Hi again, guys. Thanks for all of the kind feedback, but please give me ideas! U w U I'm going to be running out soon, and I'm sure you'd feel special if you suggested something. Also, please tell me your favorite SE pairings! D: I'll do requests~ (for the most part) Yeah. Thank you all you read and review! C: I thrive on your words~ No srsly.

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On initial meeting, Marie seemed like a different person to him. A blonde spunky girl with determination and a desire to make close friends. She was headstrong and tough, but sensitive and gentle in the same way. Someone who'd defend you in any situation and someone who could comfort you and make you laugh in the same day.

She felt a connection to him, but he could already tell that he wouldn't be able to return the same kind of kindness that she displayed on a daily basis. He didn't reject her because he hated her. He thought she was magnificent and the ideal mother-figure that she wanted to be. Though he knew he couldn't give her what she wanted.

Even if he hadn't brushed her off so harshly, Spirit would have still been his partner. They could have been close friends and could have been lovers. Her benevolence bewildered him. He had never seen anything quite like her. She cared for him. And it was more than just the ability to resonate. He was cold, and eccentric. Spirit could put up with him just because he'd secure him a good grade, at least. Stein had known Spirit before they went to Shibusen, so already they knew that they'd be partners. Marie didn't even have a chance.

Spirit and Stein had been neighbors once upon a time. Stein was solitary and never wanted to interact with anyone around his own age. Spirit was annoying, but just wouldn't go away. Stein eventually gave in and became friends with him.

"Franken~, what're you doing?"

"I'm cutting this frog open…"

"Ugh, why?"

"Haven't you ever wondered how they live?"

"Er, not really…They have to be healthy to survive…But…"

"This is the same as people who take apart clocks to find out how they work. To be able to build something, you need to be able to know how the parts work by themselves. It's quite interesting, actually…"

Stein had a reputation for being the creepy little kid who would threaten people if they angered him. He was raised by his father, his mother had disappeared. Stein had already heard the rumors about his missing mother. "They say his father killed her!"

"Like father, like son, right?"

It was Stein's father who first interested him in dissection. His father was a biologist and a chemist. Stein quickly learned about the organs and how essential they were to survive. How meaningful they were. He wasn't as interested in machines as his father was, but he was passionate about how living creatures survived. Many avoided Stein from the start, and his reputation only grew stronger.

When Stein grew to the age of 13, his father disappeared. No one talked about Stein's family anymore. He lived alone, and no one but Spirit would visit him. There were rumors, but he never heard any of them. They were too afraid that they'd be killed. There was never evidence, but some said that Stein killed his own father, like his father killed his mother. Those who feared the Stein family were quite malicious to these 'freaks'.

He started to attend Shibusen as a technician, like his father before him, and was greatly pleased to learn that his neighbor that pestered him changed into a scythe. Like a big scalpel. A tool that could slice flesh apart.

When Marie introduced herself, she included her first and last name, whether or not she was a weapon or a technician, and her weapon state. A hammer, clearly not as appealing as a scythe. If Marie and been a scythe and not a hammer, Stein would have disregarded the few years of friendship with Spirit and would have accepted her to be his weapon. But she was a hammer, something that crushed and pounded. He didn't consider that elegant or mystifying. It pounded something until it was nowhere near distinguishable. Crushed under some weight. A scythe could slice and glide through practically anything with ease. The delicate insides could be observed without damaging its husk too critically. Regardless of pressure, a hammer would crush something vital. It was not Marie he was rejecting, but her weapon state.

Though this was not how she perceived the refusal. She took it upon herself that it was somehow her own fault for not being what he wanted. It wasn't. He did feel something about her that was never there with Spirit, but he couldn't exactly pinpoint what it was. It felt entirely alien to him, and he tried to reach out for it, but every time he tried, Marie took another step back. Reaching out usually meant hurting her. It was unintentional, Stein was never raised by a woman, and was completely oblivious to their different feelings. In most cases, women were more delicate than men. Stein didn't know. They both possessed brains, and the same vital organs, and were both classified as human. Of the same species. The same.

He rejected her because he didn't know what to do. He wasn't ready for it, and he didn't know exactly what she wanted. He knew well enough that it was unrequited love, but he had no idea what it was him. Why? He had never pursued any interest in her, though they could resonate. She was just a possible weapon choice. Most people avoided him. Why didn't she follow along with the rest of the crowd like sheep? Even teachers thought twice about him as being a 'good kid'. If asked for their opinion about a Mr. Franken Stein, they would usually reply with something like, "intelligent" or "curious". It was never "kind" or "problem-solver".

If someone ever got in a fight with them, he'd strike. He didn't think twice about just walking away. It was the same for Marie when she tried to get close to him. His brain told him it was an attack, which is why he usually lashed out. He only knew how to fight back. He didn't know 'love'. His father didn't even treat him like a son. He didn't neglect him or abuse him, but he treated Stein like a colleague. Just like an acquaintance. Like someone you're forced to work worth and you both agree to not anger each other but don't evolve into anything more than just acquaintances. There was never that comforting hug that children and even animals needed when growing up. Even animals needed their parents, or they'd die.

