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The crickets at night kept him the most company when Maka was away on her meister business. There were certain times that he could not join his partner and it bugged him deeply. For the most part he was just bored without his best friend and roommate. There was another secret part where he was worried that only he could protect her. She was safe with others and death knew she could take care of herself, but he was her weapon.
The only good thing about being alone was that he could play piano without her draping herself across the top and distracting him. He could practice without her gushing about him, he didn’t mind of course, but sometimes it was nice to get lost in a melody by your lonesome. It was times like these that he could play songs crafted just for her. Emotions that were so deep, he was confused on the lines in the melody and what they truly conveyed. But they were his and maybe one day she could listen if he could get the melody just right.
Other than that, he didn’t do well by himself. Call him uncool but Soul’s number one enemy was boredom. It made him antsy and his mind would race faster than his damn motorcycle. He would try to fill the time with piano, cooking and video games. That wasn’t enough. He’d rather be bored with a blonde meister on the other side of the couch.
Maka was good at being bored because she knew how to stay busy. It pissed him off how he could be drooling from the lack of literally anything and she would shrug her shoulders and pick up a book. How she loved to read? He would never know.
Two weeks. That's how long she was gone this time. He was fine for three days, then by the fourth, he was going stir crazy. He hung out with the other loyal weapons and they were fun and all, but death, he missed Maka. Was it embarrassing for him to admit that he kept his bedroom door open just to see her room staring back at him empty? Probably. Luckily, he didn’t care.
He also didn’t care about following her instructions not to go into her room. She knew better than to leave a curious Soul alone. He’s been in her room a ton and it wasn’t like she had anything to hide but he would never put her belongings back. Books would be rearranged, her hairbrush now on her bed, even her backpack would be on the other side of the room.
He promised that he wouldn’t go into her room. Now matter what.
Unfortunately for Maka, boredom was winning. He was being obliterated by fatigue of nothingness. He kept glancing back and forth at the door. Her room beaconed him and obliged. It smelt like her. A warm vanilla mixed with honey. Subtle and not overpowering but yet so…Maka-like.
Soul looked around. The familiar posters and cute floral bed sheets she's always had. A few of her stuffed animals were ones he won her at an arcade adored her bed. He knew that those were her prized possessions, next to her books.
He stared at the holy grail of a library she possessed. Spines thick and thin took over every surface from the desk to her shelves. He knew which were her favorite, those stayed in the small cubby in her night stand. Most of them have little colorful tabs poking out the top. She always read with them or had a pencil nearby. He didn’t understand why she would take note but she said that it helped her get deeper into the story.
His boredom was now shaping into curiosity. He was never a huge reader. He enjoyed the comic books and manga but mostly when Black Star and Kid were around. Maka tried to get him into books. She claimed that everyone would love to read but they needed to find their genre. She thought that sci-fi and horror would be up his alley. Once he began figuring out the plot twists, he couldn’t be bothered to finish it. She loved all genres, even romance surprisingly.
“I thought you didn’t like that stuff.” Soul had once said after eyeing the cover with the couple kissing on the front.
“It's not real.” She hummed. “It's like a movie, it's an escape. I can appreciate the men in these books because they aren’t real. Simple.”
That stuck with him. He would never say anything but he could see the way she reacted to the romantic scenes in shows and movies. Her fingers could curl around the blanket and her eyes would be transfixed on the screen. It was as if she was desperate to be a part of it. To know if it could be real.
Her lips would mimic the lines said as if she was trying to believe it herself. Sometimes it hurt Soul. Watching as she wished for something more than what she believed. She was willing to die on certain hills and sometimes he was certain she would kill on them too. Maybe one day the wounds wouldn’t be as deep and she could learn to walk down that road. He just wanted to see her happy.
Something pulled him to her nightstand. A book that looked a little more worn than the others caught his eyes. Small yellow tabs filled the pages and he knew she had a little color coded system. Although, none of the other books had yellow. Only this one and no other colors.
