"Soul." His voice was so quiet in the dark stable, the snow that was falling from the sky in front of them sounding louder than he did. He sounded like he could shatter glass at any second. "I have to tell you something before you leave."

"Who said I was leaving?" He replied defensively, pulling at the fleece cloak around his shoulders. "You jump to the weirdest conclusions, Kid."

A warm hand grabbed his shoulder, pulling him away from the stable door with force. "Dont play stupid with me, Soul. Please."

There, wrapped up in his guards arms, Soul deflated. "Im not playing stupid," He murmmered, lightly pushing away at Kids chest. "I don't know what youre talking about."

Kid just frowned at him, pulling his arms back like Soul had burned him. "I saw you packing some things last night. I know what you're thinking about doing."

"I wouldn't leave."

The guard rolled his eyes, he was smiling a little, a smile with a twist to it, like the smile of a child who is determined not to weep. "Yes, you would. I know you better than that."

"I wouldn't leave you," Soul lied, trying to sound as convincing as he could. "I was just cleaning up. That's all."

He felt bad for lying. He never really wanted to leave Kid, but he knew he had to. Kid deserved a better life than being on the run all his life. He deserved better than just catering to Soul's every need.

"As your guard, your highness, I am obligated to tell you that I truly don't believe you, and I believe that it is in your best interest to stay," Kid sighed, wrapping his arms around himself. "But as your friend, I wouldn't blame you. I know you're not happy. I wasn't lying when I told you I'd be happy for you, wherever you ended up." Soul stared up at Kind in awe, watching as small snowflakes that blew in from the open stall door landed in the guards raven hair.

"Kid-"

"Can I please tell you what I wanted to tell you?" he cut him off quickly, pulling his arms around himself tighter. "Before I lose the nerve to."

Soul didn't like the way Kid was speaking, he didn't like how familiar it sounded. "Kid…" He warned darkly, his hands curling into fists at his side.

"I don't expect you to reply, Soul," Kid bit back, "I really don't care if you don't feel the same way. I never have, and you know that." Soul knew where this was going. It sounded awfully similar to how Kid first confessed to him two years ago, on the night of his sixteenth birthday.

He couldn't love Kid the same way he loved him; not here, not in this life. Kid deserved better than he could give. He did love Kid like a friend, though, and the last thing he wanted to hear before he deserted his beloved friend was yet again another confession.

"Don't do this to me," Soul pleaded, "Please."

"I still love you, you know," Kid sighed, averting his attention to the snowing scene before them. "I would do anything for you if it meant you were happy."

"Stop it." Soul warned.

"The guards will be changing shifts the second the sun peeks over the horizon. If you're looking for a moment to slip out, that'll be the best moment," Kid mumbles. "Conveniently, I will still be sleeping."

Soul fixes a hard gaze on his guard, blinking rapidly.

"Kid-"

"It's okay, Soul," Kid hushed him. "It's okay."


"His name is Blackstar, you said?" The royal advisor, Hero as Soul finally learned, asked as they walked the gravel path towards the guard's quarters.

"Yeah, that's it," Soul replied, watching the advisor and Maka carefully out of the corner of his eyes.

"What a peculiar name," Hero commented, nudging the Princess at his side. "Wouldn't you think, your highness?" Maka hummed in reply, eyeing Soul's back as he took the lead.

The three of them fall into silence as they make their way to the door of the guards quarters. Being the gentleman he should be, Soul opened the door for them, motioning for them to walk. "After you, your highness."

As Hero stepped into the quarters cautiously, Maka sent him an exasperated glance, sticking her tongue out slightly before stepping in after Hero. Whatever chatter had been occurring in the hallway's silence pretty quickly once they realized who'd entered.

"Your highness," A familiar voice greeted. In the corner of the entry room stoof Stein, who had been talking to one of the other guards. He glanced over to Soul wearily before motioning to the other guard to leave. "Soul."

"Stein," Soul greeted stiffly. "Is Ox or Blackstar still here?"

Stein's eyes flickered to the Princess and advisor at his side before settling back on Soul. "They were both in the kitchen last i checked."

