Disclaimer: I do not own Soul Eater.

Nos Da Cariad
by. Poisoned Scarlett.

"…and if he tries anything on you, use that technique I showed you!" Spirit fretted that evening, following his daughter around their apartment like a lost child. "And call me if things get out of hand, okay? I know how easily high school proms can grow out of hand, Maka, so if you need anything – anything at all – just call me and I'll be there right away! Okay, sweetheart?"

"Papa." Maka stopped, turning to him. She gripped his shoulders, giving him a stern look. "I'm going to be fine. Soul isn't going to let anything happen to me and he isn't going to take advantage of me, either."

"Is that was he told you?" Spirit accused. "Because it's all a lie! Don't fall for his lies—!"

She merely sighed and continued her way to her room, slamming the door in his face. While Spirit wailed self-righteously outside her door, Maka looked toward her vanity mirror. Her dress was strapless and simple, the bodice contouring to her curves elegantly. It was made of burgundy silk, tempting enough to want to run your hands over the material. Her hair was loose, as Soul had recommended, framing her face pleasantly. She wore strapping black heels to finish the assemble, applying minimal make up and deciding there was nothing else she could do with herself but wait for his arrival.

Kid hadn't spared a glance at her after she came back from the library. They avoided each other as they overlooked the prom scene. Maka was grateful Soul had lingered close beside her instead of leaving with his friends when he had the chance. His presence helped ease the weight in her chest and his light – sometimes stupid – conversation helped relieve unwanted thoughts from her mind.

At one point, Liz had walked in looking a bit troubled. She'd risen a weary brow at Soul but shook off the strange scene of him standing so close to Maka Albarn to speak to Kid. Although Maka hadn't wanted to, she looked and scrutinized her friends expression.

Softness, understanding, a shrug, a nod.

He looked sincere, Maka had agreed with herself.

Perhaps he wouldn't crush Liz with his indifferent ways after all.

Maka could only hope so.

"Maka..." Spirit knocked on her door, sullenly. "There's a kid here who says he's here to pick you up. I will not judge you if you tell me to beat him up and throw him in a ditch somewhere—!"

"I heard that, old man!" was faintly heard in the distance.

"Yes? No? Yes – I'll get right on it, baby!" Spirit cheerfully said, about to turn and kick Soul out of their living room with much gusto. But Maka kicked the door open and grabbed the back of his blazer before he could go any farther, placating him with a look worthy enough to kill.

"Papa, be nice!" Maka hissed into his ear. "And don't embarrass me again, please! That's all I'm asking from you tonight!" Maka pleaded, letting him go when she saw he wouldn't do anything reckless. She smoothed the dress down her hips, hoping she looked alright.

"You look beautiful, Maka." Spirit offered, smiling when she stole a look at him.

Thanking her father inwardly for the boost in confidence, Maka walked into the living room to find Soul gazing at a few framed photos of her younger self and her mother; before the crushing divorce of her parents. But she found herself admiring him rather than his curious expression.

His suit was clean and simple; pinstriped with a dark red dress shirt matched with a black tie. His shoes shone under the light of the living room, polished and without a single scratch on them. His hair, so often kept back by a black headband, had been let loose; spiked back carefully so that his overgrown fringes wouldn't get in his face.

"You bring her back by ten, got it?" Spirit broke the silence.

"I'm coming back later, papa." Maka stated evenly, Soul swiveling to face them. "Around midnight later. It depends."

"M-midnight?" Spirit wheezed, horrified. "But that's practically tomorrow!"

"Relax, old man, I'll have her back home by one sharp." Soul promised, after regaining his composure. She'd worn her hair loose, something that had taken him off-guard. She looked fantastic, the dress hugging the curves of her body that she hid under shapeless clothes. He knew she had a figure beneath that nerdy uniform of hers. "It's prom – don't tell me you didn't have some fun on your prom night?"

"Well, yes, but that's beside the point – !"

"I'm graduating high school in a couple of days, papa." Maka interrupted his tirade, smiling at him. "I'm going to be eighteen in a few months. You can't keep coddling me like this…"

"You're gonna' have to let her go, man." Soul summed up flatly, extending his hand toward Maka. "You ready?" He asked with his trademark sharp grin. She nodded brightly, taking his hand and allowing him to lead her out of the apartment.

"CALL ME IF ANYTHING HAPPENS!" Spirit shouted before they left, desperately. But he smiled in resignation when Maka shot him a nasty look over her shoulder. "And have fun, Maka." He added, wearily.

"At least he didn't come after me this time." Maka muttered.

"That would've been fun, then we could've made it seem like we ran away." Soul replied, amused. "And there's our ride."

"You can't be serious." Maka exclaimed in disbelief.

"Oh, I'm completely serious." Soul drawled, patting the hood of the dealer-new Ford Mustang fondly. It was bright red with two black lines going down the car, giving it a stylish flare. Maka honestly shouldn't have been so surprised: Kim hadn't been kidding when she'd said that she would date him for his money. She had forgotten, in all the drama and stress of the past few days, that Soul came from a wealthy and renowned family of musicians – all, of which, had earned their rightful title in the family with a particular instrument. Soul was close coming to earning his, having been accepted into the prestigious Julliard University not too long ago.

She remembered it had been the talk for a few good days, along with who Blair was going out with now and if Kilik was breaking up with his girlfriend or not.

But she wondered just what instrument he had mastered…

"I got her for my eighteenth birthday." Soul stated, proudly.

"Soul…"

"Yeah?"

"You wanna' know what I got my seventeenth birthday?" Maka began, crossing her arms over her chest. He nodded his head slowly. "A book."

His expression was composed for a total of two seconds before he cracked up. "Are you serious?"

"I'm completely serious." Maka quoted him smartly

"Well… sucks for you then." He smirked. "Don't worry, I'll be sure to get you a book on how to be cool like me for your eighteenth birthday."

"MAKA CHOP!"

"You didn't have to hit me so hard," Soul whined as he parked the car in the lot behind their school. They could hear music pulse from within the gymnasium; see lights illuminate the sky for a moment before disappearing again. Couples walked inside the school, linked at the elbow, and security screened them further up ahead. It looked as if it would be a successful – and hopefully smooth – prom night after all.

