#oblivion-time writes

[oblivion-time]

The Dead Tell No Tale

@darkpurply Couldn’t tag but there is a link! has been a wonderful artist and she made the most awesome gifs ever! Especially the last one, you should check it out!

After a charm gone wrong, Maka, Soul, Black*Star, Tsubaki, Liz, Patty, Kid and Marie end up at a haunted school. Dead bodies are around every corner and the threat of death looms over them in the shape of three ghost girls, a man with a chainsaw and other unknown threats lurking in the dark. There is no way out. No way to find each other. Only death is certain.

Pairing: SoulxMaka, LizxTsubakixBlack*Star Rating: Explicit Warnings: Dark themes, gore, character deaths. Not a story for the weak-hearted.

You can read the fic in its entirety at AO3 or FF.net

Chapter 1

Sachiko We Beg of You

Laughter resonated within their home classroom as the seven teens sat in a perfect circle. Black*Star held the candle in front of him and casted haunting shadows disarranging his usual soft and kind face into a horrifying image.

"The librarian went closer and closer…" A wide grin spread on his face as Liz used Tsuabki as a shield, peeking over her shoulder. "… she went over to the student staring out of the window. She patted the student's shoulder and the student didn't respond. The librarian shook the student's shoulder and his head fell off and landed on the ground. All of his teeth were gone and the librarian knew the tooth fairy was real."

Behind Tsubaki Liz quivered madly as she clung onto her friend.

Patty sitting beside her sister laughed like a mad man as she slapped the floor as if the story hadn't been a horror one, but a comedy.

Black*Star growled as he lowered the candle from his face, glaring at Patty. "Hey! You aren't supposed to laugh!"

"But it's funny!" Patty defended.

"It's not! Okay! Having your teeth pulled out and taken by a demon isn't funny!"

"But everybody knows the tooth fairy is good! She leaves money behind and she makes good use of your spoiled teeth."

"Yeah, that story was lame," Soul agreed as he placed his hand on Black*Star's shoulder. "The only one you managed to scary was Liz and she has been scared the whole day!"

Liz threw Soul a deadly look. "Shut up."

Soul snorted. "And what are you going to do? It's not like you will be able to walk with your shaky legs."

Liz gave him the finger.

"Honestly, will you two never make peace?" Kid shook his head slowly from his seat beside Maka. "It's just a bad ghost story. And badly told too."

"Hey!" Black*Star barked. "It was good."

Maka blew a raspberry. "Yeah right. Pausing to say if it was you in that situation you wouldn't even break a sweat is telling a story badly."

"Oh yeah? If you can tell a story better then go on right ahead!"

"Oh no, no, no, no, no!" Liz quickly protested the moment Black*Star closed his mouth, waving her hand in distress as she hid behind Tsubaki's shoulder. "Please, anybody else than Maka! Maka always tells the scariest stories ever!" Liz squeaked.

"It's alright sis," Patty soothed her sister. "It's just a story."

"Actually, this story I'm about to tell you took place within this very building." Maka said as she grabbed the candle and held it in front of her; the light casted eerie shadows on her face, deranging her usual soft cheeks and cute features.

"Please don't Maka. Can we at least turn on the light?"

"Oh no." Gently Maka shook her head. "This incident actually happened during a rainy day, just like this one, around this very time of the day, a hundred years ago."

All the teenagers' eyes were on her, holding their breaths at Maka's too serene voice.

"A teacher wandered the halls of the elementary school, making sure all the children had gone home for the day. After checking the last classroom on the top floor, she closed and locked the door." Maka imitated the creaking door. Liz squeezed her eyes tightly shut as if it would make the story disappear. Soul watched Maka's composed expression as cool terror wandered up his spine. "She headed down the stairs when suddenly―" her voice crescendo, "―the step under her foot broke and she tumbled down the stairway. She shrieked in pain and instantly, her scream came to an end. When her body hit the ground, her neck was broken."

"Is that the end?" Liz cracked her eye open.

Maka smirked, the shadows on her face made her look insane. "No. The news of the teacher's death reached the public. The community questioned the safety of the school, and eventually a decision was made. The school was closing. The principle was devastated, so ashamed his beloved school was closing. He was so ashamed of himself he covered his face with a mask and jumped off the building to his death."

"Boring!" Black*Star exclaimed, arms boastfully tied behind his head, but everybody had caught the slight tremble from his hands.

"That's not the end." Maka turned to her childhood friend. "The school was closed, but from the day of the accident and to the day the school closed, people reported hearing voices from the corridors of a female, calling for anybody still left in the building."

Soul let out a shaky breath, trying to maintain his cool and the fact that he did absolutely not under any circumstances have goose bumps on his arm hidden under his leather jacket. Maka was way too good of a storyteller. She would make even the most stable person uneasy. Even their "god" didn't want to admit it, he was scared too.

"Come on, that's just a bunch of bullshit you've come up with! That does not have a based on a true story stamp on it!" Black*Star bolstered.

"Actually anything can have a based on a true story stamp and be completely legal," Kid pitched it.

"Even if it wasn't true, you were scared," Soul spoke.

"Hey! I wasn't!"

"Oh yeah? How come you were biting your nails the entire time?" Soul grabbed Black*Star's wrist and he raised his hands, showing off the bite-damaged nails hanging loose from his fingernails and the sore irritated skin on his fingers.

Black*Star slapped Soul's hand away as their friends laughed at Black*Star and he hid his hand from them. "Uncool. You were supposed to be on my side!"

"Can we please just turn on the lights!" Liz begged, her voice shaking and her nails digging into Tsubaki's shoulder. Tsubaki empathetically patted her hand calmly.

"Okay fine." Maka stood up and she went over to the light switch just by the classroom door and flipped it on. The classroom was once again bathed in light and the rain drops dripping on the glass was seen. The classroom was already cleaned and ready for class on Monday after their Halloween festival the school held. All the scary Halloween decorations were no more around and their bloody school costumes were gone and in their lockers.

Liz let out a sigh of relief and she went slack against Tsubaki.

"That was a lot of fun!" Patty cheered as she jumped up on her legs to Maka blowing out her candle. "Maka you sure do know a lot of ghost stories!"

"Thanks. I get a lot from Miss Lady Arachne's blog and Tezca Tlipoca's work."

"Oh please can somebody stop her before nobody can shut her up," Soul muttered and he earned a hard glare from Maka, but she didn't say anything to him. Even a tease wasn't enough to earn a sound from her directed toward him.

"It's a very interesting story. You should write a script for us to play out in the theatre club," Kid suggested as he rested his chin against his palm, obviously coming up with the idea at the moment.

"That would actually be really cool—"

Soul rolled his eyes into his head as Maka gushed toward Kid when the lights went out.

Liz let out a nervous laugh. "W-w-what is going on?!"

"Who turned the lights off?!" Patty exclaimed.

"What the fuck did you do Maka?" Soul accused.

"I-I didn't do anything!" Maka defended.

"Bullshit! You're the one standing closest to the switch!" Black*Star sneered.

"It's not because of the light switch," Kid said. "Look out in the corridor! Even the lights outside are off!"

"It must be a black out or a plug must've gone." Tsubaki reasoned.

"It's not a black out. Look out of the window. The lights in the other windows are still on. A plug must've gone," Kid said.

"A plug at this hour? We didn't even use any energy sources!" Liz exclaimed. "Oh man what is going on?!"

"Everyone be quiet!" Maka overpowered her classmates' panicked voices. "Listen."

Everyone grew quiet. Liz quivered in fear as she bit on her nails, clinging onto Tsubaki as tightly as she could. Someone grew closer to Maka from the sounds of soles as quietly being dragged toward her. From the direction of the source of the sound, it belonged to someone she did not want close to her.

All the teens listened. Outside in the corridor something was dragged against the floor and then thudded. Something was dragged and then a thud rung outside in the dark corridor. The pattern repeated and it grew closer.

It was footsteps.

Soul held his breath as he stood close to Maka, ready for whatever would happen. Tsubaki grabbed Liz's hand and squeezed it tightly.

The footsteps had Soul's heart rushing within his chest and his senses in readiness as the sound of the footsteps stopped. Right outside of the classroom. The door handle was pushed down slowly and the door creaked as it slowly cracked open.

"Is aNYoNe iN tHeRE?"

The teens shrieked loudly in horror.

The lights were suddenly turned on and the door slid further open, revealing none other than their homeroom teacher, Miss Marie Mjolnir.

Miss Marie let out a hearty laughter as she rested against the door frame. "You were all so scared!" Maka went up to her teacher, earning confused glances from Soul when she gave Miss Marie a high-five and grinned just as wide.

"I call that a mission accomplished!" Maka cheered.

"Wait…! Was this just a prank?!" Liz screamed.

"Can't your teacher pull one simple prank on you?" Miss Marie grinned wide. "Oh I haven't had this much fun in a while! Maka here explained her plan and I just couldn't resist! You know I was young once and I pulled a similar prank on my classmates like this one."

"What the fuck?!" Black*Star screamed and his hands balled. "Are you trying to overshadow the mighty prankster ME! You can't overshadow the GOD of PRANKS with lame ass pranks like this!"

"Oh yeah?" Maka crossed her arms over her chest. "This was just the beginning! I still haven't forgotten the time you put a tarantula in my hair!"

"Come on, it was just a prank bro—"

Soul put his hand on Black*Star's shoulder. "I suggest you don't finish that sentence if you want to live."

Black*Star blew a raspberry. "As if she could take me down! I'm the almighty ME! Miss tiny tits has nothin' on me!"

Miss Marie clapped her hands and earned her students' attention and broke off the glare war between Maka and Black*Star that was just starting. "It's getting late and your parents must start wondering where you are. The janitor will soon come and start locking the school up."

"Wait hold on!" Maka ran over to her messenger bag she had left on her desk and swung it over her shoulder. She opened her lid and she started running her hands through it before she pulled up an odd paper doll; one that had abnormally long arms going down to the paper doll's knees. Maka turned toward Tsubaki as she held the paper in her hands. "Since this is your last day of school before you're transferring to Japan, I thought we could do this charm."

It was right. Tsubaki was transferring. Her parents had grown tired of the life in the USA and longed to return home to Japan where their older son was already studying at university. All of their friends were shocked when she broke the news to them of her transferring at the beginning of their senior year. They thought her parents would wait until she had finished high school, but they longed for Japan and their summer vacation there hadn't quenched their thirst, instead it had poured gasoline on the flame.

It was heart-breaking to lose their friend. Now Maka would no longer have her only friend she could speak Japanese with. Liz wouldn't have her best friend around and Black*Star would lose her. The Halloween festival was supposed to be a fun time with their friends and classmates, but instead it had been rough for the friend group. They were supposed to have the day of their lives and have a fun Halloween weekend together with plenty of horror movies and ghost stories and sleepovers, but instead it would be gloomy with Tsubaki packing up her last things and going on a plane to Japan.

A soft smile had spread on Tsubaki's lips as she quizzically glanced at the paper doll. "What kind of charm is it?"

"It's a charm to bind us all together. After we do this charm, we will always have a part of each other with us and we will never be apart."

Tsubaki paused before she nodded. "Okay, let's do it."

A wide smile spread on Maka's face and she nodded eagerly. "Everyone gather around in a circle."

The teens didn't question it. They all gathered in a circle and their homeroom teacher was left looking at them, until Tsubaki noticed it.

"Please join us Miss Marie," Tsubaki encouraged.

"You want me to join?"

"Of course!" Patty chirped. "You're our homeroom teacher!"

Miss Marie didn't object. Quite frankly, she was happy of the impact she had made on these kids. After she had graduated from university and gotten her first teaching job at Shibusen High, she was assigned their class, and she couldn't be happier. As much as she taught them, they taught her too. When she was in the process of divorcing her ex-husband Frank, the kids had been understanding and kind when she was more than flustered and the classes she had to cancel to meet with her divorce attorney. The kids reminded her of how foolish she had been when she was young. Letting the true love of her life go in favour of acting as a caretaker of the mentally ill man who under no circumstances wanted any help, simply wanted her company and her to take care of his home and patching him up when he had his hallucinations and psychotic breaks. She hadn't been able to take it anymore and, the kids had helped her realise the mistake she had done.

It was emotional to see one of her students leaving her. She dreaded the day of their high school graduation and she would have to let this wonderful class of bright and passionate students go.

This one last engagement in a playful charm she could do. For Tsubaki.

Black*Star and Patty made room between them for their teacher and Maka held out the paper doll toward them.

"You have to listen carefully if you want the charm to succeed. I want all of you to grab a hold of the paper doll and close your eyes. Then you'll chant Sachiko we beg of you for everyone present. That will be… six… seven… eight. Eight times."

"A perfect eight. Marvelous," Kid said pleased as he looked at his friends, earning smiles from them.

"After everyone has said it eight times, we will rip the paper doll and it will be done!" Maka cheered. "Everybody got it memorised?"

"Say Sachiko we beg of you eight times. Rip the paper doll. We got it," Soul repeated her instructions.

"Good. Now everybody grab a hold of the paper doll and close your eyes."

The classmates and their homeroom teacher grabbed a hold of the paper doll and their eyes fluttered shut. Silence filled the air as they chanted the words in their mind. Moments went by until they cracked their eyes open and Maka was first to break the silence.

"Are everybody done?" She received nods from her friends. "Then rip it!"

Everybody pulled at their piece of the doll and it tore into eight pieces.

"Good job everyone!" Maka beamed. "Now you keep your piece of the doll on you and we will forever be together forever!"

Black*Star raised his eyebrow as he peered at his piece. "How the hell will a piece of paper keep us together?"

"It doesn't work like that. It's more like a token. Whenever we look at the scrap of paper we will think of each other and everybody who were present during the charm," Kid explained with ease, and Maka nodded at the precis conclusion.

"Exactly. You can keep your piece of your paper in your student ID so you can always have it close to you."

Soul quizzically looked at the paper, but he did as Maka said and slid the paper inside of his student ID holder.

Miss Marie clapped her hands and earned the attention of the students. "We need to leave before the janitor locks us all inside. Grab your belongings and we shall all say our goodbyes outside—"

Miss Marie's voice drowned when the ground started to shake violently. Maka gasped loudly and Soul quickly latched onto her, stabilizing her from falling to the ground.

"Everybody get under the desks!" Miss Marie declared.

Lamps swung violently, one after another the cord snapped and hit the ground.

"Look out." Liz tackled Tsubaki out of the way, milliseconds away from a lamp crashing on her skull.

Floor boards creaked loudly, nails sprouting from the floor as if they were a breed of iron flowers. The wood cracked, splitting open and falling down to an endless abyss. Screams filled the air as the gap rapidly grew larger. Their desks one by one fell down into the growing hole growing rapidly closer to them. The floor underneath Soul and Maka's feet disappeared, clinging desperately onto each other as they fell. Maka reached toward their friends as if they could catch them from their fate. Tsubaki and Liz screamed at the top of their lungs as they fell down, the floor completely collapsed and all of them fell into the strange abyss.

[oblivion-time]

A Queen Meant To Reign 4/7

After Soul’s father’s death, the crown will fall upon his head. Maka, the Queen of Scotland has to marry the next King of France in order to assure her kingdom’s safety from their rivalling country. Their marriage has been planned since their infancy, all that is left is to tie the knot. Something that’s more difficult than they thought. A Reign AU.

You can read the story on ff.net and AO3

Picking up the Pieces

Soul's heart speeded in his chest, banging against his ribcage as if it would burst through. He cared for Maka a lot and he wanted to marry her really badly, but if her theory was correct, he didn't know what to feel. He cared for his mother too. She had cared for him diligently when he was a child. His mother took her job as parent very seriously and took on raising him herself. She breastfed him when he was a baby. She taught him how to walk and she was always there. He was close to his mother, but he adored Maka. There was nothing more he wanted than to marry her.

If Maka's theory was correct, he would lose one of them.

He inhaled loudly before he rounded the corner. He stormed toward his mother's chamber and her two personal guards secured her chamber like usual. He came to a stop in front of them.

"I am here to see my mother. It's urgent," he stated.

The guard opened up the door and announced Soul's arrival. He entered and found his mother behind her desk with a variety of herbs and flowers on the desk. Some might think she was perfecting a perfume, but to him, he knew she was working on a poison. Not a good sign.

"Soul, what I pleasant surprise." She rose from behind her desk and greeted her son with a tight embrace and a kiss on his cheeks. "I was expecting you to be busy entertaining our guests. Weren't you supposed to have an archery tournament today?"

"There is a matter I have to discuss with you first," he informed and pulled away from his mother's warm hug which had always seemed to take away all of his troubles.

"Of course, my child." She held his shoulders and guided him to her couch and took a seat. "So, have you met any pleasant women? Lady Anya Hepburn seemed very agreeable and she certainly was after your favour."

