These characters are under copyright by Atsushi Ōkubo, Squar Enix, Yen Press, Shōnen,
Akatsuki Yamatoya. Madman Entertainment, Manga Entertainment, Funimation, and/or others. This is a work of fanfiction, for no monetary gain.
Chapter 22 – Awake Again: But Is Kid Really Alright?
Soul stepped back into the Infirmary, hands fisted, feeling betrayed. Crona had let that bastard Giriko escape, they'd healed him, and rewarded him for hurting Kid by giving him Justin, like he was a trophy. He wanted them both dead, and maybe Crona too, and that last part was kind of disturbing, because he kept picturing Crona cowering as he strangled them with his bare hands, their fear, the way they'd looked just now, when they thought Maka was going to hurt them. He didn't want to use his blade, because he wanted it to be slow and terrifying, but not cutting, not like Kid, because they didn't deserve to be hurt in the same way.
"You need to calm down, Soul. Kid's going to be fine," Stein said, which made them want to strangle him, too, because Kid obviously was anything but fine, and Stein had to be a complete idiot or certifiable to believe he'd ever be fine again.
"You need to have more faith, Soul. Kid's a lot stronger than he looks, a lot tougher that most people give him credit for, but I thought you, of all people, would realize that, without having to have someone like me tell you," Stein said calmly, lighting a damned cigarette and taking a drag, which made Soul even more furious.
He yanked the cigarette out of his mouth and stomped on it. "Are you out of your fucking mind? You're in an Infirmary, asshole! There are sick people here! You can't smoke!"
"Actually, physically, everyone is fine. Kid's basically healed, and so is Liz, and Angela just overextended herself," Stein argued.
"I'm actually still injured, but more importantly, Angela is still just a kid," Mifune chided. "You shouldn't be smoking in front of anyone, but especially not a kid. It's bad for her health, not to mention yours. From what I've seen, you have two men who have done everything in their power to protect you. Don't you think it's pretty selfish of you to smoke?"
Stein had glared at Mifune at first, but by the time he finished, he looked guiltily at the cigarette on the floor, and then the door.
"You're right. I apologize," Dr. Stein said, to Soul's surprise, and picked up the cigarette.
"I think Dr. Bryant can take it from here. If anyone needs me, I'll be in Death Mansion, with Lord Death and Spirit. I don't think Kid will wake up this time until his father wants him to, but come get us if he does," Stein stated.
Soul nodded, not trusting himself to speak, because he was still so damned angry at everyone now that he just wanted to yell or smash things or kill someone.
"Dr. Stein, is it OK if Jackie and I come in?" Kim asked from the doorway.
"Kim. Of course. Kid knows you both, he likes you. Even though he's unconscious, he might still be able to hear you. It's comforting to hear familiar voices when you're unconscious or just not all there. It helps bring you back," Stein admitted bluntly.
"Now then, kids, if you'll excuse me, I have a Reaper of my own to console," Stein said, and he headed for the door.
Soul glared at his back as he left, and then headed for Kid's bed.
Kid looked too damned pale, but also weak and helpless, and that pissed him off, because Kid wasn't either of those things.
He pulled over a chair, because he wasn't budging until Kid woke up, and it might be a while. He sat down beside Kid and took his good hand, even though the cast was gone from the other one, because Kid wasn't fully healed yet, no matter what that mad scientist said. Still, he was glad the cast was gone, that Kid would be symmetrical again when he woke up.
"Hey, Kid. I just want you to know that… that we're back." He was going to tell him Justin was safe, but that would be a lie, because there was no way in hell Justin was safe with that murdering freak, even if maybe he hadn't killed anyone, at least no one they knew about, because all his host body's souls were still alive, except for the one Justin had killed. How had they even done that, pushed that one soul out and killed it?
He realized he was squeezing Kid's hand so tightly his fingers were turning blue and immediately let go, hating that he'd been hurting Kid without realizing it, and worse, that Kid hadn't even felt it, but relieved it at least wasn't his injured hand.
"I'm sorry. I wanted to bring Justin back for you, to save him, but he didn't want to be saved, and you can't save someone who doesn't want to be saved. But supposedly Giriko didn't hurt him, even though he cut him all over and they were… we saw… damn it! Just wake up, alright? You need to be OK, only as crazy as you're supposed to be, not like you've been. I promise Giriko won't ever touch you again, or anyone else. I'll kill anyone who tries to hurt you," Soul promised.