Maybe it was a deep instinct to know what she loved. He wanted to read it. Geez, the boredom fog really got to him. Guilt rushed into his body as he held the book in his hand. He looked around her room as if she would walk in any second and flipped it over to the back where a synopsis in golden letters splayed on the page.
“A princess whose only focus is to become the greatest queen is suddenly thrown into a battle that has her heart as the prize. The loyal knight in charge of keeping the princess safe is tasked with a mission that leads him down a path of proving how much devotion to the kingdom he truly has. Two lost souls come together in this thrilling romantic novel.”
She talked about how it was her favorite book, the one she had read the most. Unimpressed, Soul through it on her bed.
Soul blinked. “This sounds like garbage. How could it be her favorite?”
He left the room to get a soda. He wasn’t that bored.
Lie.
Before he knew it, the book was in his hand and his body slumped into the couch.
“Alright Maka, this better be good.” He mumbled and opened the book.
His eyebrows furrowed as the first page already had some writing.
First romance book. Not hopeful. Lol.
Soul chuckled. Always a critic that Maka.
Soon he fell into the story. Princess Marigold is determined to fix her kingdom's problems. Her entire life has been dedicated to being the best queen she can be. Watching her parents' marriage fall to ruins and directly affect the kingdom, she vowed to not be married with her heart on the line.
Her parents however, believe that a kingdom needs a king and queen, so they set up an arranged marriage with a neighboring prince. Marigold, unsatisfied with that, sets off to bring peace without her hand in marriage. One of the royal guards, Sedar, finds her leaving at night and refuses to let her go alone.
He became more intcied with all of Maka’s little notes.
—
Marigold doesn’t need anyone.
Okay, maybe Sedar does sound a little cute.
Wait, he's actually pretty cool.
Omg the tension between them.
He's in love with her and she doesn’t even know.
—
He stopped on that last note. Soul scoffed out loud. “He’s not in love with her. I mean, sure he saved her a bunch and jumped in front of her to protect her. Maybe he did say that her eyes were like the stars but that's just sappy stuff for the story. I mean, he’s doing everything I would do for Maka.”
The words left his mouth and the house got more silent than ever.
Soul sat up, his mind now racing.
“Marigold is just a strong and independent woman. She's just a badass, he's just admiring her.” His voice was shaky. “So what if his thoughts are consumed by her. Who cares when she was taken away by those thieves that went crazy and could only think about rescuing her. She's the princess, he has to take care of her.”
A weird sensation filled Soul’s chest. He didn’t want to keep reading. Something was off. But he couldn’t take his eyes off the page.
It was now towards the end of the story. Sedar had found Marigold from the thieves and they both continued to the palace of the other kingdom.
–
“How come you don’t want to just get married? Isn’t the point of it to bond the two kingdoms together?” Sedar asked her. “I mean, it's a lot to ask but I thought all royals did that.”
Marigold scoffed. “I guess. I don’t really believe in marriage. It's a duty of mine of course, and to have an heir for the throne, but I can’t force myself into that corner.”
“What if you fall in love?” Sedar asked. “The prince might be your true love.”
Another scoff. “That's ridiculous. I don’t believe in true love.”
“Why?”
“Why would I? I can’t imagine one person truly caring about me in that way.”
Sedar stopped walking. “Forgive me your highness but I think anyone would lay down their lives for a chance to love you.”
A blush spread to her face. “You’re just saying that.”
“I may be one to protect you, but I won’t lie.”
—
Maka’s handwriting scribbled next to the scene. I want someone to care about me like that.
Soul’s eyes widened. She had never admitted to wanting a relationship. He felt slightly guilty, this felt more like her diary. He knew Maka better than anyone and yet, this was new. It was as if he found the final piece to a puzzle he had been building for years.