He nodded, pointing down to one of the hallways. "Move that way, it'll be the first door on the left," Soul instructed Hero, who took the lead and began walking once again. The second Maka followed after him, Stein was at his side, grabbing his arm.

"What happened to you last night?" Stein whispered into his ear, squeezing his arm.

"I'll tell you later," Soul whispered back, pulling away from Stein's grasp. A stuttered breath escaped him, his heart rattling against his chest.

It was always something, wasn't it? He couldn't hide anything from anyone for long.

"Did you fuck up?" He doesn't answer. "I'll take that as a yes. How bad is the damage?"

"Pretty bad." Soul answered. "I'll tell you later. It's a long story."

Soul moved quickly, following after Maka's footsteps as he heard Stein scoff from behind him. Thankfully, he caught up with them just in time to enter the kitchen behind them. True to Stein's word, Ox and Blackstar were in the kitchen, both of their attention already on them.

"Your highness," Ox greeted first, bowing. "What has brought you here, today?"

Blackstar doesn't say a word, his eyes settling on Soul, clearly confused.

"We are here to speak about arrangements concerning her highness's party," Hero explains, extending his hand to Ox. "My name is Hero, I am the royal advisor for Princess Maka."

Ox takes his hand, shaking it firmly. "Ox Ford, I'm the head guard here. This is Blackstar, one of my fellow guardsmen."

Hero dips his head, a smile pulling at his lips. "Splendid. Just the two we were looking for. Are you both free to speak?"

WHen they both simply nod, Soul suggested they take a seat at the rickety table. He doesn't miss the way Hero visibly cringes as he takes his seat at the head of the table. "In any case," Hero begins, dropping his clipboard to the table. "To fill you both in, we're looking for a guard to take Soul's place as Maka's personal guard for her party. Soul suggested that Blackstar would be the best pick for the job."

Both guards look at him confused.

"Why are you looking for someone to take Soul's place?" Blackstar questions. "Isn't that, you know, Soul's job?"

Her highness has decided that Soul will be her plus one to the party," Hero answers, as if it's no big deal, "Kind of weird, I know, but Princess Maka insisted he attended as a guest."

Soul can't help the way he rolls his eyes.

"Oh. This is my first time hearing that," Blackstar pointedly says, turning his focus onto Soul. "Wonder why I didn't hear about that before?"

"Blackstar," Ox corrects from his side, tapping his shoulder gently. "Forgive him, he can be quite blunt sometimes. As you were saying?"

Hero nods. "Right. In any case, Ox Ford, I know you will be there doing the extra detailing, so Soul suggested that Blackstar take over in his place for the night. I wanted to get your input on the situation."

"Oh, I see!" Ox explained, very forcefully faking the smile on his face. "I agree with Soul, then. Blackstar is one of our best guards. It would be a great decision."

"That is fantastic to hear. Blackstar, would you be okay with this?"

Blackstar doesn't take his eyes off Soul as he replies. "I would love to take Soul's place for the night."

"Splendid!" Hero clapped, standing up from the table. "Why don't you guys get acquainted with one another? I must finish getting some last-minute things together. It was a pleasure to meet you both, Ox Ford and Blackstar."

Ox looks up to the advisor, nodding. "It was a pleasure to meet you as well."

As Hero makes it to the door, he fixes a hard glare Soul's way. "Soul, please remember to escort her highness back in time for her fitting before dinner."

"I will," He replies coolly, "Thank you."

Ox stands too. "I will let you guys speak, if you need me I'll be in the common room."

The second Hero and Ox's footsteps are out of ear ranger, a cold hand slaps the back of his neck, a gasp following. "You are an idiot," Maka, finally speaking, hissed at him.

Looking back to the Princess at his side, he gasped too. Did Maka actually just smack him?

"What do you mean?"

"The whole situation in the fitting room, I had your back. There was literally no reason for you to agree to Hero." Maka points a finger dangerously close to his face. "I don't know what you think you have to prove to him, but it's absolutely nothing."

"Maka-"

"What did he do?" Blackstar interjects, leaning across the table with pointed interest.