He wasn't any good at this boyfriend stuff. He'd told Kid things that were guaranteed to upset him, called him crazy and made death threats. Not exactly the kind of sweet nothings that people being courted liked to hear. But words had never been his strong suit. He spoke better with his fists, his blade.
"Hey, Patty, go find me some clothes," Liz ordered, distracting Soul, for a moment. "But don't go home, because… Hey Kim! You're about my size, and you're the only one around here other than us who knows how to dress cool. Lend me some clothes?" Liz asked, more a demand than a request.
"Well I don't know about lending them to you, but I could maybe rent them to you. You know, to pay for any wear and tear. Twenty, and you've got yourself an outfit," Kim bargained with a smirk.
"For twenty I'd better get leather," Liz said with a scowl.
"Denim. Leather'll cost you fifty," Kim haggled.
"I hate you," Liz griped.
"Yeah, I get that a lot," Kim said with a shrug, obviously not caring.
"Elizabeth, Kimial, do you have to be so loud? I'm trying to sleep," Kid chastised crankily.
Soul's eyes widened and flew to the bed. "Kid? You're awake? You sound… are you alright?" Soul asked anxiously, not daring to believe he could possibly be as normal as he sounded. Well, normal for Kid, anyway.
Kid frowned as he sat up. "Why wouldn't… oh," he said, his eyes widening as he took in the Infirmary, then flicking to his arm. "The cast's gone," he said, sounding stunned, his voice thick with either relief or dread, Soul wasn't sure.
Soul reached out with his soul, trying to feel Kid's soul, to attune his wavelength to him, so he could try to calm him, if he started to freak out again.
Then Kid saw his right hand, the torn and ragged nails and stared at it, horrified. "My hand. My nails! They're hideous!" he yelled.
"No, Kid, it's OK," Liz argued, quickly, running over to the bed. "You just need a manicure, and you'll be good as new."
"No, Liz! There's no way a simple manicure is going to… You're standing! You're… are you trying to kill yourself? Get back in bed this instant!" Kid bellowed, but he looked terrified for her, rather than angry.
"Kid, it's alright. The Witch Angela healed her," Soul soothed, even as he wrapped his soul around Kid's, trying to smooth all the chaotic, jagged edges that were poking out everywhere.
"Yeah, see? Good as new," Liz assured him, lifting the hospital gown she was wearing to flash her bare midriff to him.
"You're… there aren't even any scars," Kid murmured, stunned, reaching out and stroking her stomach, which had Liz's face turning bright red, before she smacked his hand away.
"No touching, you little pervert! That was the deal, remember? Liz and I stay with you, as long as you don't touch," Liz snapped.
Kid's face flushed. "Don't be disgusting. You're like a sister to me. You know I didn't mean it like that! Honestly, Liz, you know I'm gay and I've got a boyfriend," Kid snapped back at her, the way he always did, acerbic and biting but sane, rational, normal. He wasn't trying to swallow them all in shadow, he'd even been successfully distract by Liz so he'd forgotten for the moment that his nails were all messed up.
Soul's relief was short-lived as Kid's attention fell on his hand again. But before there could be another blowup, of any kind, Kim thrust a nail file and bottle of nail polish in front of Kid's face.
"Here, Pretty Boy. I just happen to have a nail file with me, and since you're Lord Death's son and all, I'll even give you a discount. It'll only cost you ten, and I'll even let you use Jackie's favorite pink nail polish, the one that matches my hair," Kim offered with a smirk.
Kid looked suitably horrified. "Pink? You want me to paint my nails pink?"
Mifune walked up, a tiny bottle in his large hand. "Unless you want them pumpkin orange? I know Angela won't mind. And she always mixes a little of her magic into the bottle to make her nails grow faster and keep from breaking, which will help even out whatever you can't make right using the nail file."
A look of gratitude and relief warmed Kid's face. "Thank you, Mifune." Then he frowned, looking over at Angela. "Is she alright?" he asked suspiciously.
"She's fine. She's just taking a nap. She had a busy day, and she's still little. How are you feeling, Kid?" Mifune asked, with a warmth that had Soul grinding his teeth in jealousy, even though he was grateful to the man for not mentioning to Kid that she was unconscious because she wore herself out healing him.
Kid slipped his healing hand into Soul's and squeezed, gently, and the jealousy fled. Kid wasn't freaking out, and he'd been able to squeeze with his broken hand, to use it again. Soul knew these past few minutes didn't mean Kid was fine, he was certain there would be more issues, but Kid was at least coping for the moment, which was more than Soul could have asked for, and it was all thanks to Angela and Mifune, for rescuing him, for healing him, for being gentle and compassionate and understanding, when he needed it most.
