Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Are you alright?” Maka whispered before tightening her grip on his arm.

I dunno, am I? Soul thought as he looked to the side and noticed the way Maka’s eyebrows had been slightly furrowed in worry. However, his attention soon wandered towards how radiant she looked due to Marie’s handiwork in makeup and picking out a perfect dress to borrow for their wedding.

“Ye-yes, why wouldn’t I be?” Soul coughed out while watching Maka flash a smile at the crowd that’d gathered to watch them leave the courthouse.

“I don’t know, I just…thought you were acting a little off,” his wife replied, causing him to let out a long sigh due to how hard he’d been suppressing the urge to imagine all of this being real and not merely a favor between two friends.

“Oh well, I suppose I should try smiling a lil’ more. Wouldn’t wanna displease my wife,” he added before gently placing one of Maka’s hands within his own and feathering a kiss onto her knuckles.

The young man then looked up to see her gaping at him while he wondered if the soft blush across her cheekbones was a figment of his imagination.

“Hm, well I’m glad to hear it,” Maka whispered before grounding her feet to a halt and reaching up to peck him on the cheek, eliciting a set of gasps from the crowd.

The stopping point allowed Soul to get a perfect view of Blake, who seemed to flash him a wink before displaying the newsletter he’d been milking for the past week.

Leaflet for Love

Soul Evans, one of our town’s most humble and prosperous farmers, had asked for a special section to be printed into Miss Maka Albarn’s copy of the Death Tribune this past week. It read as follows:

I am twenty two years old, have a rather peculiar set of teeth, believe in the wealth of Mister Deathman, and the merit of the crops which our town produces. I have taken up a State lot, cleared up eighteen acres last year, and seeded ten of it down.

My buckwheat looks first-rate, and the oats and potatoes are bully.

I have got nine sheep, a two-year-old bull, and two heifers, besides a house and barn.

I want to get married.

I want to buy bread-and-butter, hoop-skirts, and waterfalls for some person of the female persuasion during life. That's what's the matter with me.

But I don't know how to do it, as my world would shatter if none other than Miss Maka Albarn would give me the pleasure of being my wife.

————————————————————

1 week ago

“ I just…don’t understand what I’m supposed to do sometimes, Soul,” Maka exclaimed before taking a swig out of a large wine bottle and passing it over to him.

“C’mon, you’re Maka Albarn, the toughest woman ta’ ever live,” Soul mumbled back while shifting the arm he’d snaked around her back.

He then took a large swig from the bottle while Maka slumped further against the pine tree they were seated under. The summer had graced the town with a cool evening breeze, which allowed the pair to have a perfect atmosphere for their nightly chats.

“Women are women to the lot, especially when it comes to business. Am I just supposed to waltz up to any investor, curtsy, and say good morning my name is Miss Maka Albarn and I’m inquiring about opening the first ever department store in Death City by myself,” she huffed, earning her a chortle from Soul.

“Well that’s where you’re wrong. I’m gonna be there to help you through it silly,” he added before regarding her with a shark-toothed grin, only to watch as her eyes became glazed over in deep thought.

“Hmm, help me out. That’s it!” the young woman yelped, eliciting Soul to jump at her sudden outburst.

“Soul….” she murmured before placing the wine bottle onto the ground and clasping both of her hands onto his own.

“Will you marry me?” Maka added while giving him an ardent stare, only for it to go unnoticed as the young man tried to wrap his mind around what she’d just said.

“Wha-“ Soul attempted to stammer out before feeling Maka’s grip on his hands begin to tighten.

“You could be the investor for me! I mean, you already have all this land and-“ Maka added, although Soul’s mind was too busy replaying those four words she’d uttered a moment ago.

Heh, kinda funny how I think about that stuff all the time. Me marryin’ Maka, her starting a business, us harvesting these fields every year until we’re an old married couple. Too bad…I can never really give her that life Soul mentally lamented before Maka slowly released his hands with a sigh.

“I-I mean only if you want to. It-it’s a request so please don’t-“

“Let’s do it,” the young man voiced while feeling a gentle warmth begin to creep up his chest once Maka’s emerald eyes settled upon his large grin.

