Chapter Text
Maka leaned on the wall, trying to catch her breath. Shame and embarrassment welled up inside her. How could I run off like that ? She tried to move her heavy legs forward, trying to find any place that could grant her a moment of peace.
After stumbling around seemingly blind, she found an Engawa, or a porch, opened to the garden. She leaned on the frame of the paper doors and guided her body to sit down. Once she was finally settled, she could feel her eyes burning to release the tears that had built up. Maka took in the silent beauty of the garden as she let her tears fall freely down her cheeks.
How could the same man who made her cry out of happiness make her cry out of overwhelming sadness in a span of a couple of weeks? I guess this is what Mama felt like when she was with Papa…
The sound of someone clearing their throat made her quickly wipe her tears, a little frustrated that she couldn’t have this moment alone. “Maka? What are you doing all the way out here?”
A hand on her shoulder prompted her to turn around and look Blackstar in the eyes. The blue-haired boy’s eyes widened slightly, and a confused frown plastered his face. He could only manage a “Oh.”
The hand freed her shoulders, and she looked back out to the garden, hoping he would take the hint to leave. But after a minute or two, a calloused hand appeared in her line of sight with a can of green tea—her Favorite.
Maka accepted the gift and started sipping at the drink. It was already calming her down as the liquid chilled her throat. Blackstar plopped down beside her at a comfortable distance. She was surprised that he didn’t start bombarding her with questions.
She mumbled out a small thanks. Blackstar nodded, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. It seemed like he wanted to say something but was holding himself back.
The blonde sighed and looked at her friend, “You can ask now if you want.” The boy caught her gaze for a second and then turned away, hand rubbing his head harder.
“What got you so upset? I know you’re a crybaby and all…” Maka held up her hand in warning. “But it’s not like we’re in danger or anything. I thought we were all having fun.”
Maka studied the boy next to her. Now that she thought about it, it was odd that he was sitting next to her, waiting for her to talk rather than dragging her away to do some activity to lighten the mood. At the beginning of their friendship, he was the kind of guy who only cared about himself, or at least what it seemed like. She gave him a soft, pitiful smile and tucked her knees under her chin.
She felt him stiffen as she rested her head on his shoulder. Maka wanted to rely on someone right now, and he would have to do.
“I got too emotional, that’s all.”
“You’ve been acting strange for a couple of weeks now,” Blackstar started. “Everyone has been worried about you.”
She tilted her head and gave him a look of confusion. He snorted in response. “Don’t pretend that you’ve been acting normal- sometimes you look like you’ve read one of Crona’s lame-ass poems!”
The two shivered at the thought of their friend’s dark literary work. The young girl started to feel guilty; she hadn’t realized she was letting her emotions burden the others.
“I didn’t mean to worry you guys…” She apologized. Blackstar shook his head, “I’m not asking for an apology; we all just want you to go back to your goody two-shoes self.”
He rubbed his chin in contemplation, “Though, I do think you owe Soul an apology. He’s been down that you’re not opening up to him much anymore.”
Maka cringed and nodded, “Thanks for reminding me. Sometimes, I get so wrapped up in trying to deal with things on my own that I forget that I have people to talk to.”
The assassin and the girl sat watching the garden come to life with lighting bugs. Maka thought about how her friends had tried to reach out to her the last few weeks since the incident with Kid. Soul would barely leave her side, opting to hang out with her instead of Blackstar and Killik. The girls kept inviting her to go shopping or get lunch. The conversation in the bathhouse was probably Tsubaki’s attempt to reach out as well. They had been clueless about her plight but still tried to help in their own ways.
“You know, we all thought coming to the bathhouse would make you feel better, “Blackstar confessed. “Well, it was my idea, but it doesn’t seem like it helped.”
Maka gave his arm a squeeze and comforted, “I really do like it here! it’s just that I don’t think my problem can be solved with a nice bath.” Blackstar let out a hearty laugh, and the vibrations tickled Maka’s cheeks.
I wonder…
“Blackstar… have you ever felt… different about someone?”
