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Prompt #30: Shaken - She jumped at the smallest sound for weeks.

Words: 916

At first, it wasn't that big a deal. Everyone had to decompress after the Book of Eibon. The days following a big battle were always the most stressful time for a meister. They were hyperaware of everything around them. The body and soul were still on high alert, and everything was first classified as a possible threat before rational thought had a chance to get up from his bunk.

Maka was no exception. She got testy and twitchy, jumping at sudden loud noises and fumbling simple maneuvers during their training sessions.

Then she reflexively slapped a boy when he made the mistake of touching her shoulder without announcing himself. It startled everyone around them, including said boy. Maka apologized profusely, but from then on, she was given a wide berth and plenty of warning before anyone approached her.

Even then, Soul wasn't that concerned. Stupid boy should've known better than to touch his meister without permission.

But it didn't get better. If anything, it got worse. Maka started to withdraw from people, even those she'd known all her life. When she wasn't taking extra classes, she was locked in her room, studying for hours. She didn't socialize. She refused to go into large crowds. Hell, she all but refused to go anywhere near a man.

Soul knew something had to give. This nervous little girl who was scared of her own shadow wasn't his Maka. Seeing as how she wasn't getting better on her own, he had to step in. She was his meister, after all. She was his responsibility.

It took time. It took time, and patience. He paid attention. He watched what made her flinch, what made her tense up. He kept his eyes open for things she did when she was stressed, and the things she did when she was trying to calm down. He saw what worked for her, and remembered. He saw what didn't, and remembered.

Two weeks after Eibon, he quietly asked her if they could talk privately. He led her to the secluded side of Shibusen Academy, away from prying eyes and curious ears. He sat her down on the one bench that put her back to the wall, allowing her to see anything coming towards them.

Then Soul Eater, very seriously, asked Maka to tell him what was scaring her.

As expected, she puffed up and crossed her arms and pouted and blustered. How dare he talk to her like that. How dare he think she was afraid. How dare he think she was weak!

He didn't say any of that, Soul reminded her. He'd only asked what was scaring her.

Nothing! came her short reply.

So Soul, unsure of how else to proceed, reached out to take her hand. He barely got within an inch of her fingers before she snatched her hand away. Naked fear lit up her eyes for a split second, only to be replaced by horror and shame.

Soul drew his hand back and made a loose fist at his side. I'd never hurt you, Maka. You know that, don't you?

Soul, I . . . She wrapped her arms around herself. It's not you. I swear, it's not you.

It's Giriko.

Soul's blood burned. I knew it. That maniacal chainsaw bastard, left behind in the Chapter of Sloth like a forgotten toy, had done more to Maka than just threaten her life. At the time, all he'd been concerned with was getting the mad weapon off his meister. But when he'd had time to reflect on it, Giriko had been practically on top of her...had pinned her down on the bed...like he was about to...

She'd never explained exactly what passed between them, and he hadn't asked. Now he had no choice. Maka, did he...did he hurt you?

No. He never got that far. She looked up at Soul with truthful eyes. You stopped him before that happened.

He let a sharp sigh of relief escape his teeth with a hiss. His hand reached out again, but stopped just short of hers. Maka looked down, then back up at him. Soul?

It was ridiculous. Here was his meister, touch-shy and skittish of all things man-related, and he was the one trying to take her hand! He blamed it on himself. He got so used to Maka's touch, to reaching out for her hand, for just having her close and there and his, that he'd forgotten. Like an idiot.

Soul? He looked up to meet Maka's eyes. She looked confused, almost concerned. Soul, what is it?

I - I don't want to scare you again.

Realization flashed through her eyes. She took a deep, steadying breath of her own. Then, very deliberately, she laced her fingers with his and squeezed them tight. Soul was surprised, but he didn't let himself react to it.

I just need time, she said in a small voice. Can you . . . can you be patient?

He smiled and squeezed her hand reassuringly. Of course. What kind of uncool partner would leave his meister in the lurch like that?

Maka laughed. A belly-deep, honest-to-Death laugh that made her cheek redden and her eyes sparkle. Still think you're so cool, huh?

You know I am.

She laughed again. And that's how Soul knew she'd be all right.

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