“…Really?” she whispered, probing Soul into pressing his forehead against hers.

“Yea, if it means that much to ya’, let’s get hitched,” he added before Maka tackled him to the ground and hastily planted a set of kisses across his face.

Chapter Text

Maka had been wondering if she’d truly woken up every single day for a month now. She and Soul had shared a bed multiple times over the years, but it seemed to carry a different weight now that she lived with him and the entire town considered them newlyweds.

She’d catch some girls sending her dirty glares from behind the small alleyways lining the town, but that only appeared to solidify her fantasy of the entire agreement being real and not just an elaborate favor.

“Rise and shine, my beautiful wifeee . Ya’ got a big day today,” Soul announced from the kitchen, causing Maka to jump up from the warmth of their bed.

It’s not like me to wake up after Soul the young woman thought before hearing her husband clatter a few dishes around while preparing breakfast.

“Hm?” she mumbled as she pushed the bed covers aside and sauntered towards the kitchen where Soul was sliding a spatula around a wide cast-iron skillet.

“Why didn’t you wake me up sooner! I was the one in charge of making breakfast today, remember ?” the young woman pouted before watching her husband raise his shoulders into a shrug.

“Don’t worry bout’ it. I know you wash up fast, so hurry before your eggs are done cooking,” he added while turning back and flashing Maka a shark-toothed grin, probing the young woman to roll her eyes at how blatant his concern for her business agenda was. 

“Fineeee,” Maka sighed before giving Soul a quick kiss on his stubbled jawline and running out towards their well. 

She hastily jogged back afterwards to a large plate of bacon, eggs, biscuits, and gravy situated on the kitchen table for her. 

“Oh, you made such a large spread today!” the young woman hummed in gratitude while taking her fork and greedily picking up some of the contents.

“Glad you’re enjoyin’ it. So uh…what do you have to do today,” Soul asked in between a large bite of his biscuit.

He sure didn’t waste any time asking Maka thought to herself before wondering if there was anything Soul could do that wouldn’t make her swoon in place.

“I’m planning on delivering the request form for Mister Deathman to the post office first before scoping out the vacant building again,” she added while pouring Soul a glass of apple juice and watching him eagerly reach out for it with a muffled thanks .

“Doesn’t sound too bad. Buttt , knowin’ you it probably feels like walking on eggshells,” Soul sighed, probing Maka to let out a huff in agreement.

She then felt her husband gently rest his palm ontop her hand.

“ Butttttt I also know you well enough to see how many times you’ve walked into something and not gave a damn about what anyone thinks of you, so I’m absolutely certain you can do this,” he added as Maka took a minute to mull over his words before eventually giving him an enthusiastic grin.

———————————————————————

“Looking for something miss?” a man called out as Maka gazed through the thin film of dust upon the building’s windows.

“Oh, um I was just…curious about the interior of the building,” she yelped before looking up and noticing that the man who’d called out to her was Noah, the owner of the single pawn shop in Death Valley.

“Oh right, it’s been a while since I’ve had a neighbor,” Noah then added while letting out a low chuckle.

“Hmm, well you may be in luck. My husband has plans of opening up something more…innovative in our town,” Maka replied, earning her a hum from the man.

“So Solomon Evans plans on being both a successful farmer and businessman, eh? Seems as if men are made with the need to acquire more, although that’s gotten much harder with all these new laws popping up,” Noah then mumbled as the young woman felt her shoulders begin to slump at his words.

“R-right, of course. Well, I’d better go help him with the fields. You have a good day Mister Noah,” Maka whispered while turning away from the empty building.

“Ah, newlyweds and you’re already such a dutiful wife! I’ll leave you to it, and tell Solomon that I wish him good luck,” Noah exclaimed before allowing Maka to walk through the remainder of town and onto the packed dirt road which led to Soul’s farm.

