"Life is short, break the rules, forgive quickly, kiss slowly. Love truly. Laugh uncontrollably and never regret anything that makes you smile."

-Mark Twain

No one mentioned it could be this difficult. To act as if nothing had happened and trudge on with such a heavy heart fettered to her ankles, but what else was there to do? She wasn't exactly living a tragedy here and self pity was ridiculous. There were a million other things she could be worrying about, but all seemed to pale in comparison to Soul's abrupt exit and fleeting words. For all she knew there could have been be no meaning behind them, but then again these last few days made her question exactly how much she did know, which didn't appear to be much according to her recollections. But musing over these things was leading nowhere as she grew more irritated by the minute, at one point setting her on the brink of sending an innocent smiley-faced mug on her living room table sailing through the second story window.

So Maka did as any self respecting person is taught to do when facing a problem: push it as far back as possible and run away as if nothing had happened. It might not be the most venerable method on dealing with her issues, but it kept her from acting on her violent tendencies and saved a particularly cheerful framed photo from an 'accidental' fall. And so for a good part of the morning Maka acted like a good adult, suppressing anger and distracting herself as she waited for well- she wasn't quite sure. Soul's sudden leave left her confused and a bit dazed, leaving her to wonder if the morning was just some hangover-induced hallucination, which would make sense considering how the rest of the day was so godamn normal.

The rest of the day followed suit in this painfully slow manner as she pushed back every thought about him that arose, which happened quite often. And finally the banality of the day caught up with her the way any long day might, leaving her inexplicably tired and lethargic. At least her hangover finally faded she thought bitterly and she laid herself down on the couch. She followed the setting sun from the living room window, watching as its eyes steadily drooped and intermittently closed only to shoot open for a second and again droop as it nodded off into the horizon.

And soon Maka imitated its pre-sleep routine and finally succumbed to her heavy eyelids and into a much needed rest. It was a dreamless sleep; one of those light rests that come unexpectedly but when needed most.

Her next conscious moment came not long after she drifted off. A warm sensation enveloped her, leaving her on the line between wakefulness and deep sleep but for whatever reason instead of falling victim to the warmth she opened her eyes to find a blanket being placed over her in the semidarkness by figure that froze upon seeing her stir.

Dazed and in a state of mental grogginess that impeded her from grasping what was happening, Maka reached over and pulled the cool lamp chain as she felt the blanket drop onto her bare legs. Squinting her eyes from the sudden blinding light, she looked over to see a blurry placid face looking down at her.

"Soul?" She put out seconds before it all came rushing back and she realized what was happening. She propped her heavy self up on an elbow and shielded her eyes as she looked at him, as one might do at the sun.

He made some affirmative though curt sound in the back of his throat as he begun to turn away, but before he could Maka impulsively grabbed his sleeve before he turn away completely. He stopped and angled his head slightly, waiting for her to say something but her waterlogged brain was having trouble forming an explanation, and all she could master in subduing embarrassment was a mumbled "Umm" as she quickly released his sleeve and sat up, hoping he would just leave her miserable self alone to melt in self embarrassment. Why did she do these sorts of things?

But Soul waited, far longer then he should have and she would have, until the silence was so unbearable and the tension so thick she knew he wouldn't leave until she said something. Wringing her slightly shaking hands in discomfort, she quietly managed to say,

"I remember what happened," She paused for a second as he rubbed his neck with this hand, back still facing her, "sorry for lying." She lamely ended and more than half expected him to just walk out at that, but surprising them both to an extent he turned around and looked at her so fiercely that she couldn't help but to shrink away as his eyes searched her face.

"Why?" He asked her in such an apathetic way that any words she had hitched in her throat as her mind spun around searching for an answer. In all honestly, she knew what it was, but there was no way she could say it right now, not as his hard eyes bore into hers, not when she was so afraid to even admit it to herself. But he was waiting expectantly for an answer that she herself could not register.

"Are you really going to make me spell it out for you?" she answered almost angrily as his surveyed her. She wasn't sure he completely understood what she meant as he suddenly turned to leave. For half a second she was positive she would let him go, but in her lit a spark of rage and she half jumped up, grabbing his wrist and made him turn to face her.