Ah. Lady Anya. The bold lady who did not need an introduction, but went up to him and introduced herself and asked for a dance, which he had respectfully declined in favour of searching for the one person he wanted to see. As hard as he had tried to search for her within the ball room, he could not find her with all the women wanting to converse with him and he had sent his brother to try and find her.

"I am an engaged man, mother."

Her eyes softened and she cupped his face. "You are sweet. If only your father could've such a kind heart."

He grabbed her hand and removed it. "What I don't understand is why all these women are here?"

Kathrine raised her eyebrow at her son quizzically. "The upcoming masquerade ball, of course. The ladies are coming from important noble families and it would be very rude of us not to invite them."

"Mother…" Soul breathed out and he ran his hand through his hair. "We never have this many female guests who just happens to be of age to wed."

"What are you trying to say?"

"What I'm trying to say is: I care about Maka and I really do want to marry her, but Maka is worried about a pattern starting to form."

"What pattern?" Kathrine sternly asked.

"The fact father won't set a wedding date for us. The fact an assassin managed to get that close to her in the middle of court or how you and father swept it under the rug like it was nothing without questioning the assassin. Oh, and how another attempt on her life took place only two days ago and the servant received the same treatment."

"She suspects we had anything to do with it?" she sneered.

"She's afraid," Soul stated. "She thinks she does not only have the Englishmen she has to look out for, but you too. She fears if she stays here, she will end up dead."

"Is she leaving?" Kathrine's voice rose as if she had gained new hope, as if she was a dying woman in a desert who had just laid their eyes on water. Her voice carried so much hope, far more hope than her message should've held.

Soul had opened his mouth to respond, when the realization struck him. His eyes widened and he repelled from her on the couch.

"It was you."

"I— you are silly—"

"You need to stop this." Soul growled and raised an accusatory finger at her. "You won't lay a hand on her."

"Is the pull really that strong?" Kathrine pleaded as she reached toward her son who backed away from her touch.

"Yes!" Soul exclaimed. "I love her."

The words left his lips so easily. Writing it down in his letters in Maka's absence had been easy. He ardently cared for her on such a deep level, but he could never admit it to her face. Every time he looked into her emerald eyes sparkling brighter than the finest jewellery, his being was consumed by flames. When he admired her from afar and she would suddenly turn around and their eyes would lock, his knees grew weak and his heart tugged to be closer to her; forever be in her favour and holding the one title he wanted more than king, Maka's husband.

He loved her. He genuinely loved her and now when he had said it once, he wanted to say it to her. Those three sweet words that describe his feelings perfectly had always lived within him.

From the moment Maka arrived at French court for the first time when they were six years. He loved her when he hung out with Black*Star and threw apples on her to try and gain her attention which only pushed her away to his surprise and dismay. Black*Star had promised it would work and it hadn't. He loved her when he desperately tried to make amends with her by treating her with compassion and warmth his brother had advised him to do if he wanted her friendship. He loved her when they found themselves under the night sky searching for fireflies. He loved her when he prefer watching her diligently study while he neglected his own. His love for her was overflowing when it was time for her to hide in the convent and he kissed her. His love for the Queen of Scots was flared when he laid his eyes on her again after so many years apart.

All this time he had loved her dearly and he loved her with such a passion he forsake all others for her. There was only one woman he had in mind to wed, and if his mother would drive her away, he would never marry anyone. Maka was the only one and if he couldn't be with her, he would rule alone.

"I love her," he whispered again, enjoying the sound and the tingling sensation in his fingers. "I want to marry her and I don't understand why you and father would try to get rid of her like this."

Kathrine opened her mouth before she closed it. "She is not a good match for you."

"It was you who arranged our engagement!" Soul sneered. "She was good enough then and she is good enough now. Stop your lies or I swear I will reject the crown and the family and run away with Maka."

"You're bluffing."

"Am I? I can tell Maka and we can be on the first boat to Scotland this afternoon."

"If you did you would rattle the line of succession and you would be nothing more than a mere peasant."

"Then I will rattle the line of succession and put France in jeopardy," Soul growled. "If I have to give up my birth right and family to be with her, I will do it within a heartbeat. I don't care if I can only be her royal servant or her secret lover. As long as I am around her, it is enough for me."

"You wouldn't do that to your family— to France."

"Maka is my family. My allegiance is with her and has been ever since we met. I will be with her and we're going to leave France so we can be together and—"

"No." Kathrine grabbed his wrist. "Don't do this."

"Give me a reason not to."

Kathrine's lips tightened. "… the only reason we arranged the marriage between you and Maka is because your father wants power and an alliance against England, but the situation in Scotland has gotten far worse than we thought. If you would marry Maka, her country would weight France down and drain our resources."

"Then we help them! We are alliances. They would've helped us if the tables were turned."

"Help them?" Kathrine snorted. "The Englishmen are by their boarders and Scotland needs men, men we don't have to spare. We're already spreading our forces too thin on all battlefronts. Scotland has only one front to protect which they have to protect for themselves."

"That's heartless," Soul barked. "We're talking about Maka's country!"

"And you are too attached to Maka to see reason." Kathrine went up to him and grabbed his shoulders. "You need to let go of her. When it's time for you to wear the crown Scotland will be your demise."

"No it won't." Soul ripped her hands off him. "I love Maka and I'm going to marry her. You will stop with your attempts on her life and support our union because I know the fondness you held for her when she was young is still there within you."

"My fondness for her disappeared once Scotland was tying a noose around your neck."

"You don't know that." His hand was drawn to the handle of his sword, letting his hand rest on the golden handle he never thought he would use to threaten his mother. "And if I find out there is another attempt on her well-being of any kind, I will blame you for it and Maka and I will leave France." He turned on his heel and started heading toward the door.

"I am doing all of this for you, why won't you see it?" she exclaimed and Soul stopped right at the door, looking over his shoulder.

"All I'm seeing is you're threatening the love of my life." He exited her room.

…

Maka grabbed an arrow from the stand and loaded her bow. She raised her weapon and she aimed toward the target. Her hand released the arrow and it went soaring, hitting the target right in the middle.

She had not lost her touch.

It was a skill she needed now when threats on her life seemed to become a new normal. When the third attempt on her life would come, she would be ready. If she had to leave the country, she was sure the third attempt would be just around the corner. Then she would be ready and this time, she would not let the queen or king hide behind a puppet they used to kill her. If they wanted her dead, the alliance was off, and she would drag it out to the light so everybody could see. Only in the light of the news, other potential alliances would come forward with offers of matrimony.

She loaded the bow and aimed at the target, letting the arrow fly and it hit the middle of the target once again.

"Your archery is impeccable," Wes called as he approached her on the lonely archery field. "I wished a fraction of the French forces had the same talent as you."

"A royal needs a set of skills to be able to protect herself," she easily answered and loaded her bow, aiming at the target, imagining Queen Kathrine standing in front of the target. Her treachery heart was her arrow aimed at. "Who wears the crown will always have enemies, and those enemies do not care about your gender." She released the arrow and it hit Queen Kathrine straight in her heart.

"I'm sorry if I offended you," Wes apologized. "I simply mean your skills are admirable. Are you going to participate in the archery contest this afternoon? I would surely enjoy seeing you wipe the floor with Giriko and Soul."

A smile spread on her face and she afforded a short laugh. "Is it not considered treason if you cheer for anybody else than your brother?"

He chuckled as he grabbed a bow for himself and an arrow. "Not when I cheer for his fiancé. You are after all the future Queen of France."

She went silent.

As the situation was now, she would be no Queen of France, not even have any ties to France at all other than her deep affection for the heritor of the French crown.

"With all the ladies present at court with dowries that could rival my own, do you think they really want me to wed Soul?" Maka asked as she grabbed another arrow, her fingers caressing the feathers as she loaded the arrow.

"Of course they do. Scotland and France have had an alliance for years and we all know my father wants power and land more than anything. No money could make up for the fact he could get his hands on Scotland with one simple marriage." Wes released his arrow and the arrow hit close to bull's eye, but not quite. "Besides, once he witnesses your excellent archery, he will have to set the date and take you out for a day of hunting."

Maka blew a raspberry. "But if your father was of that nature, how come he hasn't set the date?"

"Preparations for the wedding or diplomacy." Wes shrugged his shoulders as he grabbed another arrow. "Who knows what policies or plots they have in their heads. That's why I don't want a title or get involved with it. I don't know how you or my family manages it."

"It's not an easy task." Maka lowered her bow and she faced him. "Believe me, I wished my parents had a son before me so I could've been free to wed the man I love without it being a political move. I would've wanted that freedom more than anything." she sighed heavily and she put away her bow. "But I have been dealt these cards and I will have to do the best as I can for Scotland because I am her only ruler. If I can't take care of her, the Scottish monarchy will fall and be replaced with a government. She needs me and I will do everything I can in order to protect her from any threat."

"When you put it like that, it sounds like a true blessing."

"A blessing indeed, it is." She respectfully lowered her head. "And if you excuse me, I will have to find my ladies."

"But aren't you interested in what Soul is doing?"

She halted in her step, turning toward Wes. "I'm listening."

"He was quite stressed this morning, he told me he wanted me to remain by your side and assure your safety while he would have a conversation with his mother."

Her breath was lost and her eyes widened at the news.

She wasn't sure his words held any weight. It had been a very painful moment for both of them and she feared his words were only spoken to lick their wounds. He… he meant it and he went to his mother to confront her about her theory. It would determine if she could stay in France and wed him.

A sense of relief washed over her. "I need to see him."

"I will show you to him."

She followed him. Soul had informed Wes of a place where they could meet, away from the probing eyes of the ladies threatening her position at French court. She wasn't surprised when Wes took her to the tower where her old quarters were, where they first kissed. Worry rooted in her core when she saw Soul through the cracked open door standing by the window with concern in his eyes.

"Soul…" she whispered as she pushed the door open. His head whipped toward her and hurt ached her heart when she saw tears brimming in his eyes.

"… you were right," he whispered and his gaze lowered to his hands fiddling the hem of his sleeve.

She closed the space between them and wrapped her arms around him. He buried his face in the crook of her neck and held onto her for dear life. "I take no pride in this."

"I still cannot believe she would do that," he murmured. "She knows how I feel about you and trying to— I thought she cared more about me than that."

"I believe she cares about you, it's me she does not approve."

"But I do," he sobbed.

She ran her hand through his hair and petted his neck as she held him in her arms. Comfortingly she planted a kiss on his temple.

"I told her if she valued me as a son, she would no longer threat your security." He pulled away from her and he blinked away his tears. "You are safe. You don't have to leave anymore."

"But what about your father? We need a date," she asked cautiously as she held his hands in hers.

"I have requested a private audience with my mother and father after the archery tournament. Together we will ask them for our wedding date. My mother will no longer stand in our way."

A smile spread on her face and she cupped his cheek. "Thank you. For all you have done."

"We are engaged. I'm your partner and I will always have your side."

She rose on her feet and planted a sweet kiss.

"Now if you're finished, you might want to fill me in on what's going on." Wes asked as he leaned against the door frame.

…

Out of all people Soul had to fall in love with, it had to be his fiancée. Out of all the people who would cause her son's death, it had to be Maka Albarn the Queen of Scotland. Kathrine wished for her son's happiness, there was nothing more she wanted than to see her son happily married to a woman he loves, but his life weighted heavier than his happiness.

She cursed Maka for deducting she was behind the poisoned wine. She cursed for turning her son against her and now if she tried to compromise their union, Soul would resent her. He wouldn't care if he had proof or not, he would accuse her all the same and turn against her. She could not have her son run off to Scotland and abandon the crown.

Merely looking at her made her stomach turn in despise for her.

It made it all worse as she kept on advancing and advancing and advancing in the archery tournament. It went to the point she started thinking she would actually win. If so, she could've used this moment to poison the victory rose with a slow poison that would've slowly killed her. Of course Soul would instantly accuse her of her decreasing health and he would disown her.

Oh if there was only a way!

Queen Maka once again hit the bull's eye and the audience applauded, gaining another point against her opponent the English Ambassador. My, oh my, oh my. Such an exciting match between England and Scotland and it seemed like Scotland would win to Giriko's dismay.

But she would not win against Soul in the final.

If he did not feel like throwing away his victory to please his fiancée, which he would probably do.

Queen Maka hit the bull's eye and won her match against the English Ambassador who threw his bow on the ground. The final had arrived and Soul entered the fields with his bow.

Eibon inhaled loudly from behind her.

She recognized the sound all too well. The sound of the sudden vision he got. She turned her head slightly. "What did you see?"

"Queen Maka… and Prince Soul," he whispered back.

"What about them?"

"Prince Soul…" he whispered. "He's no longer going to die. But Queen Maka will. By an arrow. But… he will willingly follow her into her grave."

Queen Kathrine's lips tightened as she inhaled deeply.

…

"You made it too easy for me," Maka grinned as she held the victory red rose in her hand. "I thought you were trained by the finest masters of archery, far superior masters than the nun who knew the basics of archery."

Soul chuckled heartily. "For your information, I did try my very hardest. All my opponents up until you threw away their chance at victory in fear of angering the king." He brushed her shoulder with his. "But I guess you do not fear the King of France."

Maka blew a raspberry. "Why would I fear him? Now when you have warned your mother, there is nothing to fear. Besides one day he will become my in-law." A smile spread on her face and she gently caressed his hand. "And I have you by my side."

"You will always have it."

Her cheeks flushed and she allowed her pinkie to entwine with his.

"Prince Soul!"

Oh death she wanted to wring the girl's neck.

They turned around to find the one bold girl: Anya Hepburn. She tilted her head cutely and looked at Soul with such a gaze that had her stomach turning.

"You will have to excuse us, we have a private audience with the king and queen." Soul bowed his head respectfully to Anya. Soul boldly wrapped his arm around Maka's waist and he led her toward the throne room. "Besides, I can't have my fiancée go envious because of a lady who has no claim on me or interest on my part," Soul whispered into her ear.

"Was it that obvious?"

"Yes, and it's understandable. I would be bothered too if someone tried to lay a claim on you."

"But I trust you. I know where your heart lies and I shouldn't be bothered." Maka said.

"And I trust you too, but being bothered or concerned only shows you care and treasure me. It is quite flattering." His thumb gently caressed her spine. "But I would rather not see this bitter feeling within you. It may momentarily flatter me, but I would rather not you feel such a bitter feeling."

"The same goes for you."

They arrived to the throne room and to their comfort, the heavy wooden doors closed behind them, leaving them alone with the King and Queen of France. King Alistair and Queen Kathrine sat on their throne with their heads held high.

"Well? What causes this private audience?" King Alistair spoke.

"You know why," Soul said, grabbing Maka's hand and entwined their fingers now when no guards or servants could witness their intimacy. "We want a wedding date."

King Alistair rolled his eyes. "Here we go again."

"We want to marry each other and you are preventing it." Maka spoke with strength. "You are holding it off and you know not announcing a wedding date between Soul and I will only weaken France in the eyes of the enemy."

King Alistair slowly lowered his hand he had rested his chin in boredom, now dedicating his full attention toward her.

"I am aware like you are aware the Scottish and French alliance has kept foes at bay and now with the blatant absence of a wedding date, our enemies are noticing. I would not be surprised if the Englishmen started pushing the battlefront at Calais or the Englishmen started making an alliance with Navarre." Maka threw the words like knives at the royalties on their thrones. To her surprise, King Alistair broke out laughing.

"Ah, Queen Maka," he laughed heartily with a smile on his lips. "You are more intelligent than I thought."

"Since this is so amusing, then humour me this. You want Scotland as your alliance. If you did not, you would've broken off the engagement. Tell me why you are showing the world the fragile alliance between Scotland and France. What are you gaining from this waiting?"

"My, my, so feisty." King Alistair stood up from his throne, jaw paralleled with the floor as he superiorly stared her down. "You are going to need it if you are going to go head-to-head against England."

"England?" Soul questioned.

"Yes I have been putting off the wedding intentionally," King Alistair confessed. "I was waiting for England to make their move."

"What are you talking about?" Queen Kathrine now turned toward her husband, leaving Maka confused as well over the surprise in her tone. There had always been an asymmetry in their ruling, but she thought Queen Kathrine was somewhat informed on their situation.

"We all know the Queen of England is ill and soon, she will have to name her successor. Her choices are between her bastard daughter Arachne who is a protestant or you, Queen of Scots."

"Me?" Maka asked baffled.

"Arachne is a bastard and a protestant, but you, you are a catholic and you have a claim to the English throne by blood." King Alistair informed with superiority in his air. "You are the logical choice for England. You are a catholic and related to the Queen of England by blood. The English throne is your birth right."

