, okay?" Soul slipped off the bed when Maka sat on it. He grabbed a towel and his clothes before shuffling out of the open door and disappearing behind the side of the house.
Maka sat there watching the spot where Soul had disappeared to for a long time. When she felt sleep cloud her gaze, she launched herself from the bed. She staggered to the side of the bedroom and scrambled into her pajamas; which only consisted of a large baggy t-shirt. She quietly cursed herself for not packing sweatpants. She constantly glanced out the door in case Soul returned. When she was finally changed, she crawled back on the bed and grabbed the map and a pencil. Maka stared at the map thoughtlessly. She couldn't shake the thought of Soul showering outside a hop, skip and jump away. She scowled as a blush flushed across her face. She should be ashamed of herself, she was no better than her perverted papa!
Maka shook her head, dislodging the thoughts from her head. She focused her attention on the map instead. Thankfully, the island was small, but with having to walk every where it would still take them a lot of time. Depending on how the weather treated them, they may have to camp out some nights. Maka hunched over the map and scribbled out an ideal route around the island. The sound of Soul's slow footsteps broke her from her thoughts. Maka glanced up just as Soul entered the bedroom; clad in a t-shirt and thin flannel pants. She quickly flicked her gaze away, idly running her fingers over the map she held. She pretended to read over it as Soul shuffled to the opposite side of the bed and climbed in. An uncomfortable silence lulled between the two.
"Figure out a route?" Soul asked eventually, breaking the silence.
"I think so..." Maka mumbled, keeping her eyes trained on the worn paper. If she dared glance up, no doubt a blush would find its way on her face. "Nnney Soul?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you think we'll find it? I mean, the Malulem?"
Soul stayed silent for a while, mulling over his thoughts. "Yeah, we definitely will." He replied confidently. "I have a cool Partner." He added with his signature, lopsided grin.
A small smile curled at the edges of Maka's lips. "Thanks Soul." She murmured, feeling her face warm the slightest. She could feel Soul shift beside her, despite the obvious space between the two of them. Although it was still light out, it didn't change that both were groggy and jet-lagged. Maka studied the map awhile longer before casting it aside and nuzzling herself beneath the smooth sheets. She glanced over at Soul, seeing his shoulder gently rise and fall as he breathed deeply, already asleep. Maka envied him for being able to fall asleep so quickly. She sighed and rolled over so that her back faced his. For a moment it felt as if he wasn't there, but a gentle shift or hushed snore made her heart splutter erratically. Maka squeezed her eyes shut and willed herself to fall asleep. Eventually, she relaxed and slumber was only a sigh away -that is, until a sudden heavy arm draped around her waist. Maka stiffened and squeaked in surprise. She snapped her eyes open and glanced down at her personal space attacker. A hand, and not just any hand. Soul's.
Soul Eater Evan's arm to be exact.
Maka gasped in surprise and squirmed beneath his arm, a hot blush spreading across her face. She scowled and silently cursed her ability to stumble into bad predicaments. But was it really bad? Maka questioned, upon second thought. A part of her enjoyed the warm contact. A part of her wished he would tighten his grip and pull her closer. Oh Shinigami, wish granted. Maka suppressed another mortified squeak as Soul moved beside her, tucking her against his body. She could feel his warm breath tickle the back of her neck and the outline of his body curl around hers. Maka remained very still, afraid if she moved she might go into cardiac arrest, or worse; wake up Soul.
Focus, Maka. Maka took a deep breath and mustered her courage. Very slowly she tried to distance herself from his grip. When at last her gradual crawling away paid off, Maka found herself tightly wrapped by Soul's arm once more. She huffed, blowing her bangs from her face and pouted in frustration. She needed to get away, or she may just die of embarrassment. In attempt to escape once more, Maka shifted her entire body with a roll of her hips. Her plan backfired, however, when a low groan escaped his mouth. Maka nearly died from utter mortification. She snapped her eyes shut and forced herself to pretend the offender poking her butt was Soul's leg, and not what she thought it was.
Maka remained frozen, trapped in her prison. Eventually, the bulge against her butt went away; much to her relief and chagrin. All the while, she had yet to get a wink of sleep. By the way the sunlight was slanting across the bedroom, Maka guessed it was sometime around dinner. At last, sleep clouded her eyes and she released a deep sigh she didn't realize she was holding in.
As if on que, Soul stirred beside her. Maka supressed an irritated, tired groan and awaited his next move. Soul scooted closer to her, possessively tucking his arm back around her waist and nuzzling his cheek in the crook of her neck. Maka was pleasantly surprised by the change and found herself craning closer to his warmth. Slumber clouded around her once more, only this time she found her eyes closing and content in his embrace. Both partners nudged closer to each other, soft murmurs of contentment humming in the back of their throats.
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For those of you who have been following my fanfic since the first chapter, I hope you realize by now that this story will end happily. With fluff. I have a fluff problem, I know. Hope you enjoyed! Leave me some reviews!