Men they say. As if it’s a crime for a woman to have some god damn dreams of her own without already knowing how competitive it is to do business at all these days!!! Maka internally fumed while feeling a wave of anxiety begin to suffocate her mind after realizing that her dreams could be squashed in mere moments if one of Mr. Deathman’s associates tossed her proposal into a trash bin with the letters of other men meaning to do business with him.

“Don’t make me regret selling you some of my farmland Evans!” the young woman then heard a voice shout from outside Soul’s house, probing her to let out a groan in agitation once noticing her papa standing a few feet away from the dwelling.

“It’s technically me and my wife’s land now,” Soul chuckled as Maka came closer towards the two men and felt them both flinch from her sudden presence.

The young woman couldn’t help but let out a muffled yelp of her own once noticing how Soul was very much sweaty and shirtless from a few hours of harvesting his fields.

“Maka angel!! I’d just come by to see if this brute is treating you well only to find out you’d been-“

“Yes Papa, me and my husband are fine,” Maka added before bashfully walking closer towards Soul and allowing him to bend down and give her a peck on the cheek as a greeting. 

She then let out a muffled giggle once noticing how her papa appeared to be instantly fuming from their display of affection.

“You-you crass heathen! How dare you put your dirty lips near my Maka with nothing but a pair of flimsy pants-“

“Oi Soul, we’re done with the potatoes!” a voice then shouted from behind the trio, probing them to turn around and notice Liz, Patty, and Kilik walking in their direction.

“Alright, thanks Liz! You guys abouta’ take your break right now?” Soul replied as Spirit continued to glare in his direction.

“Sure are. I hope we didn’t interfere with a family meeting ,” Kilik added while Patty let out a quick snort at the insinuation.

“Oh no no, I was just about to leave,” Spirit added before rushing over to Maka and extending his arms as a request for a quick hug.

The action caused Maka to regard her papa with a small smile and then melt into his embrace.

“I’m trying not to be so angry sweetie, but watching you suddenly get married after swearing to only devote time for your dream is sort of…troubling,” Spirit whispered before turning on his heel and staring Soul directly in the eyes.

“This probably goes without saying, but…you’d better keep supporting my Maka any way you can, a-and that doesn’t mean fulfilling your marital duties if that’s what your perverted mind-“

“Papa, I told you we’re fine. Now stop pestering Soul and go back to your own farm,” Maka quickly added while pushing Spirit away from her husband, although she could already see the way Soul’s expression had deflated after her papa had brought up the topic .

Well, I suppose that ruins any chances of me coming clean to Papa about all this Maka thought to herself as she glanced at Spirit’s furrowed eyebrows and then back at Soul.

“We’d better get going as well. See you two in a few hours!” Patty added, causing Soul to give the group a weak smile as they walked away from the house.

Maka then waved her hand in a quick farewell before letting out a low sigh and encircling her fingers around her husband’s sweaty palm.

“Soul…I’m sorry Papa brought something like that up-“ 

“It’s ok, it’s not like the old man was gonna 

stop badgering my ass just because I don’t work for him anymore,” Soul added before regarding her with a small smile, although Maka was able to see right through the mask he’d put up everytime she’d worry about his feelings instead of it being the other way around.

“Still, I’m absolutely certain you’ll find someone who’ll love you regardless of how eager you’d be to do the deed of darkness ,” Maka added before feeling her heart race at the small giggle the young man let out afterwards.

Even if that person isn’t me she mentally lamented while noticing how Soul had started gazing at her when she didn’t let out a few giggles as well.

“Let’s…go take care of the corn before the others come back,” Maka then added as she pulled Soul onto the path leading towards the fields.

Chapter Text

I’m nothing but a coward aren’t I? I can’t even confess my feelings to Soul yet here I am asking him to play the part of a businessman for me Maka grumbled to herself as she popped another ear of corn off the lanky stalk in front of her.

The summer heat seemed to be relentless now that the sun was fully up, causing the young woman to become drenched in her own sweat even though she’d disrobed until she was wearing nothing but her chemise.

It was only after wiping her face ontop her undershirt did Maka realize that she and Soul were both practically undressed , which immediately tightened a coil within her stomach.

