A/N: Same as before, not entirely happy with this. Will probably make some changes later, but for now, here's another chapter. I just wanted to post this one because it links to the next chapter, and I'm pretty happy with that one :)

"You're such a pervert, Soul."

"Hey," he said defensively. "I just tell it like it is, Tiny Tits."

She frowned at him, and then stuck her nose in the air. "That's a good thing. I'm a ballerina."

He shrugged. "Suit yourself."

She glared at him for a moment. Maka could never stay mad at him for long – and she knew he was only joking, anyway. She liked the kind of relationship they had, the back-and-forth banter that wasn't insulting at all, but in fact, the complete opposite.

It was a warm day; probably the last of the season. Many of the students at Shibusen Performing Arts had cottoned on to this, and were making full use of their lunch breaks by basking in the sun. Autumn had definitely started later this year, and everyone was sad to see the hot Nevada days melt into something cooler.

Maka and Soul were sitting under a large tree, which branches reached overhead them like fingers desperately reaching for something. Maka leaned back on her arms and glanced up at these branches, which warm spring light sprinkled through, the leaves of which were silhouetted darkly against. A warm breeze started up, one which Maka relished. She had ditched her school blazer and yellow vest, and was sitting with her legs crossed in nothing but her blouse, tartan skirt and green school tie.

Soul, on the other hand, had lay down beside her, his hands crossed behind his head. His eyes were shut and he seemed to be sleeping. He hadn't even taken off his black leather jacket – a blatant violation of the school dress code, but nobody had ever told him off for it.

"So," said Soul. "How's your father dearest?"

Maka sighed.

"The same," she sighed. "I can barely stand living with him."

"You could move into the dorms here," Soul suggested.

"I've thought of that before," she admitted. "But, when I applied this year, they told me the dorms were completely full."

Soul cracked an eye open to look at her. "You could come live with me if you want." He said casually. Soul realised what it sounded like as soon as he'd said it, and cursed himself for not thinking properly.

She raised an eyebrow at him. "Soul Eater Evans, you really are a pervert."

He sat up, meeting her gaze. "I'm serious, Maka," he said. "My apartment has two bedrooms and it's pretty big and everything. My parents take care of the bills and rent and stuff, so you don't have to worry about that."

"It'd just be for convenience?"

"Yeah," he said. "We both go to the same school. It's not weird or anything. Other people do it too, you know. Liz and Patti live with Kid."

Maka thought for a moment. Living with Soul…she knew anything was preferable to living with her obsessive father and the glaring absence of her mother.

"I guess it is closer to the school and stuff," she admitted. "I could get more hours in at the studio."

"Cool," he said. "Well, think about it if you want."

"Maaaaaaaakaaaaaaa!" Spirit sobbed. "Maka, my baby, how could you do this to your loving Papa!?"

"Papa," she sighed. "You're being dramatic."

Maka had finally decided that she'd had enough of her overbearing father, and had accepted Soul's offer of living arrangements. Soul, much to his dismay, had been dragged along. Sprit, as expected, had not taken the news well.

"MAAAAAAKAAA!"

"Dad, all children move out eventually."

"Mr Albarn," Soul interjected. "It's probably for the best. It's closer to the school."

Spirit stopped wailing for a moment. "You," he said, turning his attention away from his daughter. "You're taking my baby away from me! You better not try anything funny!"

Maka looked incredulous. "That's a bit rich coming from you."

"Yeah," Soul agreed. "Anyway, look at her. As if anyone could find her tiny tits attractive."

"Are you saying my daughter isn't attractive? Go on, BE A MAN!"

"MAKA CHOP!"

Maka had her hands on her hips and her eyebrows were raised disapprovingly. "Between the two of you, I wonder how I haven't spontaneously combusted from being around so much stupidity."

Spirit wailed from the floor.

"Papa," she continued, holding her chin up stubbornly. "I am going to move closer to Shibusen."

"What would you mother say?"

She shook her head. "Seriously, Papa, I have a pretty good idea of what she might say. C'mon, Soul, we're going."

Maka unceremoniously began to drag Soul from her father's office, leaving Spirit wailing behind them.

"Well," said Soul. "That went better than expected."