CREATED FEELINGS

2 months after asura's

The sun had risen at 5:47, still sleeping and unaware that a new day had begun. Soul Eater found his rest interrupted by a beam of light cast over his eyes, and tried to turn away from it. After a few moments he gave up, rising slowly in his bed before rubbing his eyes tiredly. It was a Saturday, and he normally wasn't up until noon; but he had something he needed to do today. He took his time getting ready; he took a shower, picked between headbands -before settling on his usual beige one- and got himself dressed by seven. He began wandering the streets of Death City, making his way to Gallows Manor. He had known that Kid would wake up at 8 on the dot, but he wanted to make sure he had a private audience with the meister.

The morning was humid, and he knew if he wasn't quick he would get a nosebleed; he had been prone to them as a child, and he hoped he wasn't as unlucky as he used to be.

Gallows Manor was in sight, but it wasn't overly impressive, if you asked Soul. He was used to mansions, he had even been invited to a few castles; but if anything, the grandoise house was more unsettling than anything. He had left behind his own lavish lifestyle, consisting of waltzing with pretty girls, hating them for their vapid, shallow responses to any questions he bothered to ask. He was thankful that Kid lacked their empty-heads, but he still felt a shiver go up his spine as he walked through the threshold of the front door. He had to remind himself to slouch and drag his feet as he putzed around the main room patiently, messing with a few of Kid's trinkets that lined the room.

It was only ten minutes until 8, but they drug on for what seemed like eternity. He was ready to go back home, but he had gotten out of bed -early as hell- to specifically come talk to Kid.

The young reaper skulked down the stairs slowly, a low groan rising from him. Soul quirked an eyebrow - he had never seen Kid look so rough. The reaper seemed to notice his presence, has he straightened himself up and smoothed his hair down. He cleared his throat, demanding Soul's attention.

"Good morning, Soul. Would you like to join me for breakfast? The girls are late risers." Soul nodded and followed Kid into their ridiculously large dining room -though not the biggest he had been in- and they waited patiently for food to be brought out to them. Soul poked at his sunny-side up eggs and let them bleed out onto the plate slowly, while Kid portioned his potatoes around the eggs at an attempt at symmetry.

It was quiet in the house, and Soul wasn't sure how to start this conversation. He came to Kid's house uninvited, mooched food off of him, and now he was going to ask a favor? Soul let out a weary sigh before setting his silverware down, resting on the plate. He decided to do what Black*Star had taught him; just go for it.

"Hey, Kid, can I ask a favor?"

"I suppose that's the reason you came over so early?" Kid didn't add that he noticed Maka's absence and Souls reluctance to initiate conversation.

"Yeah, you see, remember like two months ago when Maka woke up? We got into an argument and I never really apologized to her. I mean, Maka hasn't said anything but I know she's probably still pissed at me and I'm really bad at apologies," Soul paused for breath before taking a few fork fulls of potatoes and eggs, allowing Kid to process his rambling.

"I was wondering if you wouldn't mind hosting some fancy-smancy party? She got a new dress from her mom, and she's been bugging me about showing her the waltz." Kid's plate, meticulously cleaned with two slices of rye bread, was taken from him by servants. The gun-wielding meister leaned back in his chair and laced his fingers together in front of his mouth. Soul continued to pick at his breakfast before finally pushing the plate away, and there was another servant who came to take it from him.

Kid was thinking deeply on Soul's request. It had been a long time since he held such an event; but that didn't make him too keen on throwing one. Black*Star would show up and eat and wreck the place, Patti and Agnes would wrestle around and probably break something, and Liz would gossip about him with anyone who would listen. Still, this was for Soul. He needed to set things right with his meister - and Kid would be glad to help his friend.

