Cupid's Lips

Chapter 1: New Home

Chapter 1: New Home

Kami lay sprawled out on her couch, her left hand in Spirit's hair. His hair was soft and smooth against her fingers as she gently tousled it. Spirit learned into his loved one's touch. He let his eyes close. He always felt calmed when he was near Kami. Kami and him had been dating for nearly three years now. He'd never expected their relationship to go so far. He honestly was surprised when the prettiest, most popular girl in their graduating class confessed her feelings to him.

"You're really going to get an apartment with that boy? You've just met him, don't you think it would be best to stay in the dorms for now?" Kami questioned Spirit, her voice dripping with concern.

Spirit turned to gaze at his love, a simple smile glued to his face. He took her hand within his and gently brought it to his lips. His supple lips lay just barely touching the girl's skin. Butterflies fluttered within her stomach as she gazed back at the boy.

"Dear, I know that you're just worried for me, but Stein is my partner now. Ms. Yumi said that living separately from the other boys would bring us closer together. A personal connection is important for new partners; it strengthens our bond and we'll work better with one another. Besides that, you and Choco will also be sharing an apartment from now on." Spirit spoke quietly to the girl, trying to reassure her. She breathed a sigh and took her hand away from the boy's, placing it upon his cheek.

"I'm aware of the benefits, it's one of the reasons Choco and I are living together. That girl has always hated me and you know it. We need to build a connection, but that boy has no feelings; good or bad about you, Spirit. I know Choco, I know she isn't dangerous but you know nothing about Stein."

That last part wasn't exactly true. Whereas it was true that Spirit had only just met Stein, it was false that he knew nothing. He had been debriefed by his father regarding certain things about the boy and why he was chosen to be Stein's partner. Stein probably was kept in thedark, but that was what Lord Death wanted. Spirit knew that he had a special soul wavelength that would help calm the meister's madness bubbling deep within him. He also knew that Stein was only sent to this school as a way to monitor the boy for his parents.

Aside from that Spirit was told that Stein had some eccentric tendencies, and that the boy was very sharp. He had graduated from school at the age of twelve, but was kicked out of college for threatening his classmates. The redhead was nervous regarding sharing the same space with the boy alone, but he always gave people the benefit of the doubt. He wanted to believe in his partner.

"Kami, baby, believe me if something is wrong you'll be the first one to know. We'll still see each other as often as possible. I've gotta go now but I'll call you as soon as we're done moving our things into the new apartment," Spirit said, moving his face close to the girl's. He touched his nose to hers, rubbing for a moment before placing his warm lips onto hers.

He let his eyes close as they moved together. As was habit the boy's mouth broke out into a smile before pulling away. Kami's eyebrows were still furrowed, so Spirit stuck his finger between them when he rose from the floor.

"If you're not careful that pretty face of yours is going to wrinkle prematurely." Spirit laughed as he walked to the door, only turning back when the girl said she loved him.

"I love you more," he said softly before taking his leave.

"Maybe at one point you did, but now I'm not so sure." Kami whispered after Spirit disappeared beyond her line of sight.

Spirit sauntered down a lonely street in Death City. It was still quite early in the day so most normal people were at work or at school. However, students at the DWMA were given two days off from normal classes to make necessary arrangements between themselves and their new partners. One teacher was paired up with each team that wanted to live outside of the dorms. This may seem like a lot of unnecessary work, but apartments taken over by students from the DWMA were special. Each apartment complex was owned by the DWMA. Each one came standard with two rooms. For meisters wielding more than one weapon they were given apartments with a third room, though this was uncommon.

Each apartment is already equipped with the necessary appliances and furniture; the only thing the students had to supply were their clothing and anything they wanted to add. Some partners left everything alone, but others wanted to add their personal touch by buying new bed sets and curtains; things like that. Spirit hadn't brought much with him though and didn't know if he wanted to personalize or not. He also wasn't sure of what his new meister would like. Spirit walked leisurely up the flight of stairs leading to his apartment.

On the way there he was greeted by Ms. Yumi, who was heading out. She had debriefed Spirit earlier on the information regarding his new apartment and had just done the same for Stein. Spirit waved goodbye to her as she walked down the stairs. Once that was done with he walked down a narrow hallway and took a right turn. His and Stein's apartment was the only one occupied in the right wing of this particular apartment complex. The other apartment in that area was under construction as a fire had broken out the previous year.

As the DWMA had multiple apartment complexes; fixing this one up wasn't on their top priority list. Spirit grabbed the handle of the door leading inside his apartment. He stopped momentarily to examine a welcome mat gingerly placed outside of the door. It was vibrant and colorful. He opened the door, walking inside to be greeted by Stein.

"Oh, Spirit, I didn't think you'd be here so early. Good morning," the silver haired boy said.

Spirit flashed a brilliant smile at the boy, shutting the door and walking over to the small kitchen to the left. Their apartment had an open floor plan so the kitchen, living room and dining room were essentially one and the same.

"Mornin', course I'd be here, it is my home too after all," Spirit said chipperly.

"I suppose it is, but somehow you didn't really strike me as the morning type." Stein uttered with a small smirk.

"I probably don't strike people as a lot of things." Spirit shot back jokingly.

After a few more moments of idle chit chat the two boys began making breakfast together.

To be continued...