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She stared at herself in the mirror, with how busy they had been it was strange for her to see herself with her hair down (quite literally) and in a dress rather than her mission uniform. The red dress was simple; a square neckline, long sleeves, and a skirt that reached just below her knees. The cold December air required her to wear tights and adorn herself with a simple black cardigan that she would surely lose by the end of the night.
Soul knocking at her door broke her from her train of thought, the door slowly opening after a moment of silence. Soul stepped into the room in all of his pinstriped and red suit glory, Maka was always a sucker for formal wear.
“Red?” He looked at her, he sounded annoyed but his faint grin told her the opposite.
She walked up to him slowly placing a hand on his shoulder to gently push him out of the room and to the hallway, “It makes sense that we would match, we are partners afterall.”
His light laugh filled the space around them, “ Wasn’t complaining, looks good.” He lightly kissed her cheek before heading to the front door and holding it open for her. Maka grabbed her bag before stepping out, her face still slightly flushed.
Being a student of the DWMA meant having an unpredictable schedule, at a moment's notice students were expected to be able to drop everything and all responsibilities to go on a mission. So in a weird twisted way maybe there was always something to predict; the unexpected. Certain things couldn’t even be expected that seemed guaranteed for normal citizens of Death City, namely ringing in the New Year.
Despite what happens during the year like clockwork on December 31st people all over the world get together and celebrate the start of the New Year. For students the gathering is held annually at Gallows Manor, under the supervision of Lord Death, the students are encouraged to drink, dance, celebrate, and mostly just be together. In their line of work being around for another year is an accomplishment.
Kid greeted them both as they entered the manor, a curt smile and small hello was exchanged as they walked around the room addressing students, co-workers, peers, and superiors alike. The pair even mingled with a few witches, the newest addition to the DWMA tradition since signing the treaty a few months prior. To her surprise Soul lead most of the conversations, his new position as Kid’s personal weapon seemed to help him break out of his shell, however after ten minutes of continuous meet and greets Maka could tell Soul was starting to lose his edge; his shoulders began to slouch, his voice was softer, and his hand shakes lost their firmness.
“Hey Soul? Do you want to step out on the balcony for a little bit?” He had never turned towards her so quickly. He ended the conversation with a more gleeful spirit than when he started it and the pair crossed the manor with no incident before making it outside.
Maka immediately felt a chill, her cardigan long since discarded inside. Before she could even turn around she felt Soul’s suit jacket being draped over her shoulders, a smile spread across her face as he began to speak.
“Thanks for gettin’ us out of there, not sure how much longer I could have handled that. Kid usually does most of the talking but since he’s at the door I figured I’d pick up some of the slack but-” Maka reached up putting a finger to his lips silencing him, “You’re cute when you’re flustered. Don’t worry about it, Kid is doing just fine at the door and it’s your first day off in so long, try to enjoy it.”
He stared at her for a moment before smiling again and leaning down onto the ledge of the balcony, he felt Maka move against him and prop her head against his shoulder, planting a kiss on his cheek before settling in.
They weren’t sure how much time had passed but they were disrupted when Kid opened the door, “Maka, Soul the countdown will begin soon if you would care to join us.” He left as quickly as he showed, Maka turned to follow till Soul grabbed her arm holding her back. “Soul-”
She stopped herself when she turned around to see him, his hand on the back of his neck (a nervous habit he developed in his adulthood) and his lopsided grin etched across his face, “Maybe we could stay out here, and you know… celebrate with just the two of us?” She stared at him a moment longer before smiling and returning next to him. Behind them they could hear the party in the manor getting louder as they began to count down.
10
“Maka-”
8
She turned towards him eyes wide
6
“I just wanted-”
4
She tilted her head, Soul was still clearly nervous but it wasn’t like there was anyone around but them…
Oh
2
Soul thickly swallowed before dropping his hands and lightly grabbing Maka's shoulers, “I love you”
HAPPY NEW YEARS!
Soul stared at her expentally, Maka’s eyes widened before her face broke into a smile, her arm raising to place a hand over his, “I love you too”
The crowd inside continued to go wild as Soul pulled Maka into a kiss. Maybe one thing in Death City could always be expected, Soul and Maka would be together: soul, mind, body, and spirit.
…
Inside the party another celebration was happening, the ring caught the light as Liz bent down to kiss Kid. So soon after the passing of Lord Death, Death City would be getting a new Lady as well.