Spirit was annoying, but he acted like an older brother to Stein. He got that support that he never obtained from his own family. Stein wouldn't admit it, but Spirit really did matter to him. Spirit was, in a way, his first real friend. He betrayed Spirit's trust many times, but because they were friends, Spirit would forgive him. Stein was also unfamiliar to the term "forgive". Why would people just smile and forget about something that someone did to them?

Why did Marie forgive Stein when he impaled her left eye with a scalpel? How could she come to terms with the man that she loved had intentionally blinded her? He didn't even get the chance to apologize before she moved away. Only time healed that wound. Only after a decade could she actually forgive him and return to Death City to live with him. Every time Stein laid eyes on Marie, a small part of him cried in anguish that the eye patch she wore was of his own accord. She never brought it up, and he never did either. If someone politely asked her about it, she'd reply, "It was an accident, that's all." It was obvious from her tone of voice that she really didn't want to talk about it.

"Maaaaaaaaaa-rie," Stein chirped rather happily, wrapping his arms around her neck.

"Uwa, Stein?" She uttered, surprised that he was acting so friendly. It was vastly suspicious. Marie was busy cooking dinner for them—steak. Stein had insisted he wanted meat to eat tonight. He hugged her tightly and rested his head on his neck, "Hnnnn, are you wearing perfume?"

"Ergh…No," She muttered, embarrassed by his intimacy. "Why?"

Stein smiled, "Just wondering. Your natural smell is nice."

Marie narrowed her eyes at him, "Stein, are you drunk?"

He released her, wearing a silly grin, "No. Do I have to be drunk to compliment you? I thought women liked compliments."

"They do," Marie bit her lower lip, trying to subtly pinch herself to see if this was just a dream. She started to cut the steak into several chunks, and placed them onto two individual plates. "But it sounds strange coming from you…"

Stein laughed, "I've changed, Marie. You don't have to keep your guard up all the time. You're safe here. You can relax."

"That's what I'm worried about," she muttered under her breath, careful that Stein couldn't hear. This was the same man whom she had tried to help a few days ago, but had screamed that he could take care of himself. Erratic and unpredictable. She wondered if this kind of man was better than a stable one. His memory seemed to be intact, though he was a bit delusional. He had his normal moments, like now. When he was calm like this, he was soft, and gentle. Now that she thought about it, she'd rather have to help him through it all than to have a completely perfect person. She loved his flaws, even if they ended up hurting herself. Those were just her risks. She even tried to repress the feelings, but as she grew farther away from him, they only intensified.

Marie had finished drizzling the sauce on the two lightly slice steaks and placed them on the clean dining table, with a little sigh. Stein was watching her with a sly grin on his face. "Marie," He said, walking closer to her, "Let me help you with that."

"With what? The table's already set."

"Not that," He waved a hand lightly, his fingers drifting down slightly from her neck, until they reached her collar bone and started unbuttoning a few of the buttons to her black shirt. Marie froze, startled infinitely. "S—Stein!"

He recoiled his hands, "That's better." He added with a grin. "You don't need to be so boxed up."

Marie was a little bothered by this Stein. It was almost so different from the other him that she didn't like it. "Go eat your dinner," She instructed him with a firm nod.

"Yes, yes, yes…" He smiled, slinking into a chair. Marie noticed that he wasn't wearing his white lab coat, a little strange, but nothing suspicious. As she sat down to her own meal, she realized his well-defined arm muscles. The coat he wore covered them up. He looked so much stronger. He smiled like a fox as she sat down, still a little unnerved by his attitude changes.

Stein pierced a piece of steak with his fork and raised it to his eyes for closer inspection. "I'm surprised," He started, "You cooked my steak just how I like it…How did you know I wanted it rare? I didn't specify…"

"I guessed," Marie admitted, taking a bite of her own meal. She assumed that he wanted his food to be as close to its original state as possible while still suitable for consumption. She watched Stein out of the corner of her eye take a bite out of her creation. It tasted fine to her, but to cooks, their own food usually appealed to them. It was winning others' trust that usually proved to be the difficult part. She felt relieved when she saw Stein smile, "You're a better cook than you led me to believe."

"I'm not that good," She protested, a little self-conscious of her own culinary skills. "I just learned to cook because it's a skill that all mothers should have."

Stein nodded, taking another bite, "Yes…They should." He felt a little nostalgic about his own mother, whom he only remembered faintly.

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Stein was feeling playful again, though Marie had grown accustomed to it slightly. It had persisted for several hours without him fluctuating to insanity. She almost wanted him to stay like this. She hoped this feeling was genuine, but she couldn't be sure. Maybe he thought it was just a dream.

