(1182 words) 

Your POV

Hisoka and I were going over to Stein's lab for some training today. I was a little nervous but I was sure it would be fine.

During our training, Stein looked like he was in his own world. He hardly said a word. When usually he's always opinionative and giving some wisdom. There was one thing he said though that made me wonder about my own courage.

It was when we were training. I had run at him without thinking.

"Is what you just did what you call bravery?"

I looked at him panting as he knocked me back a little as he was unfazed.

"What else do you suspect it would mean?"

He stood up straight and moved his glasses up higher and turned his screw as he usually did when he thought deeply.

"Perhaps."

"That doesn't answer my question!"

He smirked and looked at me, the gleam of his glasses hiding his eyes.

"Are you being brave? Or are you being foolish?"

I looked at him for a moment.

"Two words, seven letters, many completely opposite meanings"

He looked at me for a moment longer before I looked at him.

Bravery - Courageous behavior or character.

Courageous - Not deterred by danger or pain; brave.

Foolish - Lacking good sense or judgment; unwise.

I glared at him before I shouted.

"Who are you to call me Foolish? Just because you're my professor? Does that really give you the right to classify me in such a manner? Maybe this is how I am courageous? Don't you think of that? Or is it only yourself and dissection?"

He clenched his fists and turned with a snap.

"Do you really believe that if I were to be so selfish I would help the DWMA with Medusa, Arachne, and Asura? I live in this world as much as the next human, witch, or kishin. So why should I allow it to fall apart over the want and need of another outcome of the world because they seek power?"

He began walking over to me.

"The day that a witch is able to overthrow Death and make the world a post-apocalyptic area is the day I drop dead. So yes I do believe that the actions you just committed during your training would have gotten you and your partner killed due to its foolishness. That is something I cannot apologize for."

I looked at him as he had clenched teeth and was only a few inches from my face.

My once hard expression had faded to a more understanding one.

He moved away and sighed deeply before taking a cigarette out and lighting it.

"Now then, are you finished with your tantrum?"

I clenched my fists around Hisoka and ran at him silently and went to swing but before it met his body the blade was stopped by his hand grabbing it and a few drops of blood slipping out and hitting the ground and soaking into the sand.

I looked at his hand as he puffed on his cigarette. He looked at me through the corner of his eye and bangs.

"It'll take more than that to kill your old Professor."

I chuckled lightly.

"Please. You're not old."

He scoffed at me and smirked.

"Have you seen my hair? You kids made me like this."

He pushed me back with a small smile on his face.

"Spirit said you've always had that silver hair."

He shrugged and sighed.

"Maybe you're right."

I smiled and looked at him for a moment as he wrapped his hand.

"It suits you though. The silvery hair. No one else really has it at the DWMA. Its another quality that makes you unique compared to the rest of the school, besides your insanity, three different titles, and how you're above the rest of the class of your generation."

"Saying generation makes me sound like an old man."

"Just take the compliment!"

I giggled.

He shrugged. "Compliments aren't my thing but I'll accept it."

"Now where were we?"

"You called me foolish."

He smirked.

"Indeed I did."

"But am I really foolish?"

He shook his head.

"Your bravery startles me at times."

I looked at him surprised.

"No one else I know is really ever that brave. Hell even I get scared."

"Oh? The brave Professor Franken Stein can get scared? I thought people were only scared of him."

He shook his head again.

"You and that smart mouth of yours."

I shrugged.

"Don't lie, Professor. It's grown on you."

3rd Person POV

He hung his head as he thought it over. He knew she was right. Even if he wouldn't admit it to himself or anyone else for that matter. His soul had a new purpose lately and that was for her. To tell her how he felt. To hold her, need her, breathe her when she was near. Be everything she needs, everything she wanted.

The 28-year-old man was torn from his thoughts as something metallic and sharp grazed his cheek lightly. He looked around and noticed a scythe blade inches from his face. He moved his right hand up to touch his cheek as a wet-ness was transferred to his fingers and he looked at it. Looking at the girl who caused it as she moved her weapon away he began to smile.

She grew confused and backed up slightly. She looked at him and to her weapon as he dropped his arm before he began to laugh lowly which grew into a loud maniacal fit of laughter.

Your POV

I looked at him as he laughed. He collected himself after what felt like hours. He looked at me and walked over before ruffling my hair.

"Using your moment to strike at your opponent when they least aspect it is outstanding work"

I looked at him and Hisoka changed to normal and stood behind me.

"You both can come inside while I clean this wound. I'll make dinner while it's getting rather late."

I looked Hisoka as his stomach rumbled and mine followed suit.

We went inside following the mad professor as he went to clean himself up a little.

He came out soon after and looked at me.

"Can you help me with dinner? There is something I would like to discuss with you."

I nodded and stood to leave Hisoka on the couch as he napped.

"What did you want to speak to me about?"

He leaned on the counter and gazed at me for a moment.

"You surprised me today."

I blushed lightly.

Me? Surprise the best meister at the academy? No way!

He smirked lightly.

"Yes, you heard me right. You have grown more today than most of my students have in months. I'm proud to call you my student. I thank you for that."

Without thinking I walked over and wrapped my arms around his stomach. He tensed slightly before relaxing into it and putting one hand on my head and the other around my shoulders as he was taller than me and that was all he could really do to hug me back.

I pulled away and we started working on dinner not really saying a lot of anything after that. What was there to say anyway? He was proud of me and happy to call me his student. I was just happy to be getting the extracurricular studies that I need to make it to graduation. He found me a new partner as well. So if anyone should thank anyone it should be me.

"Thank you... Franken."