However, her hormones seemed to recede their subsequent attack once she felt her hair tie break in half after she’d tried to tighten it.

“Ughh,” Maka voiced before slumping onto the ground beneath them and watching Soul let out a confused hum while wiping a towel against his sweaty body.

She took the opportunity to run her gloved hands through her misshapen locks of hair, only to feel Soul’s hands come resting upon her own a moment afterwards.

The young woman wasted no time at melting into his touch before feeling her sense of guilt exacerbate itself even further as her back rested against his bare chest.

“It’s a good thing I brought some hair ties,” Soul added while gently raking his own gloved hands through her hair.

The action probed Maka into letting out a small hum before pulling Soul’s hands forward and stripping them free of the worn leather which had been encasing them.

She heard her husband let out a snort as he pulled his hands back again and started to work his way through her thin strands of hair.

The pair sat in silence for a few minutes, only for Maka to break the stillness with a content sigh once feeling Soul begin to twist her hair into a large braid.

“You’re too good to me,” the young woman added before her husband fidgeted behind her.

“Could say the same thing about you,” Soul retorted while his fingers continued to braid through her hair.

“ Am I though? ” Maka hissed before feeling her chest begin to tighten from voicing the statement out loud.

“I’m practically cowering behind you like a dud, not even able to face my own-“

“Hey, no one thinks you’re cowering,” Soul added over her, although it did nothing to stop the well of tears clouding her vision.

If only you knew Soul, how I’m cowering behind our friendship as well she mentally noted before feeling the young man let out a sigh, causing pinpricks to break out throughout her neck.

“If you’re a dud then I must be an absolute loser,” Soul voiced, probing Maka to release her own muffled hm in confusion.

“I mean, who’s the one that convinced Spirit to even consider sellin’ a lazy ass farmhand like me all this land-“

“That was hardly-“

“Oh yea, then who told the old postman to kindly fuck off when he accepted a bribe to spill my location to my family,”

“Ugh Soul that’s not-“

“Fine, who’s the one givin’ me enough courage to think I could even be a good poser for a businessman,” Soul finished before circling a hair-tie around the end of her braid.

“I suppose…I am,” Maka mumbled while her husband crawled around until he was sitting directly in front of her.

“Mhmmm, and y’know what else? I was the one watching you do all that , so trust me when I say it’s ok to feel a lil’ nervous about all this ,” the young man then added before regarding her with a small smile.

Leave it to Soul to know precisely what to say to calm my nerves Maka thought as she let out a low breath and then tugged on Soul’s arm, causing him to come toppling down onto her lap with an oomph .

“I may be helping you play the part of a businessman, but it seems you’ve got the act of a doting husband down to a tee,” Maka giggled while looking down and letting herself drink in the image of Soul’s crimson eyes as his expression morphed into a yearnful grin.

Yearnful? No, that’s just me dabbling in wishful thinking-

“What can I say, that’s just what having a beautiful loving wife does to ya’,” Soul replied as he reached for one of her hands and pulled down her own glove.

Maka then allowed him to shimmy off the other glove before clasping their hands together, with the action immediately causing her heart to palpate once more.

She could see him silently staring up at her as well and wondered what could be going through his head at the moment.

Perhaps he believes those things. That I’m as beautiful as I imagine him to be handsome …the young woman thought while slowly inching her head closer to his.

That there’s no one else he’d want to spend eternity with Maka thought as she felt his unruly bangs begin to tickle her forehead.

That this farce isn’t really a farce at all she thought before suddenly feeling his lips against hers and letting out a muffled yelp.

“SOUL! MAKA!” Liz then called from outside the cornfield, probing them both to hastily clammer off one another and begin to stand.

“IF YOU TWO ARE SHACKING IGNORE ME , BUT IF YOU’RE NOT COME HELP US LOAD THESE PUMPKINS INTO THE WAGONS,” their friend screamed while Maka felt her cheeks begin to swell into an angry blush.

“We’d um -we’d better go,” the young woman coughed out before turning to Soul and noticing how wide his pupils had become from the whole ordeal.