Soul kept reading, egard to see the finish line of the book. Marigold and Sedar were returning from the palace after meeting the prince. The prince had a secret lover and didn’t want to marry either. It worked out for the best.
But as they were deep in the forest, there were traps lined everywhere to steal from those traveling. Marigold heard a sound and turned to see an arrow coming straight for them. Without hesitation, she pushed him out of the way and let the arrow hit her arm.
–
“Your majesty, why would you do that!” Sedar panicked as he held her to brace her fall.
Luckily the arrow only grazed her skin and drew some blood.
Marigold looked up at him and smiled softly. “You’re worth protecting too.”
His face flushed. “You flatter me, your majesty. My job is to protect you and I am willing to devote my life to your safety.” He wasn’t sure if it was for the kingdom or himself.
“Mari.” She spoke.
“Pardon?”
“Please, call me Mari. I don’t want to be a princess around you. You’re different.”
He smiled. “I am deeply honored, your maj- Mari.” He corrected himself.
“Why aren’t you married?” She asked out of the blue.
He laughed slightly. “I haven’t found the one yet.”
She finally was able to steady herself. “And what does “the one” consist of?”
Sedar turned and made sure their eyes met. “A woman of kindness and softness. Yet, bold and brave. Someone whose heart is just as beautiful as their eyes.”
—
Now kiss! Maka’s writing broke him out of the scene.
“Easy, Maka.” He laughed. “He’s building the tension, but she's right. Kiss you idiots.”
Unfortunately for both of the readers, they didn’t. But the pair in the book found them back at the palace. Marigold didn’t want to return to her cage. She had never felt more free in her life and now she was going to be forced back into a role she never chose. She turned to look at Sedar, his face slightly dirty from his journey, and yet, he looked soft in this lighting.
She clutched onto her necklace that her mother had given her years ago. Her mother once told her that marrying for her heart was something that she might not get to have but if she ever did, she would be happy.
–
“Well, your highness.”
“Mari.” She corrected him.
Sedar shook his head. “My apologies, but this is where I can not abide by those wishes. You may return to be our faithful princess and I will just be another loyal guard. It was an honor to travel with you and I have no doubt that you will be the most excellent queen.”
“I don’t want to be queen.” She spoke honestly.
“What do you want?”
“You.”
—
About time. The writing swirled on the page.
Soul laughed once more to himself, but his laugh slowly died as the story progressed. Before they could kiss, the king found them and forced the other guards to take Sedar away to the dungeon. He claimed that he stole the princess and ignored Marigold’s plea.
Soon, Sedar was sentenced to execution. An act of treason against the kingdom and Marigold felt hopeless. She forced her way into the dungeon after dark. She saw him in the cell, his face now bloodied and bruised.
She took the key from a guard and went into his cell. Her hands slowly caressing his face.
–
“I’m so sorry Sedar.” She cried.
Even in his pain, he smiled and lifted his hand to brush her hair behind her ear. “Having you say my name is more than enough to endure this pain.”
“I won’t let you die.” She sobbed. “We can leave and run away from her. Please. I can’t lose you. You taught me what it was to truly be cared for and how to care for others. You are not just some guard, you’re mine.”
“I would follow you until the horizon disappeared.” He whispered.
Finally, she leaned in and kissed him softly.
“I would be willing to die for you over and over again.” He said when he pulled away. “But, I can not guarantee you a good life.”
She shook her head. “Any life is good with you in it.”
Sedar coughed and blood came up. She lifted his shirt to see his stomach bruised and purple. A gasp escaped her lips and more tears fell.
“Shh, please, Mari. I’ll be okay.”
“How could they do this?”
“They asked where we went. I didn’t tell them. I couldn’t risk you getting hurt too. Hey, look at me. Even if I die, I have no regrets. I didn’t do any of this for the kingdom, I did this for you.”
–
Tears welded in Souls eyes. No he couldn’t die. He couldn’t die without her knowing he loved her. Those idiots.
“You have to tell her.” Soul whispered.
