Marie walked the halls of the school with a smile on her face; she really did love being here and seeing everyone. Such a lovely school too…it brought back so many memories. She looked at the sign above one of the doors; Class Crescent Moon; she had been in that class when she was still a student.

"Hi Miss Marie!" called a young female student.

"Hi! Good morning!" Marie chirped, waving her hand.

She was in a good mood today, which was shocking considering yesterday's events…

Flashback:

"Don't grow attached to someone like me, Marie. I'm not….I don't even know what to think of you. Because I can't figure it out…I don't love you."

Silence…..

The only thing that could be heard was Marie's shallow breathing.

How was she supposed to react to this? This had to be the most heart shattering moment of her life….and it was at the time she needed it least.

Finally, Marie did something. She smiled. It wasn't a happy smile or a sad one; it was acceptance. She understood; even if it was painful.

"That's fine if you don't love me, because I never expected you to…however, you can't ask me to not grow attached to you, because I already have." Marie said smoothly.

Stein's looked confused and somewhat worried at her response. What exactly did she mean? How was she handling his harsh remark so well considering her sensitive nature?

"Whether or not you care about me is secondary; it doesn't matter to me. It won't change the fact that I care about you and that I'm your partner now. So…I'm all done cleaning and I'm going to change out of this silly outfit. You wait here. Once I'm changed we're going to have some tea together and you can't say no." Marie said winking at the end and walking away.

End Flashback:

Yes, it had hurt to some degree, however, the way Stein had said it made things a bit easier to deal with. He hadn't said it in a hateful or rejecting sort of way; it was more informative; no; it was more like a rather bland and somewhat confused way of explaining how he felt and what he was thinking. She was fine with that. And right now, she wanted to focus on taking care of her students…and taking care of Stein. That was what was most important.

She went throughout her day smiling, but every now and then she'd see something that would remind her of something from back in her student life….like that vase over there….yes; that was the exact vase!

Flashback:

"I'm loooost! I'm so hungry and tired…I don't know what to do! Sooo tiiiiireed…" Marie whined before leaning backwards in exhaustion, thinking she would fall back against the wall; she didn't.

Instead she bumped into a small pedestal that had a rather expensive looking vase on it.

Noooo!

It was falling…great now she was really in trouble.

Marie cried out and waved her hands around in an attempt to catch it; she got it!

"Yes!" she cried flinging her arms in the air.

Shit…

In the process of flinging her arms in joy, she accidentally threw the vase. She clenched her eyes shut, waiting for the shattering sound.

1…2…3…?

Nothing. She opened her eyes and turned around to see…

"Stein…" Marie whispered.

Stein stood still holding the vase with a blank expression.

"What on earth are you doing, Marie?" Stein asked dully.

"I was…um…well you see I caught it but then I—."

"Flailed about in exaggerated excitement at your success but lost your grip and flung the vase in the process…" Stein said, completing her sentence.

"Um…yeah." Was all Marie said.

"Be more careful. If you don't you'll get in trouble or get hurt." Stein said coolly, placing the vase back where it belonged.

"Hehe ok!" Marie said happily.

End Flashback:

Yes, that had been just one of the times…why did so many memories of hers have Stein in them? Wait, she already knew the answer; she loved him. She always had and always would, no matter what. He was her first love, granted he wasn't anything like she thought her first love would be, but yes she adored him all the same.

She remembered her love for romantic tales when she was younger, and to this day she still had a thing for them. She had first envisioned herself with a rather bright sort of man. She could picture thick yet smooth brown hair, tender chocolaty brown eyes, and warm toned skin…or maybe a man with dashing blue eyes and wavy blonde hair with peachy skin…or maybe a strong looking black haired boy with tan skin…oh and they ALL would have a dashing smile! So many ideas had popped into her head over the years but she knew…right when she laid eyes on THAT boy, that he was the one.

Pale skin, silvery-grey hair, dull green eyes, and an uninterested expression; that was who she immediately fell head over heels for.

Now however, Stein had assured her that he had no romantic feelings for her; it was painful; it was officially confirmed that he didn't and would never care for her; so then….why wasn't she in tears? Why wasn't she completely non-functioning?

