Note: I don't know how long this will be but there is a definite end. I have two other projects I need to be working on but my mind won't settle on either of them. Inspired by a particularly juicy reddit post!

**This is a story that includes cheating.


"I have galaxies between my bones and I will love you until the stars burn out"


On any other day she'd have missed him entirely.


Erza had a system. Working overnight at the hospital required a rigid personal schedule because she was not a natural night owl. Her phone had a complex array of alarms and her refrigerator was filled with neatly labeled, pre-portioned, single meal servings. For the last year and a half she'd been trying for a better schedule but simply did not have the seniority to make demands.

For better or for worse – as of late, Erza considered it worse – her life was devoid of superfluity. She didn't have hundreds of Facebook friends or keep in contact with all her college acquaintances like Mirajane. She didn't have a constant influx of relationship dramas like Lucy, though, to be fair, Simon wasn't ever in town long enough to create drama. When boiled down, Erza knew her life was at a standstill. Bad schedule. Absent boyfriend. No social life. She'd fix it… if she knew how. The trap was messy and one she'd set herself by taking the first job offer after graduating and hanging on to a boyfriend that didn't bring much to the table besides sex – when he was actually in town.

March was possibly her least favorite month. She didn't mind the rain so much as the stubborn spring chill that refused to let go. The rain seemed to take up its own space in her mind, though, so when Erza passed by the building manager's office on her way down to the bus stop, she cringed. It was already the third and the office would be closed in an hour. Erza turned around and raced back up three flights of stairs to retrieve the rent check she'd left on her kitchen counter six whole days before. The building manager had keys in hand when she burst back into the lobby.

"I'm so sorry," Erza gasped. "I've been meaning to pay for days."

"Don't worry about it Miss Scarlet," the woman said with a friendly smile. "You've got a difficult schedule. I would've sent you a text message in the morning if you hadn't shown up just now."

"Thank you so much," Erza said, clutching the strap of her bag and still trying to catch her breath. "I don't mean to be so absent minded. I did have a reminder I just –"

The building manager laughed. "I sure do wish I still had the energy to tear up and down the stairs like you just did. Please, don't fret over it."

"Right," she breathed. Erza's phone blared and she dug into her jacket pocket, nearly fumbling the device all together. "Damn," she whispered.

"Something wrong?"

"No, no. I just missed my bus is all. There'll be another one in twenty minutes." Erza stuffed the phone away and turned to leave. "Thanks again for your understanding."

The building manager said something in return but Erza didn't hear it. She'd missed her bus. Her entire schedule was now off by twenty minutes. This meant she'd have to rush to her locker straight from the bus stop in the hospital parking lot and forgo her usual trip to the kitchen. Which, of course, meant that her mid-shift meal would have to be left in her locker instead of the refrigerator. Her lunch bag had its own built in liner that would keep the food at a mostly proper temperature but the disruption bothered her.

The bus stop shelter provided just enough coverage to keep her dry and only if she sat at a diagonal. Erza tucked her feet under the bench and sighed. Missing the bus felt like a bad omen for the day. Graveyard in the ER was already the highest amount of stress she'd ever experienced in her life. Adding to that felt like an insult.

A whoosh of wind ruffled her hair even beneath the shelter and the rain suddenly thickened into a proper deluge. Erza reached up to gather what should've already been in a braid over her shoulder and examined the ends. She needed a trim. Her train of self-pity was brought to a screeching halt in the form of a motorcycle hydroplaning across the street. Erza glanced up just in time to watch the driver skid over the median and slam into the concrete barrier that lined the underpass.

Traffic near her building at such a late hour was low and Erza didn't think before dashing from the cover of the bus stop shelter toward the unmoving driver. The rain soaked her jacket immediately and her hair stuck to her face. As she neared the motorist, the gore of the accident became clear. One leg was very clearly broken and, despite the leather jacket, the victim's torso was deeply lacerated and bleeding. Erza unsnapped the chin guard of the helmet and gently pulled it off. The man's lip was split open and gravel from the road was stuck to his neck. His breaths were shallow and every one brought on a fresh stream of blood.

Erza peeled his shirt away from his chest and swallowed a horrified gasp. She'd never seen something so fresh and mangled. When a person made it into the ER, paramedics had already taken action. This man was in need of immediate medical attention. She pulled her phone out of her pocket but couldn't unlock it. The rain's interference with the touch screen meant she'd need to move someplace dry.

The man groaned softly and Erza chewed her lip.

"Sir?" she said in the firmest voice she could muster. "Sir can you hear me?" He groaned again and his eyes fluttered open only briefly. They were a heartbreaking shade of green. The thought of sitting in the street as the life in them dimmed made her sick.

