She refused to stand with him on the platform during his investiture ceremony.

"I'll be in back with the students," Maka told him, "I'm the head of Spartoi; I need to be with our team and lead the DWMA when we swear allegiance. I don't have any business being up there with you. I'm not your wife. It wouldn't be appropriate."

There was no malice in her tone. Just the usual gentle earnestness she used when trying to explain hard realities. She sounded exactly the same way when handling students who were scared and questioning after their first reap.

Kid was tempted to drop to one knee right then and there, but he knew she'd say "no" if he popped the question out of grief and need.

"Besides, it's important that you stand alone; that the world world sees you take the reins without showing any weakness. You can't let anybody wonder if you're going to hand over power or let yourself be influenced by me or anybody else." Maka hated reminding him of grim facts, but she refused to give him anything but honesty and truth. To do less would make her a disloyal coward.

"I know." the new Lord Death grasped her hand and pulled it against the cheek he'd rested in her lap. Here, with her, he could fall apart. Be nothing more than a scared, brokenhearted boy faced with having to grow up too soon. Beyond the door to this room he had to be disciplined and strong; to be the self-assured leader his father would want him to be. It felt like a sham; a facade he was barely maintaining, and having her beside him would be a source of strength and comfort he desperately needed while his fate was made permanent. He tried another tack.

"Soul will be up there at the end of the ceremony. You're his technician, it wouldn't look all that strange for you to be with him."

"Even though we're still partners, Soul officially belongs to you now," Maka reminded him gently, knowing that it was another sore spot. One that was chafing her, too. Their designation as "personal weapons", meant Liz and Patty would be seated with Spartoi, not alongside him where he wanted them to be. Maka herself was distraught at having Soul taken from her even as a temporary, empty gesture. They'd all be back where they belonged tomorrow, but that didn't make getting through today any easier.

"Good thing you have to have a ceremonial scythe, and that your dad insisted on some training to go along with it. Otherwise we might not be together." She said, trying to lighten the mood.

"I'm so grateful we are," he said hoarsely, "I'm thankful for you every day. Every single day."

Kid abruptly sat up and hugged her tightly, remembering how a screaming match during scythe practice led to their first kiss. He'd never forget the way her lips felt, how glorious it had been to finally hold her the way he'd wanted to for years.

"Same here. I love you, Kiddo."

She kissed him softly and it was balm to his troubled soul. He pulled her closer, his mouth hard and hungry on hers. Passion flared, fueled by a desire to drown himself in her. To forget, if just for a little while, what lay ahead for him. Maka started to melt against him, but forced herself to stop. If she let released the tension on her tightly coiled emotions she'd never get them back under control. She'd fall completely apart, and that was not what Kid needed right now.

"Not now. There isn't time." she gasped, stopping his hand's upward climb on her thigh.

He gave a little laugh that was devoid of humor and steeped in bitterness.

"We might never have our own time again. Not like we used to." Kid pressed his palms against his eyes, "What's going to happen to us? What if you get tired of my life? There's always some crisis or obligation, some fucking demand."

His utter bleakness made Maka furious with fate.

"You listen to me," she said, grabbing his hands and holding them fiercely, "We're in this together. I will never walk away from you and I will always be right by your side."

"Except for today."

"I'll still be there. You carry a piece of my soul, remember? I don't need to be next to you; I'm already with you everywhere you go. And you're with me." She opened herself up fully to their bond and resonated her soul with his. The connection was strong and solid, something both of them could cling to. It didn't erase their fear and uncertainty, but eased it as only true partnership can.

"I'm leaving this link open. We need each other during the ceremony." she said.

"I need you forever." he replied, resting his forehead against hers.

"Forever is something we actually have," she said, looking deeply into the golden eyes she loved so much,"And I get to spend mine with you."

There was silence in the room as they bid goodbye to their old lives and prepared themselves for the new. Then the clock chimed, and change was upon them. A heavy cloak swished, and a mask clattered as it was lifted from the table.

"It's time." he said with renewed hope and vigor.

Her hand slipped into his.

"I'm right behind you."