Soul grunted when he heard another bang on his door. It seems like someone was knocking earlier and since he has not opened the door, the person behind it was starting to lose patience.
He slowly sat up, lifting his body lazily from his bed. Who the hell was at his doorstep disturbing his slumber?
He glanced at the desk clock. 1:13 AM. Great.
He stood up when the banging didn't stop, grabbed the white t-shirt he disregarded earlier and put it over his head. He ran his fingers through his hair to somewhat tame it but failed, while making his way to the front door.
He peeked on the peephole and saw his visitor on the other side leaning her head on his door. His brows furrowed before he unlocked it; waited a few seconds to give her time to move, and pushed it open.
She was now in front of him, her head hanging. "Finally." She mumbled.
Soul examined the girl. Her blond hair was in a messy bun and he knew that she was drinking by the pungent odor of alcohol coming from her.
"Maka." He called out.
The said girl looked up at him and smiled. It was a shy smile and Soul was caught off guard."Did you check before you open the door?"
Soul's brow rose up with her sudden question. "Huh?"
"You have a habit of just opening the door without checking who's knocking. Did you know it was me?"
Though her voice was low, he heard her. Like he always have.
Still, he responded. "I did check it and saw you leaning like your life's depending on it."
She managed another smile and wave her hand. "You're wearing a shirt now when you sleep?"
He looked at himself unconsciously. "Nah. I just put this on when I heard you banging on my door."
She beamed. "That's good. I remember you always sleep with only your boxers or sweatpants. And whenever we have a visitor in the middle of the night, you don't make yourself presentable and just go at the door." She said. "I always got mad at you."
"It's just because I know the person Maka. And besides, who else will visit at this time of night? The chance of it being someone who know is hundred percent." He stated.
The girl pouted, he thinks it was cute. "But still, I wanted you to wear something first. Not half naked."
Soul sighed. "It's fine now. I did what you told me." He noticed he just defended himself.
"Very good then." Maka glanced at him, with a proud look on her face.
Wait, was she reminiscing? She was talking to him now like the way they did before. Did they just discuss something from the past?
What was going on?
Well, maybe she's just drunk. Maybe tomorrow, she'll be back to her normal behavior. Back to the strong, independent woman who doesn't need anyone to take care of herself. Someone who doesn't need him.
Soul sighed. It still hurts. He clenched his fists.
"Are you in a relationship now?" She questioned him again and leaned on the door frame.
Geez, she's really drunk.
"No." He stepped a little closer to her, one hand on his hips. "Did you come here just to ask those lame questions?"
He really did not mean 'lame', but he needed to stop this now.
Maka shook her head.
He waited for her to react, but a few seconds of silence past and she did not move nor say anything.
Soul looked at her with concerned eyes. He was about to tap her on her shoulder but he heard her sigh, defeatedly.
"No, I came here for you." She mumbled and turned to stare at him with an agonized look. Soul was startled when she suddenly caught him in a tight embrace.
"Maka, wha -"
He tried to maintain their balance while she wrapped her arms around him. He felt her warmth against his body and caught her scent - vanilla with a touch of alcohol - and damn, he can be drunk with her fragrance.
"I still love you Soul."
He froze.
"I'm sorry for all the bad words I said. For all the things I've done that caused you pain. For all the hurt I've given you..I'm so sorry.." He heard her sniffled. "I just..I just..I got..I was scared..I don't want you to..."
Maka slowly fell on her knees and he followed her, sliding against the wall, butt on the cold floor. Her arms around his torso, crushing him, face remaining on his chest.
Her voice was hoarse but her words were clear on his ears. "I'm so sorry Soul. I was an idiot and still an idiot. But I..I missed you..so much it hurts.." She held him as tightly as she could, staining his shirt with her tears.
Soul couldn't move. What is she saying?!
Maka grasped his shirt tightly. "If..if I could just turn back the time..I'd still want to be with you.. I want you to be..to be...mine...again.."
The young man didn't know what to say. He heard her loud and clear. She just confessed her feelings and after two years, she still loves her?
