To His Majesty, King Wesley,
I would like to thank you for keeping me updated on Soul's condition, your letters have truly given me peace of mind over these past few months. I, too, am excited to meet you once more under better conditions. Will you be bringing your guards as well? It would be a pleasure seeing Kid and Crona once again. The invitation for you all to visit, when the time comes, will always be open.
I do hope Cinder is seeing better times and you and your brother's reign. Until we meet again, stay safe- and do tell Soul that Blake misses him dearly for me.
With gratitude, Princess Maka.
The thing Maka learns quick enough is that Blackstar isn't one to hold a grudge against her, despite how majorly she's messed up. Through some form of puzzling agreement, the two of them find themselves in the royal gardens watching the February sun graze the land as bitter winds nip at their skin.
They stand shoulder to shoulder wrapped in their winter cloaks, eyes trained on the horizon. Maka is the first to break their silence as she nudges their shoulders together softly. "I'm sorry again, for yesterday," She admits softly. "I know im not the only one hurting- it was selfish of me to not think about how much you must be hurting too, Blake. I know he was your best friend- I know you two were close. You lost that, and it was selfish of me to take my own anger out on you."
Blackstar only nudges his shoulder back in retaliation. "I know you didn't mean it, I didn't mean to snap at you either. I know how much this has… affected you. I'm not good at the whole comforting thing- I never really have been- but I know with time things will get easier. We can get through this together."
Maka tried to ignore the smile of relief that grew on her face as she turned to her guard. "You mean a lot to me, Blackstar, thank you."
Despite the light armor he wears, Maka hugs him regardless, the act bringing up past memories of awkward hugs she'd given to her past guard in fleeting moments. Beside her, Blackstar just shakes his head, clapping a hand onto her shoulder with care.
"Don't get all sappy on me now, your highness. If we're dont talking can we please go inside where it's warm- Kilik told me the kitchen was making those bomb-ass pastries again."
The tension in the air breaks as Maka pulls away from her guard. Leave it to Blackstar to make things seem normal. "Yeah, sure."
They tread back inside the castle, making their way to the kitchen with familiarity. No cook questions them when they step inside- many bowing in Maka's presence- others giving her a happy wave and a happy 'good morning.'
With Blackstar's help, it takes the two of them only a minute to find Kilik and Kim. The two of them are in the back of the kitchen, moving boxes of pastries around the counters side by side. Maka can't help but notice the smiles they both wear- the familiarity that lingers between the two of them- the way their eyes flicker to one another with tenderness before they both notice the Princess and guard stepping in front of them.
Kim is the first one to pipe up, her smile growing ten-fold once she sees the blinde. "Maka!" She greets happily, pushing the box she'd been holding into Kiliks hands so she could round the counter. "It's been a while! I've missed you!" It takes but a minute for Maka to find herself wrapped in her old friend's arms. With a hefty breath, she hugs back, dropping her chin to her friend's shoulder.
"I've missed you too, Kim," she admits solemnly, quickly shifting her tone from the sadness that had been engulfing her to something a bit happier, "but, Blackstar told me you guys had some fresh pastries."
The moment they part, it's as if life had never changed. It's as if Maka hadn't been avoiding seeing anyone for the past few months. It's as if Maka felt whole again.
The four of them fall into easy conversation as Kilik passes them pastries fresh from the oven. They talk about nothing and everything- the small mundane things about life that Maka almost forgot. Despite the small pit of jealousy that lingers in her gut each time Kilik and Kim eye one another- simple touches shared- she's still happy to be in the presence of her friends.
After the morning she spent in the garden with Blackstar, she makes more of an effort to let her guard into her room more and make frequent visits down to the kitchen.
Despite how hard it is, she manages. Despite the little sleep she still gets- the images that haunt her even when she's away- the screams that ring in her ears and the goosebumps that raise on her skin when she thinks about the past too long- she makes the effort to stop dwelling.
She thinks that the initial shock phase has finally worn off- that, or she's getting better at coping with the pain. It's a little easier to cope once she gets her head out of her ass and realizes she's not the only one who had hurt from that night.
In the time she spends with Kim and Kilik, she thinks about how life used to be. Not the bad parts, of course. She thinks about the happy parts- like the mornings in the garden where she shared breakfast with her previous guard and the silly taunting Kilik would bring. The three of them talk about it with happiness, not pain. It feels good to reminisce on the past in a good light.
In her time she spends with Blackstar, she finds herself growing closer to the guard. They make good friends, she decides. They complement each other well. Every once in a while, Blackstar makes the joke that 'the best friend and the boyfriend' always get along well. Maka doesn't look too far into the joke.
Despite the light-heartedness their friendship holds, Maka learns a lot more about Blackstar in the month of February- about the serious side of him.
She learns the reason the guard hated royals was because his mother had been executed when he was young without trial. It was unfair- his mother paying the price for a crime she never commited. He said his childhood kingdom only held corruption. She learns Blackstar's father had taken him to Eibon at just five years old, hoping to give his son a better life. She learns the reason Blackstar became a guard was so he could follow in his father's footsteps. She learns that Blackstar's motivation for staying a guard was so that he could keep the innocent safe from corruption.
She learns that Soul was Blackstar's first true friend- that Soul had saved Blackstar's ass on more than one occasion. She learns that Blackstar had always looked up to Soul, in a way, and that if it weren't for him, he'd probably be on the run somewhere looking for a purpose in life.
And whether or not she was ever supposed to know this small slither of information- Blackstar slipped up one day.
"I think I realized that the fine line between admiration and something more crossed when we'd been officially sworn into the royal guard."
Maka had stiffened at those words- confused, but understanding all the same when she'd watched Blackstar turn to her with wide eyes.
"Wait, sorry, that probably sounds really bad," Blackstar had said, raising his hands in defense. "I promise I am very much over that part of my life and I am very happy he found you! Just for clarification!"
Maka couldn't help but laugh after that.
Who wouldn't fall for Soul?
"Are- are you making fun of me?"
"No, Star- I just thought it was-"
"Stop, God, don't even continue. I don't want to know. Forget I said anything!"
To Her Highness, Princess Maka,
When we visit again, we would all love to join. I do regret to inform you that Crona has indefinitely resigned from Cinders personal guard. I heard from their time in Eibon, they were your guard? I'm sure you two will cross paths once more, I wager they would love to meet with you once again under different circumstances.
I do have good news for both you and Blake, Maka. Soul is very excited to visit and wishes for me to tell you both how much he misses you two. I am sure he can't wait to tell you of all that has happened here since his return.
Between you and I, as much as he's done here to steer our kingdom in the right direction, this will never be his home. I saw how he looked at you that night at the party, the way he mingled with the crowd at your side as if it were nothing. This place will forever hold memories of the past for him, but Eibon forever holds his future. You hold his future.
I have heard from Their Majesties that Eibon will be holding a ball come the first week of Spring. Until then, Maka, keep your chin up.
With much love, King Wesley.