It clicked for her.

All this time when her engagement to Soul was announced when they were simply toddlers, it was all for England. King Alistair took her claim to the English throne in account and all this time, they weren't protecting her from the Englishmen simply because she would be the future Queen of France, but because King Alistair saw it was his chance to get his hands on two countries in one marriage and crush the major enemy to France.

"You want me to lay a claim on England, don't you?" Maka spoke.

"That is my term. Agree and I will have the wedding at the end of the month."

"Father that is too dangerous!" Soul yelled. "She would declare herself as an enemy to England for life."

"She is already a threat to the Englishmen. It's not going to change anything." King Alistair waved it away.

"You are out of your mind!" Queen Kathrine screamed at her husband to Maka's surprise. "If Maka lays a claim on England and they choose Arachne as her successor France would permanently become England's foe and they would surely do everything in their power to crush us. Is that the legacy you want to leave behind to your son when he bears the crown?!"

"The only thing I'm leaving behind is three kingdoms for you to rule! I'm leaving you a French empire to rule at your disposal." King Alistair screamed.

"I do not want to put France in danger!" Soul yelled back as his hand on Maka's tightened. "All I want to rule is France with Maka by my side. I do not want war, I want peace."

"And so do I. I do not wish to anger England any further. I have no desire to lay any claim on England." Maka backed him up.

King Alistair smirked as he took a seat on his throne again. "You think there is a choice? This is no choice. You have to lay your claim on England."

"And I refuse."

"Then France will break the alliance and you will not marry my son. Scotland will become an enemy to France and you will no longer have to worry only about England."

"You are threatening her with war?" Soul exclaimed. "Father this alliance has been set for years. You can't simply tear it up because of England."

"This alliance was always set for England!" He banged his fist on the wooden armrest of his throne. "I want England and she will give England to me." King Alistair straightened his neck. "I expect you will comply by the night of the masquerade ball."

[oblivion-time]

A Queen Meant To Reign 5/7

After Soul’s father’s death, the crown will fall upon his head. Maka, the Queen of Scotland has to marry the next King of France in order to assure her kingdom’s safety from their rivalling country. Their marriage has been planned since their infancy, all that is left is to tie the knot. Something that’s more difficult than they thought. A Reign AU.

You can read the story on ff.net and AO3

Touch

"What do you mean my son will follow her into the grave?" Queen Kathrine scorned at Eibon in his quarters at the castle.

"Exactly what I said. I can see Maka's death. She dies because of an arrow and then… it is unclear but I can see Soul's life ending because of her death."

"Oh lord…" Queen Kathrine sighed as placed her hand upon her chest. "First he will die because of their union, now he will die because the love of his life dies. This prevents me from laying a hand on her," she murmured. "Did you see who killed Maka?"

"No, your majesty. All I see is the arrow striking her right in the heart."

She could only laugh at the irony of the situation. She had tried to poison her and now there was someone else trying to have her head, which she was not surprised. Someone tried to have her assassinated and she had no objections helping the real culprit get away. Now, she would have to protect Maka in order to save her own son from himself.

"What is it that changed this? Any of your past prophesies never did this before."

"I do not know, your majesty. But it seems fate itself is unsure of their fate. It seems they want that one arrow to define their future."

"Great." Kathrine turned on her heel. "I will simply have to make sure no arrows are present under any circumstances."

…

Maka slipped inside of Soul's bed chamber and silently closed the door behind her. Soul sat on his couch and exhaled with relief the moment his eyes laid on her.

"Were you seen?" Soul asked.

She shook her head, approaching Soul slowly. He stood up and their hands entwined and they both took a seat on the comfortable silk of the coach.

After the private audience, there simply wasn't any moment for them to talk about it in peace. Before and after the archery tournament, Soul had dedicated his full attention to her and now the ladies living in the castle were hungering for Soul's favour. Ladies were around every corner and begged to have a moment to converse with him. They had to wait until night fell and the castle fell silent before they could talk in peace. Maka knew the castle like the back of her hand and she had always been better at sneaking around the castle undetected, it was much easier for her to sneak inside of Soul's bed chamber, especially since he dismissed his guards usually guarding his door.

"What are we going to do about claiming England?" Soul finally asked.

"Your father does not exactly give us any choice. If I don't do it, he is essentially declaring France Scotland's enemy, knowing Scotland can barely keep the English off our land," Maka murmured as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"Of course you always have a choice. Claiming England isn't an easy task. You would publicly announce yourself as England's greatest threat. Simply because of your legitimate right to the throne frightens the Englishmen already. Think what they will do if you publicly claim the throne."

Maka sighed heavily as she buried her face in his neck, enjoying his scent of earth, salt and sun. "I'm already the enemy of England. They had tried to kill me my entire life. Not even hiding in the convent kept me safe from them. They won't stop under any circumstances."

"What if you sent the Queen of England a letter offering peace in exchange for vanquishing your claim on the English throne?"

"Your father would become my new enemy. Besides the Queen of England would never agree. My mother has already tried and she refused."

"But isn't there anything we could use as leverage to push through the peace without you laying a claim on the throne?"

Maka blew a raspberry. "If I had I would've already used it."

"But there got to be a way. Laying a claim on a throne is dangerous."

She shrugged her shoulders. "Not a way I know of. If there was such a way, it would still anger your father and he would find a reason to have my head."

"Except…" Soul straightened his back, arousing Maka from her comfortable seat against Soul. He turned toward her, eyes glimmering with hope. "My father does not have to know."

Maka raised her eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

A smirk grew on his face. "I think we should deceive him."

"Deceive him? That's treason! He would have my head—"

"He wouldn't dare. He is well aware you are his only means on gaining England. He wouldn't burn that bridge that quickly" His hand on her tightened. "It's not like you would have to publicly lay your claim on England immediately. He would want you to wait for the right moment. The moment Queen of England dies, he will want you to stake your claim. In the meantime, who knows what could happen. My father could die of an illness or something. Then you wouldn't have to claim England."

"Yes, but won't you pressure me to lay my claim?"

"Of course not if that is not what you want." He stared deeply in her eyes. "I am on your side. I will never pressure you to do something so dangerous. But if it was your genuine wish to rule England also, I will stand by your side."

A smile spread on her face and all she could do was squeeze his hand. "You know what this means. We will deceive the king— your father. Can you really do that?"

"I will absolutely do it." Soul leaned toward her and rested his forehead against hers. "It will give us all we want. Our wedding. A strong alliance for both of our countries. Not to forget, we will always be together and rule France and Scotland together."

Her heart rushed in her chest and she couldn't help but to smile wider.

The solution. They had finally found it. All they had to do was agree to the terms and then they could come up with something later so she would never have to claim the throne. They would get married and be together forever. Then nothing could separate them. They were set for life.

Her hands slipped from his and she fisted his shirt. "We will always be together, won't we?"

"We will."

They tilted their heads and shyly their mouths touched. Gently she tugged at his shirt and he shifted, closing the space between them and their chests tightly pressed together. Her hands climbed up his neck and her fingers entangled with his wild locks. His thumbs caressed her waist as slowly he laid her down on the couch.

Maka pulled away from their kiss, gasping for air and immediately his lips started peppering sweet kisses on her neck.

"Oh Soul…" she whispered. "We really are going to be together. Be wed, I mean."

"We are," he murmured as his lips planted kiss after kiss on her delicate neck. "We will truly be together forever."

"This is it… we will make love, won't we?" she sobbed as he dragged his lips deliciously against her sensitive skin.

"Only if you want to." Soul pulled away from her neck, gazing into her eyes with such warmth and gentleness. "We can wait for the consummation ceremony if you would like."

She shook her head and cupped his cheek, running her thumb over his cheekbone. "No. I don't want perverted old men watching me trying to handle it for the first time. I have heard it can hurt the first time."

"You have nothing to worry about. Wes has been chasing skirts when he stays in Paris from time to time. He told me taking it slow and caring for your partner will make the whole process easier."

"Have you tried it out?"

Soul snorted and laughed heartily, gently caressing her side. "I'm as new as you are on this."

Her eyes fluttered. "Really?"

"Yes. Since you have to give me your virtue, then I want to do the same."

She couldn't help but to smile, her heart touched by his sweet words and gesture. "That's sweet of you."

"It's simple curtesy. I don't want you to feel like you are my property and you are trapped in our marriage to dedicate yourself only to me while in the eyes of the other, I can go outside of our marriage without any repercussion. That is not fair and I want you to feel special because you are to me. We are partners in this."

His devotion and affection touched her deeper than she thought his speech would. He cared for her like no other man could. He was devoted to her. Only her. It would always be them and their love and nobody could change that.

Taken with her own affection, she gently tugged at his neck and kissed him. He accepted her touch as she started to gently tug at his shirt. He pulled away and took off his shirt, discarding it on the floor. Maka turned around and exposed the strings of her dress.

"You are my partner in everything and even if it was acceptable for women to go outside of the marriage, I wouldn't want to. I care more deeply about you than I ever thought I could. You are the only one for me."

Soul leaned forward and started to kiss her shoulder as he pulled at the strings of her dress.

…

The sun shone inside of the bed chamber through the windows. Soul's fingers gently caressed her bicep and left goose bumps in its wake. She smiled gently toward Soul as her hand rested on his chest.

"This is really it," Maka whispered as she rubbed his chest. "It's us forever."

"It is." He squeezed her hand and brought it to her lips, tenderly kissing her knuckles. "Are you happy?"

"Of course. It's just… A couple of days ago I didn't think we could be together, but here we are at last."

"At last indeed." He smirked wide as he heaved himself up on his arms. "We might as well be married now. Or better: pregnant."

Maka playfully swatted his arm. "Oh please. Two times is not enough to get pregnant."

"You know what they say, it only takes one time. But if you want, we can turn the two into three." He wiggled his eyebrows as he started to lean toward her.

"As much as I would love that, it is morning and soon servants will come storming inside of your room." She caressed his shoulders as he leaned over her. "Besides, I have to return to my room before my ladies discover I'm gone."

"They'll simply think you are already up and about doing your usual queen duties." He came closer and rested his forehead against hers. "Five minutes. Five more minutes with you."

"That's what you said ten minutes before," she whispered as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"And you fell for it then. Can you fall for it again?"

"This is the last time I will fall for it," she giggled as she closed the space between them. He kissed her breath away as his equally naked chest pressed against hers.

She secretively wished she was pregnant. It would certainly speed up the wedding and then the king and queen couldn't object. They were engaged and if a child was in the picture, Soul's heir to the throne, not even her claim on the English throne would matter. All they would care about was she was carrying the future Crown Prince. The uncertainty would be lost and Soul and she would start building their beautiful family.

Gently she parted her legs in favour of hugging his hips to the sound of the door opening.

They catapulted from each other and Maka threw the blanket over her face.

"Get out!" Soul yelled. "Get out and don't come back for an hour!"

The door closed and once they were all alone again, she pulled the covers from her face. "That was too close."

"No kidding." A childish grin grew on his face as his hand snaked under the covers, touching her thigh. "But now we have another hour for ourselves," he almost sang.

"We don't," she sighed with defeat as she steered his hand away from further advances. "I need to go. Tonight is the masquerade ball and I need to get ready. Not to forget we will have to give the king our promise we will claim England."

"Of course." He kissed her temple. "But perhaps tonight you could sneak inside of my bed chambers again?"

She rolled her eyes as she got up from the bed. "Oh lord. I have opened up Pandora's box."

"Don't act like you are innocent either. You certainly were ready for another love making session if it wasn't for the servants ruining our moment."

She certainly was. She no longer had her virtue. There was now only one king she could marry, only one man she possibly could marry. They had taken the risk and given themselves to each other. The marriage between them had to take place or if this news got out to the other royalties, she would be ruined. She could no longer marry any kings or princes. It was risky of her, but she cared for Soul. Their wedding was within a soon future and now with the terms they would agree to, they were essentially married. She had given Soul herself in the most intimate way possible and she didn't regret a second of it.

"Oh hush. Yesterday it was you who barely wanted to stop."

"At least I am honest with it."

She rolled her eyes as she got dressed in her dress. "Just get up. I need your help with the corset."

He threw the covers away and got up from bed. His feet sounded against the stone floor and he came to stand right behind her. He moved her long blonde hair away and planted a kiss on her shoulder.

"What was it again? Did you want help taking it off?"

"Soul," she sternly said.

"Kidding. I was just kidding." She felt the corset tightening around her midsection as he pulled on the strings. "If only we were married, we would've the excuse to stay in bed all day."

"Even royals have duties other than producing heirs."

"But as a husband I have my duty to show my wife how much I love her."

The word slipped out of his lips as if it was second nature. She spun around and looked into his eyes. "You love me?"

"Of course I do," he whispered, taking her hands in his. "I love you very much."

She had read in his letters how he loved her, she knew he adored her, but hearing the words spoken hit her like a fresh warm wind enveloping her in the sweet sensation of warmth. A large smile broke out and she threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly

"You love me," she whispered in his ear.

"I was planning on telling you at the ball, but it slipped out."

She pulled away from him and rested her forehead against his. "You love me."

"I do love you."

She cupped his cheek and kissed him.

…

"And where were you this night and morning?" Liz smirked wide at Maka when she entered her quarters. Her ladies were already dressed and waited for her, mercifully alone from the probing eyes of the servants.

"You must've caught my absence when I took a nightly walk. I wished to see the fireflies," she excused herself as she went passed her ladies to her wardrobe.

"You're lying," Liz almost song from joy. "We waited for you for hours, we fell asleep in your bed and even when sun dawned, you still were not here."

"And we think we can guess where you were," Tsubaki pitched in.

"And his name starts with an S," Patty sang as she twirled around, skirt kissing the floor.

"Now tell us! What did you two do?" Liz asked as she took a seat on the couch beside the wardrobe.

Maka faced her ladies. "This conversation does not leave this room. This is of upmost secrecy, you understand?"

"Of course!" They all exclaimed.

A smile spread on her face. "We made love."

"I knew you did!" Liz squealed and jumped from her seat in joy. "I knew you would after we saw how closely you interacted after you won the archery tournament. The other ladies saw and how eager they were to try to sink their claws into him."

Patty sighed happily as she threw herself in her bed. "The way he looks at you makes everybody believe in true love."

"Has he confessed his love for you?" Tsubaki asked.

"Of course he has. Otherwise how could they make love without love?" Liz said.

Maka cleared her throat politely and her ladies grew silent. "Yes, he has informed me of his love for me and what Soul and I do in bed will remain between us."

"Come on!" Patty moaned. "At least you have to tell us if it hurt or if he diligently took care of your needs."

"You do not have to worry. He was a gentleman." Maka spun on her feet and she gazed at her wardrobe. "And now, we will have to choose something fitting for the masquerade ball. I'm intending to dress like a huntress and style it with a bow."

"Oh, a huntress?" Liz cooed. "Let me guess, Soul will dress as your trusty hound."

Maka rolled her eyes. "Liz, could you please fetch me my boots and my dagger. Patty, I need you to get hold of some arrows I can stock in my boots for safe keeping."

"Of course." They scattered and left was Tsubaki.

"Wasn't the situation between the king and queen resolved? Why are you going to carry weapons on you?" Tsubaki questioned as she joined her by her side to gaze at different dresses in her wardrobe.

"We might've Kathrine under control for now and the wedding date essentially set, but French court is treacherous and I would rather be prepared for the unexpected," Maka sighed. "If I hadn't noticed the assassin in the water, I would've been killed and if I had accepted the wine, I would've died. I need to be more careful or I might not be as lucky the third time."

"Third time? Do you think you will face a third attempt on your life?"

"I do not think, my dear Tsubaki, I know. I will always have enemies and the king and queen might be agreeable at the moment, but that still leaves many foes who would love to have my head." Maka retrieved a dress from the wardrobe. A green dress with emeralds embroidered into the silk fabric looking more like vines than anything else.

"Oh no, not that dress won't do." Tsubaki took the dress from her. "You will wear a bow to your outfit, let's make it shine and make you a true royal huntress."

[oblivion-time]

Love Me Again, Husband

The Vow AU. A motorcycle accident leaves Soul missing years of his life, memories of how he met and fell in love with his wife, Maka Albarn. He's left trying to pick up the pieces of the life he doesn't remember with Maka by his side, but it isn't easy when his heart belongs to someone else and his memories don't fit in with his current lifestyle. It's a tug of war with the person he remembers and the person he had become. Resbang 2017

The date is finally here! Here's my Resbang I wrote for this year! I had so much fun writing this fic and I hope you will enjoy this story of mine! ^-^

Check out @chaoticlivi ART for this fic! (I don’t know why I couldn’t tag you o.o) It’s so amazing and I can’t stop looking at it~

You can read the whole story at AO3 and FF.net

Love Me Again, Husband

Chapter 1

Maka leaned against the wall, eyes anxiously fluttering shut. The egg timer ticked loudly resonating within their apartment beside the box and the stick resting upon it. Soul paced back and forth in front of the box, hands entwined behind his head as he breathed heavily.