His mind flashed to when his own chest was sliced open. He thought he was going to die but he gladly would have to protect Maka. The last thought he had was her olive eyes gazing at him and her smile on her face.
He knew how Sedar felt. Pure devotion. The difference was that he was only protecting Maka, not a princess. It felt much more than that though. He knew Maka was special. She was someone who was meant to be somebody. It was duty as a weapon to protect his meister but most importantly, protect her.
He had always thought that Maka was beautiful. That her essence could capture any person. He never thought about dating because the only person he ever saw was Maka. He was her world and it wasn't until recent that he begun to realize why.
“You love her. You love her the way-” His voice died on his tongue. “The way I.”
Oh.
Oh.
“Maka.” He whispered.
Had he not noticed before? That his heart and soul was always on her? Just like Sedar, he saw the universe in her eyes. Wanting all her attention and doing anything to protect her. Did she know? That his heart was hers all along.
He thought that it was just devotion. He was meant to be her support, but the lines grew more faint as they got older. Maybe he was just her partner at 15 but now, nearly ten years later, it was more than that.
He had a few pages left and his mind was beginning to spiral.
Marigold saved Sedar from his execution. She went in front of her people and declared her love for him. That him being a simple guard didn’t matter to her heart. That she vowed to lead her kingdom with a steady head and with true love on her side.
In the end, they lived happily ever after.
At the bottom of the page was the final line of Maka’s writing. His eyes became transfixed on it.
It’s kinda like Soul and I. He taught me how to start trusting again. Maybe I could fall in love. Maybe with…
He closed the book. The silence once again found him. He took the book back to her room and placed it back nicely where he found it. He shut her door and looked out the window to see that it was now dark outside.
Back on the couch, his phone rang. A distinct song that told him who was calling.
“Hi Maka.” He said softly.
“Hey Soul, how's it going?” Her voice was sweet and instantly calmed him.
“Oh. Um. It's good. I read a book today.”
She was quiet on the other line.
“What! Wait, really!” Her voice grew higher in pitch. “Which one? What was it about? Did you love it? Oh my gosh Soul this is crazy!”
Her excitement made him smile. “Yeah, I found it at the library, I was bored.” He lied. “It was about some guy realizing something he didn’t know.”
“Well that's vague.” She complained.
“Yeah, it was kinda boring.” He laughed. “But, pretty insightful.”
“Oh? You learned something?” She teased.
“Yeah I did.”
“What did you learn?”
He swallowed hard. “That I care deeply about things that I didn’t know before. That I would do anything for you.”
“Oh. Wow, Soul. I would do anything for you too.”
Quietness fell between them .
“Why are the tabs yellow?” He asked.
“Wait, what?”
“I got bored and went into your room and when I looked at your books, all of them had colorful tabs. Yet, one only had yellow. Why?” He said.
“First of all, why are you going into my room?” She questioned.
“Don’t act surprised. You left me unsupervised.”
He could hear her sigh. “I don’t know. Sometimes I choose a color if it reminds me of something someone I know does. Like if they do something stupid then it's light blue like Black Star. Or if its super funny then I used pink.”
“Whose yellow for.”
“I think I got them for you. When I was buying a bunch I saw them and thought of the yellow on your jacket but I don’t think I use them for anything really. I used them all up in one of my books. I ran out so instead if they do something dumb that you would do then I use orange now.” She giggled. “But don’t worry, if they do something cool then I’ll make sure to put your name next to it.”
She thought of him. Thought of him every time that Sedar did something. Every time there was a moment that the guard and princess shared, Maka thought of Soul.
“Yeah, make sure you do.” He said softly.
“Well, I was calling you to say that we finished early and by finishing early, I mean that Black Star accidently destroyed one of the training areas so they are cutting our time short. I’ll be back tomorrow.”
He perked up. “Tomorrow? Okay yeah, sounds good.”
