AN: Hi! So this is a cute idea I came up with after seeing some post on tumblr. A friend and I have/had a thread following this plot (she RPs as Erza, and I RP as Jellal). but she had to go on hiatus, so I wrote this all out for her. This is for you, Sarag! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail. If I did, this would totally be the Jerza canon episode/chapter.

Erza stepped into the coffee shop, inhaling the strong aroma of coffee. She ordered a black coffee and a slice of strawberry cheesecake. She sat a table meant for two and took out a book, one appropriate to be read in public.

She mentally face-palmed as she tried to squint at the letters. She quickly pulled out her reading glasses, a recent purchase, and quietly read while alternating sips of coffee and cheesecake.

Jellal saw her. She was sitting at a table all by herself, and she was just as beautiful as his memories of her were. If not more so. He turned his head away, so if she looked up, she wouldn't catch him staring. He wondered whether or not he should go and greet her. He hesitated. He was unsure if he could not make a fool of himself in front of her. But he missed her dearly. She had given him a new life, and he owed her an enormous debt for it. So he made up a plan.

Since he was on vacation, he could afford to take his time before revealing himself to her. He pulled a clean napkin towards him and wrote a note to her. The first of several. Or at least he hoped so.

Hi-

I saw you at the coffee shop and I just couldn't help but be awed at your beauty. I'm sure you receive many compliments on your looks, but that does not make them any less flawless. Especially considering your amazing scarlet hair. I was too shy to say anything to you there, but if you decide to return tomorrow, I'll give you another note. Maybe, eventually, I'll find the courage to talk to you. I hope you return. I would love to see you again.

- An Old Friend

He gave the note to the waiter and gave him a little context. The man was kind enough to promise to give it to Erza with her receipt. Jellal then stood and left the shop. He would be waiting anxiously to see if she returned tomorrow. In the meantime, though, he had to start putting his plan into action.

When she was given her check, the waiter passed her a note as well. The redhead slowly and cautiously read it and felt her cheeks heat up. A mysterious admirer?

She self-consciously looked around to see if anyone was looking her way. When she found no eyes to meet hers, she read the note again and sighed. Maybe one day they would meet. She would return tomorrow to see if this mystery person would keep their promise and give her another note.

Jellal sighed wearily as he exited the last shop right before it closed. Since he had seen Erza at the coffee shop and had the note delivered to her, he had been running around to put the plan he had thought up into action.

He looked up at the darkening sky and felt a small sense of peace as the familiar stars shone down. Tomorrow, he thought. Tomorrow, it all begins. Erza, I hope you can forgive my selfishness. I just want you all to myself, even though I know you deserve better.

When he returned to his hotel room, he quickly jotted down the next note before preparing for bed.

Hi-

I promised if you came that I would give you another note. This time, I'm giving you something more…

Erza stepped into the coffee shop sometime around midmorning. She had been anxious about coming back, but her curiosity had been provoked. She sat at the same table as last time and ordered the same thing, a cup of strong, black coffee and a slice of strawberry cheesecake. She noticed that the waiter who had brought the note yesterday was not present today, but the knowing smirk on her waitress's face placated the scarlet-haired knight's fears that she would not receive a second note.

It arrived with her check, just like yesterday. She opened it slowly. She was almost afraid of what it might say.

Hi-

I promised if you came that I would give you another note. This time, I'm giving you something more. I hope the strawberry cheesecake you had was delicious. I've set up something, just for you. Your first destination is the blacksmith's shop two streets over. I'm sure you know exactly where it is. You'll receive more instructions there.

-An Old Friend

She looked around the small shop to see if anyone was staring at her. Once again, she found no faces turned her way. She glanced back at the note and frowned softly. How had this mysterious admirer of hers known that she had eaten strawberry cheesecake if they were not here now? From the looks the waitress had been giving her, the girl had already been holding onto the note before Erza walked in. Whoever this person was either knew her very well or was some crazy stalker.

The Requip mage stood up, placing some jewels on the table, and walked out into the bustling streets. She did know where the blacksmith's shop was, as it happened to be one of her favorites for armor reparation. As she walked in the door, the bell jingled to signal her arrival.

The blacksmith came out from the back, wiping his hands on a rag, and grinned mischievously when he saw her. "Erza Scarlet! You came, you came! Just like he said you would! Come in, come in! I have something special for you. I don't know, I don't know how he knew I was making it, but your mystery man has already paid for it. I hope it is to your liking!"

Erza smiled uncertainly at the man. His name was Hador, and he was built like Gajeel, towering and muscular. He had emerald green eyes and messy brown hair. He was very friendly, but had the odd habit of repeating what he said every other sentence. He ushered her over to a back corner of the shop, near the door that led back to the area where he worked.

