The breeze was lightly blowing through his hair, and it was carressing his bare torso. He inhaled deeply, the fresh air felt good in his lungs. Then the door of the laboratory opened and Marie stepped out. She looked a bit surprised by what, no, what he was not wearing. But she still didn't react the same way as when she first came to his door a few weeks ago. "Oh hi, Franken." she said with a smile.
Stein looked up at her and smiled back. Yes, he actually smiled because he was happy to have her company. "What's up, Marie?" he said casually.
"I was just coming out to get some fresh air. Care if I join you?"
"No, please. Sit."
Marie looked around for a chair, but she couldn't find one. "I'll just go get a chair," She said as she began to walk toward the door.
Stein sat up, grabbed her arm and pulled her down on his lap. "You can sit here," he said with a smile.
Marie was a little shocked by this, but she soon relaxed and leaned against his bare chest. Although, Stein still hadn't finished his cigarette yet, and the smoke was starting to get to her. Marie was coughing, but she was trying to supress it. She didn't want Stein to notice because then she would have to get up. But he did notice.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Marie," Stein mumbled. He sat up, took one more drag from the cigarette, then he took it from his mouth, dropped it to the floor, and crushed it with his boot as smoke blew out from his lips.
Marie smiled at him again and put her head on his shoulder. She could hear his heart beat; it was one of the best sounds she could ever hear. Stein buried his face in her neck, smelling her sweet scent of coconuts, strawberries and vanilla. He closed his eyes and just embraced in her. Her mere company could already make his day better. But moments like this were what really made him want to fight against the madness with all of his strength.
But what made up his strength? Was it more psychological than physical? She is my strength... Marie... Stein wrapped his arms around her, his left hand gripping his right forearm. He just sat there with his face buried in her neck and hair, embracing the moment. How is it just a few weeks ago, I wouldn't be able to do this simply because I thought it unnecessary? And now, I find this so much better than just sitting alone in the dark all day typing notes. It's even almost better than dissections...
Marie had not moved sice she put her head on his shoulder, and she was breathing lightly. Did she fall asleep? Stein wondered. He actually really hoped she did for some reason. He looked into her soul, and he noted how calm it was. There were no random spikes, nothing to confuse it. Marie's soul was so simple yet complicated at that point. She was very relaxed, so her soul was too. It even seemed sleepy. But it was also filled with happieness, and a lot of something he could not decipher. Although it was familiar, he had seen it a few times in his students' and colleagues' souls. Wait, is that love? She has told me that she loves me, but I never would have thought it was that much... And there is no fear. You would think that there would be just a miniscule amount at least, but there isn't... Just love and happieness. Is it possible that I am the reason she feels like this?
Stein inhaled deeply and continued to keep his eyes closed. Soon, he drifted off in to a light sleep. For the past week he had only been sleeping, but he never really seemed to find the rest he wanted. However, something about this small nap was like a cure for a disease to him. It was so perfect, having Marie in his arms while he slept.
"Umm... Should we wake them...?" Maka Albarn asked her weapon.
"Nah, let them be." Soul Eater Evans said calmly.
Then Black Star walked up to them, totally shocked by what he was seeing. "Who would have guessed that Professor Stein and Marie would be a thing?"
Tsubaki, Black Star's weapon, was right by his side as she said, "Aww that is so cute!"
"Cute?!" Black Star exclaimed. "The creepy professor that likes to dissect everything is shirtless holding our other teacher."
Maka studied Marie and Stein for a few seconds. "What are you thinking, Maka?" Soul asked curiously.
Maka smiled and turned her head to Soul and said, "I was just remembering the time when we were watching Sweeney Todd late at night, and we both fell asleep."
Soul's lips curved in to a cute smile as he said, "And I woke up the next morning with you laying on my chest... And a drool line was coming down from your mouth." He began to laugh at that memory.
"I did not!" Maka exclaimed.
"Whaaatever. Any way where's Crona?" Soul asked while he looked around.
"Uhh, back here," the scrawny boy with pink hair and small voice said. He began walking closer to Maka, then stopped when Marie's amber eyes fluttered open, and she looked up to she her five students. She smiled at all of them and leaned forward a bit, then she realized what was going on. Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god... I fell asleep in his lap... And he's shirtless! Then he fell asleep. And holy crap my students are witnessing this! Ohhh what do I do?!
"Um, hi kids," Marie said with a smile. At the sound of her voice, Stein's eyes slowly opened, but he didn't notice the five students. He inhaled and exhaled then lightly kissed her neck.
Marie's skin almost had goosebumps when he kissed her. She also noticed all of her student's expressions when they saw that. Maka, Soul, Black Star and Crona all were completely shocked and their jaws hung open while Tsubaki had her hands folded over her chest with a huge "Awwww" escaping from her. That 'Awww' was also plastered all over her face.
"Uh, Franken... Some of our students are here," Marie said quietly.
Stein's eyes widened slightly and they flew up to the kids. At first, he thought he felt... What was that? Embarressment maybe? But he decided he just do what he heard several other people say, Play it cool. Yeah, that's what they call it. Stein lifted his head and sat straight up and loosened his grip a bit on Marie, but he never let go completely. "Hey, Maka and Soul, Black Star and Tsubaki, Crona. What's up?" I must say, their expressions really are funny.
"Uhmm... We were just coming by to say 'Hi' and to see how you're doing." Maka said. She was clearly trying to not stare at all of the stitches covering his muscular body.
Stein chuckled a bit at how she was acting, then he said, "Well hi. I am doing much better, thanks."
Marie was now feeling very awkward. Stein could see it in her soul, and he only thought that was even funnier. "Is something wrong, Marie?"
Marie only stared at Stein, then at the five students. "No, uh..." He could feel her weight lift slightly as well as her leaning forward, and he knew she was trying to stand up. Marie looked back at him again with a confused look on her face. He tightened his hold on her for just a little while longer until he finally dropped his arms, and she stood.
"How would you kids like to come inside for tea?" She asked quickly.
"Only if we were not interrupting something," Tsubaki said happily.
"Tsubaki!" Maka, Soul and Black Star exclaimed. Crona only stood in the same spot and held his arm.
Marie laughed a little and said, "Oh no, you're not. Come on inside, that is if it's okay with you, Franken."
Stein only shrugged and stood from his chair. Maka's eyes widened very slightly as she observed Stein's bare torso. Who would have thought Professor Stein had a body that well toned? Sure, he's pretty strong and powerful, but he always looks so slender under that turtleneck and lab coat... He even has stitches all over his body.
"Maka?" Soul asked his meister. "You coming?"
"Uh, yeah. Sure." she said, allowing her gaze to tear away from Stein. I hope no one noticed me staring at him... she thought before she ran inside after the others.
Well I must say chapter 10 was pretty interesting to write. Hahahaha it was fun making Stein acting in a way that he never really has before, yet in his own way. Please leave your reviews, the only reason why I'm writing this fanfic is because I hope some people are enjoying it so far. Thank you SO much to the people who have been keeping up with my story, it really does mean a lot to me! :D -Mikshizels