“…Right,” Soul practically yelped as they both began to skitter away from the awkward tension that’d begun to permeate the air.

———————————————————————

“Just one more…please Soul?” Maka requested while tightening her grip on his shoulder.

“Hmmm,” Soul replied before idly tapping his fingertips on the piano keys in front of him.

It’d been weeks since Maka had delivered the letter, since the bud of shame and guilt had bloomed within his mind over how he’d been so lost thinking of nothing other than Maka that he’d almost kissed her.

“Alright fine, just one more,” Soul sighed before cracking his knuckles and seeing his wife’s eyes begin to perk up at how easily he’d agreed to play the piano for the second time that day, especially since he’d already performed Yankee Doodle for a crowd of jittery townspeople who’d exited town hall just as fast at they’d entered.

She’s been worryin’ her ass off about that letter, so if this’ll make her happy for a little while the young man thought as he flexed his fingers over the keys and then got to work.

He’d been entranced within the first few minutes of a composition he liked to call Maka in G Minor when the large wooden doors leading into town hall burst open and caused them both to jump from their seats on the piano bench.

“Ah, there you are,” a voice greeted, causing Soul and Maka to look back and notice Azusa, the town postwoman, walking in their direction.

“Not going to enjoy the Independence Day festivities with everyone?” Azusa questioned, causing Soul to answer her with a shrug.

“I didn’t think you could find town hall bein’ this quiet any other day, so it’s a good time for me to play in peace. And besides, my wife wouldn’t let me go even if I wanted to,” Soul then chuckled before feeling Maka jab her elbow into his ribcage.

“Ah well, I have a letter for you Mr. Evans,” Azusa added while stretching out a crisp yellow envelope in his direction.

The young man could hear Maka’s breath hitch in her throat as he took it from the postwoman, ran a thumb against the skull- shaped wax seal, and then tore the top open to reveal a small letter.

Dear Mr. Evans,

After much deliberation on our part, my team has decided that your proposal collectively perturbed our interests. As such, we will forward the plans over to Mister Excalibur, my business partner who has taken quite a liking to Death Valley. He has agreed to meet with you on the 27th of September in Chicago. If this date and location seem favorable to you, please be sure to send your reply post haste.

Best of luck,

Mister Deathman 

“Ohhh…oh wow,” Soul murmured before hearing Maka let out a squeal and then pull him into a tight embrace.

“We did it! He actually likes the plan!” Maka added as Soul sat up and gave her a quick peck on the forehead.

“Now all I-uh…you have to do is prepare. After all, you know what everyone has been saying about Mister Excalibur…” his wife mumbled while sending a sideways glance at Azusa.

“No, what?” Soul added before watching Maka’s face scrunch up in disgust.

“He’s a complete and utter pain in the ass,” she added, causing Soul to back up onto the piano and cause the keys to scream in protest.

Chapter Text

“Thank the fuckin’ lord, we made it!” Soul exclaimed as the pair stepped off the train and became immersed in the nighttime babble of Chicago.

“You’re saying that as if you weren’t asleep for half the ride here,” Maka giggled while running a hand through his raging case of bedhead.

“ Selwyn !” they then heard a voice croak out before a stout older woman came running towards Soul and immediately circled her arms around him.

The young woman watched as her husband slightly floundered while his grandma pressed her face into his shoulder and began to sniffle, only to circle his hands around her and bury his face in her curly gray hair a moment afterwards.

“Ah, Soul! And you must be Maka!” another voice added before Maka watched a man who appeared to be a near copy of Soul come jogging over towards them.

“Ahh, you wooed an absolute beauty little Sel,” Mrs. Evans exclaimed as she regarded Maka with a warm smile.

“I suppose I have to go through the trouble of introducing myself, since it appears my baby brother has caught a small case of the sniffles. Wesley Evans, Mrs. Maka Evans ,” Wes added while dramatically bowing before Maka and gently taking one of her  hands into his palm. 

“Sh-shut up Wes,” Soul then added before both brothers let out a set of giggles and pulled each other into a tight embrace.