The mage gasped in awe when she saw what was waiting for her there. It was a beautiful set of armor, decorated in shades of deep purple, midnight blue, black, and hints of emerald green. The metal was strong but light. What truly caught her eye, though, were the wings. They were enormous, stretching a foot above her head and reaching almost to the ground. They had been made of hundreds, if not thousands, of tiny, black metal feathers.

"I-it's beautiful," she finally managed to stutter.

Hador beamed at her. "It really is. My finest work, my finest work."

Her eyes widened while she tried to calculate the cost. "It m-must have c-cost a fortune!"

"It most certainly did! Now I have for you, now I have for you a note from the man who bought it." He winked at the stunned Titania. "He's a keeper, I think. Come back soon, come back soon!"

She opened the new note.

Hi-

I hope you like the armor. I asked Hador and he told me its name was the "Fallen Angel" armor. When equipped, the user is protected against Darkness, Shadow, and most low-level Death and Curse magic. I think it's a beautiful work of art for an equally beautiful girl who will put it to good use. Now for your new instructions. I'm not sure if you know where this is, so I will provide more details than when I sent you to Hador. There is a little jewelry store at the edge of the city, close to where the train tracks are. It's called "The Fire Opal" and is really quite a good shop. Head there for the next note.

-An Old Friend

Erza shook her head, sighed, and stuck the note in her pocket with the other one. She took the beautiful Fallen Angel armor and placed it in her armory. She left the store, waving at Hador as she left. She weaved through the streets and ended up in front of a quaint little building with a sign over its door proclaiming its name to be The Fire Opal.

Upon entering, an older woman immediately pounced on her. "You're exactly as he described-lami. Come in-lami! I'm Andis-lami!"

Erza struggled to keep her balance as the woman dragged her with surprising strength to the counter on the right side of the shop. Andis was a short woman with brilliant golden eyes and red-orange hair pulled back in a bun. She was around the age of Wakaba and Macao, with small wrinkles around her eyes and mouth. She wore a modest green dress that contrasted magnificently with her hair. She walked around the counter and reached under it to pull out a small black velvet box.

"He said you were not one to wear jewelry often-lami. He said to keep it relatively simple-lami. He also said to use an enchanted chain so it would not break, even in battle-lami. What do you think-lami?" Andis opened the box to reveal a beautiful pendant necklace. The pendant was made up of a large oval stone, translucent with a blue sheen, surrounded by small, cubic blue stones. "It's a moonstone-lami. Those smaller stones are spinel-lami. Spinel is considered the daughter of the ruby, though it is much rarer-lami. It is extremely rare to find blue spinel-lami. It represents reconciling differences and soothing sadness-lami. He said it was perfect for you-lami. It is already paid for-lami."

Erza gently took the necklace out of the box at Andis's encouragement and clasped it around her neck. She looked down at the pendant before tucking it safely inside her armor. "I love it," she whispered softly, tears gathering in her left eye. No one had ever taken the time to give her such beautiful and thoughtful presents before. Whoever her mysterious admirer was, she would be forever in his debt for lavishing such attention on her.

"And here is the note-lami. Good luck-lami!" The woman walked towards the back of the shop, leaving Erza alone to take control of her emotions. Once her armor was firmly placed back around her heart, she opened the note. She hoped it would be the last one, as it was nearing noon and she was getting hungry for lunch.

Hi-

It's a stunning necklace, yeah? Andis is a master of her craft. Her specialty is fire opals, hence the name of the store, but she works magic with anything she is given. I think that by now you're starting to get hungry, so the next stop is at a bakery. I'm sure you smelled it on your way to Andis, since it's just down the street. Go there, they will give you a basket and a note. It's time we finally meet.

-An Old Friend

Erza's jaw dropped in shock. Immediately, she was filled with unease at the thought of meeting the man who had written these notes. 'What if he's disappointed? What if he regrets giving me these gifts? What if he decides to not come? WAIT. What am I going to wear?! I can't just go like this!'

The scarlet-haired mage immediately began running through the various outfits stored in her armory. She discarded gowns, skirts, blouses until she finally gave up in despair and requipped her favorite casual outfit, a white blouse and her blue skirt. She then left Andis's store and walked back down the street, following the heavenly smell of bread baking. She entered the bakery to find it rather large and very clean, but cozy and warm. She smiled as she walked up to the counter, finding a little peace in the comfortable atmosphere.