"I think I'm going to throw up," Maka breathed as she slid down the wall, nervousness shaking her world like never before by just this one moment, waiting for the results to arrive.

"Hey." Soul kneeled down in front of her and collected her hands in his, planting a kiss on her knuckles. "We haven't been trying for even a month."

"Yeah, but I've studied so much and we've put down so much work." She savoured his touch and rubbed the inside of his thumb with hers. "I just want to be pregnant."

"And you will be. If you're not pregnant now, you'll most definitely be pregnant the next month." He leaned in and his lips feathered over her neck, nuzzling and kissing and nibbling her delicate skin.

She giggled as her hands left his and snaked around his neck, finding his soft hair and entangling her fingers in it. Her eyes shut, enjoying the sensation of his teeth feathering over her skin before his lips would kiss it tenderly. His right hand softly caressed her side as it went down her ribcage and settled on her hip, his thumb running up and down her hipbone. Her legs parted and invited him, which he accepted.

The egg timer rung loudly throughout the apartment and Soul pulled away from her. Her eyes were wide once again and the tension in her muscles he had managed to break down, was stiff once again, even stiffer than before! This was the moment they had been waiting for! Pregnant or not pregnant! The answer had arrived.

"The moment of truth." Soul rose to his feet and grabbed the pregnancy test from the counter, hiding the result with the palm of his hand. He sat down beside Maka and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She leaned against him and looked at the pregnancy test in his hand.

"Come on, show it," she urged.

"On three. One…"

"Two…" Maka leaning closer to the test.

"Three." They said together and he opened his hand.

Not Pregnant.

Her heart sunk in her chest with disappointment. The letters glaring at her sent a punch to her gut. Her head fell and she shook it slowly disapprovingly.

She had studied so hard and she had even downloaded an app on her phone to detect the highest possibility of getting pregnant. They had even tried out different positions which would raise the possibility of a pregnancy.

But it hadn't worked.

"What if I can have children?"

Soul snickered. Her head shot up and he quickly apologized. "We've just tried for a little over three weeks. I think we've to try a few months more before we can start considering that possibility."

"But what if I should go and check on my eggs? Maybe they are in a bad condition."

"I highly doubt they are with how healthy you've been. If someone's body is not up to standard, it's mine."

She stared at him with realization. "… could you get them check?"

He chuckled heartily.

"I'm serious! What if we aren't healthy?"

"Maka. We're 26. I don't think people have trouble conceiving around this age."

"But what if?" she pouted.

"I promise you, if you're not pregnant by next month, I'll definitely get a check up on my sperm."

A vague smile dawned on her face and she leaned her head against his shoulder. "Thank you," she sighed and wrapped her arms around his waist. "I was so sure I was pregnant… my period is late."

"You'll get pregnant. Just you see," he whispered into her ear.

She sighed with content as her eyes fluttered shut. She wasn't pregnant now, but he had a point. They had just started making babies. She quit taking the pill the same day they started trying to get pregnant so maybe it had made her ovulation a bit wacky.

Still… she really thought she was pregnant. The thought of caring their baby had made her glow with happiness. That was what they wanted. They were ready to start a family. Together. The reality of caring his child in her womb… it just made her feel lighter than air and limitless of happiness had run through her veins. When she bought the pregnancy test at the pharmacy, she really was glowing, just wanting to see the test come out positive.

Some gut feeling she had.

Her hand wandered from his waist onto her lower belly, her empty womb, running her thumb over the exposed skin peeking between her shorts and tank top. Her eyes snapped up to Soul's incredible soft crimson eyes when his hand laid above hers on her stomach.

"We'll make it."

She planted a kiss of gratitude on his lips. What would she do without him?

A wide mischievous smirk grew on his face, exposing his sharp teeth and his eyes darkened. "You know we've around an hour before work and we could both use a shower."

"Oh yeah?" She turned her body toward his and her fingertips ran downward his chest. "Then we better jump into the shower immediately." She gasped and giggled when Soul scooped her up in his arms and carried her inside of the bathroom.

…

Maka quickly jogged as fast as she could in her heels while carrying her bag in one hand and jiggling with her car keys in the other. Her phone buzzed and she juggled her things and she pulled up her phone, answering it.

"Where are you? The people are waiting for you!" her boss's voice boomed from the speaker.

"Sorry! I'm in the parking lot. I'll be up in just a minute! I've the updated power point on my laptop ready to go as soon as I get there."

"Good. Hurry up. They're starting to get cranky," Wes said before he hung up.

Ugh. If only he knew his infuriating brother decided an extra-long shower was in need (which she was reluctant to admit) especially when her mood had been more grey than normal.

The double door automatically opened and her heels clicked loudly against the marble floor. "Hi Tsubaki!" Maka quickly waved toward the receptionist as she hurried passed the front desk.

She sighed with relief when Mr. Buttataki his usual white dress shirt and vest entered an elevator. She quickly dived inside of it after him. "Good morning, Mr. Buttatki. How's your wife?" she greeted him as she pressed the floor button.

"Good Morning, Mrs. Albarn. Marie's a little tear-eyed at the moment. You know how it is when your child leaves for college."

"I see. Still calls him five times a day?"

"She has managed to limit it to two phone calls. Two very long phone calls."

The elevator door opened and Maka quickly waved toward Mr. Buttataki. "Oh! And thank Marie for the book recommendation. It's a very interesting read." Um, the pregnancy books she'd once recommended during a company party three months ago when children had come up in the conversation.

"Will do." He called after her as she raced down the corridor. The other employees greeted her as she struggled with pulling her laptop from her bag.

"Finally you're here!" Wes's voice resonated from the other side of the corridor. "What took you so long and why is your hair wet."

"Blame it on your brother," she quickly explained as she handed the laptop to him. "The power point presentation is on the desktop. I updated the diagram of the stock market for the technology funds on slide four and I fixed the pros and cons for the pension fund just like you asked."

"Great. Lady Arachne and Mr. Giriko are already seated in conference room four. Quickly dry your hair and come to the meeting."

"Yes boss."

They branched away and she hurried inside of the bathroom and dried her hair under the hand dryer, tied it up in a ponytail to make herself more presentable. She hurried back to the conference room.

…

"Good job in there." Wes patted her back as they exited the conference room. "I think we hooked them with our private pension saving funds. They were very interested in your points and I really think you managed to convince them."

"I think so too." Maka beamed.

"If this goes our way, I'm 100% confident I can hand you this case in your capable hands. The idea was yours after all and there's nothing you can't do. It will be a lot of communication via email and phone calls and meetings for a year, but I know you can do it," Wes boasted.

They were a team since the beginning, even before the beginning of her career in the business. In her second year of college, Wes had been a guest lecturer in her stock market strategies and let's just say, her enthusiasm of questioning and probing his strategies had made an impression on him. An interview later for one of the internship spots, she was officially in. She worked directly under Wes as his P.A. as she kept up her studied. It had been the greatest thing to ever happen her. It led her to skipping steps and jumping right on top in the stock market, and it brought her to the love of her life.

She could still remember the day so vividly. She had taken notes during a business meeting, analysing their thoughts and strategies to break into the medicine field to make profitable insurances that benefit both parties without leaving the customer in debt. Tsubaki had called the company phone, notifying his brother was waiting by the front desk with his wallet he had forgotten at home. Wes had asked her to fetch it, which she was on it immediately.

She had never believed in fairy stories or love at first sight, but when she exited the elevator and her eyes laid upon the handsome young man in jeans and a hoodie, something happened within her. It wasn't like angels descended the sky and sang Hallelujah or every cell in her body heating up and turning to butterflies, but more like a bond was created. Admittedly, she was drawn to this handsome stranger with unusual white hair and the gorgeous red eyes she had ever seen. It was so strange. It was nothing like the one time she was crushing hard on her eighth grade classmate, but something tamer, but at the same time, very powerful.

When she approached him and his attention was on her, and the husky voice of his asked "are you Wes's P.A?" left her stuttering out a "Y-yes."

That first meeting with Soul had her dawning thoughts of being in college around people dating and building lives had left her lunging to try serious dating, had made her want to ask the strange but intriguing brother of Wes's out on a date.

That day, by Tsubaki's front desk is where they started.

"Hello?" Wes waved his hand in front of her face.

"Oh! Sorry." She quickly apologized, feeling her checks heat up.

Wes grinned wide, a smile so similar to Soul's, but without the sharp teeth she loved scrapping against her skin so much. "Were you thinking about my kid bro?"

She quickly looked away from her partner and started walking down the corridor, clutching her bag in her hands. "I-it's not work related."

Wes was quick to follow after her. "It could be."

"Oh be quiet." She headed inside of her office and dumped her bag on the free chair and placed her laptop on her desk.

"Oh no I'm not." He closed the door to her office and sunk down into the chair in front of her desk, legs thrown over the armrest. "So tell me, when do you want to go on maternity leave?"

"Please, we're not even trying to have a kid," she lied. There had been one person both her and Soul agreed not to tell about their baby making and it was Wes. The one time they had been caught heavily making out in her office by Wes, the next day he had handed her a large pack of condoms and told her to keep it in the office, but only do the thing off office hours. She was afraid of what he would do if he found out they were trying to have children.

She gulped at the too knowing grin on his face. "I'm not stupid. The reason you were late was because of Soul, you had wet hair and you might want to unpack the pregnancy book from your bag next time."

She gasped and slapped her hand against her forehead. Shit. She really had forgotten to take out the pregnancy book she had bought yesterday, hadn't she?

"So…?" Wes inched closer with a huge grin on his face. "Am I going to be an uncle in nine months or less?"

"That's between me and my husband." She finished the conversation and opened her laptop.

"Aw come on, I am your brother-in-law and your boss. That ought to get me into the circle of trust."

"Nope, and if you excuse me, I've stocks to analyse." Her eyes left her obnoxious brother-in-law to her screen.

"Fine." Wes rose from the chair. "But don't think this conversation is over. I take nieces and nephews very seriously." Geez, she could've never imagined. The first thing he said to them after Soul and Maka said their "I will"s was will they start having kids. He would spoil the kids rotten if they gave him the chance!

She sighed with relief when the door shut behind Wes.

They were more entangled than boss and employee should be considering she married his brother, but it was nice. He was overbearing, stepping over so many boundaries and so caring. Soul was lucky to have such a caring brother in his life. It was all thanks to him she met Soul after all.

She pulled up her phone and unlocked it. Speaking of Soul, there was a text message from him.

How about a lunch date? My treat

She rolled her eyes. As if anything was hers or his anymore. She had a certificate from the state of Nevada to prove it.

Sure. Where do you want to meet? She texted back.

She received a message almost instantly she replied. Seemed like someone was slacking at work.

I'll pick you up. Meet me in the lobby

Sounds good. She placed her phone on her desk and a bright smile spread on her face.

…

When lunch arrived she headed down to the ground floor. As soon as the elevators opened, she saw Soul waiting by the front desk, just as handsome as ever. Every time she went down to the lobby to meet Soul, she couldn't help but think of how far they had come. From strangers to acquaintances, to good friends and then, to lovers. She didn't get the tingling in her fingers or the butterflies in her stomach from just seeing him anymore, but the strong bond and intimacy were stronger than ever.

"Hey you," she greeted him with a quick kiss.

"Geez, you took your time. Did Wes hold you up?" His hand entwined with hers like usual.

"Something like that considering, you know, since someone made me late for work."

"I thought we had more time," he pouted.

She knew he hadn't done it intentionally. He knew very well about the game-changing meeting she had in the morning with the people from Arachnophobia. He wouldn't intentionally hold her up for her meeting. But he looked so cute when she teased him.

"Maka and Soul," Tsubaki spoke up from behind the front desk. She pulled up a flier from and handed it to them. Soul took it and she gazed at it with surprise, Maka peeked at the flier with joy.

"Black*Star's gym is opening up in two weeks? I'm so happy for you!" Maka exclaimed.

When he first started renting the space, she and Soul had checked it up and helped painting the place and getting it ready. She knew it was bound to open soon, but not this soon.

"We worked really hard redecorating the bathrooms into locker rooms and all the gears have arrived, so we've finally put an opening date." Tsubaki smiled kindly. "You got to show up. Black*Star will hand out protein bars and shakes as snack, and he'll give everybody who sign up for a gym membership a 50% discount."

"We'll definitely show up," Soul said.

"I know he'll appreciate it." Tsubaki leaned against the front desk. "So, where are you two going?"

"Just out for lunch," Soul answered and started pulling her toward the exit. "Now if we want to actually eat during your lunch, we better leave."

"Just make sure to bring her back on time!"

"I'll see you later, Tsubaki." She waved toward her friend before they exited the building.

They went to Soul's bike parked in the parking lot. Soul released her hand and opened the compartment and pulled out Maka's helmet, handing it to her.

"Where are we going?" Maka asked. Usually they went to the nearby café where they had usually spent their first months lunching when they were just friends before they started dating.

"We're going to try out something new." Soul strapped his own helmet on his head and climbed on the bike. "Now jump on."

Maka made sure her helmet was tightly strapped on before she climbed on the bike behind him, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. The engine roared to life and they took off.

Soul drove. Safely driving through the rush hour traffic. They were going further away than she thought, but fifteen minutes later they rolled up in a parking lot and he killed the engine. She took off her helmet and shook her damp hair, getting off the bike. She cocked her eye at the cursive neon pink letters spelling out Aphrodite.

"What's this kind of restaurant?" she asked.

"This," Soul got off the bike and took of his helmet, "is a restaurant and a store focusing on fertility and intimacy." Soul hung his helmet on the handle and grabbed hers, putting it back into the compartment. "Since you were so down this morning about the negative pregnancy test, I thought we could do something special."

A smile grew on her face as affection swelled within her heart. Seemingly always so aloof and unbothered, but always so considerate and caring behind the scene, this was the man she fell in love with.

"Aww." She entwined her hand with his and bumped her shoulder into his. "That's so sweet of you."

He squeezed her hand and smiled kindly back to her, saying you're welcome with his soft red eyes.

They went hand in hand to the restaurant. Soul opened the door and held it open to them. Maka was immediately met by the smell of spices and cinnamon. The cashier counter was filled with baskets of beans, avocadoes, chili peppers, chocolate and honey. A smorgasbord of healthy and close produced products which reminded her of the farmer's market.

"We have a reservation," Soul said to older woman behind the counter.

"Name?" she asked.

"Soul Albarn."

She tapped on her touch screen and grabbed one menu. "This way." They followed her deeper in the restaurant and passed other couples seating close to each other as they share a plate of food. "Here's your table." She gestured with her hand toward a booth in the far back of the restaurant.

"Thank you," Maka slid into the booth, feeling the soft red leather under her thighs. Soul followed and sat close to her so their thighs were firmly pressed. His arm snaked around her waist and held her close to him.

"This seems really nice," Maka said.

"It does." Soul flipped the menu up with his free hand and they both gazed at the line of various dishes. Beside every dish there was a tip of how it would raise your sex drive or in their case, raise fertility. Most of the facts she had read in a book, but some of them were new to her.

The whole environment was very… intimate. The dim lit lights, the privacy of the U-shaped booth and the soft leather cushions. Only Soul knew how much she enjoyed the texture of leather, especially his leather jacket on her skin. The environment definitely made her feel closer to her husband. She didn't need to read the menu, the environment did enough to set the mood.

"So what will we have?" His voice was husky as he whispered into her ear.

"I think I might go with the nutty salad."

"We're sharing," He chuckled as he tapped toward the top of the menu where it said couples could order larger portions to share for the same price as an ordinary portion.

"Are we now? Then what will we have?"

Soul's finger slid down the page and pointed toward a dish. "We could take this one." It was a salmon dish with arugula, nuts and avocado. It came with whole wheat bread with olive oil and salted tomatoes and strawberries, vegan chocolate and whipped cream for dessert.

Salmon wasn't her thing, but the nutty salad side dish and the tomato sandwich did intrigue her and made her mouth water just looking at the fresh miniature picture of the dish. "The sandwich does sound delicious."

"Good. Then we're ready to order."

The older woman came back and took their orders and disappeared. The atmosphere and the moment was so special. He was special. To arrange this whole thing just in a matter of hours when he had work to take care of, it touched her deeply. It really was about the small things in relationships that count.

She leaned her head to rest against his shoulder and he rested his on top. "So, what did you do today at work since you were so busy finding this place?"

"Nothing really. The business was slow today," he murmured as her hair tickled his face.

