Takes place directly after the end of the anime.

Maka scrambles down from the pillar she was standing on, grinning broadly, and practically tackles Soul in a hug. "I'm so glad you're okay!" she murmurs happily.

"Maka, I can't breathe," he chokes out after a few seconds of her attempting to hug him to death. She loosens her grip a bit, and he gives a sigh of relief. "I'm glad you're okay too. You had me worried," he confesses quietly.

"I'm fine," she reassures him. "You scared me senseless earlier, with the black blood. Never pull a stunt like that again!" she admonishes gently, still too relieved to really yell at him.

She pulls back from the hug a bit, still keeping her hands on his arms. Her clothes are covered in dirt and grime, and she smells like sweat and blood. Soul thinks that she's never looked more beautiful. She searches his face for a moment, silently asking for permission, then pulls him back towards her and kisses him in front of everyone.

Their friends watch them with a mixture of happiness and amusement. "Finally!" shouts Blackstar, while Kid just smirks at the happy couple, Liz and Tsubaki both grin so widely that it's almost concerning, and Patti laughs and does some sort of strange happy dance.

It's probably the least romantic spot they could have picked, surrounded by rubble in the middle of a hellish alternate realm, but neither of them seem to care. Maka deepens the kiss, twining her fingers through Soul's hair; Soul pulls her closer, his hands on her hips. For a few blissful moments, the rest of the world ceases to exist, both of them lost in the euphoria of the kiss and the relief of survival.

Finally, Kid interrupts them. "As happy as I am for you lovebirds, we should probably head back now," Kid interrupts finally. They spring out apart, blushing. "The lack of symmetry here is disturbing," he finishes disdainfully, turning to walk back to the Death Room. Maka instinctively grabs Soul's hand, turning to follow the rest of the group.

They've been walking for a few minutes and are closing in on the exit when Maka finally speaks again, so quietly that it's almost a whisper. "I love you, Soul."

"I got that impression earlier," he replies, smirking broadly at her. He's completely unprepared for when she decides to Maka Chop him. "Where did you even get that book?" he asks quizzically, rubbing his sore head.

"Seriously? I tell you that I love you and this is how you respond?" she mutters indignantly, putting her hands on her hips.

"Well, I thought it was obvious," he replies exasperatedly. "I love you, you amazing idiot."

Maka flushes bright red and beams at him. "Let's go home," she finally suggests, after stuttering for a few moments, hurrying to catch up with the others.

"I'm already home," he replies fondly, entwining his hand with hers.

So incredibly sappy. These two have officially stolen my heart. Please review!