Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or any of it's characters. All rights belong to Hiro Mashima.
A/N: So, I updated? *hides* I'm so sorry. But hey, summer vacation is upon us, right?
How long do men usually sleep? I wondered while absently stirring some sliced strawberries into a ceramic bowl of pancake mix. Two of my oldest friends within the city of Magnolia, Natsu and Gray, usually slept in until ten in the morning. That is, if they weren't woken up by the smell of food beforehand.
Glancing down at the bowl of pancake mix and then quickly at the clock I realized it was only six thirty. I let out a sigh, pouring part of the mix into a small sauce pan and watching it slowly expand. Had I been expecting it to be later? I hadn't exactly slept last night thanks to that man.
Groaning lowly I slipped my fingers into my slightly tangled scarlet hair. Why now? Of all times, why now? I had just been getting over all of that. And now he was back.
Scowling, I slowly pulled my hair into a messy bun on top of my head, holding it in place with an elastic from a kitchen drawer. I would probably regret that later. For now however, some coffee sounded great.
Flicking on the machine, I began to gather the necessary supplies. I dealt with pouring the grinds and water into the machine first, then grabbed my cup and spoon and placed them together to the right of the toaster sized machine. The timer informed me that I had ten minutes to wait and I flopped myself into a chair, watching the pancakes begin to golden.
"Good morning." A deep male voice greeted from the doorway and I snapped my attention to the man I'd personally identified as Jellal—though he had yet to confirm my conclusion. His blue hair was naturally messy, as I'd witnessed last night and supposedly throughout part of my childhood, but it had a particularly wild and bedraggled edge to it at the moment. Additionally he was also naked from the waist up, though I took care not to linger too long on his appearance.
"Good, uhm, good morning." I inclined my head slightly, turning my attention back to the pancakes. They were in dire need of flipping if I hoped to keep them a nice golden brown. "Why are you up and about?" The question slipped out without much thought on my part as I watched him gingerly lower himself into a seat at my island.
"Smelled food." He admitted, rubbing his neck in embarrassment. Against my better judgment, my lips quirked into a slight smile.
"Of course. Should have known." I chuckled airily, amused with the occasional simplicity of life.
"Don't get me wrong, I'm usually up early." He informed, seemingly determined to make sure I wasn't upset by his statement or possibly thinking he was lax in his duties. Really, I couldn't think of a reason why I should be, since it was currently quite early in the morning either way. If what he said was true, well, it left me to wonder how much sleep he usually got.
"It's not a problem, really. I mean, I am making pancakes with strawberries." I smiled, sliding the small group of cooked pancakes onto a plate and placing it in front of my—albeit somewhat uninvited—houseguest. "Syrup? Coffee?" I offered, briefly pondering why I was being so nice. If I was being honest with myself, I was terrified his family or a feuding one would attack mine for boarding him. And yet… I watched quietly as he politely accepted my offers and bowed his head, thanking me for breakfast. He was too kind to turn away. He needed someone right now, and whether I liked it or not, I was currently that someone.
"Thank you," he murmured as I placed a brimming mug of black coffee—apparently his preferred kind—before him. "The pancakes are really quite delicious." His smile was almost shy, but also bright and I smiled back gently.
Keeping the small smile on my face, I worked my way through my kitchen and cleaned up most of my small mess before serving myself. Silently, I sat across from him and took a sip of my lightly creamed coffee, pausing for a moment to add two sugar cubes.
"So what happened last night? Who, exactly, are you?" I asked quietly, steeling my nerves and looking straight into his olive green and gold flecked eyes. Almost imperceptibly, he stiffened and I found myself almost regretting asking. But then I reassured myself that I needed to know basic things about someone I was boarding. Especially if that information could potentially save one of our lives.
It was silent in my kitchen, save for the faint clicks of our metal utensils on the glass plates. Just as I thought I should change the topic for the moment and ask later, he began to speak.
"I probably shouldn't be telling anyone this, but since you helped me last night even when you knew it was a dangerous task to undertake, I suppose it's only fair. As you are most likely already aware, I am part of the Six Brothers mafia, though I'm more of a minor member. I make sure of proper… "cleanup" after a job. We've recently changed our ways for the better, though our other mafia connections don't particularly agree with our choice. So we're currently under attacks both day and night.
"I was leaving the other night when I got caught in the crossfire between a member of my group, the police, and… ah, a member from another group." His voice was halting, uncertain, as he spoke and I realized how deep into this he really was. It was one thing to be attacked by mafia families. It was another entirely for your alliances to turn against you since they usually knew at least one or two incriminating things about your family.
"Do you know who the other member was?" I asked softly, averting my gaze to my plate. Hearing rather than seeing him shift uncomfortably, he answered slowly and guardedly.
"I cannot say for certain. My apologies." On their own accord, my eyes narrowed and I glared at my mostly empty plate. While it was commendable to be faithful and not a snitch, this was our lives he was talking about. Yes, he was the one who had been attacked, but now he was residing with me, at least for the moment.
