Names
"Soul?" He turned his head to her, watching, always watching, "Do you think we'll meet again? In the next life?"
She was sitting on the stair just above him, hands clasped in her lap. The train of her white gown as laid out before them, a disgusting reminder of what day it was. Maka desperately wished to sit beside him instead of above him, wished to run away with him and be happy, wished that he was the man she was to marry.
"I've sworn to protect you, your grace, I am your weapon and your shield. In this life and the next, you'll never be without me." His accent was still foreign and Maka was glad that her kingdom had never quite tamed him.
"You needn't call me that. My name is fine." She whispered. Soul turned away from her.
The new leather of his ceremonial armor creaked when he hunched his shoulders forward, "It would be inappropriate for your grace's guard to call her by her name." It didn't stop Maka from remembering how he had moaned her name into her skin while she screamed his for all to hear. She wished to hear it one last time before she was given to another.
"Please, Soul." She reached forward to cup his cheek and turn him to her.
"Your grace, please, do not make this harder than it already is." His voice was raw and Maka let herself gently stroke his cheek. "Maka."
She kissed him gently, uncaring and unafraid. "I won't marry Lord Asura, Soul. Not while you speak my name."
"Maka." He said again and she smiled against his lips.