An Escape. (A Soul Eater fanfic)

Home.

Chapter Sixteen: Home

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The moment Kidd woke up on the seventh day of the eighth month, he checked his phone.

He paled when there were no notifications.

As much as he wanted to give Maka the benefit of the doubt, if something had gone wrong, he wanted her out of there as soon as he could.

So he did exactly as she told him to...

...and followed the police car all the way there.

His phone rang on the way, and he immediately answered, in hope that it was Maka.

It wasn't.

"Hey, man, what's up? You and Maka've missed school for like a week."

"As much as I appreciate the concern, Soul, I'm a little preoccupied at the moment."

Kidd could almost hear the 'cool guy' act drop.

"Is everything okay? Where's Maka?"

"I can't-"

"Does it have to do with her dad?"

Kidd almost slammed on the brakes.

"How...how do you know about that?"

"I asked her and she told me. Now tell me, what's going on?"

"Long story short, a less than court-worthy custody battle is about to go down."

"So he took her back and you're going to get her."

"Something along the lines of that."

"Send me the address. I'm getting in my car now."

"No, it's fi-"

"Like hell it's fine! She's my friend too, Kidd! I care too! And so do Tsubaki and Liz and Patti and Black*Star!"

"God dammit, Soul. Fine."

Kidd relayed the address to the teen on the other end of the line before quick goodbyes were exchanged and the line was cut.

The impatient knocking on the door only served to worsen Maka's splitting headache.

She could hear her father yelling at her to answer it from downstairs, but she just ignored him.

He wouldn't be able to tell her what to do anymore, if it was who she thought it was.

"FINE THEN, WORTHLESS BRAT! I'LL GET IT MYSELF!"

She heard some kind of commotion downstairs before a pair of feet scuffled upstairs, checking in all the rooms until they came to hers.

"Maka?"

She looked up from crafting her own ice pack and simply dropped it.

"Kidd," she breathed, forcing herself to her feet.

"No, no, let me help you stand-God, Maka, look at yo-I'm just so glad you're oka-"

"Kidd, sorry, but can you shut up please? My head really hurts and noise makes it worse."

"Of course-sorry."

"It's fine. You didn't know."

He helped her down the stairs and to the front room, where Kokatsu stood in handcuffs, scowling at the pair of teens.

"Maka, correct?"

"Huh?" she looked around the room before locating the source of the voice. "Yes, officer?"

"I'm going to need you to come with me so I can ask you some questions and then take you to the hospital, okay?"

She nodded, opening her mouth to speak again but she was quickly silenced by someone no one could silence.

"FEAR NOT, MAKA! YOUR GOD IS HERE TO SAVE YOU!"

It was awkwardly silent, before Kidd and Maka burst into laughter.

Although most of Maka's bodily injuries were minor and easily treated, it was suggested that she stay overnight due to her concussion. Kidd reluctantly agreed that it was best, but he insisted on staying the night there himself, as well.

Soul, Liz, and Tsubaki had stayed with her until late at night; Black*Star and Patti had left earlier as they were being somewhat disruptive.

Early the next morning, Maka went through another small check-up before she was released. Kidd led her to his car. The ride was silent, only because Maka had dozed off.

They arrived back at Kidd's house shortly after eight, and he gently shook her shoulder to wake her.

"Maka," he voiced. "We're back."

She groaned quietly, attempting to stretch but failing when her hands hit the roof of the car. She opened her eyes, looked around, and smiled.

They exited the car and entered the house, where they both wordlessly made their way to the living room and sat on the couch.

And then they kissed.

It was full of passion and longing, of need and desire. Hands tangled themselves in hair, and lips were all over the place-forehead, cheek, nose, chin, neck.

Arms were laced around necks and backs, and breaths tickled faces.

One couldn't determine whether Maka had leaned back or Kidd had leaned forward, but nevertheless he was there, straddling her, on the couch in the living room in broad daylight.

Despite the compromising situation, Maka couldn't help but giggle: Kidd was kissing her symmetrically.

All childish feelings were soon abandoned, though, as she returned the favor to him.

Kidd pulled away when Maka began to unbutton his shirt.

"Sorry," he said quickly, taking in a deep breath. "I got...carried away."

"Don't apologize." Maka frowned. "You didn't do anything wrong." She sat up, though her legs were still pinned down by Kidd.

"We shouldn't be so..." He struggled with himself to find a fitting word, all while trying to keep his furious blush under control.

"Intimate?" she supplied.

"Right. We're both still young, and stuff like that can wait."

She giggled again. "You're such a gentleman."

"I do my best."

She leaned forward, snuggled into his chest, and sighed. "I missed you."

"The feeling's mutual." He wrapped his arms around her, pulling them backwards so that she was lying on top of him. "Welcome home."

"It's good to be back."

The date?

August 8th, 2008.

The time?

8:08.

8:08 on 08/08/08.

Death the Kidd couldn't've been happier.

Fin

Hey! Look! It's over now!

HUGE thank you to everyone who reviewed, favorited, and followed; and to anyone who took the time to read this story.

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Keep your eyes peeled for an epilogue, in which we'll see Spirit! (Well...kind of.)

Again, thank you to everyone!