Erza didn't really understand romance. Oh, she loved the concept of it, but she didn't really get it. The only romance she'd ever really known was from books, and even she wasn't naïve enough not to realize that a big part of that was only fantasy and had nothing to do with reality. She didn't really have any real-life concept of romance.

Well, there were Alzack and Bisca, but their love stemmed from years of friendship and camaraderie, had a strong foundation of mutual trust. That was as far removed from her own situation as it could get.

There were Gajeel and Levy, of course. Their romance was a bit closer to what Erza had with Jellal. It still wasn't the same. The trust between the two of them had never been broken, because their intimate relationship had been established after Gajeel had turned a new leaf. Of course, they had trust issues at the beginning, Gajeel being the one who injured Levy and bolted her to a tree years ago. But they'd been strangers then, and even though Gajeel had apologized and regretted his actions just like Jellal had, their romance was easier. They might not have had a clean slate when they started falling for each other, they at least didn't have years of broken trust and old grudges between them either.

A boisterous laugh drew Erza from her thoughts and she looked across the guildhall to the bar where Natsu and Lucy were seated next to each other, eating lunch. They were simply endearing to watch and she indulged in that pastime far more often than she'd like to admit. There was always something new to observe, from the way their once brief touches had started to linger, to the way they sometimes got lost in each other's eyes.

There was true love, if she'd ever seen it. And the two idiots still couldn't work out a way to be together.

Erza would give anything to have Jellal lean his head on her shoulder like Natsu was currently doing to Lucy. She'd do anything to be able to run her fingers through his hair and kiss his cheek like what Lucy was doing. To know that no matter what happened he'd be there, his eyes always on her, her wellbeing the first thing on his mind in any situation.

She'd never admit it out loud, but she craved to be protected like she'd watched Natsu protect Lucy, time and again. To feel fragile and feminine in the best way possible, because the man you loved stood between you and danger, always.

She dreamed about grabbing Jellal's hand and dragging him with her shopping like Lucy always did, to know that when she tried on a new dress, he'd just smirk and say that she looked pretty, like Natsu did. Or tease her that she's gained weight. She'd take anything and everything from Jellal, if only she could have him by her side.

Lost in memories and daydreaming she watched with a small, dreamy smile as Natsu bounded off to the request board and tore off a piece of paper before returning to Lucy's side. "Come on, Luce!" he called out. "Let's go on a job!"

She wished she could smile wildly like Lucy, and let him drag her out of the guildhall on an adventure, just the two of them.

Alas, she wasn't that lucky, but Lucy was, and Erza knew the girl wasn't stupid, she knew exactly the treasure she had and that Lucy would never, ever let it go.