"Alright, Soul, I'll host the party. I think tonight would be fabulous, if that isn't too short of notice?" Soul shook his head, smiling happily at his friend - he knew Kid wouldn't turn him down, but it was still reassuring that he had his back. Soul stood up from the table and thanked Kid profusely, promising to be in attendance with Maka by 8PM. He left Gallows Manor, showing himself out to allow Kid to finish with his morning rituals. It was a weight off his shoulders, and he made his way around town to invite all of his friends to the party. When he returned home, it was closing in on 11AM, and Maka was still asleep. He shrugged and started making her breakfast anyway, hoping that she would wake up and receive the news well.

She was fussing over his hair, trying to smooth it down, but Soul just swatted away her hands and ruffled it again. She pouted at him but let it go, returning to her room so she could put her heels on.

The dress her mother got for her -as an apology for being so pushy when she first arrived- was beyond fancy. It was black, ending a few inches below her knees; it was strapless and form-fitting. There was a sheer cover over it, with small crystals laid carefully in order of largest-to-smallest, starting from under her right arm and spreading out over the rest of the dress. It glittered every way she twirled and turned, and he had to admit that she looked amazing. Her hair was up in a tight bun, with a few strands hanging down to frame her face. Aside from lip gloss and mascara, he noticed she wasn't going overboard like he thought she would've.

He had thrown on a black tux carelessly, not tucking in his shirt or buttoning his coat. He didn't need to be fancy; he just had to get by. Maka had tried multiple times to tuck it in for him, but he was stubbornly avoiding her hen pecking with another frown and a glance at the clock. It was only ten minutes until eight, and they lived twenty minutes from Gallows Manor. Maka was also in heels -which, really, wouldn't impede her speed so much as it would hurt later- and he hadn't wanted to rush her. She seemed excited, hastily throwing a few things into a small clutch before grabbing his hand and running out the front door.

He was almost surprised at her vigor, until she told him to transform. So, she was going to resonate with him just so they wouldn't be late to a party? He chuckled, but indulged her - they had been resonating a lot recently, due to their training, so it seemed absolutely normal to Maka. The familiar weight of his weapon form pressed against her palms as they focused on their energies combining, Soul being the conduit for Maka's will. He redirected all of her power to her legs and within nine minutes they were standing in front of Death the Kid and his weapons, Liz and Patti.

He looked rather surprised, but it was soon replaced with vague irritation when he heard Patti's loud squeal, and soon she and Agnes were wrestling on the dance floor, ignoring everyone that jumped out of the way. Rudy held a hand to her head and sighed deeply when the Pots joined in, a full on brawl taking place before their eyes. Kilik beckoned for his weapons but they gleefully ignored him, though they settled down a bit. Agnes took rapt interest in them and Patti sauntered off to join Black*Star, who was already eating.

"Hello, Rudy. It's good that you two could make it." Kid forced a smile, and he watched as Rudy grimaced at him before chatting with Maka. Kid touched Rudy's arm, getting her attentioned completely because how dare he touch her, until she read his body language. He pulled her along slowly, and before she knew it, they were dancing among the crowd. Her frown deepened though she made no move to depart.

"What do you want, Kid?"

"I didn't know how to say it in front of her. Let Soul and Maka have the night to themselves. He's trying to apologize to her-"

"And we all know how long that would take him. Fine, we'll play nice tonight, Kiddo," she beamed at him, but he noticed a quiver in her voice. She was straining herself, dancing with him. It was one of her least desired positions, and once the song had ended, she politely bowed out and joined Tsubaki, Patti, and Black*Star. Tsubaki was invited to dance, and after Rudy's pestering, she finally conceded and joined the young man, leaving Rudy, Patti, and Black*Star to polish off half of the food.

"Uhm, excuse me, can I join you?"

"Hell yeah, buddy! Come on, sit right next to Black*Star! Bask in my presence, Crona!" He was shouting and carrying on, waving a large chicken leg around while Crona leaned away. Ragnarok formed and began antagonizing Black*Star, the two fighting with their food. Rudy smiled at Crona, who shyly returned it before looking anywhere but her eyes.

"So, Crona, how did you find you way to the academy?"