"Oh no, that's not good, Soul."

"It's the usual. I knew it would be hard starting a recording studio when the technology allows you to record just as good stuff at home."

"But you burn for these things. I just don't want to see your dreams go into the ditch."

"Hopefully it won't. Tomorrow I actually have a client to serve so that's good," he snickered. "Besides, if the record studio does go into the ditch, I could always become your personal assistant at work."

She blew a raspberry. "Oh we both know if Wes ever allowed that, he would take away my door and install CCTVs in my office."

"Nothing a shirt over the camera can't solve, am I right?"

The smugness just radiated from his voice. He sure was proud of the few times they managed to sneak around her work and hook up before they were caught.

The lunch arrived and the spices glistering on top of the salmon smelled so good. The lunch was even more delicious than it looked like. The bread mixing with the olive oil and the salted tomatoes made her moan out as it melted in her mouth. Mixing it with feeding each other and sharing a kiss or two made it all better.

When their plates were empty and their bellies full and satisfied, a new hunger had awakened within her, thirsting to get back into bed with her dear husband and start making babies once again. If only she could ditch work and spend some more time with Soul.

"You can go to the bike." Soul urged Maka. "I'll be right behind you."

She cast a quizzical eye at Soul standing by the check out, grinning at her.

"Okay." The door plinged as she exited the restaurant.

It didn't take long before Soul exited the shop and came jogging over to her. In his hand he held a basket full with vegetables peeking out on top of it.

"What's that you're holding?"

"Aphrodisiacs for tonight along with another surprise."

The humming heat only tightened at the word of it. "And what is it?"

"That's something you'll find out tonight. That's why it's a surprise, dork." He grinned smugly at her, just enjoying keeping it a secret from her.

"You know I don't like surprises."

"I know." His arms snaked around her waist as their bodies were pressed together. "But it will be worth it. It will be waiting for you at home."

"Are you trying to motivate me to blow off work?"

He chuckled and pushed a loose strand of hair out of her face. "No, I do have some stuff I need to get done before you get home, but, motivating you not to work overtime, that, indeed I am."

"Consider it done. At six sharp, stud." She playfully smacked his bottom before she pulled away. He placed the basket on the ground and he opened the compartment, pulling out her helmet and handed it to her.

"Fuck!" he cursed loudly.

She jumped in shock and gazed at him. "What happened?"

"Someone stole my helmet." He ran his hand through his hair. "And it was brand new! It cost me 250$ too!"

"Hey, take it easy." She cupped his cheeks and steered his face to hers. "We'll get a new one. You can take my helmet."

He blew a raspberry as he enveloped her hands with his big strong ones. "Hell no. It's my own fault I didn't properly protect it. You take it." A wide grin spread on his face as he removed her hands, entwining them instead. "Besides, it would be way too big on my head. We all know how big your head is with that large brain of yours."

She playfully smacked his chest and grinned at him. "Or it's just you who have a pea for a brain."

He let out a short laugh before he climbed onto the bike, sliding further back on the bike than usual. After putting on and strapping on the helmet, she grabbed the basket and took a seat on the bike in front of him.

"Just drive safely, okay?"

"I will." The engine spun to life and he took off from the restaurant. He left the parking lot and drove extra slowly, using his blinkers at every turn and didn't take any chances when the traffic light turned orange.

They rolled up to a traffic stop. The engine hummed lowly as they waited for the light to turn green. She leaned into Soul, feeling his chest warm against her back and his warm breath tickling her neck.

Marriage was all about the small moments.

The traffic light turned orange and Soul slowly put a little gas, slowly starting to roll forward. It turned green and cautiously he started to roll forward.

A shrieking sound pierced the air and before she knew it, the bike lurched forward and they were both flying through the air. She crashed on the road with the basket full of aphrodisiacs scattered on the asphalt.

…

"Soul?" Maka murmured as consciousness started to return to her. "Where are you?" Her eyes drifted from the white ceiling until she found, Black*Star, Wes and Tsubaki by her bed.

They had been driving back to her work after a romantic lunch together. They had been by the stop light when they had been rear-ended.

Soul hadn't worn a helmet.

"Soul." She started to sit up in her bed but a sharp pain in her shoulder had her crash back on the soft mattress. "Where's my husband?"

"Take it easy." Black*Star said in a hushed tone, carefully holding her down by her other shoulder, which surprisingly didn't hurt. "You're hurt, you need to rest―"

"Where is Soul!" she roared.

"He's…" Wes cut himself off, looking the other way as he took a deep breath. "He's in surgery."

Her stomach fell as her throat started to knot with sorrow. "He's… he's going to be alright, right? Right!"

Wes ran his hand through his hair, shrugging his shoulders. "I don't know."

Tears started streaming down her cheeks as sobs echoed within the hospital. "No… no! He― he can't… he just can't!"

"The doctor will inform us as soon as the surgery is over," Tsubaki said.

Tears were endless. Streaming down her cheeks as she sobbed loudly, not a care in the world who heard her. Black*Star's hand comfortingly rubbing her shoulder was so unknown, all she wanted was his fingers to grow longer and slimmer into the elegant and beautiful piano fingers of her husband. All she wanted was Soul― she needed him.

…

"Mrs. Albarn?" A man waltzed inside of the hospital room wearing green scrubs as if he had just come out from the surgery.

Her voice broke before even a word had come out of her mouth, instead she settled on a nod.

"I'm Frank. Frank Stein. I'm Soul's doctor." The man's gaze moved to Tsubaki, Black*Star and Wes. "May we have a moment alone?"

"We'll be right back." Black*Star gave her one last comforting squeeze on her hand before him and Tsubaki exited the hospital room.

"I'm Soul's brother. I'm staying." Wes said with determination.

"Very well." The Frank closed the door behind Tsubaki and Black*Star. "The good news is he's alive."

Maka let out a sigh of relief. He was alive.

"What's the bad news?" Wes asked.

"The bad news is he's in the ICU. He's suffering from severe brain trauma. In order for him to get better we'll put him into a comatose state so his system can calm down and allow the swelling to subside while his body is given time to heal, but other than that, he's very lucky. If it weren't for your body shielding his and slowing him down, he would've one-hundred percent been brain dead before paramedics even arrived at the scene."

"Does that mean…" her voice cracked. "He's… he's going to be okay?"

"I don't know about that. Brain trauma is very complex and nothing is normal when it comes to the brain. We'll just have to see when he wakes up."

"But he's going to survive?" Wes asked.

"He's stable at the moment and his survival rates look good."

"Thank death." Her eyes fluttered shut and new tears trickled down her cheeks. He was going to be okay.

A smile played on Wes's lips and he leaned on the bedframe on the hospital bed. "That's good news. That's… really good news."

Frank grabbed her journal from the bed and started to flip through the pages. "Speaking of even better news. Your shoulder just needs some rest and then you've just a couple of stitches and bruises. You'll be up on your feet before you know it."

She didn't care about that. All she cared about was Soul. His well-being came first.

…

"Mr. Albarn is in room four. Take right and you'll find the room to your left," the nurse by the desk informed.

Maka quickly hurried down the corridor, following the nurse's instruction. Room four was within her reach and she busted into the room. Her heart sunk when she laid her eyes on her beloved husband in the hospital bed. Eyes peacefully shut as if he was lying in their bedroom sleeping like usual and not in a hospital. A tube came out form his mouth and connected to a machine, slowly pumping in oxygen in his body. The side of his head was shaved and a newly stitched scar spread on his temple.

"Oh Soul," she sighed and grabbed a chair, pulling it toward his bedside. She watched out for the catheter on the back of his hand as she entwined her fingers with his. "I'm so sorry," she murmured.

If only she had suggested taking a cab back to the office instead, maybe then the speeding car wouldn't have rear-ended them. Soul wouldn't have gotten hurt the way he did. There were so many options to how they could've avoided the accident. There were different routes, different vehicle, heck, she could've just called Wes saying his bike had broken down or something.

But they had taken the wrong route, the wrong vehicle and at the wrong time.

She lifted his hand and planted a kiss on his hand.

Whatever happened, she promised to herself, she would stay by his side. It didn't matter if he was paralyzed, suffering from chronic pain or had to go in and out of the hospital every week, she would be there for him. They would get through this. Together.

"I met Doctor Frank. He gave me his belongings." Wes spoke, holing a plastic bag as he stood by the door frame. "He said his swelling has gone down and they're going to wake him up from his coma tomorrow."

"That's good." She whipped her tear-stained cheeks. "That's really good news."

Wes went over to her and placed the plastic bag in her lap. "I went through his stuff. Sorry."

"It's okay." Her shoulders shook with sorrow as her hand squeezed Soul's. "I'm sure Soul would complain about it, but he would be okay with it."

Wes's warm hand soothingly rubbed her back. "He's going to be able to say that himself once he wakes up." He pointed toward the white plastic bag in her lap. "I don't want to tear open any wounds, but I think it would be useful for you to go through his stuff."

Tear open any wounds? Her wounds were already gaping wide open, gushing blood and unattended. She was already hurting more than if she was the one in the hospital bed.

Maka looked over her shoulder at Wes whose eyes were transfixed on the bag. "I'll give you a moment." He patted her shoulder before he left the hospital room.

Nervousness started knotting in her stomach and she looked at the plastic bag in her lap. "What did you have on you?" she whispered to Soul.

She pulled her hand away from his and opened up the plastic bag. Right at the top was a tiny zip lock bag with his phone, wallet and― his wedding ring. She pulled out the simple silver band from the zip lock bag and she slipped on the ring on his left ring fingers. The plastic bag rustled as she went through his things. His bloody and ripped clothes were in the bag, everything familiar was there. She raised her eyebrow when she lifted his favourite leather jacket which was now torn up and bloody, something white was poking out from within it.

She pulled it out from the inside pocket and it proved to be a piece of paper. The edges were bloody, but it was still in a good shape. She straightened out the paper and it proved to be a medical report of… of―

She slapped her hand over her mouth and tears brimmed in her eyes.

It was a report of his sperm count dated the day of the accident and the word healthy and active sperm rung in her mind.

Emotions overflowed her and he buried her head in his side, holding onto his hand. He did this for her. He knew her fear was somewhat irrational, but he had taken the time to book an appointment to prove to her he was healthy, all they needed was to keep on trying.

Only one of the many reasons she loved him.

"You better wake up alive and well," she sobbed and squeezed his hand tightly as she buried her face in his warm side, feeling his familiar warmth hidden underneath the hospital gown and the blanket. "You hear me, you can't leave me now. Just be okay. Please be okay."

[oblivion-time]

The Wolf Who Huffed and Puffed: Part 3

Finally I managed to finish editing this story and now it's finally finished in my document~ Because I'm feeling pretty nostalgic of the 2012 Oblivion-Time when I managed to pump out new chapters every third day, I'll try to update this story every Sunday or every other Sunday, but Sunday is the day I'll update the story! I hope you all will enjoy this little story of mine~

Part 1 | Part 2 |

AO3 | FF.net  

The Wolf Who Huffed and Puffed

Part 3

"― and you're ready to go. If the drain starts acting up again you can contact us and we'll send Gopher to fix it." Maka's spoke with her kind authority voice as papers rustled and a chair shrieked loudly as it was pushed backwards. The high heels of Anya loudly clicked in his sensitive wolf ears and she headed for the door. The door creaked and closed as she exited. Soul waited for Anya to disappear down the corridor, but Maka had other plans.

The door to the record room opened and he was met by Maka's wide mischievous grin. "Took you long enough," he spoke and Maka's eyes seemingly darkened as she pushed the door even more open. She had the grace of a cat as she grabbed a hold of his shirt and yanked him to her.

"Sorry, Anya just refused to leave. Now we're alone and no more unwanted fables will disturb us."

He smirked sheepishly as her hands ran over his shirt, fingers intriguingly lingering on the buttons. "For a second there, I thought you forgot I was stuck in the record room." Maka placed her index finger against his lips, hushing him down.

"Less talking and more kissing." He didn't hesitate. He grabbed her wrist and smashed his lips to hers, not wasting no time. Hands grouped her soft tiny curves and the glorious ass hiding under her tight pencil skirt. Her taste never ceased to blow his mind and sooth his uncovered addicting for the taste of her mouth.

Two months. Two pure blissful months of living the dream. Two months of whispers of affection, kissing, cuddling and steaming short sessions in her office. There was an excitement of sneaking around and doing it in every place they could without getting caught. It was beyond excitement when he was writing his reports in his office and the door would slide open and Maka would sneak inside. The click of the lock never ceased to ignite the fire between them.

It was something special. He always knew there was something special about her. From the first time he caught her scent centuries ago, he knew she was a very special person to him. He knew wolves would only get attracted to one wolf from their scent and stick to that person, but Maka wasn't a wolf. Heck, he wasn't even attracted to her. Her scent intrigued him and pulled him in, but her less than feral features turned him off. It wasn't until decades upon decades in human form his list of attractions had broadened and he discovered just how long and strong her legs were and how rich her hair was. Centuries of confusion and strange attraction toward her had finally paid off. She loved him. The infamous workaholic Ice Queen had melted her heart and fallen for him. He had no clue how she could've gone from the cheater "Prince Charming" to mass murderer. A girl so well-mannered (except when he teased her while intimate) and focus, she thought he was a good idea. The perfect next boyfriend in line. Whatever her logic behind it was, he was so grateful and lucky. He loved her so much.

He kissed her as if his life depended on it. Maka tugged at his hair as they backed into her desk. He grouped her ass and lifted her up, Maka's legs immediately hugged his waist and eagerly hands popped his buttons the moment her ass was slapped on the paper-covered surface of her desk. Maka pushed his shirt of and his fingers ran over his scar Joe the woodsman had left behind when he gutted him to free the girl in red hoodie. He shivered under her touch as she gently massaged and caressed his scar from beginning to end.

Life was good. And the sex was even better.

She panted loudly as her fingers fisted his hair. Her mews and groans were music to his ears. Her voice was of the finest quality and he could spend the rest of eternity listening to her mews and groans and―

His eyes snapped open and he pulled away, her hands reluctantly let him. In the distance, he heard the front door to the building opening and the sound of heavy boots echoing in the corridor. He knew those steps. He had heard the sluggish lazy steps before, but what the heck was he doing here―

"Soul~" Maka cooed as she encouragingly reeled him closer to her treasure.

"No Maka." Soul yanked her hands from his hair and looked up at her, hearing the steps come closer and closer. "Giriko is coming."

"What?" she squawked. "Why's he coming?"

"Don't know and if we stay like this, he'll catch us."

"Shit." Her eyebrows disappeared under her bangs the moment his steps reached her human hearing. She quickly scrambled off the desk and pulled her skirt down her hips. He couldn't resist watching the hem of her skirt cover up her strong and lean thighs― "What are you standing there for? Hide!" she hissed as she scrambled to button her buttons on her blouse.

"Aren't you going to put on your―"

"You take them." She kicked the discarded forgotten clothing on her foot and it slapped him right in the face. "Happy? Now hide." He was rendered paralysed as her underwear fell into his open hand, it wasn't until Giriko's steps only seconds away from the deputy major's office when he unfroze and quickly crawled under the desk as Maka took her seat, scrambling to fix her messy bun. His breath was stolen when the doorknob twisted, no knock on the door whatsoever and Giriko's heavy boots resonated within the office.

"You should knock," Maka muttered as she scribbled her pen on a piece of paper.

"What? Your office closed for fables?"

"It's common courtesy." The pen was smacked on the desk. "Now what do you want this time? I already told you using those magical ribbons are highly prohibited and our sheriff will make sure you never even as much as breathe a word about reinstating them."

"Ah, your lapdog." Soul grimaced at the sound of his heavy boots coming to a stop in front of the desk and his bony ass taking a seat on the desk, no respect toward the papers on it. "You know, people in town are actually talking about you two."

"Do I looked like I care about what people gossip about?" she muttered as the pen kept on writing on some paper. "Now spit out what you want. I've paperwork to do."

"Really? Is that all you want to do?" Soul almost gaged at the shit-eating tone in his voice. "Other fables like to fantasise about you and your lapdog enjoying some hay-rolling action if you know what I mean."

"I can assure you those rumours are false. Now if that was all you wanted you can leave―"

"But is that really the truth? There is something about you that's… different."

"Stop speaking in riddles and just spit it out. It doesn't suit you."

"Fine. You're the deputy major and he's the sheriff, the head of security, it would be awfully inappropriate if those gossips around town proved to be true since you work so closely to each other."

Soul gritted his teeth at the arrogance in his voice. So what. They were a couple. Maka still did her job like a pro and kept their relationship a secret. It doesn't damage the community. His legs crawled with rage and he just wanted to come out from underneath the desk and rip out his throat so he wouldn't ever utter a single word of his suspicions. His nails dug into his pants, restraining himself and clinging onto the single thought that Maka was the deputy major. She had dealt with worse stuff than Giriko. She knew how to take care of herself without him interfering, but how he would've loved to wring his neck. If only he wasn't given amnesty.