The man and woman at the counter smiled back at her. The woman had wavy, amethyst-purple hair pulled back in a ponytail which fell to her waist and wide, aquamarine-blue eyes. She wore a lavender dress covered by a white apron. The man had straight, onyx-black hair which was also pulled back in a small ponytail and warm, citrine-yellow eyes. He was muscular, but rather short, only a few inches taller than Erza herself. He went to the kitchens while the woman came to help Erza.

"Hello, you must be Erza Scarlet. We've been expecting you. My name is Tirnel, and that was my brother Caidor." The Titania of Fairy Tail gave the kind purplette a small smile. Tirnel gave the redhead a look which told Erza the woman was not fooled by her collected exterior. "You don't need to pretend with me. I'm sure you're nervous about meeting him, but you don't have to be. He's quite in love with you."

Thankfully, that was the moment Caidor chose to return with a large wicker basket packed full of food, saving Erza from having to respond. She took the heavy basket from the ravenet, who also handed her the last note. She waved to the siblings as she left the bakery.

Finding a nearby bench, she sat down for a moment to read the note.

Hi-

If you want to meet me, come to the park and look for the tallest tree. I'll be there waiting.

-An Old Friend

She stared at the note. It was so short that she did not quite know what to make of it. Shrugging, she placed it in her pocket and picked up the basket again. She walked briskly to the park before her nerves could get the best of her. As she reached the entrance to the park, she glanced up at the sky, noting that it was a perfect day for a picnic.

Erza walked through the gate and looked around, a field of peridot green grass dotted with vibrant flowers and shady trees spreading before her. She easily found the tallest tree, as it rose far above the others in the area. She moved quickly towards it before she became overwhelmed by her doubts again. Tirnel had assured her that her mysterious admirer l-l-l-lov-ved her, but the Requip mage was not completely convinced. She had never had someone declare their love for her before, not in such a romantic and thoughtful way.

Even now, as she neared the tree and noticed a figure leaning against its trunk, she was considering turning around and running far, far away. But she kept moving forward, and she was rewarded with a good look at the man waiting for her, the one who had written her the notes and bought her such fantastic gifts.

Her eyes widened, nearly bugging out of her head, and her jaw dropped. She would recognize that brilliant blue hair anywhere. It was Jellal! He was the one waiting for her! He turned his gaze towards the scarlet-haired mage, and her mind drew a blank. She had no idea what to do. Jellal loved her? He wanted her? But he had always pushed her away.

"J-jellal?" Why did she keep stuttering? Erza felt as if that was all she had been doing that day since she received the first note in the morning! "You wrote the notes?" Much better. She made it through an entire question without a single stutter.

"I, I did," the blue-haired mage stuttered. At least she was not the only one who was nervous. He looked away with a small blush. "I'm sorry. It was very selfish of me, but I couldn't hold myself back anymore. You deserve the best, Erza, but I can't bring myself to let you go."

Giggling a little at his discomfort, she sat down, leaning against the tree, and patted the spot next to her. "Don't apologize, Jellal. Now, sit with me and eat this food. I'm starving." With a small chuckle of his own, the Heavenly Body mage complied. The two ate in companionable silence as they watched a few other people who were also taking advantage of the beautiful day in the park. Erza no longer felt any fear. This was Jellal. He would never willingly hurt her. Not now.

Once they had finished, Erza got right to the point. She knew that if she wanted to keep Jellal, she had to convince him that it was the best for her if he stayed. So she asked him, "Jellal, you said that I deserve the best. Do you agree that the best for me would be a man who loves me with all his heart, and who I love in return?"

His head whipped around to stare at her in shock. Quicker than she could have believed, the light in his eyes dimmed with guilt and he turned away from her. "Of course, Erza. The best for you would be someone who can make you happy. Love is the first step to doing that."

She had frowned a little at the guilt she saw in his eyes, but smiled when she heard his answer. "Do you love me Jellal? With all your heart?"

He refused to meet her gaze again, but he nodded his head. "I do," he muttered quietly.

The Requip mage was fed up with him avoiding her eyes, so she reached out and grabbed his chin, forcing him to turn his head towards her. She smiled softly. "You agreed that the best was someone who loved me with all his heart, and you do. So why don't I deserve you?"

"Because," he said. "You deserve someone who can walk beside you in the light, someone without the crimes hanging over my head."

"And if I don't want someone else? If my heart belongs to you?"

He had nothing to say. She had stunned him. The scarlet-haired knight continued smiling as she pressed him. "You love me with all you heart, and I love you with all of mine. Since you agreed that that is the definition of the best for me, you are the best for me. Are you going to continue keeping the best away from me?"

Finally, he returned her smile, his eyes filling with happiness and love. "No. I love you, Erza Scarlet."

The ecstatic redhead wrapped her arms around him. She whispered, "I love you too, Jellal Fernandes."