"You didn't stop laughing – I had to make you stop somehow." Maka flatly said, sliding out of the car. The seats were genuine leather, something she'd quietly marveled when she had pressed her hand against the headrest as she maneuvered her way inside the vehicle. The only complaint she had was the loud purr of the engine every time Soul accelerated, which reverberated within her chest and deafened her of any sound she could potentially hear outside.

"You'll give me brain damage one day." Soul grumped, holding out his hand to her. She took it after a moment. "Prom ends at midnight, right?"

"Mhm." Maka nodded, following him toward the security guards up ahead. "I want it to be ten already – that's when the bands set to play!" Maka pouted, going through the check easily enough. Soul was scanned twice, mainly because of the metal in his cufflinks, but let pass after he was cleared by one of the guards.

"You booked a pretty good band, for someone who likes listening to techno."

"I told you already, it's not techno!" Maka insisted, Soul leading the way to the gymnasium where everything was being held. "It's Drum and Bass, get it right!"

"Same thing – it's all synthesized sound." Soul drawled, grinning when she narrowed her eyes. She crushed his fingers in her hand, smug when he hissed and tried to yank his hand from hers.

"Jesus, woman." Soul groaned, rubbing his sore joints. "You have a strong grip!"

"Don't underestimate, Soul." Maka warned, almost coyly. She held out her hand for him this time. "I can make you hurt without even trying."

"I bet." He muttered, taking her hand and thankfully not having it crush his.

"Oooh! Here I thought widdle Soul was goin' to prom all lonesome!" Patty Thompson cooed mischievously, startling them both when she popped her head between them.

Soul gripped Maka's hand when she tried to take it back. "I never said that. You guys never asked me who I was planning to take. Why should I have to tell you, anyway? You'd spread that shit around the school before I even got to asking." Soul added, scathingly.

Patty pouted. "We did so wanna' know! And we wouldn't have if you told us not to!" She giggled, looking like she would have spread it like Soul had predicated.

"Then ask next time – where's Liz, anyway?" Soul asked, deflecting any more questions swiftly.

"She's looking for Kiddo!" Patty exclaimed, sing-song. Then she added in a hushed tone: "But he's not here right now so sissy's really angry!"

"What? Kid isn't here? He's supposed to overlook the band! He has to be here!" Maka exclaimed. She bit her lip in thought and then looked up again: "He's probably hiding in Stein's class, that jerk!"

"Stein's class?" Patty perked up, whipping out her cellphone from between her breasts. Soul pinched the bridge of his nose when a passing boy nearly crashed into someone, having seen her do it. "I'll call sissy right now and tell her!"

"You do that..." Soul swiftly took Maka out of her range, leading her deeper into the throng of happy partygoers by the small of her back. "She talks a lot – trust me, you'll find yourself wanting to leave after two minutes of hearing her ramble about giraffes," Soul whispered into her ear when he caught her frown.

"It was still rude."

"She probably doesn't remember anymore." Soul muttered.

Maka tensed when she felt his fingers comb through her hair, his palm resting on the back of her neck. The heat within the room was already bothersome but that single action had blood rushing to her face at a seconds notice. She found herself tongue tied when he leaned down and said, voice almost touching a purr: "You wore your hair down. You look great with your hair down, Maka, why do you wear it in pigtails so much?"

"M…my mom always styled it that way." Maka mumbled. There was a flurry of movement all around her, all overlooked by her. The crowd shifted and swayed to the beats the DJ belted out but she was only focused on how hot his hand felt on her skin. "I guess I just got used to it…"

"They do make you look cute." Soul mused, running his fingers through her hair again. She felt him pull her against him, his fingertips brushing the slope of her soft neck. "But long hair is always a win in my book." He charmed, brushing his lips against the tender skin of her neck.

Harder to breathe, Maka found herself swallowing. So much harder to breathe: the bodice felt like it was squeezing her too tight every time he allowed his mouth to feather the rim of her ear. She could spot his teasing from miles away and he was no doubt being a tease by leaving her so strung up, removing his mouth from her neck before she grew too heated.

He was good, Maka thought sourly.

He was dangerous, like Kid had said…

"We should probably get a table before they're all taken." Soul suggested, leading her knee-weakened form toward a table near the stage that held two vacancies. It wasn't long before Black Star dropped by, Tsubaki following meekly behind, and Patty reappeared bearing an even wider smile as she happily informed them that her sister had found Kid just where Maka had said he'd be.

"So…why's the Student Counsel dork sitting in our table again?" Black Star asked without missing a beat.

"She's Soul's date! Teehee!" Patty giggled.

"No way! You actually asked him out?" Black Star leered at Maka.

"Actually, he asked me out." Maka scowled.

"WHOA! SOUL ASKED MAKA TO PROM?" Black Star screeched for all to hear, a few heads snapping in their direction.

"You moron – shut up! Yes, I asked her out!" Soul hissed, scathingly. "What about it?"

Black Star instantly calmed, shrugging coolly. "Oh, nothing, man. Just a little weird, that's all. Didn't think girls like her were your type….or did I?" He waggled his brows suggestively at her, Tsubaki quietly telling Maka to ignore him; he'd had a few too many energy drinks that evening.

"Moron." Maka sighed under her breath.

Tsubaki giggled.

While Soul and Black Star discussed something related to cars, Maka caught a glimpse of Ox in the distance. He had, after all, brought that Anne girl to the dance; her flaming red hair curled into ringlets that fell down her shoulders gorgeously. Maka was rather surprised to find one very lonesome Kim standing bitterly by the snack table with another one of her friends, staring at Ox through angry eyes before looking away.

Then she looked at her.

Maka visibly stiffened when Kim's mouth formed a shocked 'o', as her eyes went from her to Soul rapidly. Soul must've noticed her sudden rigidness because he looked over at her, tugging their linked hands as a silent gesture to tell him what was wrong. She sent him a weak smile, looking back to Kim and finding her outraged eyes on her again when she realized they were holding hands.