"Look." Maka slapped the pen on the table. "Sheriff Soul and I are on strictly professional basis. You can relax, I wouldn't do anything that could jeopardize the stability of Fabletown."

A loaded pause fell before Giriko slid off her desk. "We will see about that." With heavy steps he exited her office and Maka waited until his steps disappeared for her human hearing before she sighed with relief and pushed her chair back enough to stare at him.

"He knows." She ran her hands down her face. "What are we going to do? If this gets out― I don't even know what will happen!"

"Fuck. We mustn't have been as careful as we thought we were." He ran his hand through his hair. "If blind-ass Giriko can spot love, we're as good as caught."

"We got to come out from hiding, right?" Maka questioned as she looked up from her hands.

"Is that what you want?"

"I― I don't know. But if we don't do it on our terms, things would just be worse if Giriko exposed us."

"But what if he doesn't find out―" he cut himself off at the entrance door slamming open and this time, lighter and rapid footsteps ran through the corridor right toward them. "For the love of― another one is coming fast."

Maka groaned when the steps reached her ears and she quickly scooted back to her desk just in time for her office door to slam open.

"I've something alarming to report." Soul's eyes almost bulged out of his head at the sound of Liz's voice. What the heck was she doing here? She usually came to him when something was wrong. Not Maka.

"What is it?" Maka questioned as Liz slammed her hands on the desk.

"Giriko. He's getting really snoopy and I― I think he's onto you and Soul and―" Liz suddenly paused. "Please don't tell me I almost ran into you two getting it on."

"Soul you can come out." Maka pushed her chair out of the way so he could crawl from out from underneath the desk. He was immediately met by Liz's abnormally large and knowing grin.

"Dudes, I know office romances are exciting and hot and all, but you two have more to lose than anyone else."

"I think what we've going on is nobody's business but ours." Maka muttered under her breath as she fixed her still messy hair.

"When you're the deputy major and the one you're screwing is your close colleague, the sheriff and head of security, the public has the right to question your judgement."

"You want to talk about inappropriate relationships, huh?" Maka snarled and stood up from her chair. "Then let's talk about it."

"Your shirt is buttoned wrong."

Soul choked on his own laughter at the view of the buttons wrongfully buttoned along with her messy bun just screamed dirty and enjoyable hay-rolling action.

Maka glared at him and he immediately covered up his own laughter with a cough. She buttoned her buttons correctly. "Go home Soul. I think Liz and I have to have a serious conversation one on one."

Soul cocked his eyebrow questioningly at Maka, asking her if it was alright and she just nodded. He caressed her shoulder. "I'll be waiting for you back home." He planted a kiss on her cheek before he left the office, closing the door behind him and instantly hot arguments went flying. Out of respect for the two women, he covered his ears as he hurried out of the building and went back home.

He waited up for her, but as the minutes became hours, he started worrying what the fuck kind of beef Liz and Maka had going on. It wasn't until he was half-asleep on the couch, he was awoken by his phone. She texted him and asked him to come over, but not to her apartment, but to the flat at the Woodlands reserved to the deputy major, which she still hadn't moved into since she was so busy with her job.

It was odd. Why on earth would she want him to come to her, and why in the major's flat? Of course she owned the flat, but she had never even stepped a foot inside of it since she became the deputy major.

He didn't question her and went back to the Woodlands, passed her office to find it locked and dark. He took the elevator to the top floor. It plinged once he reached the top floor and the doors opened; surprisingly he was met by darkness within the apartment, too much darkness for her to orientate around the apartment safely with her poor sight compared to his. He heard Maka fiddling with her skirt deep within the humongous apartment and he followed the sound. A strip of warm light escaped the small crack into the room where Maka was. He opened the door and there she sat on a humongous luxurious bed, eyes red and tears smeared on her cheeks.

"Are you okay?" Soul took a seat beside Maka on the bed and rubbed her back comfortingly.

She sniffled and leaned her head on his shoulder. "We got to come out from hiding."

"Is that a bad thing?" Soul rested his own head against her as he held onto her.

"Yes." She wiped away a stray tear. "The council will know and who knows what will happened. What if we have to break up to keep our jobs?"

"We're strong. If someone's going to be able to find a solution to our problem then it is us. I don't think, I know we will be able to find a solution to our problems."

Maka laughed drily. "How can you be so confident?"

"Well, because you're too smart for your own good. You nit-pick the system and you always find a loophole. I know you can do the same this time too."

"No pressure."

Soul chuckled and kissed her temple briefly. "The road will be bumpy, but we can handle it. We brought Asura to justice. We did that together. This will be no sweat. We both love each other and we won't be walking away from each other willingly. We'll both have each other and our jobs. You'll see."

"I hope so." Soul wiped away her tears. "Now how about we go to bed and get a good night's sleep?"

Maka nodded. They did their nightly routines as much as they could in the empty apartment before they crawled under the blanket together. He tugged her under his chin and held onto her, burying his nose in her hair to smell her intriguing scent.

"Soul?" he hummed in response, not opening his eyes. "Did you know Liz was attracted to you when you first met?"

"No. Why do you ask?"

"Do you… have you ever liked her more than a partner?"

He opened his eyes and was met by her impossible green ones. "No."

She sighed with relief and a tired smile spread on her face. "Good. I just wanted your side of the story."

"You don't have to worry about my feelings wavering. It's not in wolves' nature to have multiple partners?"

"Huh?"

He gulped. Shit. He maybe shouldn't have said that. Ah, what the hell. He might as well tell her. "Wolves only have one partner throughout their life. The first time I met you, you just smelled so good."

"Wait, so you were into me because of my smell?"

He cheekily grinned toward her. "Yeah. There was just something about your smell that stood out from everybody else's and reeled me in."

"The first time we met…" the cute wrinkle between her eyebrows appeared. "… it was when we crossed the gate from the Homelands. I don't even know how you could think my scent was fascinating. I hadn't taken a shower in weeks!"

"What can I say?" His hand slid down her back and rested on the back of her thigh lazily thrown over his legs. "Your natural scent is intoxicating. Even with that flowery perfume and deodorant you use, I can still smell your natural musk."

"Have you liked me for that long?"

"No." He squeezed her thigh. "At that time, I was just attracted to your smell. Since you were human and I a wolf, I was confused why I was so attracted to your smell. It wasn't after decades of being in a human body I really started to get attracted to you and fall in love with you."

A smile played on her face as she ran a hand through his wild messy hair. "Do you want to go to the annual Remembrance Day Ceremony with me?"

The annual Remembrance Day Ceremony was to remember their escape from the Homelands and the land they lost from the Adversaries. Every year Maka attended it (since she was a part of the Fabletown's government it would be weird if she didn't) she always arrived alone. No date, no group of friends she hung with. It was all work. She mingled and was polite to the attenders. He however never attended. All the strong perfume smells would drive him nuts.

But attending it with Maka, as her date, it was something he wanted to do.

"Of course."

Maka smiled wide and closed the gap between them, sealing their deal with a hot kiss before they went to sleep.

…

"I'm so nervous," Maka spoke as she nervously stared at the elevator panel as the numbers slowly dropped.

Soul squeezed Maka's hand. "I'm here."

This was it. The moment they knew would come. It was the day they would show the world their love. It was the day they would be judged. This was the start of the challenging future and the test of their love. Either they would make it or break it.

All he could do now was support her.

"Thank you for that." She squeezed his hand back when the elevator came to a stop and the double doors opened. They stepped out of the safety of the elevator and out into the crowded corridor. Instantly other fable's eyes turned to them. Soul could just feel the burning gazes at their entwined hands as they went passed them. He could hear Maka's rapid heart beating in her chest and to be honest, he was just as nervous. He hoped Maka couldn't feel how sweaty his hand was.

The fables whispered about them, so excited at their status and some bothered. He just wanted to shut out the gossip and focus on Maka's hand. It all just turned worse at the long line of fables queueing up at the business office and the judging glares were on them. He just melted at their heated glares and if it wasn't for Maka's hand squeezing his, he would've turned around. Fuck, and he was supposed to be the big bad wolf!

He swallowed the panic and went passed the line of gossiping fables. "How about we go out for dinner tonight?" Maka suggesting, coming to a stop in front of her office door.

"Sure, I'll pick you up as soon as you're off." Maka stood up on her toes and kissed him in front of the line of fables. The fables gasped and outright started gossiping loudly. He kissed her hard before he pulled away, resting his forehead against hers. "I love you."

"Love you too." They shared one last kiss before they pulled away and Maka disappeared inside of her office to deal with another day of fixing the broken system while he was left handling the hoard of fables questioning their relationship.

…

Fuck. He knew coming out would be hard, but damn it was stressing him out. Fables wanted answers and standing in the public eye like that was getting his anxiety working. He quickly confirmed that yes, they were in fact dating, yes, they loved each other and yes, they were rock solid before he quickly retreated back to his own office.

Liz arrived and they did mostly paperwork since the fables seemed to flock wherever he went. It all came to an abrupt halt when Maka called him.

"Soul you get your ass right to my office in five minutes or else I will feed you your testicles!" And she hung up before he could even say anything. His heart sunk in his chest and ice swept over him at her upset voice. He immediately abandoned his paperwork and hurried out of the office, knowing very well that if he was one second late, she couldn't hesitate cutting off his dick. The elevator was to slow. He ran up the stairs and through the corridor, not caring the giggles he received when he burst through Maka's office.

His breath was stolen at her clearly aggravated mess of her hair and her teeth nibbling on her lower lip. "What happened?" He joined her side and comforted her.

"The council happened." She leaned into his touch and accepted the comfort he offered. "Justin came and wanted to know my version of the situation since the gossip had already reached his ears."

"Did you tell him?"

"Yeah," she sighed and her hands fisted her hair. "And then he— he had the nerve saying our relationship was clouding my judgement and the council would have to step in and conduct a trial to see if I really was fit being Fabletown's deputy major."

"I didn't expect any less from that snake." Soul wrinkled his nose. "We all know he's after the deputy major position."

"I know, he's just a lying piece of shit." She slammed her head on the desk and buried her face in her arms. "I know this is a good thing the rest of the council is involved since if just Justin would decide, I would've never been deputy major."

Soul planted a kiss on her temple and ran his hand down her back. "We'll get the council on our side. You'll see. You'll shoot good arguments at them like knives."

Maka blew a raspberry and laughed drily. "I hope so."

He hoped so too. He knew if it came to it where she would be put in a situation where she had to choose between him and her job, he knew he couldn't let her chose. He had already complicated things by accepting her feelings and deepening their relationship, blowing the policy off. As much as he loved her and wanted to stay with her forever, he knew Fabletown needed her more than anything. He couldn't steal her away when all fables in Fabletown needed her.

His heart twisted just at the thought of having to walk away from their relationship. It wouldn't go to that point. He wouldn't allow it. She could keep her job and him. He would make sure of it.

He rubbed her back some more as she stayed silent, keeping her face buried in her arms. He was never good at comforting crying girls. Fuck, all he could do was rubbing her back and she was still down. What on earth could he do to lighten her mood? She always took comfort in calming activities like reading or writing poems or occasionally doing yoga. Fuck. All he could do was sit and hold her.

"The hearing is at dusk in the Witching Well Chamber." she murmured. "Justin said he would gather everybody in the council and we should prepare ourselves for it."

"Yeah." He kissed her temple, snuggling his face into her hair. Her sweet intoxicating scent tickled his nose deliciously, only reminding him how much he treasured her and how he craved her for centuries. He would do whatever it took to protect what they have and make sure she would keep her job.

…

His hand was holding hers far too tightly for her liking, but at the same time, she needed his extravagant touch to keep her in check. It helped her stay focused on her goal: to be with Soul. Whatever it took. Whatever means she had to meet, she was willing. She had dedicated her entire life toward serving a system. From the moment all the fables escaped the Homelands and arrived at New York City, she was with the founding fables and founded Fabletown. She had worked and worked and worked to serve Fabletown and its citizens and make their living as great as possible among the mundies. Every day she had gotten up from bed and went to work, she worked early and late hours, eliminating all possibilities of hobbies and family life outside of her work. Her job had only existed. For the past centuries her life was her work. Her life was revolved around her position and helping the fables in Fabletown; but now, she was more than willing to let it go and start something new.

A whole new chapter in her life was at the threshold, just within reach if the door were meant to be opened. She had done her time and she could say it without being ashamed, if the council wished for her reassignment as the deputy major, she would comply. Soul would be upset, but she was confident the next deputy major could bear the burden and love and treat Fabletown just as well. She had already fixed the major flaws in the system, so the new deputy major wouldn't have it hard.

She was ready for that new chapter in her life. She was ready to tear down her routines and hand over the position in order to be with Soul. It was time for her to be happy outside of her job as well, and that happiness was something she wasn't willing to let go. It was as if for centuries she living on repeat, waking up, working, eating, working some more before she went to bed to just be repeated the next day. Now when she took a chance and it paid off, Soul brightened her day and gave her just as plain life as the mundys' colour. Soul helped her feel emotions she hadn't felt in centuries, helped her feel excited and energized about the tomorrow and what the future held. She was beyond happy and excited and she simply couldn't give it all up. She simply couldn't go back and pretend her life was as mundane as the mundys' and forget everything she felt, forget she ever loved Soul.

She was ready. Ready to let the life she lived crumble if it led to that.

Their footsteps echoed in the underground pass way and the torches decorating the wall barely lit up the dense darkness. The voices of the council were distant in the corridor, but she knew, Soul could hear every word of it and it might be the reason behind his tense state. She didn't need night vision like Soul to know his jaw was tense.

The light at the tunnel peeked through the darkness and soon the members of the council came into view. And the Witching Well.

"There. We have all arrived," Justin spoke. "Now we can start the meeting."

"Impeach her!"

"She can't be trusted!"

"Where's the Crooked Man when you need him?"

"Crooked Man?!" Soul roared. "It was that scumbag who put you in this position to begin with! All Maka has done is cleaning up your mess you made when you made deals with him!"

"Our mess?" Giriko chuckled as if Soul's words were amusing. "We only did what we had to do to survive because while you and your puppy lived the good life, we were left without a job, surviving day to day."

"Soul!" Maka hissed at the growl escaping his lips. "Please everybody, stay calm, this is not a matter to raise your voice about."

"Why not? There's nobody who trust you and your government," Kim said from across the room, keeping her arms crossed over her chest. "Do you think just giving me a job would make me forget how you both destroyed my tree, the only thing I had left of the Homeland?"

"Are we going to go through this again? You were making illegal glamours and assisted criminals," Maka simply answered.

"We both know the punishment didn't fit the crime! Justin and Giriko and the others worked beside the Crooked Man and they were given amnesty when they both should've―" Kim's voice came to an abrupt ending when Jacqueline pulled at her hand, slowly shaking her head.

"I'm very sorry Kim." Maka let go of Soul's hand and took a step forward. "I wronged you and I apologize for that. All I have every wanted for you― for all in Fabletown is to be happy."

"I can see that." Tsubaki who had quietly stood by her husband said. "You have done so much for me and Black*Star. You've helped both of us finding real jobs and ended our debt. During Crooked Man's era, we lived in fear of when he would demand our repayment, but now, we don't have to be afraid anymore. Doesn't that count for something?"

"Totally! Like, Maka's awesome, but not as awesome if the big me would've been deputy major!" Black*Star puffed out his chest.

"Okay everybody, let's return to the subject at hand." Justin raised his arms to calm down the situation. "We have all gathered here today since there is a conflict of interest and Maka has gone against the work policy of Fabletown and therefore needs to be impeached―"

"Let her speak!" Soul roared and immediately Maka raised her arm, quieting him down. His hot anger radiated from his body and if she touched him, she was sure she would get burned.

Justin sighed heavily. "Very well, what's your defence?"

"My work as your deputy major is proof enough my affection for Soul isn't hindering my judgment."

"In my ass! She's the reason why my club is failing!" Giriko sneered.

"I gave the girls who didn't want to work there an opportunity to find a different job. The few girls left at Pudding and Pie are committed and has chosen to do their job of their free will without the influence of the magical ribbons."

Giriko blew a raspberry and murmured under his breath. "There's not so much business with just three girls."

"And you could better your club and hire willing girls who love dancing and please their clients." Maka cleared her throat. "What I'm trying to say, I'm not perfect. I made the wrong call burning down Kim's tree. I make mistakes and I try to correct them as well as I can. I love Fabletown. I love being your deputy major." She faced Soul and reached her hand toward him. He was by her side in an instant and entwined their fingers. "But I also treasure Soul. I know I can be professional and separate my feelings from Soul when needed."

