Three—Into the Dark
AN: I've basically decided to crank out this story without stop due to two reasons. One: you guys have been amazing in your response—I never expected this story to get as much attention as it has in such a short time period. But I'm afraid I might disappoint Ancient Spirit. Sorry, mate… XD Two: The most recent chapter of the manga (chapter 69, I think), which has galvanized me into action like nothing else could. Nuh-uh. Nuh-UH. No one messes with my favorite pairing and gets away with it. (Even if you are Atsushi Ookubo, Possible God.)
Disclaimer: I may not be held liable for my actions if the mangaka of Soul Eater crushes my dreams. I will plead insanity. Also, I don't own it.
…
…Taut
He'd made her a promise. He'd felt her hand tremble on his should as she spoke brave words, and they'd swayed back and forth to the off-beat music. "I promise" seemed easy to say in comparison.
That same hand reaches for him now, struggling up from the depths of the dense, mauve-colored waters. It's hell just breaking his fingertips through. Every muscle in his body is would taut as piano strings and she's still a thousand miles away.
He's weak. He's losing her. He's reaching.
He's reaching.
…
…Feign
The plan flashed into his head so quickly, he didn't have time to consider its repercussions. (Just one of the drawbacks of life-or-death situations.) All he knows is that it will give them a moment's advantage over the witch Blair. He didn't calculate Maka's reaction. How her face would fall, the light flicker out of her eyes.
As if he'd stabbed her.
She's doubled over, screaming until her voice breaks in half. Cheating bastard. All men. Hate you. And it ain't cool, but he can't quite seem to open his mouth and say the words that will bring them out of this—that will make them win.
Doesn't she know he's feigning?
…
…Fade
She's seen him fall a thousand times. Bones broken, body twisted, blood pooling. And she's heard him scream just as many. And each time, she can't stop the panicked shriek that skitters out her closing throat in answer. It's not something she'll ever really get used to.
She's seen him fall a million times—for her failings, her falterings. And each time the battle around her fades, focusing like a beacon on the crumpled figure of this selfless, stubborn, idiot boy who's promised to give his life for hers—and might just have done it.
…
…Whisper
Sometimes, alone and drifting in the black waters of insanity, the imp will manifest itself only as a voice, crackling like an old vinyl record in Soul's mind. He can feel its hit breath in his ear; hear the wet sound as its lips spread across its teeth in a hungry grin.
And sometimes in that darkness, he thinks he can hear Maka calling for him—screaming. But she's so far away, and the imp so near that her voice becomes the whisper and the imp's a scream.
There are times he's not even sure if he's heard her at all.
…
…Never
She'd made a pact with herself never to trust men; it was the most important lesson her mother ever taught her.
But Soul is different, isn't he? He knows what it's like not to trust. He works pound for pound alongside her, trying to become stronger together. He pulls her up when they've been beaten down, throws his own body in front of hers when neither of them can move. He's her best friend—her partner.
He's Soul.
And yet there are times when she notices the changes. How she has to look up to meet his eyes these days. How he listens to Spirit's pleas even after she's stormed away. The way he looks at Blair.
It's what drives her faster and faster to make him a Death Scythe—to achieve what they've sworn to each other. Because she wants to be as far away as she can the day Soul Eater becomes a man.
…
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AN: As always, responses welcome.