She would be taking out her rage on her tonight, Maka thought miserably, because she had been so sure that Soul would not reject her if she asked him to prom. And Kim had also confided in her. Maka had no doubt she was conceiving some sort of back-stabbing tale in her mind, the longer Kim glowered in her direction.

"She looks really mad," was all Maka said, allowing Soul look himself and make his own assumptions.

"What's she so mad about? I told her I was interested in someone else."

"That's the problem." Maka cleared her throat. "She told me a few things I couldn't tell anyone else. I haven't, but she doesn't know that. One of them involved you."

"What was it?" He asked, voice lowered so that only she could hear.

"I can't tell you." Maka sighed. "I promised I wouldn't tell anyone."

"Okay. So if you haven't, then what's the problem?" Soul scowled, not seeing what she was so wound up about.

"I told you already!" Maka hissed. She looked back at Kim and instantly looked away from her scorned eyes. "She doesn't know that!"

The lights suddenly came on, as Kid announced the serving of dinner from the center of the stage. His suit was snow white, primp and clean. His hair was not slicked back but left to its own devices; the three stripes that had once caused him near-physical pain standing stark against the rest of his hair. Maka was a little relieved he had come to accept the stripes as apart of him: she had quit helping him get over his fits of symmetry after the sixth breakdown in three days.

"Mind if we sit here?" Liz asked sweetly a few minutes later, her elbow linked within Kid's. Maka couldn't help but notice that Liz looked especially lovely that evening: with a curve-hugging halter dress that ran down her legs, a slit running up the side to give glimpse to her long legs.

"Go ahead." Soul said, easily enough. But his fingers tightened around hers.

"So, Soul, you never told me you actually had a date." Liz began, casually. She reached over the table toward Maka, the sparkly bangles on her wrist catching the light. "My name's Liz, by the way."

"Maka." Maka introduced herself, shaking her hand. "Nice to meet you, Liz."

Liz smiled after sizing her up, sitting back down. "She's so sweet – I'm surprised you even managed to ask her out, punk."

"Why would you say that?" Soul gruffed, knowing what came next.

"Well, after Blair—!"

"It was all Black Star's fault and you know it!" Soul snapped warningly, confusing both Kid and Maka.

"What was my fault now?" Black Star hollered from across the table, his voice losing its strength when the DJ turned up the volume on the current track.

"The fact that that slut became his girlfriend." Liz cracked up at Soul's broody sigh.

"What is she talking about, Soul?" Maka ventured.

"Remember Blair, my ex-girlfriend?" Maka nodded slowly at that. "Black Star was the one who told Blair I wanted to go out with her. It was all his fault." Soul seethed. Black Star laughed when he realized what they were talking about. "She looked like she was about to cry when I told her it had all been a misunderstanding… making girls cry isn't cool." He mumbled darkly.

"But the instant she hooked up with that other guy a few days later." Liz made a throat-slicing gesture. "She was gonna' pay. No one cheats on our Soul and gets away with it. You should've seen how much she cried when we caught her after school – completely worth getting suspended for a whole week!" Liz tossed her long, blonde, hair over her shoulder gracefully; Patty laughing raucously by her side.

Maka instantly looked at Kid in triumph only to find him scowling heavily at his silverware.

"And… the same goes for you, Maka." Liz suddenly said, diverting her attention. She leaned over the table, pointing a manicured nail at Soul. "With someone this hot, you only get one shot."

Maka gawked and felt her face steadily color at her leering grin.

"Shut up, Liz!" Soul snapped, resting his cheek in his palm grumpily. "I trust her enough not to do that …"

"Aww, that's so sweet!" Liz cooed mockingly, laughing when he growled in warning. "You trust her already! Isn't that sweet, Patty?"

"Sweeter than pineapple melon cake!" Patty burst out laughing at Soul's dirty look.

As they fought, Maka was left to her stunned silence.

That little sentenced meant the world to Maka. It meant more than he'd ever know, as she stared at him in quiet awe. Her eyes shifted to Kid, finding him staring at her with disbelief.

How could you believe that bullshit? His expression seemed to read.

Because I trust him, too. She scowled back, ignoring him and smiling politely at the waiter who arrived with their dinner.

Kim was angry.

Maka could feel her eyes burn holes in the back of her head, as Soul stood beside her near the front of the stage. She tried to focus on the singer who shouted into the microphone for their cheers, the guitar and drums loud enough to drown most of her anxious thoughts.

But that didn't mean they could block the unease that crept into her heart.

It went on like this until the stroke of midnight – Maka sneaking glances at Kim, Kim glaring holes ahead; sometimes meeting her eyes – but that was when things took a turn for the better. Ox, who had also been sneaking looks at Kim, managed to shake off his prom date and awkwardly ask Kim to the last dance of the night. Technically it was the most important dance of the night, which was why Maka felt sympathetic when she noticed Anne standing toward the side sadly. Simultaneously, however, it came as something to a relief to Maka, as that meant Kim would forget the majority of her scorn towards her and perhaps even allow her to enjoy the rest of the night in peace.

"Wanna' dance?" Soul coughed, having caught her gazing at the other couples. He didn't particularly enjoy dancing – mainly because his parents always forced him to they attended galas – but he wasn't as pigheaded as to not ask her out because of his own grudge.

"Well... no!" Maka shook her head fervently. She stole a glance back at the couples, somewhat forlorn. "That's okay!"

"How come?" Soul ventured, suspiciously.

"I, well… I can't waltz." Maka admitted, looking down meekly.

"That's it?" He chuckled. Maka looked up, on the verge of telling him off. He took her hand and led her to the dance floor, ignoring her sputtering. "Don't worry about it then." Soul positioned her hand on his shoulder, reaching for her cinched waist with his other hand. "I'll lead…but you're gonna' have to get closer, Maka." He yanked her to his chest, relishing the steadily spreading red across her cheeks. "You can't waltz standing all the way over there."

"L…like this?"

"Yeah. Now you're getting it." Soul drawled, leading her closer to the other couples. "Now you just move your foot over here… just copy me." Soul instructed. "Like that. Yeah, see? You're waltzing!"

Maka laughed happily. "I am! I didn't think I'd ever learn how to…" Maka graced him with a bright beam, which made his smile soften. "Thanks, Soul!"