The boy tilted his head, pondered for a second, then shrugged his shoulders, causing Maka to lean further onto him. “You have to be more specific than that.”
Clearing her throat and suddenly feeling embarrassed to be talking to Blackstar, out of all people, about this, she continued, “Have you ever thought someone was the most attractive person in the room? Or that no one gets you as much as that person? Maybe have them constantly on your mind?”
From her angle, she noticed a slight blush cross his cheeks, and he started itching his head again. “If you’re asking me if I have a… crush… on someone, I don’t think I can help you.” He coughed, “I don’t know much about that sort of thing.”
He looked down at Maka, “Do you have a crush on someone? Is that what this had been about?” She sucked in a breath and sighed, “I think I do but…” She curled up closer to his warm body, “I think I got rejected before even really realizing it.”
Blackstar took in the information and confidently said, “Well, he isn’t worth your time then! How could someone reject one of the best Meisters at the DWMA, second to me? The friend of the great Blackstar?!”
Maka let out a laugh, but she felt her tears start to well up again. She choked, trying to hold them in, but Blackstar put a strong arm around her, tucking her head into his neck and shielding her from the rest of the world. “Don’t be afraid to cry. You have the greatest assassin here to protect you. I’m not the best at these sorts of things, but I can stay with you.”
And so Maka cried, feeling enough freedom to let it all out. She wailed about how she felt, how she didn’t know what to do. Blackstar held her firmly, not interrupting her sobs.
Once her tears died down, Blackstar gave a firm pat on the shoulder, “Are you feeling better?” Maka replied with a smile, “I do! Thank you for being with me Blackstar.”
He stood up, offering a hand to the girl. She took it and let him pull her up, steadying her as her legs had gone asleep. “Don’t mention it! Why don’t we join the others for some pong? Soul is probably waiting up.” He paused, “Oh, if you don’t mind me asking, who is it that -?”
“So, this is where you two have been.”
Blackstar and Maka turned and saw Death the Kid standing there, arms crossed and face stoic. However, Maka noticed he looked rather stiff compared to his usual relaxed poise. His gold eyes hardened slightly while gazing at the other meisters’ intertwined hands. “Am I interrupting something?”
Blackstar followed Kid’s gaze, and eyes opened wide in realization as he looked between Maka and Kid. Maka inwardly groaned; the assassin was very perspective when he wanted to be, and she gave him a weak smile to confirm his suspicion.
The blue-haired boy turned fully to the reaper, standing slightly in front of Maka. “What’s it to you, Kid?” He pointed an accusing finger, “Have you been spying on us this whole time? Why do you gotta be such a creep?”
Kid stepped forward, eyes blazing. “What did you just call me?”
Maka could almost feel the pressure of the tense atmosphere. Blackstar and Kid were locked in a stare-down. She put a hand in front of the assassin and tried to break up… whatever was happening between the two boys. “Blackstar! Didn’t you say Soul was waiting for you?” She motioned towards the game room, “Why don’t you go ahead and go? I’ll be right behind you.”
Blackstar looked at Maka and then back at the reaper. Shrugging his shoulders, he dispersed any negative energy that was held up in his muscles. “…I’ll see you there then.”
With a quick glare sent at Kid, the assassin made his way down the hall. The two meisters were left to watch his retreating back disappear around the corner.
“Since when did you two get so close?” The reaper broke the silence.
Maka huffed and felt a tinge of annoyance. He is always showing up at the worst times!
“You know, someone said the same thing about us two recently.” She leaned against the wall, holding her head slightly. Eyes closed; she did not want to look at him right now. She did not want to deal with this right now. “It doesn’t really matter to you what kind of relationship I have with Blackstar anyway.”
The sound of footsteps caused her to open her eyes, and she found Kid standing right before her. His hand was outstretched, waiting for hers. “Would you… go on a walk with me?”
It felt like daja-vu to have him stand in front of her, offering his hand, just like the Gala. However, the confidence from then was gone, and this Kid seemed unsure. The dance was before they had gotten closer; it feels like a lifetime ago.
She walked past him, ignoring his hand. “Sure,” was her simple response.