"I think we should allow this." Tsubaki beamed toward them. "Maka helped found Fabletown and was in the government and worked her way to the top. There is no one more dedicated to her work than her. She has been professional up to this point and I trust her to manage to separate her love life from her job."

"Thank you Tsubaki," Maka whispered. She could do this. She could win over the members of the council. She could actually stay together with Soul and keep her job.

"I'm not quite so sure." Joe the woodsman crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm confident Albarn can keep things clean and professional, but what about him?"

"What about me?" Soul supressed a growl and the barely restrained anger left traces in his voice like footprints in sand. Maka squeezed his hand, offering him strength.

"You're so… feral. You beat the crap out of a witness for information. You do whatever you wanna do whenever you wanna do it. Who says you will be able to keep things professional."

"Yeah!" Mosquito screamed from beside Giriko, waving his one arm frantically and cheeks already red with anger. "You ripped off my arm for no fucking reason―"

"You engaged in a fight with the sheriff!" Soul snapped back.

"So what? It doesn't mean I had to get my fucking arm ripped off!"

"You also threatened me for information," Giriko pitched in. The tension only rising and Soul's hand tightened on hers to the point it was shaking and her bones painfully ground together. "You fucking punched me in the face."

"You held back information about the murder case!" Soul sneered.

This was going badly. Anger was fuming from Soul and reeking the whole chamber worse than a rotten fish forgotten in the sun for weeks. Soul could barely contain his anger. The little self-control he possessed keeping his feral part under control was failing him.

Giriko blew a raspberry and smirked a wide shit-eating grin toward the two of them. "Come on. Isn't it obvious? Our little pretty princess here could barely contain him when he was just her colleague. There's no way she will be able to keep him on a leash now, and you know what will happen when he messes up, she will defend him and cover it up so her dear little pet won't get in trouble."

Maka's eyes widened with realization. He was doing this on purpose. He knew Soul was holding onto his last line of sanity. He wanted him to snap.

"We all already know he will do anything whenever he wants to get between those long legs of our little princess―"

"No Soul―" It was as if she could hear the last chain keeping him together snapping and he launched toward Giriko. His hand gripped Giriko's throat and Soul pushed him backwards meters until Giriko's back collided with the rocks of the Witching Well.

"What are you doing?!" Mosquito burst out as the wind from the brawling men took his hat away.

"You want to play thug guy, huh?!" Soul violently shook Giriko by the neck, his upper back threatening hanging over the Witching Well. "You insult Maka, you insult me. I'll fucking dump your corpse into Witching Well after I've ripped your head off!" His saliva sprayed over Giriko's stunned but satisfied face.

Black*Star and Justin aided the situation and ripped the bloodthirsty Soul from Giriko. Maka was left in awe staring at his blazing red eyes and his much sharper and defined wolf teeth taking its place, arms hairier than ordinary and nails longer and sharper than humanly possible. He… he had really intentions of killing Giriko. Right in front of all of them. This… this person— borderline beast— hadn't been acting like this during the Crooked Man case. In her presence, he behaved. He did what he was asked to do. He brought the Crooked Man in for justice, waited for her to finish the ceremony at the funeral. He was good, kind and caring, this wasn't the person she knew and grew to love.

Then again, did she even know him at all? His past was of a wolf, a murderous wolf who had feed on bigger and stronger enemies than himself and he had grown into the humongous wolf he was. His true self was of a wolf, he had said so himself. He was simply a wolf in human clothing.

"It's settled." Justin announced as Maka dejectedly stared into the void. "The relationship between sheriff Soul Eater and deputy major Maka Albarn is inappropriate and a threat toward Fabletown. You have till dawn to decide, if you will stick together, Maka will have to resign as deputy major."

She was left transfixed on the spot as the other fables slowly left the chamber. Tsubaki apologetically offered her a comforting brush on her shoulder and Giriko grinned a wide shit-eating grin that could only be describe as "I got you".

The familiarly heavy footsteps echoed in the chamber and he came to a stop in front of her. "Sorry." The familiar heavy combat boots stepped into her vision and her eyes wandered up to meet his apologetic ones. "I just…"

"You just what?" she growled under her breath. "Retreated back to violence again? Thought scaring them would make it all better? What were you thinking?"

Soul flinched and his eyes lowered. "I'm sorry. I thought it would work."

"When has violence ever solved your problems? You just gained strength by feeding on your enemies and what happiness did it bring you? Nothing." she sneered and roughly shoved her index finger on his chest. "You just threw us away a minute ago. You retreated back to your shell of solitude and fear and now you will have to walk the walk because I need a partner!"

"It wasn't that bad." Soul steered away her finger. "We can still solve this problem. You can overrule their decision. You're the fucking deputy major—"

"I'm a deputy major, not a dictator!" Maka shouted.

"But there are still ways. Like… ugh…" Soul scratched his head. "We can't quit our jobs, but… um… there's gotta be a way."

Maka's heart broke. She… she had been willing to quit her job for him. Walk away from her career and actually start a life with him. For once in her life, she didn't want to live for her work, she wanted to live for someone. But he… he didn't want to live with her. He… he wasn't no longer the Soul she partnered up with during the Crooked Man case.

She swallowed down her hurt. "It's over."

Soul's rambling came to an end and his eyes widened. "You don't mean that."

"I do." She nodded, sorrow starting to knot at her throat. She needed to get away as soon as possible. "I don't need a feral boyfriend. I need a civil boyfriend who can keep his emotions in check." She turned around and left him in the Witching Well Camber.

[oblivion-time]

Ripple Effect ch 1 (SoMa week 2017)

SoMa Week 2017. Sort of sequel to Monachopsis. Recommend you reading that one before you read this one. Soul's journey to recovery is a hard one. Not just for him, but everybody around him.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

AO3 | FF.net

Ripple effect

Confession

Stein usually was the one conducting the observations. Throughout the years he kept a neutral façade as he studied everything from liquids to experiments, apart from the occasional wrinkle between his eyebrows appearing when faced a particularly puzzling challenge.

Soul chuckled for himself. But now he wasn't the one observing. He was the one being observed. Throughout the countless of check-ups and tests and samplings gathering, reading Stein's expressions had become something close to a routine. At the beginning, his face has stayed as neutral as possible, very typical him. When his reconstruction surgery failed that's when the wrinkle between his eyebrows appeared as he felt his stomach up. The wrinkle had only deepened for every unsuccessful surgery.

Now, his lips had turned stiff and tense, jaw sharp to the point almost breaking skin. This was something entirely new. His fingers feathered over his skin, barely applying any pressure in fear of receiving another moan of pain.

He was burning up. He was on fire. Every skin cell was soaked with boiling sweat and his tongue had turned to sandpaper.

He couldn't turn sick today. Not today of all days.

After all of Maka's work, after the great opportunity she had been given by Nygus to assist teaching the students in the NOT class in Soul Theory and partner compatibility, this was the day Nygus had given her the chance to hold her own lesson in weapon and meister compatibility. She had told him the students with no weapon or meister had a hard time understanding the concept of compatibility and what to look for in a partner, so she had pleaded him into coming to class so they could demonstrate their compatibility.

His slight fever had flamed up during the night and Maka was beyond worried about him, especially when he stiffened a moan of pain when he moved into his wheelchair. Without any hesitation she had taken him to Stein's office for a check-up.

Stein's worried expression didn't sooth him. He knew deep within his soul this wasn't good. If Stein was visibly worried like this, it wasn't good. At all.

"You can stop thinking and just tell me." Soul broke the heavy silence within the nurse's office.

"Don't you want to wait till Maka returns?" Stein questioned as he let go of Soul's shirt and took off his latex gloves, throwing them away.

"No, I need Maka to stay focused on the lesson. This is really important to her."

"More important than your health?"

Soul silenced for a moment. "She will see it eventually." He knew Maka would one-hundred percent blow off the lesson in order to be by his side. It had taken him some convincing for her to go and prepare herself for the class and he would come to her as soon as the check-up was finished.

"Fine then." He leaned against his desk and crossed his arm over his chest. "The reconstructive surgeries haven't working and I'm afraid if we put you through another one you won't survive it."

He swallowed heavily and every word from Stein's mouth was like a big fat slap to his face. "It isn't the end, is it?"

Stein shook his head. "Your intestines are failing." Stein began explaining in a calm tone. "Your liquid diet to strengthen your intestines absorption of nutrition isn't working and your blood levels are concerning. Within a soon future, you'll start having liver complications and bone disorders will draw to your like a fly to a lamp."

He… he knew cheating death would come with consequences, but he hoped he would've more time. Time to watch Maka become a true teacher at Shibusen and marry her and have kids. In his wildest of dreams, he hoped he would grow old with her and die from old age. This… it was like a punch to the gut. A truck loaded with bricks and dumped them all over him. The extra time he bought was running through his fingers. He had convinced himself when the time to go was there, he would be ready and satisfied from the little time with Maka he was given, but he didn't― he wasn't ready to leave.

He bit his lower lip and let the pain dull his fear. "… How long do I have?"

"It all comes down to if you get an intestine transplant. With one, you could live for maybe a decade to a death of old age, but without an intestine transplant, maybe less than a year."

He ran his hand through his hair and cursed under his breath. This was it… he… his fate was sealed. Within the year, he would leave this earth and Kid would claim his soul. The chance of receiving a transplant, and such a rare one as an intestine transplant, his chances were slim.

"I'll put you on the intestine transplant list and as a doctor I recommend you to not do the NOT demonstration. In your condition if you transform into a weapon, it could only worsen your situation and in the worst case, even kill you."

Soul gulped. He had promised Maka he would do this. He had been doing so well on his walking braces rehabilitation to appear as strong as he could in front of the other students. This was Maka's new purpose in life now when he wasn't wieldable and she refused to take on a different weapon, being a teacher at Shibusen was her passion. She wasn't just worried about him anymore, she was rebuilding her life and with these news― he couldn't take down her career with him. They had bills to pay and the money he got from the insurance policy for his injuries wasn't enough to cover both of them.

He raised his arm in front of him and with a flash, his arm turned into the blade without even hurting a little. Relief washed over him as the blade gleamed dully. He could transform. He could pull this off. He just needed to get through the demonstration. Just this once. Then, as soon as they got home, he would tell her the truth about his condition.

He grinned wide as the blade turned back into his arm. "I think I'll be able to handle it."

…

Soul took a deep breath before he knocked on the door. Through the window on the door Maka's head snapped toward him and a wide smile spread on her face. Her mouth moved, saying something to her students and she hurried over to him. She slid out of the door and planted a big kiss on him before the door had closed.

"How did the check-up go?" She wore the biggest smile ever.

"Great. Just a cold. It will go away in a few days."

Maka sighed with relief and rested her head against his. "Oh death. What a relief. I was really worried your intestines would start acting up again."

He swallowed down his guilt and offered a good spirited smile. He told himself. "Nah, it was just our imagination. As soon the demonstration is over I'll go home and rest up."

"And I'll be home as soon as class ends." She ran her hand through his hair and cupped his heated cheek. "How about we watch a movie tonight? Just the two of us."

He smiled tiredly and nodded. "Sounds like a date."

Maka opened the door and pushed him inside of the classroom. All the unfamiliar faces of the NOT students were on him and he wanted to shrink and escape in his chair. He could feel them sizing him up, judging him, the Last Death Scythe, the strongest weapon and meister pair and he was in a wheelchair.

"Everyone," Maka's voice turned chipper as she stepped beside the wheelchair, entwining her hand with his. "This is Soul Eater Evans, my weapon partner and my boyfriend. He has come here today to help me demonstrate healthy compatibility between a weapon and a meister. Soul, this is the first year NOT students."

"Sup." He nodded toward the students sitting behind their desks.

"Now students, Soul and I will show you what happens when you find a partner who is compatible with your soul wavelength." Maka squeezed his hand. "You may transform now."

He swallowed hard, Stein's words ringing in his head. He hadn't transformed into his full scythe form for about… long before the mission in the mountains. Maybe two and a half year ago now? But transforming had become like second nature for him during the years of partnering up with Maka. He knew this like the back of his hand. He just needed to take the transformation slow and make sure nothing went wrong.

His eyes wandered over the group of students who excitedly sat in their chairs and ate up the view of them or whispered to their bench partner. It didn't help he had thirty students watching his every move.

Here goes nothing.

He started with his arm. It lit up and the light wandered up to his shoulders and head and transformed him into solid metal. So far so good. The light wandered downward and his hand turned into the grey shaft and― an unbearable sharp pain in his abdomen and the light repelled from him and his shaft turned once again into his hand. He hit the floor loudly and the pain consumed him.

…

"I can't believe you lied to me!" Maka roared, tears in her voice and lower lip quivering with anger and sadness, pacing back and forth at the foot of the hospital bed.

"I told you I didn't want to worry you. You had talked for days about this demonstration and I―"

"Your life is more important than some lesson!" she halted and roared toward him, tears leaking from her eyes and she let out a sob. "You are so more important than that." She sobbed as she sunk down to the floor, burying her face in her hands. "I can't believe you're― you're not going to die!"

It truly broke his heart seeing her so heartbroken sitting on the floor with her legs pulled up to her chest and shaking for every sob she made. "I'm really sorry. I just wanted you to have this happiness before I dropped the bomb on you. I thought… I really wanted to do this demonstration with you. I thought I was strong enough."

Maka sobbed his name. On unsteady legs she got up just to throw herself on the bed, burying her face in his neck and hands desperately holding his face. "I love you so much, but you are such an ass." she sobbed as her nails raked his face. "Just please, don't lie to me. I wouldn't ever want to see you like that again. You… your eye on the blade took up your whole face!"

"I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize." She removed her face from his neck and looked him in the eyes. Her cheeks were puffy with tears and snot running from her nose. "You're― you're going to be okay. You're on the transplant list and Stein will take care of your and you're going to be okay. You're not going to die."

He wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly. He wished her words were true. How he wished.

[oblivion-time]

Ripple Effect ch 7 (SoMa Week 2017)

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

AO3 | FF.net

Ripple effect

In battle

"I can't believe this." Maka held back her tears as she fanned herself with her hands. "I'm getting married."

"Yeah, and he will drive himself crazy the moment he lays his eyes on you." Liz smirked wide as she grabbed her eyeshadow palette and a brush. "But since he's already your husband by law, he probably rocks a semi everywhere he goes."

Maka's face heated up and she picked up her vows and fanned herself with it, pinking even more at the knowing grin on Liz's face. They had gotten caught quite a lot in the janitor's closet by her classroom she might as well put up a sign with her name on it. She intentionally "forgot" her lunch or her keys or anything just for Soul to have a reason to come and visit her. Well, let's just say she wasn't just hungering for a sandwich. At least her students hadn't walked in on her with her husband. Otherwise she would've been fired on the spot and had a stampede of parents on her ass.

"Something like that." She avoided Liz's knowing eyes and she turned toward the full body mirror. The beautiful bridal dress hugged her curves nicely and nicely followed her legs. A simple but yet breath-taking dress she had chosen out of all the bride dresses in the store. Liz had done a simple hairdo and attached the veil at the back of her head. She simply looked… really good. She just hoped Soul would like her look as much as she did.

"I'm just surprised you can keep your sex life as alive as you two do. There's just so much you can do in a wheelchair."

"We're doing just fine." And they were doing more than fine! Sure, since Soul couldn't move his legs or support himself on them, all the work fell on to Maka, but he was certainly not just taking it. He had his hands and mouth to work with and oh boy, he worked wonders with those. Going through months without the intimate connection, it had left a hunger that needed to be squashed. Repeatedly. As often as they could.

"More than fine from what I'm hearing." Liz came into view in the mirror, wiggling her eyebrows. "I bet it will only improve once Kim has gotten the hang of her magic to give him back his ability to walk."

It would definitely, but she didn't really care. Having sex with him would always be amazing. With or without wheelchair. She knew Soul would love to walk around again and lift her up when they hugged and spin her around and kiss her whenever he wanted without reeling her down to his level. He wanted his legs back, and she would support that until the end of her life, but if he would forever be bound in a wheelchair or walking braces and crutches, she was fine with that too. As long as she was with him, she would be okay.

"Yeah, now when she's combining her magic with the progressive science and experiments, I have no doubt she will come up with a solution soon. Especially now when she has Soul's family showering money over her." She could only giggle. The first pay check Mr. Evans had given her, her eyes had almost popped out from their sockets at the large sum.

"She's smart and she will come up with it soon." Liz went around her with the eyeshadow palette in hand and a brush. "Now close your eyes."