She left his helmet beside his body and stood. The man didn't respond at all. Once under the cover of the bridge, Erza wiped the face of her phone on her damp shirt inside the flap of her jacket. She kept the emergency call as brief as possible and returned to the man's side.

"I called an ambulance for you, okay?" she went on, not even knowing if he could hear or understand her. "You're going to be fine. Just…" Erza stuffed away her terror. "Just hold on."


"Hey," Mirajane said in a tone Erza thought nosey. "I heard about what happened with that motorcycle guy!"

"Yeah?" Erza couldn't have made her disinterest in talking about the accident plainer.

"It sounds harrowing! Did you really hold his chest together until the ambulance arrived?"

Erza snorted. "No. He wasn't in pieces, Mira. Just badly injured."

"He's in the ICU," she went on as if Erza hadn't said anything at all. "He's a looker, too."

"Jesus, Mira," Erza muttered, setting aside one completed chart and picking up another. "You're such a vulture."

"You don't think what happened is romantic at all?" Mirajane demanded. "What if he's your soulmate and you've been brought together by destiny?"

"If destiny is this violent, I'd rather not have it in my life." Erza sighed and moved on to another chart. "Besides, you know I have a boyfriend," she insisted weakly.

"Oh, sure. Yep. And he makes you super happy, too."

"I'm not getting into this today," Erza snapped. "I've had a rough shift and I'm not going to sexualize an ICU patient who's lucky to be alive."

"Your loss," Mirajane chirped, tossing her ponytail over her shoulder. "I was there after they cleaned him up. He's gorgeous."

"Does Laxus know you ogle patients like this?"

"Laxus is a grown man who isn't threatened by my window shopping." Mirajane, seemingly immune to Erza's bad mood, smiled again before wrapping a scarf around her neck. "I'll see you tomorrow, Erza. Maybe you'll be in a better mood by then."

"My mood is fine," Erza muttered once her friend had gone. She glanced at the station clock and finally tidied her stack of completed charts. This had been the longest shift in recent memory.

As she gathered her now dry jacket and belongings from her locker, Erza realized she'd left her lunch bag in the bus stop shelter the night before. It felt like ten years had passed since she'd first sat on the bench and tried to keep her knees dry while waiting for the bus.

For reasons she didn't entirely understand or care to seek an explanation for, Erza stopped by the ICU on her way out of the hospital. The motorist still looked fragile. His face had flowering bruises and his split lip was now swollen around the stitches. A heart monitor beeped steadily as his chest rose and fell. Erza pursed her lips in irritation. Mirajane hadn't been wrong. His face may have been a frightful mess but he was definitely easy on the eyes.


She told herself she looked in on him because nobody else did. The man had been in the ICU for three days and no one visited. Erza knew this because she checked. His name and information had been lifted from the wallet found in his pants pocket but his phone had been utterly destroyed.

Jellal Fernandes. Erza thought it a musical name. She wondered what he did for a living, what his voice sounded like, what kinds of hobbies he had. The mystery of it ate at her in the most thrilling way… and it hurt when she rounded the corner on the fourth day to find a dark haired woman standing at his bedside with a forlorn, broken expression on her face. Erza tried to backtrack but the woman spotted her immediately.

"Are you his nurse?" she asked.

"Uh, no," Erza stammered. "But I am a nurse. Did you have a question?"

"The police said he was in a hydroplaning accident. Can you tell me what happened?"

"From what I understand, he skid across the street and crashed into a cement barrier." Erza held in a breath before blowing it out. "He wasn't in good shape. I was… I was there. I called the ambulance for him."

"You saw it happen?"

"Partly. It was all very quick."

"Thank you for taking care of him," the woman whispered. "Do you think he'll wake up?"

Erza reached for his chart and glanced over the information she had almost memorized in her head. "I don't think they've identified any brain damage but it's really hard to tell what will happen. I believe he's scheduled to be moved from the ICU tomorrow."

The dark haired woman nodded. Her hand fell to the bedrail and her fingertips brushed over his arm. Erza expected her to cry but she didn't. Her curiosity burned and she absolutely could not stop herself from speaking.

"Are you his wife?"

The woman almost laughed. "No, I'm not his wife. Just a friend."

"I hate to pry –" She didn't. "But do you have any way of contacting his family or a next of kin?"

"Oh, of course," the woman said, glancing up. "I'll let his mother know. I just needed to make sure it was really him."

A completely inappropriate feeling of possessiveness surged through Erza's chest when the woman reached out to touch his hair. She spun on her heel and left them alone. It wasn't until she was halfway to the elevators that she realized his chart was still clutched firmly in her hands.