“Hmph, I see both of my grandsons failed to introduce me properly as well. I am Henrietta Evans, Sel -Soul’s grandmother. Thank you for looking after my boy for so long,” Mrs. Evans added while clasping her hands ontop of Maka’s, eliciting the young woman to release an amused sigh.

“It’s really no problem Mrs. Evans-“

“No please, call me grandmother,” the older woman hummed with a small wave of her hand, probing Maka’s smile to widen even further.

“It’s really no problem, grandmother . I-I’ve loved your grandson long before the thought of marriage even crossed my mind, and I honestly believe he looks after me much more than I look after him,” Maka replied before giving Mrs. Evans a small smile and then watching Soul gape in her direction.

“ Tch , I’m not all that great,” her husband grumbled as she rolled her eyes at his feeble attempt to preserve his aloof persona.

“I don’t think you’re fooling anyone Soul,” Wes hummed, probing the other man to give him a pointed look.

“Well, enough of that! Shall we start heading to the hotel? Reginald, please fetch the bags,” Wes exclaimed before a lanky butler came sprinting towards Maka and took the suitcases she was carrying with a small nod.

The young woman nodded back as she realized how ridiculous she must look in her disheveled state due to a journey across a handful of states when compared to the prim and proper members of the Evans family whom had just arrived from London .

It’s even more ridiculous considering I’m not even Soul’s actual wife -

“You alright?” Maka heard Soul question, causing her to slightly jump at the sudden inquiry.

“Ye-yes, I’m alright,” Maka replied before feeling her husband lace their fingers together.

“Wes is a bit much but I-“

“No no Soul, I swear I’m alright! It’s just…interesting to see how differently you were raised,” she replied, probing Soul to let out a small sigh.

“Right, that part can be a bit much too, but I swear no one here thinks of ya’ any less. I’d say that was the main reason why they didn’t tell my father they were comin’ all the way to Chicago to meet us, other than me uh not wanting to come face to face with him ever again. Are…you sure there isn’t somethin’ else you’d wanna talk about-“ her husband added while tightening his hold on her hand, eliciting the young woman to feel a smoldering warmth light up within her chest from the small gesture.

“I told you, I’m fine silly. Now let’s just enjoy our time here,” she tittered while watching Soul stare at her for a few more moments before regarding her with a small smile as well.

———————————————————————

“And that’s why I always make sure to take my tea with precisely three cubes of sugar,” Mister Excalibur exclaimed before taking a long sip from his cup, probing Soul to let out a terse chuckle.

He could see Maka standing directly behind him while pretending to iron their clothes beside their hotel bed.

The young woman then used his brief gaze to signal for him to finally steer the conversation towards the business proposal.

“Yes, well Mister Excalibur as…riveting as your stories about tea are-“ 

“He isn’t finished yet,” Hiro, Mister Excalibur’s secretary, spoke over Soul while tapping a pen against the notebook he’d been holding up.

“Fool!” Mister Excalibur then exclaimed before pointing his cane in Hiro’s direction, forcing the secretary to flinch at the sudden action.

“Your job is to take notes about the proposal, not to speak for me,” the businessman added while smoothing out his mustache with his free hand.

He really does look like a fuckin’ duck in real life Soul couldn’t help but think as his mind began to conjure up the countless notes about The Great and Powerful Excalibur  Maka had drilled into his psyche the past few months.

He could feel himself begin to blush at the fresh memories of how she’d make him jam, give him massages, and pepper his face in kisses as small tokens of gratitude for complying to all this in the first place before Mister Excalibur put down his teacup.

“I’d like to savor my tea while discussing the terms, so let’s get to it shall we?” the businessman added, causing Soul to enthusiastically nod at his request.

“I believe it’d be best to go over the basics first. Why is it that you want to open a department store in Death Valley out of all places?” Mister Excalibur questioned, probing Soul to release an amused hum due to how easily he could answer such a question.