"Stein….." Marie sighed.

…..

Later that day, Marie had run into Crona; oh how she adored him. He was simply wonderful; anyone who didn't think so must be insane. He had seemed rather shaky so she decided to have him over for tea.

Of course he was naturally extremely shy and unnecessarily insecure, but Marie understood.

"If you can believe it, all there was when I first got here were beakers and test tubes. I had to bring in the cups myself!" Marie chirped with a smile.

"It doesn't matter what it is, as long as you can drink out of it." Ragnarok countered.

Marie ignored the unusual weapon's remark and simply smiled; that was just Ragnarok for you.

"I've added my own touches to the place over time, but I can't change the place up too much; if I did Stein would have a fit." Marie said with a small laugh.

Stein….this situation…it seemed a bit like marriage.

Married to Stein….if he asked me I wouldn't hesitate to say yes…I would have said yes when I was back at the academy! I would have said yes if he asked me in one of the letters he wrote to me when I was in Oceania! Stein will never though…I need to put this out of my head. He's obviously made it clear that he has no remaining feelings for me.

"Why don't I have any tea?" Ragnarok complained, snapping Marie out of her thoughts.

"Oh, but you don't have a mouth so how can you drink?" Marie said with confusion.

"Yes I do! Wanna see?" Ragnarok said.

"Um ok" Marie said back.

Ragnarok flashed his gigantic mouth at Marie, startling her a bit, but still she smiled and went to get the tea right away.

Haha that Ragnarok; he said he wanted PEPPER in his tea; whatever floats your boat, Marie supposed. In the kitchen, Marie hummed happily to herself. She loved having Crona over; it was like having her own child…she wanted a child SO much.

I want a child of my own someday. I would LOVE to have 3 or maybe 4…maybe even 5! Oh that would be wonderful!...but I don't have anyone…oh who cares? I have sweet Crona over here right now and he needs me! And I have so much to be thankful for right now. I have Stein being kind to me and allowing me to stay here, I have so many wonderful friends, and I get to teach at the academy which has been more of a blessing than I could have ever imagined. I'm so happy.

With that Marie smiled and returned to Crona and watched him take a nervous sip of his tea. What a sweetie…

However….the look on Crona's face reminded her much of herself back when she was fifteen; no not necessarily the facial expression, but the emotion behind the face; nervousness, unsureness, worry, anxiety, and tension.

Flashback:

Marie sat with her mother sipping tea. She was over at her mother's for fall break, but something seemed off and it was driving Marie mad on the inside. It was quiet; that NEVER happened when she was with her mother. They would talk and talk until the sun went down and they had no breath left in them; not this time. It felt like stomach was churning and her heart was tearing. Her mother was hiding something; she knew it.

"Sweetheart?" Marie's mother finally said.

"Um, yes mom?" Marie said both quickly and loudly, having been startled by her mother's sudden interaction.

"I need to tell you something, but I want you to pinky promise that you won't panic after I've told you what it is." The green eyed woman said offering her daughter a smile.

"Mom?" Marie asked worriedly.

Her mother held out her pinky to Marie with anticipation evident in her green orbs. Marie reluctantly began to extend her finger as well, but was shocked when her mother spoke up again.

"Don't take my finger unless you mean it." Her mother said.

After taking a small breath, Marie accepted the pinky and wrapped it with her own and shook it once.

"Marie…mommy is very, very sick." Her mother said calmly.

Marie's eyes widened.

"Mom…..?" Marie asked with fear.

"I have been for a while now…the doctors can't help me anymore. I have about a month to live darling…." Her mother said, offering a sad smile.

Marie was frozen; unmoving. The world seemed to stop turning; Marie felt absolutely dead. Then…

Marie broke out into uncontrollable screams and wails and threw herself into her mother's arms. Her mother immediately wrapped her arms around her daughter and stroked her blonde hair.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Marie screamed into her mom's shoulder.

"Because I wanted you to be happy…" her mother whispered.

"No! No, no, no, NO!" Marie sobbed. "That's not fair! I wanted to know! You should have told me!"