Maka turned to the other guard, her eyebrows raised. "He told Hero he'd attend my party cleaning up his hair, after I told them both it didn't matter if he did or not."

"You did what?" Blackstar turned to him, smacking his hands which laid on the table. "Since when are you okay with cutting your hair? You haven't cut it since we've met."

Soul doesn't come up with a reasonable answer. There really was no reason for him to agree to not cutting it but that stupid little part of him that hated being seen as a fool just had to pop out.

"I don't know," he replies. "I just… I thought it'd be more appropriate?"

"I can just tell Hero you changed your mind," Maka insists, "It's fine.m You shouldn't feel pressured to cut it for my party, okay?" She reaches out to him, shaking his shoulder slightly.

"We'll see," Soul replies, instead of just agreeing, shrugging Maka's hand off his shoulder. With an almost pained expression, Maka cleared her throat, turning her attention back to Blackstar.

"Sorry about that. It's a pleasure to actually meet you, Blackstar." Maka extends her hand across the table with a warm smile.

"Uh, It's no issue?" Blackstar replied cautiously, taking the Princess's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well, your highness. May I ask what you meant by 'actually meet you' though?"

As Maka retracts her hand, she snorts. It's the type of laugh that has Soul's skin prickling. "As long as you agree to drop the formalities, then yes you can." Maka replies leisurely.

Blackstar looks like he's about to have a damn stroke.

"I mean, are you sure, your highness-"

"Please, I honestly hate the formalities. Just Maka is fine." Maka reassures him before settling back into her chair. Soul can barely contain a laugh as he watches Blackstar's face screw up with confusion.

"I mean, okay then," Blackstar hummed, his eyes turning in interest to Soul, who just shrugged with a smile.

"Great, then yes, I can tell you what I meant by that."

For the better half of an hour, Soul just sits and listens to Maka and Blackstar's conversation, carefully observing Blackstars expressions as the two of them interacted. Maka explains to Blackstar the second time she'd arrived at the guards quarters to pick Soul up, having walked in on him sleeping.

Soul's kind of surprised to see Blackstar laugh at the Princess's antics.


"You're insane Soul. You know that, right?"

Stein's eyes fell on him tiredly as he shook his head disappointedly. Soul just sighed, his eyes flickering from the guard to the floor as if he were a child scolded by his parents. He knew he had no right to be upset when Stein was right, he had put himself into this position, after all. He willingly showed Maka the heirloom, he willingly said he'd clean up his appearance for the party; he had done all of those things on his own free will knowing the consequences and what he had to lose.

"I know," He answered sadly, "I know."

Stein moved across the hallway in one swift motion, grasping Souls arm in his hand. "Is it too late to take Maka up on her offer and just tell Hero you can't clean yourself up?"

"No, it isn't," He replied, knowing very well that Maka would tell Hero even if it was at the last second. "I just don't want to look like a fool, Stein."

"Sometimes you have to swallow your pride. You know that, right?" Stein loomed over him, a cold expression spread across his face. He hated that he couldn't read Stein like he could read practically everybody else.

"I know," he affirmed, replying a little snarkier than he had intended to. "I think what I meant to say is I am going as Maka's plus one, I don't want to look like some scoundrel that she pulled off the street. I'm her guard after all, shouldn't I present myself like I'm part of the royal guard? Liz and Patty hold themselves to high standards, always wearing nice clothes and making sure they're presentable."

Stein's gaze doesn't waver as he nods. "Okay, I see where you're coming from," he assured him, "But I still think your main priority should be keeping yourself safe. Harboring feelings for a Princess can get messy."

Soul can feel the way his face drops after the comment, his shoulders raising to his ears stiffly. Harboring feelings for a Princess could get messy? What the hell did Stein mean by that?

"Excuse me?" Soul can't help the way he flinches, backing up against the hallway wall defensively. The second his shoulders hit the wall he imagines himself being engulfed by it, benign swept away from whatever this conversation was becoming. "What is that supposed to mean?"

At last, Stein's face shifts, the corner of his lips curling upward slowly. "I'm not stupid, Soul, and I know you're not either." The guard takes a step closer to him, the tips of their boots brushing against one another. "The Soul I knew never cared about any royals before. Princess Maka shouldn't be an exception."