The waiting had been killing her when Soul had been rolled inside of the surgery room. They all knew either he would come back out with new intestines and a new chance at life, or he would die on the table, but she had faith he would survive. Soul wasn't a weakling. He struggled through the consequences of saving her in the mountain village and he proved her he was truly ten times stronger than her. Soul… he was simply the most amazing and wonderful partner she could've ever asked for, but at the same time the worst one. Without a thought regarding himself and his life, he would give it all up. For her.

He had been in surgery for seven hours, and he came out alive. More than alive, two hours later he woke up more alive than ever. He was left in the hospital for weeks and she wept with joy, his body was accepting the transplant and he would no longer vomit from drinking liquids. He was gaining weight and his ribcage no longer threatened to break skin. His arm healed up and his body grew stronger. Six weeks later he was discharged from the hospital and for the first time in months, he could return home.

She kept her promise. Two months after the surgery she asked him to marry her with a golden ring in a box, and he said yes. The very next day they went to courthouse and got married, deciding to save the actual ceremony for later when their lives were more stable.

Now, when Soul was healthy enough to eat solid food and live as a normal life as he could as a wheelchair-bound person, it was time they went through with the wedding ceremony.

"There. You look beautiful." Maka opened her eyes and gazed on Liz's masterpiece. Her jaw dropped at her makeup. And not in a good way.

"Why did you give me purple lipstick?!" she shrieked and it was like a horrible throwback toward the fatal night in the mountains. When she was going on a date with "Akane" and Liz had insisted putting on purple lipstick. This— this— she couldn't trigger Soul to go all PTSD on her! "I can't wear purple!"

"Ah, come on, it's not that bad."

"Not that bad?" she sneered as she turned around. "Do you call both of us dying not that bad? What if he passes out just from seeing me or he decides to call off the ceremony or—"

"Relax." Liz swung her arm around Maka's shoulders. "It's fine. A little bird whispered in my ear that purple lipstick is the way to go today."

"What? Really?" Soul… did he really want her to wear purple lipstick? No… wouldn't he be triggered or primed to hate it?

"You know a good agent never reveals her source."

"… but you're not an agent."

"But a street thug I am. I'm just an informal agent." Liz winked as she went over to the makeup table messy with all her different products.

"I trust you not to ruin my wedding." She called after her to the sound of the door opening.

Wes peeked his head inside of the room. "It's time."

"Already?"

Wes grinned wide and slid inside of the room, closing the door behind him. "Nervous? You're just going to marry the same guy again."

Maka blew a raspberry and turned back toward the mirror to smoothen out her dress. Wes appeared behind her in the mirror. "Last time it was only us, you, a judge and a twenty dollar bill. This time, an audience of six-hundred people will be watching us."

"You've nothing to worry about. I'm sure this day will be just as magical as the day at the courthouse, maybe even better, who knows."

"I just hope this all won't freak Soul out."

"The only reason he would freak out would be if his to-be-wife-again didn't start walking down the aisle when the organ starts. Now turn around." She turned around to face her brother-in-law, he pulled her veil down. "He's just as nervous as you are, if that is to any comfort."

It wasn't anything new. She could feel him at the end of their bond, feeling his soul quivering with nerves, if any, he was maybe even more nervous than she was. Being in the spotlight in front of so many people must be scary.

"I know." She placed her hand on her chest where her soul dwelled. "He's freaking out."

"Then how about we get this wedding started?"

She let out a quick breath before she nodded. "Yes."

Liz disappeared inside of the church and so did Wes after flashing a thumb up toward her. Maka exhaled and held her bouquet tightly in her hands when the organist started playing. The double doors opened, revealing all their friends and family gathered in the benches. But no Soul. Kid stood alone at the end of the aisle and Liz and Wes stood on either side as their maid of honour and best man. But where the heck was Soul?! Her palms grew moist as she slowly started to walk down the aisle. Their friends and family among the audience didn't seem surprised at all, simply composed and smiled toward her as she went by.

She reached the end of the aisle where Wes grinned even wider at her perplexed expression.

The song didn't end. It started back up and the heavy double doors slammed open once again. She flipped around and there he was. Standing— on his legs! His wheelchair was nowhere to be seen and iron poles were jutting out from his pants, resembling his walking braces, but at the same time not. His hands casually fisted the metal rode and he gently tugged it forward— he took a step!

Maka gasped when he wobbled the slightest, intending to go and aid him when flesh grabbed her wrist. She faced Wes shaking his head.

"Just watch him."

It all fell into place. The nervousness within Soul's core. Wes's knowing grin. They all knew this was going to happen.

She watched him. As discrete as he could, he pulled at the metal rods as he shakily went down the aisle. It was enchanting. The sweet melodies from the organ seemed to cease to exist as Soul slowly made his way down the aisle. Occasionally he had to support himself on the benches, but he battled on and kept on walking down the aisle. The organ repeated the song when he reached halfway. Tears pooled up in her eyes and Maka silently thanked Liz for applying waterproof makeup.

When he was just a few steps away from her, she neared him and gathered him in her arms. "You're walking." she whispered into his ear, hugging him close to her which he reciprocated with interest. "I can't believe it."

"Me neither. Kim came up with a solution and she has managed to reconnect my nerve system to my legs. Now I just need to build up my muscles again and maybe I'll be able to walk like before all this happened."

"Thank death." she whimpered and buried her face in her husband's neck. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I wanted to surprise you and make you proud on our wedding day."

She pulled away and she cupped his cheeks, caressing his newly shaved skin. "I'm always going to be proud of you. Wheelchair or no wheelchair. Please, include me in your battles. I want to support you and help you even if it is the smallest thing like fetching utensils because you forgot to bring them."

Soul lifted up her veil and held her face in his hands, thumb caressing her bottom lip and his eyes darkened as if he was hypnotized. He leaned closer and his forehead feathered over hers. "I promise you I will always include you not only in my life, but in my mind and thoughts. I will always support and love you through thick and thin until death reclaims me."

A smile played on Maka's lips just before they locked tightly with her husband. Loud applauds rung and whistles broke out as their lips slipped, clinging onto each other.

Kid shrugged his shoulders and chuckled heartily. Seemed like they didn't need him to wed them after all. They did it well themselves.

Soul pulled away, licking the purple lipstick smeared on his lips. "I'm so glad you put that lipstick on."

Maka giggled and kissed his nose. "If you had to choose between me reapplying the lipstick or a cheeseburgers and chill at the hotel room, what would you chose?"

"No." His eyes widened with realization. "You didn't."

Maka shrugged her shoulders and pulled him close to her. "It's your choice."

"Is there no possibility to have both?"

"I'm open for some kind of compromise." Her finger ran along his jaw line.

"I'm your guy then." He reeled her in and kissed her once again.

Finally. Their battle had ended. Now only peace laid in front of them.

...

Thank you all for reading this little fic of mine and letting me break and mend your hearts once again! Now you can rest assure, I'll leave Maka and Soul alone in this universe to live happily forever after.

[oblivion-time]

Ripple Effect ch 5 (SoMa Week 2017)

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

AO3 | FF.net

Ripple effect

You make me stronger

The weight of Wes's bag had never been greater than before, and his bags were usually quite heavy containing his violin, notes and books. The bag in his hand was physically lighter, but mentally exhausting to bear, almost impossible. He urged to simply drop it and leave it in a puddle for some hobo to get their hands on his shiny briefcase.

As much as he wanted to leave it, he needed to carry it and bear the responsibility his brother had asked of him. At the end of his life, Wes was his loyal servant to care and execute exactly what he desired. He owed it to his brother. For the joy he had given him and now he needed to honour his wishes.

The door to Stein's lab shrieked open, the air seemingly tenser than before as he went down the stairs to where his brother now reside. The door stood ajar, a gleam of light lighting the dark stairway and inviting him into Soul's new room. He politely knocked before he pushed the door open, finding his brother asleep alone in his room for once.

His mouth tightened with restrained anger. He was never supposed to be left alone. Maka was always there watching over him. Where the heck was everybody?

He strode to his bed in five quick steps and placed his fingers on his neck even though the heart monitor was working and peeping. Relief washed over him at the steady pulse under his fingertips. A groan escaped Soul's throat and his eyes fluttered open.

"Maka…?" Soul whispered.

"No. Wes." Wes placed his bag on the floor and took a seat on the chair by his bed. "Where is Maka?"

"I asked her to run back to the apartment and grab something."

Wes cocked his eyebrow questioningly. "And Maka was okay leaving you alone?"

"Stein is upstairs and you would arrive any minute. I convinced her I would be fine the ten minutes I would be alone." He swallowed loudly and ran his hand through his hair with his unbroken arm. "Did you bring what I asked for?"

The lump of sorrow and hurt grew in his throat, he nodded.

"Then let's start."

Wes lifted his briefcase and the locks clicked open. He unloaded the various funeral magazines and brochures and printed papers from funeral sites on his bed. "Where do you want to start?"

"The spot for the grave."

Even though Wes's heart was breaking for every page he flipped, for every image of sorrowful dark places with tombstones at half-mast, just waiting to be occupied, he powered on, knowing this was his kid brother's last wish. His last desire. Maka wasn't emotionally stable and had barely even acknowledged the fact his intestines wouldn't arrive and if they did, if he survived the surgery was highly questionable. This… this was the last thing he could do for his brother. Taking in his wishes and make sure his forever resting place would be a good one. His heart ached and twisted as if a knife was stabbed in it, but he battled through it, knowing his brother's happiness had to go before his own. His pain, his loath toward the unchangeable, his unwavering urge to walk away from it all to protect his heart, it all had to be placed within the crampiest tiniest part of his soul for his brother.

There was something in his brother's eyes as they ran over the papers and flipping through the magazines, something neutral, possibly peaceful. An emotion so unfearful and relieved it was impossible to believe. As much as Wes didn't want to utter it aloud, he was scared. Scared out of his wits and beyond perplexed how his life would go on. For years he had gone without his brother, when he finally got the call from his then missing brother, he truly thought nothing would keep them apart. Soul would be his best man at his wedding and he would be the best man at his and Maka's wedding. He longed for a long life with his brother.

And there Soul sat, completely at ease with walking away from the living. Wes was freaking out and he was so frustrated he didn't dare to say a words. Fuck. He hated how he was so considerate of his brother.

"You think this one is okay?" Soul tapped his finger at a certain spot in the Death City graveyard.

Wes cocked his eyebrow. "You want to be buried in Death City?" He hadn't taken it seriously when he printed out Death City's graveyard information. He was born and raised in New York! He thought he would want to return to be buried at the family Evans tombstones. Love certainty had hooked him to Death City.

Soul slowly nodded. "Death City has become my home."

"Alright. I'll contact the graveyard and get them more details about the area where you can choose exactly which one you want."

He adored his little brother. He really did. He wanted to spoil him rotten because he really did deserve it. He just disliked the fact he had grown up. He was no longer the kid weeping at the piano because his instructor had given him crap for playing his music instead of the famous classic songs he wanted him to play. He had not just grown up, he had found a love Wes could never comprehend. A love that had ended up shortening his life by two thirds. As much as it pained him, he knew Soul would go through it again and again and again in order to save Maka. She… there was just something about her which made him unable to leave her. Unable to love a different woman and unable to live without her. Maka had become his oxygen and all he wanted was Maka.

And it was the one thing he couldn't give him.

Maka loved his brother dearly. The time alone with her in the cabin, waiting for his brother to wake up, if he were ever to wake up, she showed him how important he was for her. Cried rivers on his chest, unhesitatingly declaring her love for him unapologetically, just hoping her love for him would wake him up like some cliché love story. When Soul was the lowest, she rose up to the occasion and sacrificed her job, friends, family, everything in order to be by his side. And she had kept on doing that. When he grew worse, so did her life outside of her relationship with his brother. They had been joined at the hip ever since they first found out they were compatible, they both had become wings and tackled everything life had together.

But soon one would be severed and Maka would be left alone with nothing.

"Wes." Soul murmured.

"Yeah?"

"Can you promise me something?"

"Anything you want is yours."

Soul raised his shaky hand and Wes immediately held his uncasted hand "When I'm gone… Please, look after her."

"Maka?"

Soul nodded. "She's intelligent… so intelligent and she has more guts that any person I have ever seen…" The smile playing on his lips at the thought of his girlfriend saddened. "But she is also a softie… I know… without anyone there to look after her… I'm afraid of what she might do."

"You don't think she will…?" Wes made a slicing gesture at his neck.

"Worst case scenario. Please… take her under your wing… give her a job which keeps her working more than fulltime… a job where she meets a lot of new people… I want you to keep her so busy… so, so busy she won't even have time to think about me." Soul ran out of breath and breathed heavily. "Please… can you… do that?"

Wes squeezed his hand and nodded. "Consider it done, but, won't Maka be upset?"

"Yeah… but you gotta convince her... she's… she won't be okay."

Wes could only take in his sorrowful eyes before he placed his other hand on his. This… this what he could do for his brother. "I promise you on my life, I will use every resource, every connection, and every ounce of energy in my body, I will get Maka back on her feet and back to the world."

It was as if a weight had been lifted from his brother's shoulders. Relief washed over his face and his eyes fluttered shut. "Thanks."

"You're welcome, little brother."

Soul smiled exhaustingly, showing of his teeth. "Can we go through the coffins now?"

"Of course." He let go of his brother's hand and pulled out the file with the different coffin styles.

…

Maka hadn't run for such a long time, but after rummaging Soul's stuff for what felt like eternality because he misremembered where he put them, Maka ran faster than every back toward Stein's clinic. The papers were crinkled in her hand as Stein's house was visible. Maka slammed the door open, ignored Stein's greeting and rushed down the stairs.

"I'm back!" Maka announced when she entered the room, finding Wes seated by Soul's side with a plethora of papers spread across his bed. She smiled wide at Soul's face lighting up when he saw her. "Sorry for the long wait, but I got the papers now…" Her voice slowly disappeared when she went up to his bed and saw what he paper across his bed was about. Coffins, graveyards and churches punched her in the gut for ever page she took in.

"Thank you." Soul said as Maka slid down in her seat beside Soul, kissing his forehead and grabbing his hand. "You can give them to Wes." Maka acknowledged him and handed over the note sheets to Wes who accepted them and immediately started pouring over the notes.

"Sounds… very intriguing." Wes said as he flipped through the sheets.

"It's the last song I wrote… play it for Maka when I'm gone—"

Maka's chair shrieked loudly when it was pushed backwards from her unexpected rise. Her clenched fists quivered with held back emotions.

"Wes can you circle the coffins I liked and we could—"

"No!" Maka snatched the papers on the bed and ripped it to a thousand pieces, throwing them up in the ceiling and they rained over them like snow. "You're not going to die! You're just making assumptions and you're already planning your funeral when you're not even gone yet!" Tears smudged her cheeks and she threw herself on the bed, wrapping her arms around Soul's neck and hugging him for dear life. "It's not fair!"

She sobbed loudly as his one good arm hugged her gingerly. "Wes can we have a moment?"

"Of course." Wes's shoes clicked and the door gently shut behind him.

"Maka…" Soul whispered into her ear as he patted her back as well as he could. "I don't want to leave you… but we got to face it… my dad isn't going to find a transplant… Black*Star isn't going to find Free… I'm… I'm not going to be here for too long…"

"You don't know that." she hiccupped between her tears. "I love you. You can't leave me. You— you just can't."

"I'm sorry… I'm sorry I couldn't be a good life partner for you…"

"Don't say that." She pulled away enough to look him in the eyes. "You're the best partner I could ever ask for. You've always been my best friend and my rock to lean on. We both know you are the stronger one of us."

Soul chuckled, it was more of a choked bird, but it still hade the warmth of it before the events at the mountain village. It made Maka heat up with the passion she felt for him. "No… I'm just selfish… I love you so much I'm unable to accept a future without you…"

"Me too." She cupped his cheek and caressed her thumb over his too sharp cheekbone. "How do you expect me to continue on without you?"

"I don't know… I just know… I just want you to be happy… without me."

"You are my happiness. I won't be if you're not with me." A tear trickled down her cheek and Soul wiped it away.

"And you are mine… but I need to be selfless with you… I need to let you go."

Maka shook her head, more tears leaking from her eyes at the weeping sound of her heart. "You can't. No, you can't. I won't ever let you." She clasped his hands desperately. "Please Soul, Don't let me go. Don't give up on us— on you. You will be fine. Please Soul, just— just marry me."

He shook his head, bangs sticky to his sweaty forehead. "… I won't."

"Please…" she whimpered. "I love you."

"I love you too…" his eyelids were half-lidded and his hand resting on her cheek slipped. "Sorry… really tired."

"It's okay." She brushed away his moist bangs and kissed his forehead. "We can continue our conversation later."

"Just… stay…"

"I always will." she said as a tear fell from her eye as his closed.