"You sure you're alright, Maka?" Soul gently nudged her and glanced at her, trying to catch a peek at her face. "It's okay to be upset. Putting your old man to rest is a big deal."

"Mmm..." Maka hummed in what sounded like assent, although Soul didn't doubt that she was still sad. "I think I'm okay," she said, and while her smile was a bit strained it was also genuine. "He was happy when he died. I miss him, I miss him a lot, but... he must have been carrying a lot of sadness for all that time, Soul. He deserves to finally rest."

Despite all that Eibon had put them through, both as himself and as Spirit Albarn, Soul couldn't help but agree. "Yeah. You're right." He reached down and tangled his fingers with Maka's. "Still, though, it's okay to be sad. I'm here if you need me."

She nodded, then she twisted her face into mock discomfort. "I'm okay, but geez! Warm yourself up, it's chilly enough out this morning already! I don't need your ice fingers making me even colder!"

Soul snickered, playing along and pulling his fingers away from hers. "Yeah, because air temperature is so bad compared to... the air. Sure. You know, I should be the one complaining!" he exclaimed. "It's not fair that you're the warm one when you're more of a demon than I am!"

Soul definitely deserved the pocket dictionary to the skull that he got, and he feigned deep pain. "Ow," he yelped. "That hurts, Maka! See, that's exactly what I mean!" And he stuck his tongue out at her, scrunching up his face. When Maka protested his teasing, he pulled her close instead, lifting her and spinning her around once. He pressed his lips to her forehead once her feet were solidly back on the ground, and they lapsed into a comfortable silence as they walked through the abandoned neighborhood.

Before they reached the house's yard, Soul stopped, pulling on Maka's hand to get her to notice. She looked at him quizzically, and he looked to the sky, cheeks turning pink. "I wanted to answer back when you first asked," he admitted, avoiding looking into Maka's eyes. "But a lot happened, and I couldn't just say it, so now will have to do."

"Answer what?" asked Maka, reaching to touch his cheek, and Soul met her gaze. That warmth that she used to try to ignore bloomed once again within her chest, and she smiled.

Soul leaned in to Maka's ear. "What I want out of life," he whispered. "I finally can give you my answer without holding back. Wanna hear it?"

Maka's smile was vibrant in the spring morning sunlight. "I'd love to."

He grinned widely.

This was pretty cool.