It felt like a heavy boulder was lifted off from his chest and he felt a great relief, a feeling that has not come to him for the last two years they have been separated. His heart tighten and he even felt his body trembled, before he raise his arms to touch her shoulders to see she really declared those words.
He looked down at her and noticed that she was already asleep. Soul smiled at her sleeping form and shook his head. "Geez Maka." He slowly picked her up, walked into his room and gently put her on his bed.
He wiped the tears on her face and smiled fondly. "I've always been yours." He whispered and put the sheets onto her unexpected visitor.
Maka quickly got up when she realized she was not in her room. Her head throbbed because of her action and held one side of her head.
She heard a door closing and there he was, walking with only a sweatpants that hangs low on his hips. He was drying his hair with a towel and she realized he just came out from his shower.
Maka cannot take his eyes off him. She was frozen.
Soul must have felt eyes on him and turned to her. He looked at her for a few seconds and saw her staring. She saw him smiled a bit before turning his back and he was gone in her view in an instant.
She leaned back, tried to calm her breathing and looked around. There's no mistake. She was in Soul's apartment, sitting on his bed.
She studied herself: she was still wearing the same clothes and her hair was a mess. She tried to remember what happened and noticed a glass of water and a tablet on the bedside table along with a note 'for the headache'.
Maka grabbed them both, opened the package of the medicine, put it in her mouth and drank. She felt refreshed after.
She heard footsteps and saw Soul walking towards her. He was wearing a white t-shirt now, but he still looked sexy with his sweatpants and his hair looking like that.
Maka felt her heart clenched. Gripped the blankets that cover half of her body on the bed.
"Good morning." He greeted. The white hair man sat on the side of the bed and looked at her. "How are you feeling?"
She did not glance nor answer him. She kept her head down.
She heard him sighed. "Are there things you wanted to tell me?" He asked slowly.
Maka gasped and grabbed the sheets. Her heart pounding so hard she can hear blood in her ears.
What should I say?
"Do you remember what happened last night?"
She shut her eyes tightly. Should she just tell him to forget it?
Her eyes went wide by the thought. No. She didn't want that! But what should she do? Should she run away again? Should she face him? But what will happen after that? She didn't want to regrets things again.
While having her inner turmoil, she heard him sigh, whispered. "Don't think too much Maka. Just..talk to me."
His words abruptly stopped her thoughts. He's right. But what should I do? she asked herself still not lifting her head to face the person in front of her.
"Maka, look at me."
Again, she did not dare move.
"Maka."
Soul's voice was gentle but restrained. She took a deep breath, slowly lifted her head and looked at his face. God, please help me.
Soul looked so fresh and as usual - very handsome. And at that moment, he's so much cuter with his hair still a bit damp.
I can't believe I let him go.
"Are you feeling okay now?" He repeated his first question since she did not gave him a response.
She nodded. Trying not to be blinded by his awesome features.
"Cool." He said. "Glad that the medicine was effective."
She laughed - nervously. "Yeah. I was with my friends and I just..I don't.." What was she trying to say? "I..I don't know what's happening to me." Maka tried to read his expression, but failed. His face was blank. "I..sorry to disturb you last night." She continued. When he did not respond, she moved the blankets away and tried to get up. "I have to go. Thank you for - ".
"Do you really need that much of alcohol to tell me how you feel?" He asked with a low voice.
She stopped - eyes wide. She glanced at him but she cannot see his eyes because of his hair.
"The things you said..were they true?"
She felt a shiver ran down her spine. I can just deny them, right? I was drunk, I can just say that I don't know. Yeah, that's right.
Maka turned to the man but her words did not come out of her mouth. I can just tell him a lie can't I? But dammit.
Soul was looking intently at her. Waiting for her answer. Eyes showing different emotions.
This is your chance Maka. Tell him!
No! I can't! He has moved on. He doesn't need me anymore.
But last night he said he was not in a relationship. Therefore, you can take him back.
No! That doesn't mean he still loves me! I was cruel to him and I don't deserve him.
Then your life will be miserable again.
