Chapter Text
This would not be easy. Stein knew that. But as he looked at his new God, he also knew that he had to try.
The Lord of Death must wield a scythe.
"Don't think too hard about it." He wasn't going to teach by smacking Kid around, not this time. He could get seriously hurt, using a weapon he wasn't accustomed to.
"Liz..." He pouted. "Patty..."
"Are out shopping with Maka." Soul didn't like doing this any more than Kid did. He didn't like being used by anyone else.
"I picked Soul to be your scythe partner because he is a young death scythe and you have resonated before." Ever logical, Stein pushed his glasses higher up, examining the two souls in front of him.
"But that was through Maka..."
"You wouldn't have resonated as strongly without Soul's power as well. You can do this. Take Soul's hand."
Kid nodded. The promise he made to change. The armband he had kept - they had all kept - was actually keeping him grounded. This was an excellent step forward.
"His soul..." He felt it. Just as nervous as his. Rough and cynical, it scratched against him. He had to let go.
Soul was making a face as well. "Lord Death never used me as a weapon. That was..."
"How is someone like Maka paired with you?" He was laughing a little.
"Hey!" But Kid was right. It was always the question. But Maka being so straight forward, so head strong, that's what made it work. She wasn't going to give up on him. She never did.
"Again." It wasn't a terrible first start, but Stein had been hoping to have Soul transformed by the end of the day.
The boys took hands again. Soul knew this was going to be hard on Kid. He needed that balance. He tried to relax, to push away his negative thoughts. This wasn't going to be like that nonsense with Black Star. They were taking this seriously.
Yeah... That's better. He didn't realize how vibrant Kid was. He knew all of his friends had incredibly powerful souls, but Kid was a god. He felt that determination to maintain order... and the fear of failure. The world will not possible fall to pieces before we can do this, Soul thought.
Oh. Kid started to smile. It was still rough, but it was starting to feel familiar. Like Liz and Patty when he first met them. Still rough, but overwhelmingly good.
"Okay, now Soul. Transform." Stein saw the shifts and merging of their souls and thought that maybe he would get home to Marie early.
"Shit!" Soul immediately fell out of Kid's hands. "Why are you so heavy?!"
Soul transformed back to human and began laughing. "Probably because maybe I'm not a pair of pistols?"
Kid blinked at him before breaking out in a grin as well. "Well. That would do it."
Stein sighed. Nope. No getting home soon. But this time he didn't need to say anything as Kid and Soul joined hands again.
"We aren't trying to resonate." Kid reminded him. "I just need to be able to hold you."
"Yeah." He replied. "Don't worry too much. Maka and I didn't do this over night."
To Soul, Maka and Kid were similar. And to Kid, Soul was similar to the sisters. If they could just hold on. For just a second.
Again, Soul became a scythe. This was his job now, where he needed to be. And Kid was his friend. He wanted to see him succeed. One second. He closed his eyes, waited, and...
He didn't fall. He could see Kid in his mind's eye. 2 seconds. He was shaking. 3 seconds. His legs began to bend. 4 seconds...
Soul caught him before he hit the ground. They were both panting heavily, exhausted. Still, they smiled at each other as Soul steadied the new scythe meister.
"Well,” Stein said, “that was my goal for today." He turned away from them, pulling out a cigarette.
"Doctor." He sheepishly put the offending object back in his coat pocket.
"Thanks, boys." He held up his hand in farewell. "Good job today."
“Aren't we going to try some more?” Kid asked, feeling anxious.
“There are other things to help the souls resonated.” He replied, one foot out of the Death Room. “Find what works for you.” As he vanished, they both rolled their eyes.
“The good doctor as definitely gone soft.” Soul said, letting go of Kid now that he was sure he wouldn't faint.
“Well, you know how new parents are.”
Soul started laughing again. “Do we?” Because they were kids, barely 16 and now the weight of the world was on their shoulders.
They left the Death Room and made their way to DWMA proper, walking through the school, discussing things they might have in common that could help them bond as partners.
“Finally!” The shout, heard probably all across Death City, caused them to jump.
“Black Star...” They groaned, simultaneously pressing their palms to their foreheads in exasperation. Rounding the corner, they found that everyone was waiting for them.
“Hello, you two.” Tsubaki greeted them politely, thumping Black Star in the head for making too much noise. “How was training?”
Soul began explaining the events of their lesson as Patty clung to Kid's arm. Maka listened intently and took notes on a pad. Black Star read over her shoulder, but Soul was definitely sure that he had no idea what he was saying. Liz was spaced out, her own arm slung over her meister's shoulders.
“Hey, so, dinner tonight?” Maka asked, after he was done.
He grinned and pulled her notebook away from her, lacing her hand in his. “Sure, what do you want?”
“Let's all go somewhere!” Black Star suggested.
"It has been a long time since we all got together for something." Tsubaki agreed.
“I'm down with that.” Liz grinned and Patty cheered.
“Do you want to hit up that tavern down the road or...”
They all chattered idly, talking over each other, yelling. Even with Lord Death gone, and their lives turning upside down, they still all had each other. Kid looked at Soul and Maka, could see their souls dancing with happiness. With Liz and Patti holding onto him, he felt steady, solid. He was happy. They were happy.
That's all they needed.