Her breathing became slightly jagged as it did when she became annoyed at something. She set her teeth and searched his face, and was surprised to find mingled hurt and annoyance that matched her own.

They were both such idiots, she decided as she yanked down his arm to bring his startled face to hers and kiss him. It was quick. Far too quick. But at the same time far too long once she realized he wasn't kissing her back. She pulled away abruptly.

"Soul," she managed with an unsteady voice, attempting to shroud her uncertainly, "look, I just want to say I remember what happened and I regret lying about it and only did because I was afraid of things changing between us and I really didn't want them to because I really like you and just don't know how to show it and I'm scared of that and that you won't feel the same and oh why won't you just cut me off and say something, anyth-" And he did.

He grabbed her around the waist so suddenly that they lost their balance and fell onto the coach a little ungracefully as he pushed his lips into hers. This was so different from the other times she realized. It was rougher, more intense and his time neither held back in fear of rejection. She found herself needing air but was just as unwilling as he was to part. A subtle feeling of warmth spread from her stomach and made it up to her cheeks as they embraced, his hands sliding up and down her back and her own finding their way into his hair.

She couldn't say how long for they went on like this, but neither was concerned with counting. After a good long time, she unwrapped her legs from around his waist and he slowly took his hands out from under her shirt almost sheepishly, and she found herself right side up and half in his lap straddling a leg and facing the empty T.V screen. His arms were still around her, pulling her into him, and neither said anything for the longest time. He let out a long sigh as he pulled her into him tighter.

"You don't know how long I've been waiting to do that," He whispered. She turned around at his words and looked at his face and grinned.

"You're blushing!" she accused rather mockingly, glad to be able to joke so freely with him again. Her comment only deepened the pinkish hue, much to her giddy enjoyment, and as she light heartedly laughed he took hold of her wrists, pinned her down roughly against the cushions, and trailed his lips down her neck, making her breaths come out in short sputters. All she could think about was how different it was from the day in the hall to have him kiss her like this. He lifted his eyes to hers and gave her his signature lopsided grin.

"Now you're blushing," he taunted as she half pouted and rolled her eyes. He let go of her wrists but refused to budge, which she didn't much mind.

"So, are we just going to forget about this and go on like nothing happened, or is this something I can remember without regrets?" she asked him almost jokingly, but seriously at heart. She was tired of the pointless bickering and cold shoulders, this was so much better and she was afraid of losing it.

"I think we've wasted enough time already," He answered and then with mock seriousness added, "But on second thought, I don't think this could work actually." And he dramatically pretended to get up and leave, laughing as Maka pulled him back sternly.

"Just shut up and kiss me you idiot," she huffed as he leaned in and put his forehead up to hers.

"It would be my pleasure, but I'll be doing more than that," he added with a wink that her turn precisely the shade of his eyes.

They slept more peacefully that night in each other's arms than they had for months. And the morning breeze coming in through the open window was like a sigh singling a return to peace, more or less, thought Maka as Soul yanked the blanket off of her and wouldn't let go no matter how much she yanked it back. She let out an exasperated sigh but smiled at his sleeping figure, the way his eyes drooped, how silly he looked with his mouth open, and how his hair stood up on end all gave her a strangely happy feeling knowing that it was all hers and hers alone to look at in this morning light.

And in the end they were just two idiots sipping coffee in their underwear like such a thing was completely ordinary, laughing at some dumb joke until their sides hurt and so ridiculously happy that they forgot that it might seem strange to someone looking in to see them; it's a shame they didn't know sooner how much happier they could be with their masks taken off, and it is an even bigger shame that so many others didn't know how great a feeling it is to be able to laugh so absurdly at the ridiculous without holding back, and how much unspoken love there could be in such a simple thing.

Well, there it is! Another story done and another hiatus to take up! I'll be back to writing sooner than usual though, it seems like I have too many ideas and not enough time, but I'll be back. Much thanks to those who have stuck with me from the start, words can't describe how much I value you! And thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read my work! So, until next time!