"Well, uh, I'm a meister... And Ragnarok is my weapon.." She had to strain to hear them, but still she pushed on her questions, before noticing Maka and Soul in her line of sight.

"Soul, stop slouching. We're dancing."

"Yeah, yeah, maybe if you didn't drag your feet I would be a little more enthusiastic."

"What! I'm not dragging my feet," she growled out, stepping harshly on his foot. He grunted in pain before taking a step back to twirl her, before resuming their original stance. He hadn't even began to broach the subject of an apology yet, much less had he been tolerant of this party. He was voicing such a displeasure for it, though he didn't know how else to deal with this pit in his stomach. May as well come out with it, he decided.

"Maka, I'm sorry for not believing you."

"Huh?" She squeeked, gaining the attention of a few nearby couples. She smiled, embarrassed, before thinking of a proper response; what was this all about? Soul hated apologies, in fact, she had almost never seen him genuinely apologize. He typically rectified the situation, which he had done with her.

"I asked Kid to throw a party so I could get the guts to tell you. I don't know why I feel this bad about it, but I do. It won't happen again."

Maka looked absolutely shocked, but soon her face turned into a soft smile before pulling Soul into a hug. She didn't have to say anything - she was so touched by the gesture of an actual apology, she hoped her hug conveyed that. She pulled away, smile still in place. She wondered how she could have ever been mad at him in the first place.

"I forgive you."

It happened fast, maybe she should have regretted it, but she craned her neck and kissed the corner of his mouth, pulling away and leaving the dance floor to join Tsubaki and Liz for drinks. Soul stood there, dumbfounded and rubbing his face, when Agnes appeared beside him. Her voice was quiet, though warm like honey.

"It seems like things have taken an interesting turn in your favor tonight," she observed before wandering off into the crowed, and he turned to say something back to her, only to notice her hasty retreat. He sighed and silently agreed; his eyes flicked to the clock, which read about 10 PM. He had wanted to get home before midnight, but he wondered if they should stay here for a while longer.

Kilik had left with the Pots by 11, and when Tsubaki and Agnes had to carry Black*Star and Rudy home due to a food coma by 1, Soul decided he and Maka should head back to their apartment. He found her chatting with Crona, and when he requested they leave, she insisted they take Crona home as well. They were still staying at the academy, as there were no one room apartments available yet. Soul didn't mind the demon swordsman, and they had walked them here in the first place. He shrugged and handed Maka her coat, knowing it was a bit cool out tonight. They bid Kid farewell and he began to clean up, the party officially over. He had heard from a certain meister that things had become very interesting, and wondered how the rest of their night would play out.

The school was half-way between their apartment and Gallow's Manor, Ragnarok and Crona bidding them farewell as they ascended the stairs to the DWMA. They had resumed their pace when Soul looked at Maka, noticing that her gaze was at the ground and that she was blushing. He chalked it up to the earlier incident, and reached down to grab her hand. Her head shot up and she slowly turned her head to look at him.

"Soul?"

"Maka, you're acting weird." He didn't know where, he didn't want to know how, but she Maka Chopped him in the middle of the street with a book he knew wouldn't have fit anywhere on her persons. Still, her hand slipped back into his and she sighed, their pace never broken. They were heading up the stairs to their house and she unlocked the door, flicking on the lights. Soul came in after her and threw his coat on the couch. He called out to Maka, who stopped just short of her room.

She turned to face him, eyes tired and her body screaming for sleep when he approached her, and she didn't know why, but he leaned down and kissed her. It wasn't anything more than a peck, but it was Soul and it was unlike anything she had thought it would be. His lips were soft and slightly-irony, probably because he's always biting them with his sharp teeth, and there was something that made her want to do it again. Maka stopped herself as he pulled away and started heading to his room, raising his hand and waving back at her before closing his door.

When Blair came home ten minutes later, Maka was standing outside of her door, touching her lips with a smile on her face.