“Well sir, I believe it comes down to one word: change. There’s a lot going on outside of Death Valley, and I believe that the townspeople have a right to experience it for themselves without having to take an arduous journey into the city. That’s why I decided to bring the innovations of the past few decades to our humble town,” Soul monologued before peering to the side and watching Maka give him an enthusiastic grin at how well he’d summed up what she’d taught him.

“Ah, I see. But do you have what it takes to stay vigilant regardless of what comes before you?” Mr. Excalibur then added while Hiro loudly scribbled into his notebook beside him.

“Yes, I believe I-“

“It should not be a belief. Weakness is the bane of businessmen. It has no right being in that field,” Excalibur exclaimed over Soul, although the younger man became too fixated on the way Maka’s expression mellowed into a scowl to even gauge what he should respond with next.

“I wish I could answer the question for you my boy, but it has to come from within. If you can’t even find it in yourself to always stay level-headed then how-“

“HOW DO YOU EXPECT TO GET ANYWHERE IN LIFE WITH SUCH AN UNREALISTIC NOTION!” Maka exclaimed over Mister Excalibur, probing everyone to turn their heads in her direction. 

“Do you believe human beings to be capable of diminishing emotion? I mean, look at yourself, only content with the discussion if you’re able to tell your little tales. Do you think Edison doesn’t have doubts in his mind? What about Da Vinci, do you think a time period like his allowed him the luxury of always being strong. Fuck no! Someone helped me realize-“ the young woman continued before slightly faltering and leveling her expression at Soul, who only gaped at her while wondering what the hell he was supposed to do now.

“Someone helped me realize that the bravest thing to do sometimes is accept your fears rather than subdue them, so I believe it’d be best to rethink your ideals Sir,” Maka then finished, causing a heavy silence to fill the room for a few moments while Soul made direct eye contact with his wife and noticed how a fervent blush had begun to stretch across her face.

“Impudent woman! This proposal doesn’t even concern you and here you are spouting nonsense-“

“FOOL!” Mister Excalibur shouted over Hiro’s reprimands, probing the other man to go completely silent once again.

“First my incompetent assistant, it’s rather bold of you to call a woman impudent when we’re all aware of my past endeavors with Arachne Gorgon. Secondly, I couldn’t have answered the question better young lady. What was your name again?” the businessman explained before regarding Maka with a firm nod.

“Mrs. Maka Albarn-Evans Sir. Were there any other questions you’d like for me to answer?” Maka replied, probing Soul to sit back in his seat with a content sigh.

———————————————————————

“To Maka!” Wes announced as everyone seated around the dining table raised their wine glasses with a small cheer.

“Oh no, I didn’t really do much! If anything, I’d say luck was on my side,” Maka replied before feeling Soul rest his palm ontop her hand.

“Are you kiddin’? You were on fire Maka! That duck-faced businessman couldn’t think of a single trick question to stump ya’!” her husband exclaimed, causing the young woman to regard Soul with a small smile before her mind began to reel at how distracting he was in a pinstripe suit and wine colored shirt that seemed to illuminate the warmth within his eyes.

“Soul is always telling Wes just how brilliant you are Maka, so no need to act so modest for us,” Eliza, Wes’s fiancé, replied while giving the other woman a knowing wink, probing Mrs. Evans let out an amused snort and nod in agreement as well.

“Thank you, all of you! It feels nice to get to know Soul’s family beside from me…”

Even though I’m not truly part of this family, much less a true wife to Soul Maka thought as she ran her hands against the black dress Eliza and Mrs. Evans had gifted her earlier that week.

She could hear the family break into separate conversations before feeling Soul nudge his knee against her own, probing the young woman to look up and meet his worried gaze.

“Well, I believe Eliza and I are in need of an evening stroll. Rightttt dear?” Wes hummed while sending a coy smile to his wife.

“Right! Will you be joining us as well grandmother?” Eliza then questioned before turning her head in Mrs. Evans direction.

“Why yes, I need to keep myself active in this old age. And besides, it’s good for newlyweds to get some quality time together,” Mrs. Evans exclaimed as she jumped out of her seat and walked over to plant a kiss onto Soul’s forehead, which garnered an embarrassed grumble out of the man.

