This is my first fanfic ever, so I apologize if the characters seem OCC or poorly written. Feedback is greatly appreciated!
Slight angst, mostly fluff
Tender moments between the pair after a harrowing mission where Jellal was badly injured.
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In the wake of the morning, Jellal stirred from the crisp breeze wafting through the room, caressing his pale skin like a loving caress, while curtains billowed and swayed, bathed in the warm light of day. Not an unusual scene for a man such as him, though he could never get used to lack of belonging. The certainty of it all. So foreign a feeling, he struggled to grasp why he of all people deserved such luxury. Though, his woes were interrupted by the familiar voice of a scarlet haired woman, bright and firm, truly the pinnacle of strength in the eyes of many. He couldn’t help gazing upon her figure marching towards him.
“Erza…” He murmured softly, his eyes drifting up to meet hers.
For a moment he couldn’t breathe, Ezra had always been a kind person, warm, gentle, and stubborn to the core, things he always liked about her, so seeing her before him felt akin to a dream except this wasn’t a dream, and Erza was towering above him with a jumbled expression.
“Don’t ever do that again!” She said through clenched teeth, caught between a mixture of sorrow and anger, her voice coming out fragile in a way he didn’t want to see. The corners of her eyes were wet, barely even noticeable, save for their glossy tinge.
He gave a weary smile in response. “I’m sorry,” the words were shallow, he knew that, that he had intentionally put himself in danger, that he was the reason for her sorrow. He hated it, the sight of her like this, because of him. “I’m sorry Erza… I am.”
“Jellal,” her voice was full of warning. “Why…? Just why.”
“I couldn’t bear to see you hurt, we both know you’re important to the guild, they look up to you Erza.”
“But that doesn’t mean you can just throw your life away!” She protested.
There was a moment of silence in the aftermath of her shout, an underlying plea, from who was debatable, as the pair seemed shaken by the presence of the other. The seconds went by in minutes and hours, an endless stream of slowless overriding them. Then, with a shaky yet gentle hand, Erza cupped the side of his head, just barely enough to graze the surface. He let out a breath he hadn’t known he was holding. Feelings bubbled up to the surface like a tidal wave, unable to handle the influx anymore, a singular drop cascaded down his cheek, creating a small damp spot on the pillow below. He never considered himself to be an emotional person, but then again Erza made him feel different, softer, more tender than he had ever felt for anyone else. There was always a place deep within himself for her and only her, where she would reside no matter what occurred between them.
Despite his wishes, his body relaxed into her touch, craving for something he restrained himself from, he couldn’t, no they couldn’t. Guilt seemed to eat at him the more he allowed her in. Their past was a mistake, though he could never erase it no matter how much he redeemed himself. Erza deserved someone better than him. As if sensing his plight, Erza spoke.
“Jellal. I know what you’re thinking, and I already told you, I have forgiven you,” she reminded him, her tone chiding in the way on would scold a child rather than Wizard Saint, not that he technically held the title any more due to what happened back at the Tower of Heaven.
“Nope, you need rest and the last thing that is going to help is fret over the past. You’ve already proven yourself to be a valued member of fairytail,” she said.
He couldn’t help stifling a chuckle. “You’re not letting go easily,” he mused.
“Hmph, what do you think? I won’t back down from a challenge.” There was her competitive spirit talking, wanting to rise up to adversity.
“Yes, Jellal?” Her expression showed surprise at his sudden hum.
“Come closer,” he said, and in turn she complied, leaning down until they were face to face, crouched on the floor beside the bed he lay in. For a while, his eyes scanned her, memorizing every detail. “Have I told you how pretty your hair is?”
“I remember when we were kids, you said something like that.”
“Perhaps more, it’s been so long.”
Jellal’s lips turned down in a slight frown, seemingly more annoyed at himself than anyone else. The tips of his fingers came up to hold a loose strand of her hair. It shone like a ruby in the morning glow, shiny and polished. The colour of blazing scarlet. Reverently, Jellal’s lips left a small peck, admiring how it felt on his skin. Erza on the other hand was speechless, it was unlike Jellal to be so forward, at least when it came to public displays of affection.
“Is it?” He said in a tone that made Erza frown to which he chuckled in response. Usually Erza was the more bold of the two, maybe the injury was getting to his head. “What if I want it to be the norm?”
