AN: Short and random thing since I love these two characters. I want more Meredy/Jellal friendship stuff.
Revised: 11/07/14
"Jellal?"
"Hm?"
The young man turned his head at the sound of the voice. Spotting the familiar face and quickly relaxing, he once again glanced forward. "Oh, it's you Meredy. Shouldn't you be with Ultear?"
The younger girl walked forward, moving to sit on the grass beside him whilst hugging her knees to her chest. "Ah, Ultear's back at the inn arguing with some guys." A small laugh. "We'll probably be thrown out before the night's over."
A small smile appeared on Jellal's face. "No different than usual, then."
Green eyes gazing his way, Meredy studied his profile with a small frown. "Why are you out here, anyway? Come inside and enjoy a drink before we're kicked out." It had taken her a while to locate her fellow guild member, finally coming across him sat down staring out at the sandy beaches ahead.
"I think you already know Meredy."
At his response, her curious façade dropped, legs stretching out as she glanced down, hands flat on the ground behind her. "You still miss them all." A pause. "We all do." Lifting her head slightly, she sent him a sideward glance. "But for you, it's only one person who really matters, isn't it?"
He remained silent.
Gaze soft, Meredy offered a weak smile. "It's almost been seven years now, hasn't it? And every year without fail, you spend this one day off by yourself somewhere." She whispered. "The anniversary of their disappearance." When he said nothing, she went on. "I actually followed you every year before this, it's only this time that I finally gathered the courage to come out and make myself known." Every time she'd watched from the shadows as he mourned, but this year she'd finally decided enough was enough.
Jellal sighed. "What do you want, Meredy?"
Lips turning down at his exasperated tone, she leaned towards him trying to see his face better. "Me and Ul are worried about you, Jellal. We're not just guild members or team mates, we're friends too. It hurts us to see you like this."
"You're saying I should move on?"
"I'm saying you should stop moping!" Meredy yelled, huffing. "I lost my entire family when I was little and you don't see me spending the anniversary of their death like this!-"
"That's just it though." He whispered, cutting her off and causing her to blink in confusion. Turning his head, Jellal met her gaze. "You have closure on your family, Meredy. I don't. Is she dead? Is she alive? I don't know. And as long as that remains unknown, I don't think I can ever move on."
Expression crestfallen, Meredy remained silent as Jellal returned to watching the ocean, eyes closing.
"You should go back before Ultear gets arrested."
Meredy frowned.
Eyes closed, Jellal sat in silence, the only other sound in the night being the distant waves crashing in the sea. Such tranquil silence was then interrupted as an arm suddenly came around him. Eyes flying open, he glanced aside. "Meredy, what are you-"
"Ul can take care of herself." Meredy replied, head resting on his shoulder. "You're one of the few people left in my life who I care about, so I'm not going to leave you when you're upset."
His expression softened. "Meredy…"
Lifting her head slightly, she offered a smile. "If you want to spend a day mourning, that's fine, I was wrong to yell. But at least let me or Ultear come with you, it's much less lonely mourning together."
Staring at the girl who had transformed from a broken pre-teen to a confident and strong young woman over the years, Jellal felt his lips quirk into a smile, expression softening. "You're right." Head resting atop of hers, he wrapped his own arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer.
"Thank you…"
"Any time."