“Good night and congrats again,” the older woman then hummed while she rested her hands ontop Maka’s shoulders, gave Soul a large grin, and then shut the door on her way out. 

“S-sorry, they’re just-“

“It’s ok Soul, they’re all very welcoming like you’d said they’d be,” Maka giggled before watching her husband rub one of his hands against the back of his neck.

“You, uh look really nice …in that dress. I think it’d also be kinda nice if you wore it for Halloween…if you want of course,” Soul then mumbled, eliciting the young woman to stare at the red and black checkered floor as a fierce blush began to cover her cheeks.

“Hm, I guess I’ll wear it if you’ve taken such a liking to it. But only if you promise to wear that suit for the party too,” Maka added before regarding him with a devious smile, only to become distracted by the slightest hint of red at the tips of his ears.

“If that’ll please my wife,” Soul hummed while giving her a shark toothed grin, probing her eyebrows to quirk up at his advance.

He-he didn’t mean it in a romantic way- 

“ Crap , speakin’ of Halloween, we haven’t even started practicing our dance yet. Guess I’ll just have to pretend to sprain my knee or somethin’,” her husband then grumbled, probing Maka to rise from her seat.

“Oh noo, I want to see my papa’s face when we’re waltzing with the other couples,” the young woman giggled while pulling Soul up as well.

“ Huh -“

“Let’s start practicing right now,” Maka exclaimed over Soul before pulling him towards the phonograph that was seated on a large oak table at one of the corners of the room.

“You’re not gonna let me say no are ya’?” her husband questioned while walking forward and slowly turning the phonograph’s hand crank in order for it to sputter into life.

“Yes I am! I told you in the beginning that your happiness-“

“Kiddin’, kiddin’,. Y’know I love pissing off your old man too,” Soul then added before stretching out a hand in her direction, which she eagerly took.

“You’re going to have to take the lead,” Maka mumbled while feeling Soul’s hand rest on her hip, only to become distracted a moment later due to him giggling against her collarbone and then letting out a hum in understanding.

A slow tune soon began to trickle out from the phonograph, probing the two to start idly shuffling their feet around, with Soul taking the initiative as she’d ordered.

He twirled them around the room for a little while, allowing Maka to ease into his arms and lead them into another circle.

“ Owww ,” Soul hissed as the bottom of Maka’s heel stabbed against one of his shoes, forcing her to splutter out a cacophony of sorrys .

“Hm, ya’ know what’s making this hard for you,” her husband added before they began to shuffle their feet in time to the music once more.

“What?” she questioned, only to be met with a small chuckle from Soul.

“You’re too stiff. Try worryin’ less about getting the steps right and more about having fun,” he retorted, causing Maka to shake her head in thought.

“Well…if that’s all it takes,” the young woman added before sliding her free hand onto the center of Soul’s back and giggling at the way his eyebrows shot up for a split second before relaxing once more.

She then urged them to start moving across the floor again at a more slow and even pace.

I suppose it is fun getting to see his handsome face up close Maka thought to herself before leaning back and allowing her husband to keep her from falling onto the floor.

The young woman got up in a shaky flourish and allowed Soul to lead them into faster circles across the floor.

Her body felt as if it were lit on fire, although she couldn’t tell if it was because of the physical excretion or how she and Soul had inched closer to one another in the middle of the dance.

She then decided to try a more advanced step, probing her into turning around while keeping her fingers knotted with Soul’s own slender extremities.

Maka backed into his figure while raising her hands until they were leveled with her shoulders.

The music had become nonexistent due to how focused the young woman was at her and her husband’s shallow breathing.

Maka could feel Soul slightly shudder against her before slowly tilting his head to the side in order for them to be face to face with one another.

There was another bout of silence between the pair, only this time the young woman could feel her husband’s lidded eyes watch her own as she raised her heels and expelled the distance between them.

Maka then closed her eyes for a split second and was immediately lulled by the taste of wine against her lips, causing the young woman to unlatch one of her hands from Soul’s grasp and use it to grip his chin in order to deepen the kiss.