Her face visibly flushed at his response, unable to properly compute a response, she sputtered incoherently, so unlike herself. Then again only moments ago had he been fretting over the past. The feeling of her, her everything sent a shiver down his spine, oh how he wished he could keep her all to himself. Sometimes, he even caught himself becoming frustrated at her particularly close companions, not because he believed they had ill intentions, but because of how amazing Erza was. She truly was an incredible woman in every sense of the word.
“Would you dislike that?” He asked, almost hesitantly as if she would disappear if he spoke too loud.
“Well, no,” she admitted, in fact she had long been waiting for this. Where they could be something more than the loose titles they had been dancing around, something more concrete. The mere thought of it brought her great joy beyond imagination causing warmth to spread throughout her body.
Their eyes met and time seemed to stop around them, forcing reality to bear witness to the pure unadulterated devotion they had for each other, as cheesy as it was, they couldn't imagine themselves with anyone else, even despite Jellal’s guilt. This love had festered since childhood, blooming into hatred then love once more. He loved her dear, as did she. No matter how much they played around the topic, deep down there was a certainty for the future, for their relationship.
“Erza,” he called out her name once more, his voice barely above a whisper, eyes entrapped by her's.
“Yes?” She replied with a quivering lip, hesitant even. Their breathless grew loud like tidal waves in their ears, every moment was noticeable in the otherwise deserted room, all for them, who reveled in each other.
“Erza, can… can I kiss you? Just this once?” The injury really must've done a number on him. This behaviour was unnatural for someone who would rather protect her in the shadows than outright speak about his feelings, consumed by mistakes he had to atone for. Though in the quiet of the room, all his principles left a long time ago, his need for her overrode his guilt if only for a moment. Their lips grew closer and closer until their breaths mingled, skin grazed the other, and their eyes fluttered in disbelief.
“Yes…” She said breathlessly.
Their lips met in a gentle chaste kiss, a ghost of their skin colliding before pulling back just as fast. Only then did Jellal again become conscious of his actions, jumping back with a hand over his mouth, save for the furious blush on the tips of his ears and cheeks. If she herself wasn't so surprised, she might've teased him, endlessly at that. She found his shy side to be one of the cutest things about him, reserved for only her, but in the spur of the moment and their first kiss at that, she simply couldn't muster the words.
“I…” Jellal stammered out incoherent sentences, trying to formulate something, anything. He kissed her. He kissed Erza Scarlet. He tried to stand out, only to fall further into her embrace.
“T-This… was, um.”She had to admit seeing Jellal in such a state was quite amusing.
“Do you regret it?” She inquired.
“No! I just…” he trailed off shyly, turning his head in defeat.
“Jellal,” she said, voice firm as she trapped between her arms on the bed.
“Yes?” He quietly squirmed, caught between trying to act natural and hiding. Before he could react her lips met his once more, rougher, more passionate. By the time he registered what had happened, she had already pulled back to look at him, a rather determined look on her face.
“There isn't a need to hide from me, I know you feel bad about the past, and I admit it was unsavoury, horrific, but I've forgiven you. I know you wish to atone, but please… Don't push me away in the process. I want to be by your side. I love you so, so much Jellal.”
Her words of reassurance melted the last bit of resistance he had, allowing himself to finally let her in. Of course, this wouldn't last forever, but just for now that was enough. He still needed to become better, improve on his mistakes. God, she made it hard to stay away, just this once he reminded himself over and over while her hands brushed against his face, his hair, and body, just touching, feeling him against her skin, memorizing.
“It's healing nicely. Your injury.” He hummed softly in response, head propped up on her shoulder. The appreciative tone he used, assured her of her next move. Carefully, she tugged on the fabric that circles around his limbs, revealing hidden skin underneath, while her other hand moved to reach for the fresh bandages. Jellal sat there obediently, allowing her to do as she pleased. A wave of drowsiness washed over him in waves, eyes wavering with each minute.
“Rest… I'll be here when you wake,” her whispered words were syrupy and sweet, loving. As time ticked by, so did his consciousness, fading from black to scarlet. How long had it been since he felt this warm? It felt like an eternity. Her hushed praise and soft touch soothed his soul.
“I love you…” The confession died on his tongue, along with his mind, succumbing to the inevitable.