A/N: Still don't own Soul Eater... *faraway look*

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18. Silent Cumin and Guava

Musical Silence

Soul leaned back against the bench outside the Second Skeleton Hand Bookstore of Death City, bobbing his head to the slow, easy beat that came forth from his earbuds. He was glad he'd brought them along; he knew Maka wouldn't make going to the bookstore a quick trip. While she'd eagerly sped inside, he'd settled down on the wooden seat outside, hoping to doze off for a little while in the warm desert sun. It was pretty peaceful.

He heard the sound of footsteps and someone sat down on the other side of the bench, causing him to crack an eye open. Justin Law sat beside him, blank gaze focused on a spot across the street while he listened to his own music from a pair of black earbuds.

Soul folded his arms behind his head, glancing over at Justin and nodding in greeting. The Death Scythe turned his head toward the scythe, blinked, and without a word, turned back to look at the antique shop across from them.

They sat like that for a few minutes, both listening to their music, until Soul broke the silence, turning to the young man and asking, "So what are you listening to?"

Justin turned to the white haired teen and raised a hand to his ear, looking slightly lost for a moment.

Soul repeated the question, trying to enunciate clearly so the Death Scythe could read his lips, and he assumed he did, for the blonde pulled the earbuds from his ears and extended them towards Soul, expressionless countenance never wavering. Soul gently tugged his own earbuds away from his head and handed them over to Justin, who took them and carefully placed them into his ears while Soul did the same.

The scythe nodded in appreciation, recognizing the funky, hip hop tune that Justin had been listening to. "This is a good song," he murmured, pointing to the earbuds and giving a thumbs up when the Death Scythe glanced at him. The blonde's facial features didn't show whether or not he enjoyed Soul's music, but after a few moments, his head began gently bobbing back and forth to the beat.

For the next few minutes they sat like that, heads rocking back and forth while they remained in their musical silence, Soul grinning every now and again as a favorite song came up, and Justin tapping his fingers against the wooden arm of the bench.

By the time Maka stepped out of the bookstore, both looked over at her slightly dubious expression. With a shake of her head and a smile, she greeted Justin with a smile and a bow of her head, while Soul handed back the black pair of earbuds, taking his own back from Justin's outstretched fingers.

"You have a good taste in music," was all the Death Scythe said, smiling very calmly.

"Thanks, you too," Soul replied, rising to his feet and following Maka down the narrow street. "See you around?"

The blonde gave a slight incline of his head before placing his earbuds back into his ears, closed his eyes and returned back to his world of strange, exotic beats and funky guitar chords.