Breath enters him easily-- it always has. There is nothing quite as satisfactory to Jellal as taking a deep breath in, feeling said breath fill your lungs, and then releasing said breath so that it may take stress along with it. He has practiced this even as a child-- especially as a child-- to free himself of troublesome, earthly concerns and frustrations. He didn't have as much time as he wanted to do so in the Tower, but now he has all the time in the world.

So he inhales, and he exhales; then he inhales, and he exhales. Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale.

The sound of footsteps penetrates his veil of silence but Jellal keep his focus. He has waited decades for this chance--

"Jellal?"

He exhales heavily. "What is it?"

A few more breaths are taken before his question is answered and Jellal knows the matter is going to be trivial.

". . . Is, uh, Erza around?"

"No. Why?"

"Do you know where she hid my stuff?"

"Get out of my house, Natsu."

Jellal's eyes are closed, but he knows the Dragon Slayer is sulking. Any other day he might take pity on him but despite his breathing exercises Jellal has no patience for the extraneous or trifling. Besides, if Erza finds out that he has given charity to Natsu of all people-- again-- she will become his biggest problem.

Jellal heaves another sigh once he hears Natsu step out. He wonders how the troublemaker got in as he stands to find the broom and sweep the sensitive floors because he knows that Natsu neglected to stop at the genkan and take off his shoes leaving him to track dirt and sand through the house. After cleaning Natsu's mess, Jellal supposes he should sweep the rest of the house; it has been a few days since he's done it all. Though there is only him and Erza so it isn't much to do.

The house tidy, Jellal finds his peace again in the gardens. He sits on the engawa as it were a veranda, looking out into the open space he's cultivated himself. It has been little more than a year since his pardon and he has been working on his garden for almost just as long. He likes to visit everyday and see it flourishing well; it secures his hope that peace will last.

Jellal returns to his meditation and clears his mind. He finds that it's hard to maintain focus today so he opts for aimlessly musing instead.

It's easy to take note of the silence that stretches on. To others it might seem to go on forever, but Jellal knows that it's very fragile. He takes every moment of quiet he can get and cherishes it. It's important. Because life happens and there may come another time in his life where quiet and peace don't exist, and he's not foreign to disappointment.

"Tadaima," a strong voice calls as the front door opens.

Jellal thanks her for straying his mind from its typical path; it has become a habit to think with a pessimistic outlook ever since he was released from prison by Ultear. Thinking optimistically has actually hurt him at one point in time and he's determined to make it the opposite.

"Okaeri." He responds to her as she sheds her shoes and armor in the genkan. He stands to greet her by the tokonoma.

"How was the job?"

"Alright," Erza says, "How are you? You're not bored or anything, are you?"

Jellal brings her close and kisses the top of her head. He smiles into her hair.

"Unfortunately, no."

Erza raises a brow at him and Jellal knows she doesn't understand. He hasn't expected her to; Erza likes to have something to occupy herself with always but he rathers boredom; being bored means having nothing to do. He has waited a long time for absolutely nothing.

"I haven't prepared dinner yet," he tells her as they walk further into the house, "What are you in the mood for?"

Erza uses her magic again as she steps out of the room. The door is open behind her just long enough for Jellal to see the bare skin of her thigh and he knows she's headed for the furo. She calls to him through the shoji.

"Surprise me."