“I’m so glad to come home because honestly, I can’t take it any more. Any time I was trying to fight, I kept sticking out my hand thinking you would be there.”
“I’m sorry. I'll always be there for you.” He said sincerely.
“I know.” He could hear her smile.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” He said.
—
He was pacing. Pacing around his room because his best friend was coming home and now he was panicking. There was a sudden realization that he was in love with her. Desperately and he wanted her to love him back.
However, he couldn’t push her. He couldn’t pull her from her core beliefs against love and he wouldn’t do that to her. He wished he was as brave as Sedar and confessed without hesitation. But being her weapon was enough. He just wasn’t sure he could ruin it.
If he told her how he felt, and she didn’t feel the same way? Then all hope was lost. He would still care and protect her but there would become a fog too thick for them to walk through. He couldn’t do that to her.
Sleep was not something that was going to come tonight. He tried. He tried to close his eyes but all he could see was Maka in a long purple dress that Marigold wore. Her hands caressing his face and telling him that her heart belonged to him.
Them dancing in a ballroom as a king and queen. Her smile brighter than the sun and all eyes on them. He thought about how she once threw him to the side to protect him during a battle and she took the fall just like Mari with the arrow.
Every action Sedar did, Soul would have done in a heartbeat. That book. That damn book was them. It was as if someone wrote it just for them. He almost wanted to burn it. The thought of her having that book and thinking the same way. Her eyes reading each word and he would come to mind. That the yellow tabs would capture the secret of wanting him.
However, if Soul did get the chance to love her, he would run with it. He would make sure that every romance book she ever read was littered with yellow tabs and nothing else. For right now, he just wanted to see her, even if it meant that she was only his best friend.
–
“Soul?”
He awoke with a startle. The light coming through his blind was too damn bright. He rubbed his eyes and focused on the person in the doorway. Maka stood at his door, her bags still in hand. She looked tired but calm.
“Oh. Hey. What time is it?” He looked over at his clock, the numbers still blurry.
“Noon. I just got in. Sorry, I didn’t realize you were still asleep. My room better not be a mess.”
“It's not.” He slurred his words, still tired.
He heard her shuffling around her stuff. A bag thumped to the ground and her closet door opened. Soul adjusted on his bed so he was sitting up now and rubbing his eyes to get rid of the sleep.
“Soul, you changed the order of my books!”
“I put them back!” He shouted back.
She came into his room holding the book he had read.
“You put the spine upside down.”
He raised his hands in defense. “I thought I put it back.”
She opened the book and let the pages flip fast against her fingers. “I haven’t read this in ages.”
“I thought it was your favorite.”
“It is. I mean, I’ve read twenty times. There's always something new I notice. You would hate this book.” She laughed.
“Why's that?”
She shrugged. “It's a silly romance book. You’d probably think the main girl is lame.”
Soul stood up and placed his hand on the book. “I thought she was pretty cool.”
Maka’s eyes widened. “What?”
“I thought she was a badass.” He smiled. “She reminded me of you.”
Her face flushed. “Wait, is this the book you read?”
He nodded. “In fact, my favorite parts were your notes.”
Maka’s lips parted in shock. Death, she was so pretty. Slowly Soul took the book out of her hand and tossed it on his bed. Something in him snapped. His devotion to her was far greater than anything. He wanted more. Wanted to be the person who changed her mind about love.
“Maka, I know how you feel about certain things and I don’t want to push you. I don’t want to ruin anything and maybe it will, but honestly, I don’t think it will. I read the book, which might be the only one I will read. When he almost died, the guard dude, I thought about when I almost did all those years ago. I know that we were just kids and it's been years, but I couldn’t stop thinking about how I would have died for you if you just asked.”
“Soul-”
“I can't change what happened in the past but every time you wrote something, I could see how you wanted it. You want a love in your life that defies everything you’ve ever known. Maybe it's because I was a kid and didn’t see it, but lately, I can’t stop thinking about you. I’m not asking for anything, but I feel like you should know that you're worth dying for. I didn’t even want to read but I wanted to know more about your thoughts and feelings. Why was it your favorite and I can see why. You saw us there, didn’t you?