Soul swallows against the lump that was starting to form in his throat. For someone who claimed that he wasn't his friend, Stein could read him all too well.

This wasn't him coming to realize that he did have feelings for Maka, because he didn't. He couldn't. In his life, Soul couldn't expect to have feelings for someone like that, not with the circumstances he was dealt.

Nevertheless, he did have a soft spot for Maka. It was just a slither of admiration, something he knew he could never water and allow to flourish. It was a hint of curiosity, wondering what type of reactions he could pull from the Princess. It was the fact that no matter how hard he tried to tell himself the parallels were not there, they were. Maka and he were so alike and yet different at the same time, as if they were two slides of the same blade.

It was like they were just meant to be.

"She's not an exception," he found himself lying, despite it all. "I just… I have to hold myself to higher expectations if I'm a royal guard, right? If I don't want my cover to be blown."

Stein just clicks his tongue, a full-on smile breaking out onto his face as he turns his head, looking down the hallway with half-pointed interest. "Whatever you have to tell yourself to sleep at night." He finally took a step back, wrapping his arms across his chest.

"Lucky for you, it's been years. You're not the same scrawny looking boy that showed up at my doorstep all those years ago," Stein subtly speaks, eyes dropping to the floor. "You look a lot different. I doubt anyone would be able to recognize you easily, especially with how much you've filled out and all the damn scars you have."

Soul just stares at him, his mouth dropped open like a fish.

"No one out this far should be able to recognize you easily anyway. The description that was given after your disappearance was very vague. There are a lot of albino, freckled boys out there, I'm sure." Stein clears his throat, turning his back to him. "You're not the same teenager who practically crawled into these gates dying. I trust that you will make the right decisions to keep yourself safe."

Just like that, Soul finds himself walking back into his bedroom, none of his worries quelled. Steinway was never good at comforting him. He wasn't expecting to feel any better after their conversation anyway, it was just nice to have one person who knew his real story to talk to.

"Soul."

This time Kilik was the one who greets him in their shared bedroom. Blackstar's eyes follow him carefully, a perfectly stilled expression played on his face. "I see why you like Maka," Said Blackstar, no particular emotion lacing his voice.

Soul stopped in his tracks, his eyes flickering from Kilik to Blackstar who were both sitting on the edge of Blackstar's cot hunched over. A nervous laugh escapes him. "What does that mean, Blackstar?" He feels like he's cornered, and he doesn't know why.

Blackstar glances over to Kilik before standing. "I don't know what has happened between the two of you, but I can tell that Maka actually cares about you."

His words hang heavy in the air, each one threatening to suffocate Soul.

"I know you said she was everything we warned you she'd be, but I just didn't see that today. At all. I know an hour-long conversation shouldn't change my perspective on her, but I shouldn't have formed one without even meeting her in the first place."

It feels like a standoff in Soul's head. He should say something, shouldn't he? No words come out of his mouth though as confusion hits him like a bullet to the head.

"What?"

"Maka seems like a nice girl," Blackstar raises his voice slightly, rolling his eyes. "She's funny. She's not some stiff royal. She seems like she really does care about you, and that's nice."

"I don't know what you're getting at here," Soul finds himself saying, unsure of what else he's supposed to say.

"I don't know, either," Blackstar confesses, sounding almost defeated. "I just feel like we all let this whole situation with Maka come between our friendships. We miss you, Soul."

"I think we're starting to understand that you know… You hold Maka close to you now, too."

"And that's okay!" Blackstar hurriedly tacks on. "I think maybe Maka is good for you."

Something snaps in Soul, like a dam breaking. Something in the atmosphere has him feeling the need to finally spill everything that was starting to stack upon his shoulders. So, he tells his two best friends about his newly developing friendship with the Princess. He tells them about the shared nights on the balcony. He tells them about the night in the woods where his necklace was broken.

Neither of them scold actually don't even look surprised.

"I called it from the start," Blackstar says somewhere in between their conversation. "Maka is trying to romanticize you!"

