"Crona! It won't be that bad! Stop this." Maka had managed to work Crona's courage up enough to get him to the mall but going inside the building was a whole different story. The instant Maka had opened the doors, and Crona saw the crowds of people going about their business, he made a dash for it. Thankfully Maka had lightening reflexes and grabbed his left wrist before he could get very far.
"No! There are too many people! I can't deal with it!" He gasped as he pulled away using all his body weight.
"Yes you can." She pulled him into a hug and held him in a tight embrace. His muscles began to relax but Maka could hear his heart pounding violently. "It's ok." She rubbed his back as she matched his soul wavelength to hers. Her warmth enveloped his shivering wavelength until it began to slow. "How about this. You shut your eyes and plug your ears until we reach the store. There won't be as many people there as in the hallways. I'll lead you so that you don't bump into anything.
"O-ok." He consented as he shut his eyes as tightly as he could and covered his ears with his hands. Maka gently held his right forearm and pushed open the glass doors. So far, so good. They were inside. Fortunately, the closest store seemed like it would suffice. It was a versatile clothing store entitled Stitched Fabric. Once they had reached the men's pants section she pulled his hands off his ears.
"Open your eyes." She urged. Crona slowly opened his eyes one at a time.
"They're all pants." He murmured. Ragnarok sprang from his back.
"Well duh they are all pants! That's what boys wear dumbass!" He screeched, earning puzzled looks from the staff.
"Let's just start here ok? If you want another robe like that one we'll look. I just don't know where to find clothes like that. I doubt Medusa shopped anywhere around here." Maka explained. Crona nodded slowly as Maka began sifting through the array of bottoms. It didn't take long for her to have accumulated a small stack. "Those white suit pants you wear are size 9 so most of these are as well. It's a little hard since you are so tall and slender." Maka pursed her lips. "Well let's try these on first." Suddenly something occurred to her. He was wearing a robe. "On second thought how about we find some shirts to try on too."
"Ok." Crona whispered as they shuffled over to the shirt racks. Maka began looking through the choices but Crona hung back clutching his arm. Ragnarok was perched on Crona's head with a bored look on his face.
"Crona why don't you at least try looking for something you like?"
"I don't know. I can't do it. I don't know how to deal with shopping like this."
"I see." Maka sighed. Before the DWMA Crona had never even been to a store. She remembered his flabbergasted expression when she took him to the market for the first time. The kid didn't even understand the concept of money. It was all Medusa's fault. If he hadn't been locked away his entire life he wouldn't be so socially crippled now. "Do you like this?" She held up a long sleeve navy blue shirt.
"Do you?"
"I didn't ask me, I asked you."
"It's fine."
"When are we gonna go to the food court?" Asked Ragnarok.
"We can't. It's too loud and crowded." Maka sighed. "And we haven't even started trying on clothes yet!"
"Are you kidding me? This is boring! Just pick some crap up and buy it!" Ragnarok yanked Crona's hair which resulted in a yelp from the timid meister.
"I want him to like it. Get lost or shut up. I swear if I hear one more complaint I will chop you to the moon." Maka was not in the mood for dealing with Ragnarok. She was starting to feel frustrated and her patience for the demon sword was next to nothing. The last thing she wanted to do was get snippy with Crona. If he knew she was annoyed he would just feel terrible but not be able to stop his neurotic behavior.
"Touchy bitch." He grumbled before dissolving back into Crona.
"I'm sorry." Crona whispered. "For him. And me."
"You're fine."
"But...you are annoyed with me I can tell. I'm used to people being annoyed with me. I can't do anything."
"Oh Crona." Maka placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry. I admit that I'm frustrated because this needs to happen and is turning out to be more difficult than I'd like. But all you can do is your best. I know that things are hard for you and sometimes I will get frustrated but it isn't your fault. Just try. That's all I ask."
"Thank you." Crona choked out. He fought back the tears brimming at his eyes. "You're so nice to me."
"That's what friends do." She smiled, then her face turned serious. "Before you try anything on I challenge you to pick out one thing here that you like."
"But-"
"No buts." Maka interrupted. "Try." Crona openly grimaced but obediently looked through the racks of shirts. After five uncomfortable minutes, he pulled out a black turtleneck.
"I like this."
"Great." She gently grabbed his hand and led him to the dressing rooms. Fortunately, they were empty and Maka picked the largest one to hang the clothing in.
"I change in here?"
"Yes."
"But the doors aren't all the way to the ground someone could peek!"
"I'll be right outside. No one is going to look in your stall trust me." She pushed him inside. "I want to see how you look in everything that fits. Alright?"
"O-ok Maka." The swordsman locked the door and tried on the turtleneck and a pair of black skinny jeans first. "Maka?"
"Yes?"
"I'm coming out." He closed his eyes tightly and emerged. Maka felt her heart clench in her chest. He looked adorable with his unrolled turtleneck almost touching his chin and the skinny jeans worked well with his body type. "So? Uh...is it ok?" He whimpered questioningly. Maka reached forward and squeezed his hands. With a gasp, Crona's eyes shot open.
"I'm sorry did I startle you?" Maka giggled. "You look amazing. Does it feel ok?"
"The pants are a little tighter than anything else I wear but it doesn't hurt. And I like the shirt. I like it when people can't see my neck."
"Why's that? It's a very nice neck."
"I don't know. I feel uncomfortable showing any skin and..." He stopped and quickly retreated to try on something else. Maka would normally have stopped him from running away but she decided to let it go for now. By the end Crona had picked out the turtleneck, the skinny jeans, two pairs of sweatpants, and a blue long sleeved shirt. Maka insisted that she buy him two short sleeved T-shirts.
"You'll get too hot. I know you're used to your robe but let's just buy them in case ok? If anything you can wear them at home and not in public." She gathered up the purchases and set them on the cashier's table.
"Did you find everything you were looking for today?" Chirped the cashier with a smile so wide Crona thought it must hurt her face.
"Actually I was wondering. Do you have anything similar to what he's wearing?" Maka asked. She gestured for Crona to step back for the woman to see. He squeezed his eyes tightly shut to avoid her gaze.
The cashier's eyes flashed judgmentally over his robe. "I don't think anyone wears that." Her smile broke. She caught herself and flashed Maka another toothy grin. "I'm sorry. Maybe try a place less up to style?"
Maka chose to ignore the snotty tone. "Ok, then just check us out please."
"Of course. Your total is $107.53." Crona gasped as Maka handed her six twenty dollar bills.
"Maka I didn't know those clothes were so expensive!"
"Clothes always are. It's okay. I planned for this."
"Why are you paying for him? He's a boy. Isn't he? Shouldn't he do the paying?" Scoffed the cashier. She had obviously grown sick of the helpful smiling employee act.
Maka seethed. "I don't much care for gender roles. Now give me my change." The woman shrugged as she counted the money and placed $12.47 in Maka's outstretched hand. "Come on Crona." She stomped off, dragging him outside so fast that she forgot about covering his ears.
"Maka!" Crona yelped.
"Oh no! I'm so sorry Crona. Do you need me to lead you again?"
"Uh well." Crona looked around. "It's scarier than a school hallway. Maybe if I could..."
"Yes?"
"...hold your hand? Maybe then I'd be okay."
"Of course." She smiled as she laced her fingers through his. Forget about the snobby cashier, Maka. She told herself. I doesn't matter what she thinks. Think about Crona.
They walked out of the mall together and headed home. Maka had decided that that was enough stress for one day. Maybe she would have to look for a robe and room decorations herself.