Jellal Fernandes's mother was a beautiful woman; her eyes were a deep brown color Erza loved right away and her hair a delicate spun gold. She didn't look much like the unconscious man at all. Anna, she learned, interacted awkwardly with the dark haired woman and as Erza watched them from the other side of the window she found herself grossly fascinated by whatever history they shared.

"What are you doing?" Mirajane whispered in her ear.

Erza startled. "What? Nothing!"

"It looks to me like you're watching this poor woman's tragedy like a spectator sport."

"Excuse me?" Erza found herself horribly embarrassed and flustered. "I'm just… I mean, wasn't it you who –"

"I'm kidding," Mirajane said quietly. "Wow, his mom is gorgeous, too. It clearly runs in the family. Who's the chick with the black hair?"

"I don't know," Erza whispered. "She isn't his wife."

"How do you know that?"

"I asked." Erza felt Mirajane's surprise and didn't have to look over at her to know the expression melted into a smirk.

"You've got it bad."

"I was just curious! Plus, I needed the information for his chart."

"No, you didn't," Mirajane corrected. "He isn't on your rotation. Just admit you're into him."

"Stop," Erza hissed. "I'll admit he's attractive despite his face looking beat to hell but he's a patient."

"And you aren't a doctor," Mirajane said before sauntering off down the hallway.


The text from Simon came through while Erza was still on the bus. She scowled at his words.

'Where are you?'

'On the bus. I'll be home soon.'

'You could've let me know.'

'We don't live together and my schedule hasn't changed in a year, Simon.' She didn't mean to be curt with him but her irritation won the day.

Erza and Simon had been dating since her second year of nursing school. He'd given her all the overly romantic, flowery things a younger, less experienced version of her loved. Now, almost four years later, the relationship wasn't much more than a few days of sex and take out every other week. Simon usually flew home on a Friday and left again on the following Monday. Every once and a while he'd stick around for a few weeks but Erza never counted on his company.

'Sorry. You're right.'

'No, I'm sorry. It's been a rough few weeks. You can come over later if you want.'

'I just got off the plane and I'm wired with jetlag. Will you wait up for me?'

'I'll try. Text me and I'll buzz you up.'

'Okay.'

Erza sighed and clicked off her phone. She leaned against the bus window and watched the damp world roll by. Spring really was the most depressing season.


Simon brought her a box of cupcakes to makeup for their awkward text conversation. The eight little strawberry cakes from the bakery she favored made her smile.

"I feel guilty for catching you on a bad day," he said from behind her. His lips pressed to the curve of her neck. "I promise I didn't mean to upset you."

"It's not your fault, Simon. I'm just so tired of graveyard." Erza closed her hands around his. "I miss the sunlight." She spun around and he smiled down at her.

"How soon until they'll give you new hours?"

"Mm, probably another six months." She shrugged and her eyes fell to his belt buckle. Suddenly she had no interest in talking about work.

"I've got a new contract," he whispered against her lips as he took a kiss. "I don't leave again for another two weeks."

"Good." Erza moved from his open belt to the buttons of his shirt. Simon's clothes were off before hers and they didn't make it to the bedroom. Afterward, wrapped in a blanket on the couch, Erza shared her cupcakes with him as he told her all about his trip.

Her bedroom curtains were light canceling but Erza could still see the sun peeking through the gaps. Simon slept soundly beside her but she couldn't stop thinking about Jellal Fernandes unconscious in his hospital bed and the woman who'd touched his hair so familiarly.


Despite his promise that he wouldn't be leaving town again for another two weeks, his presence was gone much sooner. He left her apartment the following evening with a brief kiss, his mind obviously elsewhere. Erza missed his company immediately. Being with Simon was lonely; even though she recognized her own schedule was just as restrictive as his. Erza also recognized that she and Simon were no longer in love. Perhaps they never were. It was hard to let go of something that had taken root so young and stayed for so long.

Weekends off were the only perk to Erza's graveyard schedule, but even that was tainted by the structure of her days. At some point over the last few months she'd begun to think of herself as a vampire.

On Sunday afternoon she dreamt of Jellal Fernandes's blood on the palms of her hands.


'Sorry I had to take off on Friday. I hate to disrupt your sleep schedule.'

'It's fine. I know you have work stuff.'

'I may take an earlier flight out. My sister's partner just had her baby and I'd like to visit before I leave the country again.'

Erza couldn't bring herself to feel surprised or even hurt he was leaving again so soon. 'Send Kagura my congratulations. I'm happy for her!'

'She'll be glad to hear it. Maybe if we can make the timing work, you and I could visit this next holiday season?'