"No prob." He cleared his throat, looking away before he could say something stupid.

"They have such great chemistry between them!" Liz squealed, watching Soul lead Maka deeper within the crowd of swaying couples. She had never seen him so nervous before a single girl before. It made the romantic in Liz simply go berserk with ideas. "Right, Kid?"

"Yes." Kid replied, evenly. "They do."

Liz's excitement faltered at his flat tone. She looked down at herself, the dress that hugged her curves and the heels that brought out the strength in her calves and firmed her butt. Her hair had been straightened until it was smooth like silk and she had taken painstaking effort in applying her make up for this big day. She had even made sure to look symmetrical on either side, knowing too-well of his obsession for balance.

Yet Kid did not look her way.

It made her hurt, because his eyes always strayed back to Maka, and it made her angry as well. But it was stupid to pin this all on Maka, no matter how much she wanted to. She'd caught wind of their conversation in the hall in her search for Kid earlier that Thursday. When Soul had cut in, she'd promptly retreated; rather stunned by what she had heard in that short amount of time.

But she had shook it off and only steeled her resolve.

She thought that maybe she could sway Kid if she dressed prettily enough.

Yet Kid remained unmoved. It made her wonder if he'd killed his hormones with all that knowledge – nearly every male in the room gave her body a quick run down. She'd always been beautiful…so why wasn't he looking at her? What didn't she have that – dare she say it – that bookworm didn't have? Was it being book-smart? Was it the pigtails, the conservative wear, having a freakin' clean record?

"You wanna' take me out to dance, Kid?" Liz flirtatiously asked, resisting a scowl when Kid looked at her for a few seconds before nodding.

"Yes, if you'd like."

Liz withheld a frustrated sigh but took his hand when he offered, walking with him through the crowd. As she placed her hand on his shoulder, she saw Blair up ahead chatting up one of the guys. She was surprised to find it was Kilik, with his date nowhere to be found. Liz made a mental note to check up on him after she had finished dancing with Kid.

Kid seemed lost in thought as he danced with her; as if contemplating something the entire time. He looked up from the floor, allowed his cool gaze to fix on her own. Pliable, golden, eyes; ringed with darker shades of the molten color. It was the single most intimate moment in Liz's life, despite having been shed of whatever virginity she had come into the world with a long time ago.

"S…something wrong, Kid?" Liz asked, clearing her throat so it didn't sound as breathy.

His brow creased. "…Yes. Perhaps you may be able to help me solve this dilemma."

Liz managed to shake off some of her nerves enough to nod, focusing her full attention on what he had to say.

"I love Maka." He bluntly said. Liz felt her heart clench at the single statement; tear up and burst into flames. "But I don't… love her."

Liz blinked rapidly, pausing mid-way stomping on her heart. "Wait, what?"

"I love Maka – I know I do. She's like the sister I've never had, a person I trust wholly, but…" Kid looked sidelong, to where Soul and Maka danced closely, in conflict. "It doesn't feel… like it should feel. Or what I believe it should feel, from the books I've read. What is love to you, Liz?" He suddenly asked, looking down at her.

"Love? To me?" She repeated, collecting her thoughts. "I-I don't know how to answer that, Kid. Love means a lot of things to different people. But… answer me this." Liz regained her usual spunk. "You wanna' kiss her?"

"No."

"Do stuff to her?"

Kid wrinkled his nose at the implication. "…No."

"Then you're not in 'that' type of love!" Liz grinned. She sobered soon after. "But… is that the reason you don't like Soul? Are you… jealous of him?"

"Jealous? Envious, you mean? No. I'm not." Kid shook his head. "I just honestly think he's a terrible match for her! Look at the way he dresses – his symmetry is simply awful! Someone as asymmetrical and – and horrible as him has no future with Maka!" Kid exclaimed, self-righteously. "He'll ruin her perfect symmetry! He... he's an isosceles triangle compared to her square perfection!"

Liz burst out in laughter after a few seconds, her forehead bumping with his chest. Kid was surprised but did not move from the contact; allowing her to exhaust her amusement as his grave statement.

"Kid, you have a lot to learn about love." Liz giggled, looking up again. He stared this time. "Love doesn't discriminate. It just happens."

"…Does it, now?" Kid murmured, tearing his gaze from her twinkling eyes quickly. His face felt hot. "Love is certainly strange then."

"Yep." Liz smiled, just as the dance was concluded. Her eyes sought for Soul and Maka and she was amused to see them jerk away from each other the instant they realized the dance around them had stopped. They'd been awfully close – she could only wonder what had been interrupted.

But as Liz discussed with Kid what they would do after prom – what people would come with them, where they would go, what time they'd leave home – she was astonished to hear, "aaaand Prom King and Queen belong to: Soul Evans and Kim Diehl!" be announced by the lead singer of the band, paper in his hand as he clapped along with the crowd.

"Wait a second, Soul was one of the nominees?" Liz asked Kid, voice hushed.

"The school had the option of casting their own vote – if his name appeared frequently enough, then even if he didn't apply for prom king, he'd still qualify." Kid explained, eyes trained on Soul

The shock on his face, as he stood next to Maka, gave Kid the idea that he hadn't even bothered to sign up for prom king; it'd just happened. Soul looked down at Maka, as if to have her tell him what to do, and slowly made his way up stage when she gave him a gentle push. Kim also walked up on stage, with more swagger and more flourish than Soul, and took the bouquet of flowers and crown while Soul snatched his from the lead singer and held it in his hand; not about to compromise his coolness by wearing a stupid, metal, crown.

"You look surprised." Kim told Soul when she saw him.

"I didn't think I'd win, especially since I didn't sign up for this." Soul replied, managing to sound bored. "Guess I'm cooler than I thought I was."

"Of course you are!" Kim giggled, flirtatiously. "You're the coolest guy in this school, Soul!"

Soul didn't respond, frowning down at the metal crown in his hand.

"Alright, King and Queen! Picture time—hey, hey, where you goin'?" The photographer sputtered when Soul wandered off the stage. "We need to take photos of the King and Queen!"

"Oh." Soul turned, smirking. "Do it then. C'mon, I'm busy."

