A/N: Huge hugs to the folks who are reading this, especially the ones taking their valuable time to comment. My brother's passing last year was followed by a severe cardiac issue of my own. Recovering from both took me away from the fandom and writing for a long time, so all the encouragement is appreciated more than I can ever possibly express. Especially since the SE fandom has died off and/or changed a lot. Individual comment responses will be included at the end of each chapter, but I want to give shoutouts to REDEADED, Wordfiend, DJKatt, lochn3ss and Sempiternal Dreamer. You guys are literal lifesavers.

"I'm concerned, Dad."

Lord Death dropped the sample death list his son had prepared.

"About what?" he asked gently. Kid was obviously preoccupied this afternoon, but it wasn't like him to blurt out confidences. Having the boy come to him for advice about the worry constricting his soul wavelength warmed Death right through.

"Maka. That piece of my soul she has..." Kid said slowly, "I'm...I'm not sure it's doing good things for her." It was hard for him to say it out loud; as if the vocalizing the words would manifest his growing fear into reality.

His father responded by turning his head slightly and staring very intently at nothing; a disconcerting habit he had when focusing on other aspects and dimensions simultaneously. Kid often wondered if he looked as otherworldly when he did it. He'd worked up the courage to ask Liz about it once. She said he did, then added in typical big-sister fashion that nobody noticed because he looked weird most of the time, anyway. Family could be less than helpful cometimes.

Death gave his head a microscopic shake and came back to the reality Kid was currently residing in, "I'm talking to her right now." he said, steepling his fingers together thoughtfully,"She seems to be doing fine from my perspective. She's getting better at manipulating the Soul Bomb technique, your resonance team is back online, and she's doing an amazing job with the enhancement there. And both of you are doing well at controlling your personal bond."

"I worry about what it's taking out of her." misgiving tightened Kid's lips, "She's doing too much. Class president, head of Spartoi, head of our team, battling it out with Black Star and Ox for the most pre-Kishin takedowns, and she's a straight-A student on top of it."

"She was all of those things before you started going out with her," his father pointed out, wondering if he'd have to remind his son not to let personal feelings color his judgment.

"Last year she didn't have part of a Reaper soul and wasn't learning how to control it." Kid straightened his sleeves, unconsciously soothing himself with the little exercise in neatness. The Reapers winced in mutual distaste as a tiny stream of sand spilled out of his left cuff and disappeared into the antique Persian rug.

"And last year she wasn't your personal weapons factory, either." Kid couldn't help adding.

"Our personal weapons factory," his father corrected, "And not the only one we have, may I remind you. Don't try to act like you're above the need for them, Kiddo. Playing pacifist isn't an option for you. Our family has a role to play in this world, and sometimes it requires force. A lot of it. You're going to have to face and accept that in spite of your personal feelings. You'll have control of an army someday, and you can't be afraid to use it. As far as the weapon Maka's creating, well, you know as well as I do that if the situation on the moon changes, your team's successful use of the Soul Bomb technique might be our only chance for a favorable resolution."

"I know, and you're right," Kid admitted, "But I worry that we'll never perfect the technique if Maka's stretched too thin. She's exhausting herself."

"I'm assuming you've spoken to her about your concerns." Lord Death doubted Kid would come to him first. About anything.

"Of course I have. She says she's fine."

"Maybe she should come over here and join us. She just left the Death Room."

"I'm sure she wants to go clean up," Kid said shortly, "You know we have a date tonight."

"Yes. Which leads me to wonder why you're working on the death list instead of getting ready yourself." his father teased, hoping to lighten the mood a little.

Kid shot him one of the pissy looks universal to teenagers everywhere, even inhuman ones.

"You wanted my list by Thursday morning, and I'm turning it in early. Is that a problem?"

Lord Death raised his palms in surrender, "Not at all. You're doing a good job, son. I agree with every name you've come up with. There are some missing in the gray areas, but you've found all the major problems that need handling."

"I apologize for snapping," Kid said, looking ashamed of himself, "I don't mean to take my frustrations out on you. As I said, I'm worried. Maka's practically living on those disgusting green health juice things she makes, and she's been spending Black Star-level amounts of time at the gym. She fell asleep at seven o'clock the other night and didn't wake up until morning."

"No harm done, Kiddo. But don't get too worked up, okay? I'm sure Maka is tired - she pushes herself hard. But falling asleep early isn't a sign of impending doom. You get comfy with a good book or a movie, and sometimes you just drift off."

"It's not that I minded; she needs all the rest she can get. But it's extremely unsettling to have someone fall asleep while you're making out with them."

"Oh," his father grimaced, "Ouch. Okay, that's really tired."

Kid arched an elegant eyebrow, "Exactly."

RESPONSES!

Arantir - Thank you for your vote of confidence. I hope this lives up to your expectations!

DJKatt - Your comments and insights are always deeply appreciated. I'm glad the rising action feels right!

Wordfiend - You are the only person with whom I can have a serious conversation about the physics of a Reaper death magic explosion, whether or not it would create Fulgurite and, if so, what would that shit look like?