It felt like her heart was stabbed a million times by the thought. Can she really bring back the old times?
What if Soul rejected her? What will she do?
God, she's terrified.
But at least, you tried. You're Maka. You can do anything. If he rejects you, move on. Like what you did for the past two years. It was better to ask and hear the answer. Than regret that you didn't do it.
Yes. That's right. On that thought, she got her resolve.
"Yes. They were true." There. With conviction.
She nervously waited for Soul's reaction.
Straight-faced. Blank expression. As if she did not say anything.
She shook her head and tried to calm herself. Most people would say that he's not interested but she knew. Soul, he was just waiting for her to talk. To tell him things. Like what he usually do.
This is it. She turned to face him and looked straight to his eyes, her own eyes burned with regret and hope. "I want you back Soul." And tightly grasped the end of her dress while waiting for his answer. There, I've said it.
Soul didn't look surprise. He did not even make a sound or budge. She started to feel anxious when he did not say a word after a while. He just sat there, red eyes piercing through her.
"Soul I'm sorry, I -"
"Why?" He asked, cutting her off.
Why?
"You've said that we're better off as friends. That we're not going to make it if we're together. You said that we do not have time for games, told me to focus more on the important things. That you don't deserve me - and that you can live without me by your side and I should learn to do it myself.." He explained. "Now you want me back?" He scoffed. "It doesn't make any sense."
Her heart plummeted. He hates me. She bit her lip.
"Why do you want me back?" His ruby eyes showed pain and anguish. "You don't need me, right?" But tone dejected.
Tears shimmered in her eyes. She can't blame him. She was the one who hurt him when all he did was nourish and love her.
Guess she cannot get the things back the way they used to be.
She sniffed. "I know I said those things, and I'm sorry Soul. I really am. Even if you don't believe it, half of them were lies. I'd say anything for you to hate and leave me. I just don't want you to abandon your dreams." A tear fell from her eyes.
Should she continue? She cannot keep it anymore. If they will be apart, it will be good to lift the weight, right?
"I'm just a distraction back then. I don't want you to get stuck here when you can do so much." she was crying now. "I know I should have talk to you about this but I decided on my own..and I'm sorry.. You'd probably keep our relationship even if you have to go but I got..I got scared. You might found someone better for you and I can't..I cannot take it..that's why..that's why -"
Soul suddenly pulled her into an embrace. "You're smart, but still an idiot."
She let the tears ran down her cheeks. "I'm so sorry Soul.." God, she really missed this man. She grasped his shirt and hold him tightly. I guess this is fine. Things are clear now. I can try to live again without him.
He pulled her close. "Enough saying you're sorry." Soul said with a low voice. "I'm sorry too Maka."
He let her go after a few seconds. Maka looked at Soul with questioning eyes.
He cupped her face with his hands. "Try to tell me more about the things that bother you alright? We can solve them together. And I don't like it when you make decisions all by yourself if I'm here. Trust me, it's exhausting." He wiped the tears on her cheeks. "Besides, you have a habit of thinking things too much. It's not good for your health."
"Wha - what are you saying..?" Confused, she asked. Though she's hoping. Again.
He held her trembling hands. "You were never a distraction Maka. You were my anchor. And you know that I didn't abandon my dream. I told you it will take time right? And even if I go to wherever place I can be, I will not look at anybody else. Cheating is not cool. And why would I cheat if it's you that I wanted to spend my life with?"
Her heart was pounding so loud again. Does he mean he..?
"You might not have heard me last night. But I have always been yours." His smile was genuine and eyes comforting.
She's crying again. But they were tears of joy. "You mean..."
He leaned his forehead against hers and looked straight to her green orbs. "Yeah. I still love you Maka. I've always have."
She was not able to contain her happiness. She squeezed his hands and smiled. "I love you Soul. I really do." She feel ecstatic. "My life sucks without you." She frowned.
He snorted. "It was boring isn't it?"
"Hey!" She hit him and they laughed. Geez..I can't believe he's back to me. She said to herself while looking at him. "Thank you Soul."
Thanks~ :)
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