Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail.
A/N: My take on what could have happened before Erza and the others tried to escape.
"We did it."
She wiggled her toes in the damp sand, enjoying the sound of waves lapping gently at the beach. Giggling softly, she spread her arms, delighting in the wind caressing her smudged face.
"Erza!"
She turned to him, her scarlet hair dancing in the sea breeze. He held out his hand to her and smiled. Blushing slightly, she started towards him.
We really did it! We're free!
Exhilarated, she quickened her strides. Yet with every step, the distance between them grew even greater. Panicking, she broke out into a run.
"Come on, Erza! The boat is leaving!" he called.
She compelled her legs to move faster. She ran for what felt like an eternity until her bleeding feet slipped in the moist sand. Tears flowing freely from her eyes, she braced her arms against the sand in an attempt to get up. To her horror, they sank into the ground.
I have to get up! Everyone's waiting for me!
By now she was waist-deep in the sand. She struggled against the force pulling her down into the ground. Knowing that she was fighting a losing battle, she opened her mouth to scream.
"Jellal!"
"Erza!"
Her eyes shot open. Blinking tears away, she met Jellal's worried gaze with her own.
"Bad dream?" he asked.
She sat up. Too distraught to answer, she simply nodded. She reached up to wipe her wet eyes. Jellal sat silently beside her.
"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked hesitantly.
Erza hugged her legs to her chest.
"We got out to the beach. Then I heard you calling me to the boat but no matter how much I ran, I couldn't reach you," she replied tearfully.
Jellal moved closer, his arms closing around her trembling form.
"You're that worried about tomorrow night?"
Erza raised her head and looked at him questioningly.
"Rob-jii told me once that dreams reflect our subconscious fears and desires. You were probably anxious about the plan. That's why you had that dream," he explained.
Erza looked down, processing Jellal's words.
"Stop agonizing over the what-ifs," he said.
He reached up to stroke her hair soothingly.
"Even if we get caught, I'll protect you and the others with my life. You don't need to be scared," he said lightly.
"Don't say things like that!" she cried. She broke away from him and glared.
His eyebrows rose in surprise.
"What-?" he started.
"Just…Can we not talk about this anymore?" she sighed.
Really! How can he talk about 'protecting us with his life' like it's no big deal!
She lay back down, shivering from the cold seeping from the dirt floor through her threadbare clothes. Turning away from him, she closed her eyes and tried to go back to sleep.
I really hope nothing goes wrong tomorrow night.
Jellal stared at her back, an unreadable look on his face. She fidgeted, conscious of his gaze on her. Eventually, she gave up trying to ignore him and turned towards him. She raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
He shook his head and stretched out beside her.
"What is it, Jellal?" she murmured.
"I-" he began.
"You're talking too softly," she whispered, inching closer.
He jerked back, his face coloring in embarrassment. He quickly turned away, leaving Erza staring at his back in confusion.
"Never mind," he stammered.
Sensing that their conversation had drawn to a close, she turned away too.
He's acting weird. I wonder what he was going to say?
Deciding to let it go for now, she closed her eyes.
"Hey," he called softly.
"Hm?" she replied.
"That thing I was going to say…When we get out of here, I'll definitely say it. So when that time comes, promise you'll hear me out?"
"Of course."
Tomorrow, I won't hesitate anymore. I'll make sure these feelings reach you.