Soul can't help but laugh.

"Oh, he wishes," Kilik comments, "You should have been there when they ate breakfast every morning."

For a moment, things don't seem so scary anymore. Things felt right for once. He's there, with his friends, joking with them instead of feeling on edge for once, and it was like the world finally stopped spinning.


He's running. He's running with every single ounce of energy he has down the gravel path. His lungs are burning in protest with every stride, but he has the lead and there was no way he would give that up now.

"I'm not far behind you, Soul!" A familiar snarky boy comments from behind him. He doesn't bother to turn his head, already knowing that it was Blackstar on his heels.

"You're still behind me, and its staying that way!" He practically barks out, already pumping his legs faster.

"You guys are so fun to train with!" Kilik yells from a few yards behind him, which only makes him laugh.

"Oh my god, I know, right? Maybe it'd be more fun if you kept up!" Blackstar yells from just behind him. He could practically feel the other breathing down his neck by now.

"Keep up, Blackstar! Im about to leave you in the fucking dust!"

Yards in front of him, Soul could make out Ox Ford and Steins figures. They were waiting at the end of the trail for the three of them, looking a little horrified if Soul had anything to comment about it.

His eyes were too focused on the finish line to notice the two unfamiliar figures approaching.

"You're about to eat shit, Soul!" Blackstar practically yells into his ear as he feels a hand grab at his shoulder. His steps falter and he finds himself grabbing onto Blackstar's arm and pulling him up to his side as he evens the two of them out.

"What the hell!" Soul growls, digging his fingernails into Blackstars shoulder. "Are you trying to get us killed?"

"I don't know, maybe!"

They continue running for a moment, their arms interlocked. Soul unravels his arm from Blackstar's, pulling it back with enough force that it has Blackstar faltering over his own feet, tumbling forward.

They're two steps away from the finish line when both he and Blackstar fall onto a heap to the ground, their limbs tangling together again. Soul groans when the back of his head hits the gravel path, the rest of his body half-hazzardly falling over Blackstars.

"What the hell was that?" Ox Ford's voice booms over the two of them as running footsteps come closer.

The second Soul finds himself opening his eyes, Ox Ford swaying in his vision, Stein at his side.

"Are we interrupting something?" An unfamiliar voice speaks from above him, but he doesn't bother to look. With another groan, his head drops to the gravel as Blackstar slaps his shoulder.

"Your highness?"

Ox Ford sways out of his vision, only to be replaced with a sweaty and red Kilik. He acknowledges that Ox Ford is talking to someone in the back of his head, but he's too busy focusing on the shit-eating grin that Kilik was sporting.

"I win, I think," He laughs loudly, extending a hand to Soul. Rolling his eyes, Soul accepts his hand, allowing Kilik to pull him to his feet. Blackstar grains, pulling himself up from where he'd landed.

"That is not fair," Soul bites out, turning to Blackstar. "Star cheated!"

"All is fair in love and war!" Blackstar spat back, wiping the gravel from his training clothes. "Besides, that fall was all your fault."

"It was my fault?" Soul gasped, raising his voice. "You were the one who grabbed onto me first! What were you expecting?"

Blackstar just shrugs, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "I don't know, I was hoping you'd slow down for one, not run even faster."

"Oh, you little-"

Ox Ford clears his throat, grabbing their attention. "Soul," He scolded from behind Blackstar.

His eyes flickered over to the head guard as he acknowledged the two unfamiliar faces standing beside him. They were both dressed nicely, but that was all Soul had picked up on before his eyes were back on Blackstar, fire burning in his veins.

"Sorry," He grumbles, taking a step closer to Blackstar. "I'm calling for a rematch though, that was so unfair."

"Count me out," Kilik snapped, slapping the back of Souls back roughly. "You two can go at it, I'm done."

Soul doesn't acknowledge Kilik, his attention solely set on Blackstar.

"Okay, bet," Blackstar heaved out, wiping the dripping beads of sweat from his forehead. "Back down the trail and back up?"

Soul nods, turning his body back down the path. The two are taking off again so fast that Soul barely catches the two unfamiliar figures watching him with careful eyes.