He snapped the picture, still gaping. "T-together now!"

"No thanks, you got your picture." Soul waved off, walking down the steps already.

"Oh, no you don't! Soul Evans, you get back here and take a picture with me!" Kim screeched, hands on her hips. "SOUL EVANS!"

"Don't call me that!" Soul snapped over his shoulder but did not stop. "Ma—hey, what the hell?" Soul sputtered when Maka pushed him back up the steps. "Maka—!"

"You're taking that photo, Soul!" Maka demanded.

"I don't want to – do you know what they have the King and Queen do when they take the photo together?" Soul hissed, narrowing his eyes. He finally put his foot down and Maka stopped, unable to move him anymore. "Sorry, but I ain't doing that with a cheerleader." He grimaced. "I might contract stupid."

"Just – just take the picture then!" Maka hastily urged, hoping Kim hadn't heard that. By the way she was muttering huffily to the photographer, she hadn't. "Maybe it'll get her off my back?" She added, hopefully.

He gave her a measured look before sighing and dragging himself up to stage again, the cheers and applause rising in volume again.

"Let's get this over with." Soul muttered darkly to Kim.

"About time!" Kim scoffed loftily, standing close to him.

The photographer looked relieved. "Alright…one…two…"

"Hey! Kiss her!" Some smart bastard yelled, starting up the chant of: "Kiss her! Kiss her! Kiss her!" from the entire crowd.

"Three!" The photographer took the picture, grinning at both. "You want to do a second round?" He was obviously hinting to what the crowd was chanting, the chant growing stronger the longer they stood there.

"Sure!" Kim chirped with venom when she caught Anne whispering something to Ox down below. "Why not? Soul?"

"Yeah, no thanks." Soul deadpanned, causing the crowd to break into a confused hush. "I only agreed to a picture. Later, Kim." And he jogged off the stage again, grabbing Maka by the arm and pushing her ahead. "Keep walking." Soul muttered, when the crowd boo'd and called him back on stage. "HEY! LIZ?"

"We're ready to go!" Liz grinned, waving him over from the side exit. "Man, you sure run fast when you want to. But it's a good thing, Kim missed you by a centimeter!"

"That would've blown." Soul groaned. "'Cause that would've messed up my cool when I told her to fuck off."

Liz tossed her head back in laughter, Tsubaki coming up behind her and smiling happily at both; congratulating Soul on his award and sending a sweet smile to Maka.

"Soul? Where are we going?" Maka whispered when she had his attention again. She glimpsed Kim from over his shoulder when she stood on her toes, catching her thinly pressed lips and narrowed eyes in their direction as her friends gathered around her. "Oh, good going, Soul! Now she's even more mad at me!"

"Did you really want me to kiss her?" Soul snapped down at her, silencing Maka instantly. "Yeah, that's what I thought."

Maka crossed her arms over her chest, lips pursed.

"You takin' your own ride?" Liz asked the moment they were in ear-shot again.

"Like I'm leaving that gorgeous thing out there unsupervised." Soul said, haughtily.

"After me, then." Liz grinned right back. Kid was already buckled in the passenger seat of his own car and waiting for Liz, fiddling with something on his cufflink, as Liz had hitched a ride in her sisters car.

"C'mon, get in, the real party starts now." Soul grinned deviously, leading her to the car.

"Soul, where are we going?" Maka hissed, slamming the door beside her once she got in the car. Soul slid into the drivers seat, already starting the engine. She eyed his seat belt. He didn't look like he was even thinking about buckling it in. "Soul!"

"Relax, Maka, do you see Kid panicking?" Soul sighed, shifting into reverse. "No. So could you stop panicking? You'll see in a minute."

"I think Liz lied to Kid." Maka growled, watching his shoulders tense. "And we're not going where he thinks we're going. Kid is gullible in that sense. I'm not. So answer my question, Soul. I'm waiting."

Soul grinned, leaning sideways and deepening his voice; lips daring to brush her cheek. "Hard and commanding. That's sexy." While she sputtered and tried to recover her lost wits, Soul quickly shifted into drive and followed Liz out of the parking lot.

"Soul, you bastard, where are you taking me?" Maka snarled, not falling for one of his tricks again.

"Honestly?"

"Yes, honestly!"

"A club."

"A club—? You mean the club I made reservations at for the Seniors?" Maka elaborated, confused. It was a set-up to take place after prom. Many were planning on staying out late and the headmaster had agreed that having them in, at least, a safe location until they got their fill was better than having them running around with no place to go.

"I'm trying to figure that out right now..."

"You mean you don't know?" Maka gasped in horror.

"I will soon." Soul grinned, turning a corner sharply. Maka squeaked and barreled towards the door, the force of the turn throwing her back in place once Soul straightened. But she could feel the speed sink her back in her seat. "Huh. No, we're not going to the club you reserved."

"Then…where are we going?" Maka asked in a smaller voice.

Soul glanced at her, the worried crease of her brow, and softened his tone. "Probably the one out by the city limits. I know some people who are going there after prom, too. Don't worry – I won't let you out of my sight." Soul promised when he saw she sunk deeper in her seat with troubled eyes. "You'll be fine."

"That's not what I'm worried about…"

"Then what is?"

Vaguely, he heard someone hoot, "YAHHHOOOO!" from up ahead.

"That." Maka pointed ahead blandly, the car that was cutting off others in the lane. Soul caught sight of blue – recognized the high pony tail of the girl sitting in the passenger seat – and instantly knew who it was.

"Oh, you mean Black Star?" Soul said, watching his friend cut another car off rudely. That started up a honking rage that was only amplified when Black Star reached out of the window to flip him off with another thunder of laughter. "Yeah, he might be a problem."

She groaned and sunk into her seat, hoping nothing would go wrong as Soul drove them to that obscure club by the edge of town.

It was loud.

Maka was quite sure that the club she'd reserved would not be as loud – nor shady – like the one Soul was walking her into. There was a swarm of people in the center, distorted by the strobe lights, and the thick smell of sweat, cigarette smoke, and a sickly sweet smell that reminded her of incense, was not making things any better for her. Maka then realized why Soul had ditched his blazer and rolled up the sleeves of his shirt: it also got very hot, very fast.