Tears welled in her eyes. She nodded slowly. “I read it before I met you. I hated it. I thought it was the worst book and then when I met you, something drove me to pick it up. I kept rereading it and thinking that it was us but I didn’t ever think that those feelings could be mine.” She smiled softly. “You really read for me?”
He laughed. “I would do anything for you.”
She caressed his cheek. “I would do anything for you too.”
“Maka.”
“Yes?”
“Let me kiss you.”
“Please.” She whispered just as his lips came down to hers.
It was soft and hesitant. His hands cupped her jaw so he could tilt her chin up to him. Her hands find his neck and she smiles against his lips. It's much more than a book can describe. It's everything he ever wanted.
They pull away just enough for their noses to touch.
“This definitely wasn’t the welcome home I expected.” She laughed into his chest.
“Well I wasn’t expecting it either.”
They stood in each other's arms as if they had done it a thousand times before. It felt natural and perfect. As if this is why they met that fateful day.
“Soul?” She said into his chest.
“Yeah Maka?”
Suddenly he felt it. A slightly wetness coming through his shirt where her head laid. Her tears finally fell and she let out a sob.
“Hey, what's wrong?” He asked, concerned.
She shook her head. “I just- it was so hard to be away from you and I didn’t know why. I mean, it was really only like five days. I felt like something was missing and I knew it was you. I kept feeling this presence deep in my soul as if you were calling for me and I couldn’t run towards it. I just was scared of these feelings that have been building up for years and I didn’t know what to do with them. This is how my parents-”
“Don’t.” He stopped her. “ We aren’t your parents. We are just Soul and Maka. No one else. Not even Marigold and Sedar. This is new, we don’t have to rush into anything. But no matter what happens, I will make sure that you are happy. That you won’t have to find hope in those books because I will be here. And you know what I always say?”
“Cool guys don’t cheat.” She whispered.
“Not a chance. It's always been you and me. Whether I’m your weapon or not, nothing will change that.” He reassured her.
“Yeah. Just Soul and Maka.”
He brought her hand to his lips and placed a kiss on it. “I’m gonna ruin all fictional men for you.”
She rolled her eyes. “Mmm hmm.”
—
A Month Later
Soul sat on the couch, bored out of his mind. His doom scrolling on his phone wasn’t entertaining anymore and he needed something to do. He looked down to Maka, who was leaning against his chest with a book in her hand. A pencil in the other and her little tabs.
He watched as she pulled a yellow one and stuck it at the top. He felt his chest swell with a warm feeling. His hands snaked around her waist and he kissed her neck.
“Thinking of me?” He mumbled against her neck.
She hummed. “Maybe. He’s quite charming.”
“Oh. Do I have competition now? I swear, ever since I opened your heart, you’ve been sharing it more. I might get jealous.” He teased.
Maka only let out a small laugh as she scribbled something on her page. “Of course not. Cool girls don’t cheat.”
“They don’t. Cool girls also pay attention to their boyfriends when they are bored.”
She closed her book nicely and set it on the coffee table. She turned in his arms so she was facing him. She ran her fingers through his hair and liked the messy look.
“Soul?”
“Yes, Maka?”
“I love you.” She said.
“I love you more.”
She fluttered her eyelashes against those olive green eyes. “Kiss me.”
He smirked. “Anything for you.” He said before his lips met hers.
While he enjoyed some of the movies that Maka played, and occasionally listened to the words she read, none of them could capture what they had perfectly. No amount of dragons or princesses or knights could ever comprehend the bond they shared. In fact, he was certain that the love they shared for each other was much more than any story could tell.
But if there ever did come a book that showcases their bond, souls and all, he was sure that every page would have a little yellow tab.