Spein

Spein is the slash ship between Spirit Albarn and Franken Stein from the Soul Eater fandom.

Canon
Spirit and Stein were both students at the DWMA (Death Weapon Meister Academy). The two formed a meister weapon team. Stein would abuse his position as a DWMA student, which caused Spirit to get involved at one point and do his best to stop him. During their time as partners, Franken Stein would secretly experiment on Spirit's body for five years. After that, Spirit stopped being Stein's weapon and became his now ex-wife's partner.

The two meet each other again, when Stein becomes a teacher at the DWMA. Spirit and Stein travel to Italy to save Maka and Soul from the demon sword. They fight as partners again and beat Crona. Back in the shibusen Spirit chides Stein for lying to Maka and asks Stein to tell him the truth. Stein answers him truthfully.

During the events under the shibusen, the two decide to remain partnered for the battle. They fight against Medusa, so that the kids can advance. Eventually, it comes to Spirit and Stein being in a dead lock with Medusa, restraining her with a complicated soul wavelength attack. After the Kishin begins to revive, Spirit is mortified, but Stein takes advantage of Medusa's guard drop, and slices her in two. Spirit is amazed that Stein was able to do this, and remains in awe until the Kishin's wavelength fades away.

After the revival of the kishin, Spirit feels guilty and is afraid to see the shinigami again. He fears that he will be transferred and that another death scythe will take his position. Stein thinks otherwise and calls his attempts to amend stupid. The shinigami asks Spirit to keep an eye on Stein due to his rising madness. Spirit agrees, but later calls the task annoying. After his talk with the shinigami, he joins Stein and Marie at the basketball court.

Manga
After the murder of Joe Buttataki, Spirit and Sid are ordered to arrest Stein as he is the prime suspect. The two don't go through with it because they believe that Stein is innocent. They let Stein escape together with Marie and lie to the shinigami.

During the battle on the moon, Spirit stays with Stein and the other Death Scythes. Spirit says that he was worried that Stein had fallen into madness and that he took more care of Stein than of his own daughter. They continue to fight the clown army.

At the end of the manga, the two take part in the coronation for Kid as the new Shinigami. Spirit seems happy about the news that Stein and Marie are awaiting a baby.

Quotes
"I can still remember even now. He looked so peaceful in his sleep."

- Franken Stein, Episode 5 "Stein is mad, but he is a genius."

- Spirit Albarn, Episode 5

Fanon
Spein ship is one of the more popular ships of the fandom. There are more than 180 fanfiction of this ship on AO3. Many people ship them because they like the dynamic between the two and think that there is more than friendship between the two. Fans of the couple especially appreciated the scene in the end credits of the manga, where Spirit lights his cigarette by using Stein's. Spein most commonly rivals are the SteMari and SteMedu pairings.

Fandom
FAN FICTION
 * Spirit Albarn | Death Scythe/Franken Stein tag on AO3

TUMBLR
 * Spirit x Stein tag on Tumblr

Variations
SpiritSteinMarie — the ship between Spirit, Stein and Marie Mjolnir