"You wanna' drink?" Soul shouted over the bass.

"Yeah!" Maka shouted back, gripping his hand as he led her to the bar. Maka looked sidelong to see Liz laughing and pulling Kid into the mass of partygoers. She laughed when Kid shook his head vigorously, choked up and panicked about where to put his hands when Liz sidled up against him seductively.

"Here," Soul whispered into her ear, pressing a glass into her hands. Maka jumped back from him, automatically taking a drink from her glass to hide her embarrassing flush. Soul pretended not to notice for the sake of convincing her to dance to this music.

"Is this… alcohol?" Maka asked, bewildered.

"No... it's a piña colada." Soul answered, slowly.

"Soul, does this have alcohol in it?"

"Maybe a little." Soul admitted, drinking his own glass innocently.

"You're driving!" Maka hissed. "You can't be drinking!"

"I'm not." Soul scoffed, handing her his glass. Maka took it skeptically and was surprised to find it was plain soda. "Yours is, though. Loosen up, Maka, it's just one drink. It's not like you're gonna' get wasted or anything. Your dad would kill me and I'd really like to live until my nineteenth birthday – maybe I'll get a grand piano then. And you can get two books this time."

After whacking him on the head and taking a dainty sip of her glass, ignoring his pained moans, Maka said: "Piano… is that what you play, Soul?"

"Yeah." He grunted. "What of it?"

"It must be nice, that's all." Maka looked down at her drink. Kid had once teasingly told her that she would need a lot of practice in reading music when they'd taken instruments class together. He'd also said never to pick up a trumpet again unless she wanted to raise Hell on earth. "To know how to create something so beautiful with just your hands."

Soul faltered, sinking into a slouch. "Don't get your hopes up, it isn't that great."

"But you got accepted into Julliard." Maka protested, looking up at him. His bleached hair caught all of the lights that flashed in the club, dying it with very cycle. "That means you have superior skill."

"I got accepted because I'm an Evans. It's more for appearances sake than because I actually have talent. My parents are good friends with the guy who graded my audition." Soul snorted, derisively. "Like I said, I'm not that great. Pretty bad, if you asked me."

"You're your own harsh critic." Maka softly said. She finished her drink and placed the empty glass behind her on the bar table. She smiled at him. "I'm sure you're great, Soul. I may not have heard it but… you look like the type to pour your entire soul into a song!"

Soul picked at a seam inside his pocket, mumbling out: "You're so weird…" but smiling wearily at her faith in him. They spent at least two hours and a half standing by the bar table, taking in the club scene contently and talking about things that didn't really matter – like how he loved raw fish and she gagged at the thought or how she liked martial arts and Soul preferred the good old way to beating the shit out of someone: pure fists and blind rage.

"Maka-chan!" Tsubaki cheerfully called, taking her wrist. Her cheeks were flushed, smile rather ditzy as she pulled her into the mass of dancing clubbers. "You've been standing here all this time! Come dance with me!"

"But – but, Soul – !" Maka tossed him one apologetic glance before being pulled along into the crowd, rather uncertain on her feet. Just how many drinks had she had? Maka vaguely remembered having three more glasses of that fruity drink…

It was so hot, crushed amongst everyone with the bass vibrating with her every breath. Tsubaki giggled uncontrollably and stumbled into Maka, her breath smelling of something distinctly alcoholic. Her arms wrapped around her neck, twirling her as her body swayed with the music. The strobe lights were blinding, enough so that Maka had trouble keeping up with Tsubaki and the quick tempo of the club edit. But that might have been because she'd gone over her limit with that deceptive drink Soul had introduced.

When she felt Tsubaki grind into her from behind did Maka understand why Kid freaked out so much. It was so weird, to dance so intimately with a girl, but she loosened up when Tsubaki shouted I haven't danced like this since Liz forced me to! into her ear with sheepish laughter.

Sweat running down the back of her neck, a rosy hue adorning her cheeks, Maka took up Soul's advice and let loose; swearing at one point that Tsubaki had moaned against her. But she couldn't be sure – the music was loud, her heartbeat louder, and her heels were starting to really ache on her feet. Tsubaki was also beginning to grow bold behind her with the way her hands gripped her hips, her chest rubbing against hers.

Maka caught sight of white and caught glimpses of Soul whispering something to Black Star, pointing in their general direction. As if deciding on something, both boys began to battle their way through the throng of wild dancing. Black Star, Maka noticed with mild amusement, looked annoyed as Tsubaki and she grinded their hips together to the tropical beat of the song.

Tsubaki giggled into ear, fingers teasingly sliding down to cup her ass. "Maka-chaan," she whispered into her ear provocatively.

"Tsubaki?" Maka said back, tensing when she felt the girl run a hand down her thigh. "What are you doing—?" She felt hands slip underneath her arms and pull her away from Tsubaki's panting mouth, Black Star doing the same only with a more possessive snatch.

"Damn, Maka, calm down." Soul chuckled awkwardly, feeling that itchy feeling in his nose when he was about to get a nose bleed. Thankfully, the blood stayed in his body and not down his suit. "You and Tsubaki looked about ready to, uh…"

"To what? We were just dancing, Soul." Maka rolled her eyes.

"Tsubaki gets really crazy when she drinks: she would've tried something if you kept dancing like that." Soul dryly said, dropping his hand lazily to her hip. The edit switched to something less exotic and more electronic. Maka squealed something about this being her favorite song, instantly forgetting about the pain in her heels for it. "Are you serious? You're gonna' shuffle in heels?" Soul snorted in laughter, mimicking her, however. "My feet are gonna' hurt after this."

"Mine are, too!" Maka laughed, making her way further into the club. Bodies bumped into her, the heat becoming almost oppressive, but she couldn't deny she was actually having fun. "You're not that bad!"

Soul smirked, "I should be saying that to you – never thought you knew how to shuffle, Maka, then again, you listen to this lame music all the time."

Maka slide close to him, slamming her heel into his shoe and watching him leap into the air with a howl of pain. Some of the clubbers nearby gave a hoot of approval, clapping their hands as they broke into another cycle. Soul shot Maka a dirty look, the girl grinning and innocently continuing her harmless dancing.

