OMG I HAVEN'T UPDATED IN SO LONG, IM SO SORRY. SOB. It's been so busy/crazy IRL so I haven't had any time to just sit down and get working on this! I hope I haven't lost all my followers! D: I read the latest SE chapter though oh gosh I was an emotional mess -just like the entire SE fandom. So when I was working on this chapter I choked up just mentioning Lord Death. /FANGIRLCRY. -ANYWAY, about this chapter. It's SUPER SHORT. So don't kill me. After all this time I give you such a dinky little chapter, I know. Howeverrrrr, I had to cut this chapter short because of the next one WHICH is well worth the wait! I always struggle with Soul's POV so I hope this is alright. Hmmmm... what else.. OHH I just wanted to say thanks again to everyone that leaves lovely comments/feedback! That stuff is like my fuel to get working on the next chapter, so keep em coming! I really really appreciate it! Do you think anyone would ever make a fanart of this? I would probably have A STROKE. -Well, I hope you enjoy the chapter!

Chapter Fifteen . Cold Showers and Heated Nights

- Soul -

Soul didn't have to wait much longer until Maka came shuffling back in their room, clad in her robe looking refreshed, but sleepy. He rose from the edge of the bed and slipped past her through the doorway, releasing a breath once he was out of the room.

Honestly, what did she expect of him? How could she just stand there holding her robe with that innocent little look. Was she really that oblivious or was she trying to nudge a reaction out of him? He no longer got nosebleeds at the sight of their mischievous, skimpy witch-cat (much to her dismay), and he liked to assume it was because of his older age. Or, it could simply be that he no longer wanted an encyclopedia wedged in the side of his skull. Whatever the reason be for his recent restraint, it was becoming clear to him when his patience was wearing thin.

Soul released a deep sigh, and walked into the luxurious outdoor shower. It still smelled like Maka's shampoo. He shivered, but flicked on the water and excused it as the sudden temperature change. Soul's mind was running rampant with thoughts. He clenched his jaw and glanced up into the hot water, hoping the water would soothe him.

It was impossible for him to come to terms with himself. How many years were they partners? How many times did they protect each other? Strengthen each other? Trust each other? Without Maka, he wouldn't have become a Death-Scythe. They had been through so many missions and dangerous experiences, and never once did he doubt his willingness to die for her. He respected his Meister, but she wasn't just a Meister to Soul. She was Maka, and Maka wasn't like anyone else. With what little family he had, Maka Albarn was the most important person in his life. She had her flaws and struggles, but she constantly pushed forward. Not only that, but she accepted him for who he was -black blood and all. Of course they had their fights, but Soul never once thought of leaving her. She was temperamental, a bookworm and not the greatest of dancers, but she was also compassionate, strong and determined. She was the best Meister, and forever classified as cool in Soul's mind.

What he was realizing now though, was that it went even further than that. The things he noticed about her he never did before. The way she slept with her chin tucked above the blankets, or how she would twirl one of her pigtails when she got nervous. Her face would dust with a delicate pink blush and her lips would pout or scowl depending on the situation. Or when she read, her eyebrows would furrow together and her emerald eyes would flick along each word of the page, anxiously awaiting the next one. Sometimes she would hum to herself when she cooked in the kitchen. These little things Soul noticed mesmerized him, distracted him. Like when she nibbled her bottom lip while studying. Or how her tiny skirt made her thighs look incredible. Or when little golden baby hairs stuck out from the back of her neck, he was tempted to reach forward and nibble on them. Even now, as water splashed on his face and body Soul could still smell Maka all around him and it was driving him mad. He shuddered once more and released a breath, feeling his chest pinch. It unsettled him how just her scent made his body yearn to be near her.

Soul thought back to Maka standing in the doorway. She held her robe loosely around her chest, and her hair tumbled down around her shoulders in loose wet curls. Water still dribbled from her legs and...- Soul jerked upright, snapping his eyes open. His breath hitched and he released a low groan from the sudden pulsing tension in his groin.