"I'll paint mine orange too, so we match," Soul offered. Then he belatedly turned to Mifune. "If that's alright. I can buy her more, if we use it up."
"It's fine," Mifune said, smiling as he handed the bottle to him.
"We'd match?" Kid said hopefully, but then he frowned. "But we still wouldn't be symmetrical," he complained.
"No, but still, everyone will know Soul's yours. See?" she said, grabbing Jackie's hand and showing him they were both wearing the same shade of pink nail polish.
Jackie blushed.
"Alright. Orange it is," Kid agreed.
"Only if I paint them for both of us. You'd take forever. And don't glare at me like that. I do Maka's nails all the time. That's why they always look good. You'd think I'd be the one who doesn't color inside the lines, right? But you should see the mess she makes when she tries," Soul smirked.
"So you wash her hair and do her nails?" Kid asked, surprised.
"Soul Eater Evans! You promised you'd never tell anyone!" Maka yelled, stalking over to the bed, looking furious.
"Wow, Soul. So underneath that cool and blustery exterior lurks the heart of a hair dresser and beautician? Talk about stereotypes. I mean honestly, you couldn't be more gay if you dyed your hair rainbow colors and started marching in parades," Kim scoffed.
"Kim!" Jackie scolded, the single word conveying how appalled and mortified she was by her Meister.
"Bite me!" Soul snarled.
"Don't you dare put your mouth near him!" Kid demanded indignantly.
"Wouldn't dream of it, Pretty Boy. My girlfriend doesn't share," Kim replied with a self satisfied smirk and look at Jackie, which made her blush furiously.
"You know, just because Angela looks like she's still asleep, doesn't mean she is. Be careful what you say around her. She's a little too young for me to have to start explaining things, and trust me, she will ask," Mifune scolded.
"Of course," Kid immediately agreed. "Instead, why don't we talk about your new house, exactly what kind you'd like to have, here in Death City. You'll both be staying, won't you? I promised you a new home, and I'd like it to be here, with us, where we can help keep Angela safe, until she's older, and better able to protect herself. It hasn't only been witches who have been after her in the past," Kid pointed out.
"Thank you. We really appreciate it," Mifune replied.
"I'll never be able to repay you for all the two of you did for me. You saved my life. You healed Liz. A house is nothing, compared to that," Kid stated.
"Maybe a house isn't. But a safe home? I'd say that makes us even," Mifune said with a smile.
"Do you know where my father is, Soul? I want to talk to him about their house. I'm surprised he's not here, hovering, after… What's wrong?" Kid demanded.
Soul squirmed under his gaze. "You father's with Stein and Spirit. They shouldn't be disturbed right now." He hoped Kid would jump to the wrong conclusion.
"It's not like Stein to leave the Infirmary when there are patients here, and you're avoiding looking into my eyes. What aren't you telling me?" Kid demanded.
Soul sighed. "Your father got upset, and Stein and Spirit are trying to help him." He'd admit that much, and hope it was enough.
"Come on, Kid, it's not like you need your dad for this yet, right? Let's check Death News, see what houses are on the market, and line up some appointments for Mifune and Angela to view them. That way, they can move in a lot sooner," Kim suggested, again deftly changing the topic.
"That's a wonderful idea! We can help you look at them, if you like. Kim and I just moved out of the dorms into an apartment, so we know all kinds of helpful things, about what you should look for and look out for," Jackie volunteered. "You know, how 'quaint' means old and rundown, and 'modest' or 'cozy' means too tiny to breathe. The ones that say 'character' though, sometimes that can be really wonderful."
"You'll have it easy, because having pets isn't a problem when you buy a place, not like when you rent, and Angela has a cat," Kim commented.
"Actually, in the past, anywhere from 10 to 20 of them, though usually they'd just visit. Now that she has her own familiar, though, that might change," Mifune commented.
"Speaking of pets, I've got a dog to feed. Plus a leather outfit to bring. I'll pick up the paper and bring it on my swing back. Meanwhile, start talking about what size house and yard you want, whether a view is important, closeness to stores, that kind of thing. Catcha later, guys," Kim said with a wave.
Soul was relieved when Kid started speaking to Mifune about the house, both his mangled nails and his father's absence temporarily forgotten. The longer Kid could stay calm, before hearing about Giriko and Justin, the better, and his father definitely needed to be present for that conversation.