Maka laughed when Soul came up behind her, following his lead as he moved behind her and muttered something about getting her back for that. It was definitely less of a heady atmosphere, more of a playful one, than it had been with Tsubaki. Perhaps Tsubaki had been taking their dancing the wrong way, Maka thought with a shake of her head, giggling when Soul took her hands and splayed them with his own, spreading her arms out with his.

His hand was so much bigger than hers, Maka noticed, she felt tiny compared to him.

"Hey, wanna' ditch this place and go somewhere else?" Soul asked, huskily.

"Wh-what?" She choked.

"I meant the school, genius." Soul scoffed, catching on. His lip curled deviously. "But if you wanna' go to my place, I'm in no position to deny you that. You'd definitely have the time of your life there," he purred, his suave line breaking into pieces when Maka huffily shoved her heel back down on his foot.

"Goddamnit, woman!" Soul snapped, shaking out his pained foot. "I think you broke a toe that time…"

"Suck it up." Maka flatly said. "Where else did you have in mind? The school is closed by now, Soul." Maka pointed out, taking his grumpily outstretched hand. As he parted the crowd and kept her close behind him, Maka caught sight of a seemingly sober Tsubaki trying to get Black Star off the bar table. She caught sight of Liz's blonde sheen of hair and realized Kid and her had ended up talking by the side; glasses in hand, seemingly engrossed in their own conversation.

"What about the others?" Maka asked, gasping when someone jostled her roughly to the side. Soul noticed and slowed, pulling her in front of him instead. "Soul?"

"They're not gonna' leave until this club closes at dawn. It's almost time, anyway." Soul checked his wrist watch. "It's gonna' be five."

"In the morning?" Maka gaped.

Soul smirked. "Yep."

Her ears rang when they exited the sweltering inside of the club and walked over to his car. Maka rubbed them out in vain, trying to regain the hearing that had been lost by the loud beats. But being inside his car, where silence was welcomed, felt nicer than being inside a noisy, crowded, place.

"Wow, it was really hot in there." Maka frowned, fanning herself.

"No kidding." Soul loosened his tie, tossing it to the backseat. He'd removed his blazer before they entered the club but it hadn't helped as the dress shirt was stuffy enough. He unbuttoned a few buttons on his shirt, lowering the window to allow some fresh air to ventilate through the car.

Maka dropped her eyes down to her lap when she caught herself staring at him. She thought back to what Liz had told her in a tease, when he's this hot, you only get one shot, and felt those butterflies fester in her gut again. Just what was she doing? Did Kid honestly have a reason to fear her growing attached him...?

"You alright? You're really quiet." Soul spoke up after a few more seconds.

"Oh, yeah. Just tired." Maka answered with a weak smile.

"Don't pass out on me yet, Maka, we're not done with the night." Soul grinned, turning on his car and hoping the loud rumble of the engine would wake her up. Thankfully, it did, because Maka winced and plugged her ears to keep the engine from further damaging her already muffled hearing.

"Why does this car have to be so loud?"

"So everyone can see how cool it is!" Soul shouted over the engine, driving out of the parking lot. Maka reached down to touch her achy feet, rubbing her fingertips on her ankle and promising herself she'd never attempt shuffling in heels again.

"Told you dancing in heels isn't smart."

"Oh, shut up. You did it with your shoes."

"But these are flat."

"Yeah, but the sole must be painful."

"You're right: my soul does hurt every time I'm forced to listen to such awful music." Soul cheeked, laughing when she reached over to smack him for his jab at electronica. By the time they'd arrived, still bickering over the club edits, the school was dark and silent; all the festivities put to an official close. The school would be cleaned up throughout the day until everything was as clean as it had been before they remodeled it for prom.

He parked close by, helping her out of the car as she grumbled about her legs being sore when she finally woke up. It was so lonely, at four in the morning, that Maka had the brief thought of going out at night and wandering the streets. It was simply so peaceful but she remembered that walking alone down deserted streets wasn't the smartest thing a girl like her could do.

She made a note to mention this to Soul. Hopefully, he wouldn't mind staying up with her one day during their vacation…

"Soul, are you serious about this? There's no way we can enter the school without a key!" Maka whispered, holding back a laugh when Soul shot her a devilish grin and pointed to the fence.

"Can you jump over it or do I have to pick the lock for you, princess?" He drawled but stopped when he saw her begin to climb the fence with a haughty huff. She leaped it, landing on her haunches perfectly despite the pain he knew she should be feeling from wearing heels for so long.

"You comin' or what?" Maka crossed her arms smugly at his slack jaw.

He chuckled, jumping over the fence as well. Once he stood, safely on the other side, he took her hand again and pulled her to one of the doors down by the main building. There, Maka watched quietly as he pushed open the door effortlessly.

"It's not locked?" Maka exclaimed, surprised.

"It's never locked." Soul said. "'Star broke the lock a while ago. Guess they never bothered to fix it, but ever since I've used it to get inside and sit on the roof."

"Is that where we're going?" Maka asked, climbing the steps. She caught his nod and did not resist when they climbed the extra set of stairs that led to the rooftop. These doors were locked, with a chain for extra reinforcement. But Soul picked that lock effortlessly and reached up to the side and tampered with something on the alarm. When he pushed the door open, nothing sounded - she had expected from someone with years of mischief under his belt.

"Alarms down." Soul grinned. "C'mon."

She could see the entire city from here! Maka slowly made her way to the edge, leaning over it slightly. She saw a steep fall, the stairwell seeming to go on for miles. She felt his finger hook behind the belt of her dress, pulling her back some.

"Over here." Soul softly said, motioning to the ledge behind them. She watched him hop up and let his legs dangle over the edge, glancing at her expectantly. She hesitantly copied him, relaxing when she saw there was a place to rest her feet on. "Look over there." Soul spoke up, watching her eyes light up when they rested on the sunrise.

"Wow, it's so beautiful from up here, Soul!" Maka breathed, green eyes twinkling with glee. It was a mere strip of orange in the horizon, the black fading away to a washed out blue. It was cold up here as well but Maka hardly felt the chill; still high from the early dawn events. "Do you come here often?" Maka asked, tearing her eyes from the blooming sunrise.