'Sure. We'll work it out later.'

'I'll let you know when I have my flight plans.'

'Okay.' The entire conversation felt empty. Hollow. Despite her very genuine happiness for Simon's sister, Erza didn't actually feel anything about the rest of it. Making holiday plans nearly a year out came so natural she hadn't thought twice about it.

The evening was chilly and Erza stuffed her hands in her jacket pockets before stepping off the bus and into the hospital parking lot. Mirajane waited for her just beyond the glass doors.

"He's awake!" she announced with barely contained excitement.

"Who?" even though the lurch in Erza's gut meant she didn't need to ask.

"Don't be like that. You know who! Mister Motorcycle!" Mirajane clutched at Erza's arm and practically vibrated. "How was your weekend, by the way?"

"I'm sure Mister Motorcycle's mother is elated," Erza murmured, trying to wiggle out of Mirajane's grasp and her jacket. "And my weekend was fine. Simon's in town."

"Oh? Did you work out some of that grouchy tension?"

"I guess." Erza pushed open the door to the locker room and Mirajane followed. She hung her jacket on the door hook of her locker and stuffed her bag inside. The cash in the front zipper pocket was for her lunch – she still hadn't replaced the lunch bag she'd left in the bus shelter. "His sister just had a baby so he's leaving again soon."

"Erza –"

"Please don't say it, Mira, I know. We're just… in a rut." Erza tidied her hair and shut her locker. "We'll work it out."

Mirajane sighed and pursed her lips. "Maybe you shouldn't."

"I don't want to talk about this."

"You never want to talk about it."

"It is what it is, Mira. We're consistent."

"Consistently boring. He doesn't make you happy!"

"I'm happy!" Erza insisted, pushing past Mirajane to wash her hands.

"Oh yeah? Then how come you're sniffing around the bed of a guy who was all but in a coma until this morning?" Mirajane prodded. "How come your boyfriend is in town for the first time in weeks and you look like you don't care at all?"

"I don't know," Erza snapped. "Maybe this is just as good as it gets for me."

"Oh, Erza," Mirajane said sadly. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to jump on your ass. I just hate seeing you so miserable."

"I'll be fine." Erza reached for the ends of Mirajane's ponytail that fell over her shoulder. "I just need to figure out what I want."


"Excuse me," a voice from behind her said. Erza spun around to find herself face to face with Jellal Fernandes's mother. "I hate to bother you in the middle of the night but –"

"It's not a bother," Erza insisted with a smile.

"I was just wondering if the cafeteria was open this late."

"I'm afraid not. There's some vending machines down there with sandwiches and things like that but the kitchen won't open again until morning."

"Oh, okay." The woman's face fell and Erza immediately felt bad. "Thank you for your help."

"I can run down there if you want," she blurted without thinking. "To the machines, I mean. I have an employee card."

"I couldn't ask you to do that!"

"It's not a problem. I don't mind. Did you want a sandwich or a cup of noodles? The variety isn't great but I'd be happy to do it."

"Uh –" The woman glanced down the hallway. "It isn't for me. My son missed the evening meal because he was sleeping. I didn't have the heart to wake him and I feel bad that he's hungry now."

Erza's heart skipped a beat. "I see. Well, I really don't mind at all. Does he have dietary preferences?"

"I don't think so. A sandwich would be fine. He… he can have solid food, right?"

"Of course! I'll head down there now. Give me twenty minutes, okay?"

"Oh, thank you so much!" The woman smiled and Erza thought her even more curiously beautiful than before.

The cafeteria vending machine was on the first floor of the hospital. Erza would be delaying her administrative duties running an errand for the man's mother but she couldn't pass up the opportunity to see him awake and alert. She stared at the display of sandwiches before settling on turkey. It was an agreeable enough meat. A cup of blue jello also slid into the bottom compartment and Erza retrieved them both. On her way back up to the man's room her stomach twisted and her heart pounded.

What was wrong with her? This fascination couldn't be normal! Her reaction to dealing with a patient was absolutely infuriating. This was her job. By the time Erza knocked softly on his room door, she could barely breathe.

"Oh thank you so much!" Anna gushed when she entered the room. "I really appreciate it."

"It's not a problem at all," Erza said in her most professional voice available.

Something in the room tugged at her. The compulsion to turn and meet the eyes of the man she'd seen bleeding out in the road a week before was strong. His lip was still swollen and the bruises on his face hadn't faded much but Erza thought him beautiful all the same.

His smile was pained and awkward but there was something in it that made her face burn.

"Thank you," he said in a slow breath. "Wasn't it you who saved my life? I'd never forget hair the color of yours."