"Damn it." He hissed, and rested his forehead against the cool wall of the shower. He reached a hand down and palmed his hardening erection. This wasn't the first time he'd gotten a hard-on from the sight of his Meister, but never had he gotten such a massive one from the mere thought of her. He debated "finishing the job", but god damn it how could he jack-off to the thought of his partner when she was right inside? He let go and it stood straight, throbbing with arousal. He groaned and forced himself to think of anything unrelated to her -Black*Star in a bikini would do-. In a last-ditch effort to release the pressure between his legs Soul flicked the water to cold. He jumped at the shock and eventually, after a couple of deep breaths and splashes of frigid water to his face his erection lowered and he stood in the shower, cold, strained and tired.

Soul turned off the shower and vigorously rubbed at his body with his towel to shake away the vivid images of his Meister. He pulled on boxers and shorts and wrapped his towel around his neck before gazing out at the landscape. Night had fallen a lot faster than he realized. The last bit of dim light had fallen past the ocean and mountains in the far off distance. Despite it being dark, it was still warm and the jungle around the house was alive with nocturnal creatures. Soul rubbed his face and sighed deeply before making his way back toward the bedroom, and what would become another long night.

"What took you so long?" Maka questioned as he entered the bedroom.

"I was really dirty?" Soul shrugged and dried his hair with his towel before casting it off in a corner. Maka shot him a look and he grinned.

"I called Shinigami-sama just now. He said he'll have a plane ready to pick us up by tomorrow evening." Maka explained as she pulled away the bed sheets and climbed in. Her hair was down, and she wore cotton shorts and a loose tee- "Soul?"

"..hmm?"

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just tired." He dismissed it quickly. It wasn't a complete lie, he was tired...but not for the reasons she thought he was. "Where's the Malulem?"

Maka nodded toward the far corner of the room, where it rested against the back wall, still covered.

"Ah, okay." Soul mumbled as he made his way around the bed. He took a deep breath before jumping up on it. He didn't bother pulling the sheets over him. He was already warm. He could feel Maka roll over toward the bedside table and suddenly they were surrounded by darkness. Soul twitched and glanced outside, studying the world dimly lit by the moon. He tensed when she sighed and silently cursed at himself.

"I can't sleep." Maka's voice spoke up from the darkness. "Even though I'm so tired."

"Me neither." Soul squirmed, feeling trapped beneath the palpable tension. Did she feel it too?

"I wonder what the Malulem is. I'm so tempted to just take a peek." Maka sighed and shifted on the bed.

"There's probably a reason why we're not allowed to look at it, Maka." Soul reminded her.

"Yeah I know, but aren't you curious at all?"

"Sure, I guess. But I have a feeling whatever it is, it's more bad than good considering everything that happened to us from just looking for it."

"That's true..." Maka agreed, and eventually another lull of silence fell between them.

Soul could feel their wavelength, just as much as she could probably feel it. Rather than a wave, it was more like wire pulled across the small gap between them. She shifted her weight beside him on the bed and Soul suppressed a low groan. She was so close to him, her bare skin so thinly clothed. Soul was tempted to extend his hand and trail his fingertips along her cheek, down her collarbone, beneath her breast and rest his hand on her flat stomach. Soul grit his teeth, already feeling an aching bulge building within his shorts. He tensed, panicked that at any moment she might roll over and see his growing hard-on.

"nnhey Soul..?" Maka murmured and began to twist around to face him.

Surprised, Soul jolted upright and grabbed both her shoulders, pinning her back down on the bed. His heartbeat was wild within his chest, making his breath come out in uneven short pants. He hovered above her and searched her startled wide jade eyes, unable to explain himself.

"...S-soul?"

Unable to explain that he was leaning down.

.

CLIFF HANGER. You guys really should expect this by now. ;p How badly do you want to know what. will. happen... IN THE NEXT CHAPTER. TIL' THEN!