"Yeah." He replied, simply. He leaned back a little, enjoying the breeze that blew from down below. "It's a good place to think."

"About what?"

His smile was faint. "Stuff."

Maka was tempted to ask for more but decided, upon catching his plaintive expression, to leave it as it was. There was no need to pry into his private life – there were certainly things she'd rather not say until the time was right. When she looked back at the sunrise, she saw a slice of the sun, a burning orange, beginning to rise from over the hills.

Steadily, she felt fatigue set in. She watched the sun rise with a faint smile dancing on her lips, the cold breeze a comfort on her aching feet. When she nodded off the first time, she felt him gently grab her shoulder and pull her towards him. She didn't fight it, slumping against his side drowsily.

"It's gonna' be six." Soul whispered as she drowsed off.

"Still too early." Maka mumbled, more than a little asleep. His rumbling chuckles only lulled her further to sleep. Once Soul was sure Maka had finally fallen asleep on him, he carefully got off the ledge and pulled her into his arms, heading out of the roof door and downstairs to his car.

She hardly roused, despite all of the movement when he picked the back gate lock, and she didn't even groan when he turned on his car and the engine growled to life. She just curled up in the back seat, his blazer tossed over her to keep her warm. When he finally arrived to her home, he didn't worry about making too much noise because she was out like a light; finally exhausted by the nights events.

He had just closed the door to his car door when he heard someone clear his throat from behind him.

"Hey, you're up early, old man." Soul easily greeted a disgruntled, sleep-deprived, Spirit.

"It's six am, Evans." He deadpanned.

"She had the time of her life, though." Soul said convincingly, walking over to him.

"We'll see about that later, when I ask her just what happened." Spirit extended his arms, loftily. "I'll be the one to take her back to her room, if you don't mind!"

Soul rose a brow but complied, starting to hand her off to him. However, to his great amusement and Spirit's dismay, Maka groaned when she heard her papa's soft coos. She cracked an eye open and groaned louder, wrapping her arms tightly around Soul's neck.

"Nnng, no, Soul…" Maka whimpered, kicking away from her father.

"You heard her." Soul smugly grinned.

"You did something to her!" Spirit accused, shaking a fist at him. "Maka would never deny her papa!"

"Yes, I would…" She mumbled, burying her face in Soul's neck. He smelled nice; he always did. She'd always catch a whiff of his cologne whenever she leaned over his desk to explain a math problem to him. "Jus' let Soul carry me inside, papa…"

"Well?" Soul drawled as Spirit steamed. "Or would you rather I take her back to my place for the day?" He grinned when Spirit's face paled several shades and he scrambled out of the way, only too happy to allow him inside of the complex now.

Maka's room was rather simple, something he appreciated: with a bookcase pushed alongside one wall and a desk on the other. Her bed was comprised of soft pink sheets, two pillows encased in light purple, and a few stuffed animals decorating it. Her walls, however, were decorated with sceneries from all over the world; seemingly taken by camera, as Soul saw one holding a laughing woman who looked strikingly similar to Maka with her bright emerald eyes and killer smile.

"Soul...?" Maka mumbled sleepily when he finally placed her in bed.

"Hey, go back to sleep." Soul whispered, kneeling. He heard the door creak the slightest bit but he ignored it. Her father was too nosy sometimes. "It's too early for you to be up right now." He humored, bringing a drowsy smile to her lips. "Night, pigtails."

"Wait…" Maka mumbled, gesturing him back down. He obliged but he was stunned still when she placed a hand on his shoulder and kissed his cheek, her lips lingering. "Thanks. I had…a great time." She yawned, gazing up at him contently.

"I'll get you back for that," was all he said, grinning.

"I'll hold you up to it." She replied, with a warm but tired smile of her own.

When Soul pulled the door open, he was surprised to find her father standing by the living room archway; arms crossed over his chest, no-nonsense.

"She's safe and sound in her room. Happy, old man?" Soul rolled his eyes, stifling a yawn of his own. "Can I go now? You can yell at me later, when I'm awake enough to give a damn."

"Hold up one second, Soul Evans." Spirit demanded, before the boy could leave. Soul decided to humor him, pivoting on his heel and gracing him with a flat expression. Spirit heaved a tired sigh, having only slept for a few hours that night; uncomfortable knowing his daughter was out there with a hooligan at the ungodly hours of the night. "Just what do you plan on doing with my daughter?"

"I don't follow." Soul replied, narrowing his eyes. Sleep was temporarily put aside.

"You took her to prom. Gave her the time of her life." Spirit summed up, flatly. "What's next? You gonna' be back here saying you're taking her on a date? Gonna' show her the time of her life then, too?" Spirit sneered.

"Not like that I won't." Soul replied, annoyed. "Look, I don't know just who the hell you think I am, but I'd never hurt Maka. I wouldn't force her to do something she doesn't want to, I wouldn't take advantage of her or her kindness, and I would never put her in any danger. Believe it or not, I'm the good guy here." Soul met his gaze evenly. "And if I want to pursue a relationship with her… what're you gonna' do to stop me?"

"…Nothing." Spirit sighed, resignedly. "Not if she wants to; she'll find a way to be with you...I just have to make sure I'm placing her in the right hands. She's my baby, y'know, my daughter. When you have one of your own, you'll understand."

"Maybe." Soul answered with a lopsided smile. "But she's got enough bite to back up her bark, and I think that's enough. She'll be fine in whatever she decides to do with her life from hereon out."

Spirit nodded, reluctantly. When he looked up, his smile was a little more genuine. "Just remember: you hurt her, I tear your spine out from your throat. Clear?"

Soul did grin that time. "Clear as crystal, sir."

"Get outta' here! Aren't your parents expecting you back or something?"

"Oh, yeah!" Soul laughed, sauntering out the door. "I'm gettin' it when I get home, but it was so worth it!"

Spirit locked the door behind Soul, shaking his head as he heard the car start up and drive away; its growl fading along with his laughter.

Just what had he done by giving him permission to date his daughter? Spirit wondered this as he dragged himself back to his bedroom for another four hours of sleep.