Heat and Soul: A Soul Eater Love Story (xKid)

~Chapter Seventeen~

I wake up in the middle of the night, but not due to nightmares this time. It seems that, in my sleep, I've pushed the covers off the bed. I'm cold. I shiver once, and then I get up. A walk around will improve my circulation and warm me up. As I walk past Kid's room, I'm drawn to the door, which is cracked open again. I slink in on a whim. Kid's face is much easier to read when he's asleep. I tiptoe over to him and stare at his cute sleeping expression. I gently brush his white-striped bangs back. I kiss his forehead softly and whisper, "Thank you." Kid smiles a little in his sleep. His smile is adorable. I turn and pad back to my room.

Seeing the covers flung everywhere, I remember why I woke up. Once glance at Daemon on the floor and I've made another impulsive decision. I curl up with him. He's nice and warm. Maybe that's a natural thing for boys... My father was always nice and warm too, even on cold winter days. He shifts and opens his eyes a bit. Oops... I didn't really want to wake him up...

"Ember...? What's wrong? Did you have another nightmare...?"

"Nope. I'm just cold."

"This won't be weird for you...?" He says it like it's weird for him.

"Nuh-uh," I snuggle into his chest, "Now be quiet. I'm trying to sleep."

He chuckles; I love that laugh so much. Then, he wraps an arm around me.

"Fine. I'll be your personal space heater for tonight."

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Next thing I know, I'm awakened by the sound of someone moving around in the house. A glance at the clock tells me it's almost time to get up. I yawn. I don't want to move. A soft knock on the door precedes Kid appearing in the doorway. When his eyes find me curled up with Daemon on the floor, he blushes and backs out of the room like he's seen something he wasn't supposed to. I sigh and reluctantly slide out of Daemon's arms. He's still fast asleep. I pad out the door.

Kid's standing just outside with yet another unreadable expression, "Sorry... I wanted to see if you were awake yet... What would you like for breakfast?"

I rub my eyes, "Waffles...?"

Kid nods and leaves without another word. I sigh. He's definitely thinking the wrong thing now... I change in the room with Daemon; it's not like he hasn't seen already seen me naked... When I'm done, I nudge him with my foot until he starts to stir. I then pad out to the kitchen. We have perfect timing again as Kid is just now setting a plate of steaming hot waffles on the table. I thank him, but he only nods in reply. The waffles are perfect: fluffy on the inside and slightly crispy on the outside. I dip pieces in the little bowl of syrup on the plate with them. Delicious! I look for Kid to compliment his cooking, but he's already gone. I'm halfway through my awesome waffles when Daemon shuffles into the room. He's dressed but still looks drowsy.

"There you are. I'm headed out. Figured I should tell you before I leave."

I offer him a waffle, but he declines and leaves quietly. I shrug and finish my flawless waffles. I set my dishes in the sink and wander until I find Kid. He's sitting in the living room, reading something. I sneak around the edge of the couch and laugh.

"Nice try, Kid, but your book's upside down."

He flings it onto the couch beside him. I cock my head at him.

"I'm sorry, were you pouting...?"

No reply. I gasp sarcastically.

"Kid's in a bad mood? Fine, I won't tease you... But it's time to go to school."

I wait until he starts to get up before I leave to grab my books. He's silent as we start the walk up the hill. He and his freakin' unreadable expressions are going to drive me crazy someday. I sigh.

"All right, what's bugging you? Did I do something wrong?"

He stares at the pavement and doesn't answer.

"I can't help if I don't know what's wrong..."

He still stays quiet. I step in front of him. He stops, but doesn't look at me. I put my hands on my hips and scowl at him.

"You were fine last night, so it must be something that happened today, and the only time you've talked so far this morning was..."

I trail off. The last time he spoke was just after I'd woken up. I remember the look on his face when he saw me and Daemon lying on the floor together. Then I think of how messed up the covers on the bed were. I start to laugh.

"I think I see what's going on! You think Daemon and I did the nasty in your house? It's not like that between us."

Kid momentarily glances at me, but looks away and walks around me.

I follow, "Alright, you don't care... But I'm telling you anyways. I think you've had the wrong idea about us since my first day of school, when you saw us together at lunch. Daemon's just a friend. A very close friend, but nothing more than a friend."

"That's not it..."

I jump up and fling my hands in the air, "It speaks!"

He glares at me.

"What? Didn't you sleep well last night?"

A distant look clouds his eyes. His freakin' hypnotizing eyes of hell... or maybe of heaven? He is a Death God, I guess... Eh, I'll ponder that later. He still won't look at me.

"Come on," I wrap an arm around his waist and pull him to my side as we walk, "We're friends, right? You can talk to me. Don't bottle it up like I did. We don't need you getting sickness of the soul too."

"I don't want to talk to you about it."

I shrug and let go, "Fine, but talk to somebody, okay?"

I suddenly realize how much time we've wasted. I grab Kid's hand and start to run, pulling him along behind me.

"We're gonna' be late now! Come on!"

I look back to see a tiny smile finally grace his face. He's so adorable that I run faster.