They were watching a scary movie together, and Marie had jumped several times, letting out a small shriek that accompanied it. Stein pointed out the unlikelihood of said events in the movie scenario, but only did so in unimportant parts. Marie grinned slightly, he seemed to be enjoying himself, and was interested in the story enough to shout at the stupid characters who made unwise decisions and ultimately paid the price with their lives.

The movie had concluded, and the white font started to scroll upwards against a black background. She pressed a button on the remote that turned off the screen. "That was pretty scary," Marie giggled, biting her lower lip lightly.

"I guess," Stein agreed somewhat, one of his arms around Marie's narrow shoulders. "You liked it, so that's all that really mattered."

Marie laughed once out of her nose and blushed lightly. This side of Stein really seemed to sincerely love her. This was the side that she had wanted to see so dearly when they went to Shibusen together. But she never did. Only when they started to live together did he start acting like this. Maybe Stein was entirely right. The time a little over 10 years that they had been apart—not once did they even exchange letters—had really changed him. They had been away from each other for so long that they had forgotten all about the past and just felt better being close to one another.

Stein had grown up significantly. He seemed more mature and more in touch with the rest of his subconscious emotions, versus before, where he distanced himself from everyone. He created a fence around himself and remained within its barriers. This time, he had created a small gate in the fence, and only one person could really slip past that gate.

Stein gently rested his head on her shoulder. A silent moment passed between the two until Stein spoke up, "Do you still hate me?"

"Huh?" Marie questioned, "I've never really hated you…I've been furious at you countless times, but I could never really bring myself to hate you."

"Why not?" He asked, their eyes locked. "I've hurt you. Shouldn't that be a reason to hate me?"

Marie paused, assembling her thoughts before she replied to Stein's question. "Humans hurt other humans without really trying to. I've hurt people unintentionally, but that doesn't mean they have to hate me. People have hurt me, and I don't hate them."

"Did you forgive them?" Stein asked.

"Of course!" Marie replied with a small smile. "If they apologized and asked for my forgiveness, I'd forgive them."

"Even if that pain was immeasurable?"

Marie looked confused, what was he hinting at? Marie gave him a small nod, "Yes…I wouldn't care what they did…as long as they knew that they were sorry. I know I'd be angry for a while, but I just can't bring myself to hate someone. Sure there are people I don't like, but I can't honestly say that I hate them."

"I'm sorry," Stein muttered, holding her a bit closer.

"Sorry for what?"

"All of it." He replied, "I'm sorry."

"All of what?" Marie asked, her voice starting to shake a little.

"All of the pain I've cause you…" He said regretfully, closing his eyes. She could feel his heartbeat because he was pressed up against her. "I can't believe that you'd forgive me."

My eye, she realized. After all this time…He never…He never could apologize. Has he been under the impression that I've hated him all this time?

"Stein…" She said softly, her voice sympathetic. She placed a comforting hand on his head of dark grey hair.

"I can't believe that you're right here with me…I just can't…"

Marie smiled and whispered faintly, "Believe it."

"For all that I've done to you, I can't understand why you'd come back to Shibusen to watch over me. I'm so…I can't take your kindness…"

Marie gently kissed his cheek, "It's because I love you Stein."

Stein smiled as their fingers interlaced. "I grew up without knowing the fundamental emotions that a family thrives on. That's why I kept denying you. You were so wonderful I didn't think I was good enough for you. I didn't know what you wanted me to do."

"You don't need to belittle yourself, Stein. I love you for the way you are…Even if you have hurt me deeply, I have to forgive you because I love you." He kissed her back, then migrated down to her neck.

"I know what this is now, Marie…" Stein breathed calmly, caressing her skin with the back of his index finger. "This…This feeling. It's love. You needed to leave for a long time…So I could change for you. So I could be what you wanted me to be."

Marie rested her head on his chest, just listening to the deep rhythmic sound of his beating heart. She had never just listened to it before. It was so…so soothing that she almost wanted to fall asleep listening to the sound of his heart valves opening and closing in a continuous cycle. "You have changed, Stein." Marie breathed evenly, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I was so surprised when I saw you again. You changed so much, I could hardly tell it was the same little Stein that told me he didn't want hammer as a weapon. But I like this change."

Stein smiled back, and scooped her up in both arms, picking her up with considerable ease and took her out of his living room. He walked slowly into a hall, and entered his bedroom, where he gently set her down on the bed. She let out another small laugh, "I never thought that this would happen."

"It is," he replied, unbuttoning her blouse.

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OLAWD. Hinted scene there. *eyebrows* I'm sure my friend Jasmine would be patting me on the head here for that hinted scene. Or at least somewhat. This chapter was like, super lovey. D: I have no boyfriend, and I'm only 14, so I'm using information I've collected from movies. ;D Forgive my cheesiness. Next chapter will be psycho, don't worry. Stein didn't turn into a total lovebird. He's still insane. C: We just had to let Marie have her moment. Thank you all who read and review this! =// c //= You make me very happy indeed!