Her mother didn't answer; she was just comforted Marie; she knew her daughter didn't want an answer right now.

"That's horrible! I hate you mom!" Marie screamed.

Her mother growled at the last sentence and pulled Marie away roughly.

"Marie Mjolnir! YOU LOOK AT YOUR MOTHER RIGHT NOW! Stop crying and look at me!" her mother shouted.

Marie choked and looked at her mother weakly.

"Momma…." Marie choked.

"You NEVER say that word again; do you understand me? Don't you ever use the word hate like that! I won't have you say that because that's not how my little girl is! You are NOT a hater, Marie; I know who you are…you're the most loving girl I have ever met…even more than me…" her mother said.

Marie coughed and threw her arms around her mother once again.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean it!" Marie sobbed.

"I know you didn't…." her mother whispered.

"Hey mom….is there anything you want before….well…" Marie trailed off.

"Yes. I want you to know that I love you more than anything in the whole world. I want you to grow up to be strong and happy and find a good husband and have children…always follow your heart, Marie. Don't let the world be your boss. Do the right thing…oh and also…tell me how that crush of yours is." Marie's mom said smirking.

Marie blushed instantly.

"C-crush? What crush?" Marie cried.

"That silver haired boy I see in the pictures you send me." Marie's mom teased.

"H-he's just…" Marie stammered.

"I can tell you like him." Her mother said winking. "He seems the type that you'd like."

"How could you tell he's my type? You don't know much about him.." Marie questioned.

"Because he's weird." Marie's mom said laughing. "And he's very handsome as well and I can see that you're always standing next to him in your pictures."

"You're the best….thanks mom…." Marie said smiling and holding her mother once again…

End Flashback:

All the while, during Crona's visit, Marie kept smiling; she sort of wanted to adopt him; he was so cute! After he left, she felt a bit sad, but at the same time still happy that she was able to have him over.

"I'm home." Called Stein.

Marie smiled happily; she felt like he was the husband coming home.

"Hey there! You just missed Crona; he was just here having tea." Marie said happily.

Stein looked a bit puzzled.

"Oh, did he need anything?" Stein asked.

"No, he just came for a visit. He's such a good kid; I adore him. You know, the kids at the academy make the teaching all worthwhile. I love them so much!" Marie said happily.

Stein looked at her gently. She was a natural mother, and simply adored everyone, and everyone at the school really seemed to like her as well. How could they not? She loved everyone.

"You're a good teacher, Marie." Stein said kindly.

"Thank you!" Marie said happily.

Turning around, Stein found himself being slightly puzzled by Marie's cheeriness. Hadn't he just basically dashed her hopes of him ever having deep care for her? Yet she was still here…smiling for him…Marie.

Marie has always been one to love others; she's always smiling for people even if her heart is broken….Marie…even after what I've done and what I might do, you are still smiling for me. Thank you…I do appreciate it. Even if I don't say anything; it means everything….

"I'm going to make dinner!" Marie said happily as she walked lightly into the kitchen.

Stein found himself following her curiously and watching her from behind the doorframe a bit. She was smiling…smiling during everything. It never stopped. She hummed a bit and would twirl around cutely if something she needed was behind her. She did every single thing as if it were a complete pleasure and perhaps even a privilege to do so; she was…grateful….thankful for all she had. He wondered how she did it; how she was able to care for everyone so much, so often. She looked like a real housewife. Stein shook his head. No. He had to get any thoughts even remotely related to something affectionate out of his head; there would be none of that….Marie was just his friend…just his friend. Even so, she was one amazing person. Absolutely incredible. Hmmm and would it be so wrong to love her as a friend? No, it couldn't be THAT wrong. So be it; he would indeed love Marie…as his friend.

Little did Stein know, that it would be more difficult than he originally thought, to simply love Marie as just a friend.

(A/N: Ugh, sorry for the long ass update wait. My life has been a bitch lately and I've been too tired to stay up until 1 AM to finish a chapter like I normally do. Thank you for reading though and I promise that I'll try and work faster! More chapters are coming soon! SteinxMarie forever!)