"Of course. I apologize for going into business that is not my own." I said curtly, standing and carrying my plate to the sink. His chair creaked lightly and I just barely heard the sounds of his approach. When he was a mere foot away he paused and I felt my blood run cold. Was he going to try something? Whirling abruptly I instantly pushed my hands in front of me. My hands collided hard with his muscular chest, and he recoiled slightly at the hit but didn't lose his balance or back away.
"Sorry, I'll wait till you sit again next time." He murmured apologetically, placing his plate above my own and returning to his seat. My chest was heaving with terror as I numbly turned back to the sink and rinsed the dishes quickly. Was I so quick to break my earlier judgment? Cursing myself silently I dried my hands and returned my attention to the man in hopes to assuage my error.
"I am also of status among a family so I am aware of how precious this information is. I assure you I will not break the bond of trust we have created with this past sharing of words. I also wish to apologize for my behaviour. It was uncalled for and could have caused you injury." Bowing my head slightly, I was not prepared to hear a soft chuckle. Snapping my head up at the noise, I glared at him through slightly lowered lashes. I shouldn't have bothered. He is no more my friend than my foe, so what matter is it to me that he not be upset?
"No apology necessary. I must admit I would have acted the same in such a situation. Well, similarly." He murmured, his gaze briefly touching my chest before flitting away in embarrassment. Gaping in shock, I watched as he awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. After a few moments of this he seemed to begin chafing under my burning stare. Looking away slowly, I found myself staring at the clock. It was already nearing eight and I let out a momentary gasp of surprise.
"Jellal, I called earlier this morning and have already set up a meeting with my friend to look at your injuries. We must be there in an hour or she will not let us in. She's a simple old woman, and hates wasting time." I told him quickly, hurrying to the stairs to go get changed. "Your shirt has been washed and mended, I placed it at the foot of the bed. Hurry now."
He had started at my gasp of surprise and was already at the foot of the stairs when he froze. I glanced back impatiently, briefly wondering if he wished to keep his wounds forever.
"You said my name." He blurted suddenly and I lifted a brow in confusion.
"No I di-oh. Right." I paused halfway up the stairs, turning to him with a smile I hoped would ease the obvious confusion and worry within him. "You told me last night before you fell asleep. You said you thought I should know it in case anything bad were to happen to you."
"Did I?" He questioned in confusion, his brows puckered in thought. I couldn't help but notice how he'd grown from a cute and kind young boy into a handsome and seemingly equally as kind young man. I'd never known his age, though now I estimated him to be in his mid-twenties. I was just twenty myself, so it surprised me. I'd always thought us to be the same age. "How long before I fell asleep last night?" I jerked back to reality as I realized he'd spoken, and tore my eyes away from where I'd been inspecting his obvious muscle mass. Though lean, he was very fit.
"After I removed the bullet." I answered immediately, hoping my confidence would shake him so he'd be more liable to believe me. A few tense seconds passed as he seemed to size me up, and then he grinned.
"Well, okay then. Let's go, shall we?" Within a mere moment he had passed me as he headed up the stairs, and I automatically turned to follow him. The quick and easy response had fallen from his tongue almost as though he'd rehearsed it. I couldn't detect the slightest trace of hesitation or worry in his tone and that frightened me. It meant he either knew I was lying and didn't want to call me on it before he was fully healed, or he truly believed me that easily. The latter was somehow the most terrifying, since it meant he was likely easily manipulated and therefore very liable to slip ups or getting into dangerous situations. He had fared well against me this morning, but I had also not pretended to know that which I had no inkling of.
Without realizing it, I had followed Jellal back into my bedroom and had to stop immediately lest I run into his bare back. I must have let out some noise of surprise because he glanced over his shoulder curiously, silently appraising me with his gold flecked green eyes. Blushing lightly at my distracted state, I offered a small bow of apology and ducked out of the room.
The hallway was cool and starting to get illuminated by the rising sun as I leaned against the wall with a sigh. It'd been too long since I'd had a male I was attracted to in my house. Let alone one that I'd known as long—or in this case longer—than Natsu and Gray. In hopes of calming myself down, I put one of my constantly chilly hands against my forehead. I don't know what it was in my genetics that made my hands cold all the time, but it sure came in handy whenever I got a headache.
Jellal stepped out of my bedroom a moment later, fully dressed and with a confused frown puckering his brow. I glanced at him curiously, glad that I had changed before heading down to make breakfast so I didn't have to change now with him right outside the door.
"What friend is this that we're going to see?" He questioned suddenly, breaking me away from my inspection of my toenails. I don't know why they'd suddenly interested me, but I noticed the sky blue paint was chipped on most nails.
"An old one. She's harmless, I told you. I cannot reveal her name to you though, that is an honour only she can bestow to one. I apologize, but we must hurry if you still wish for a registered physician to look at your wound without the authorities being notified." Immediately, I turned and hurried down the stairs, not bothering to check if he was following. His booted feet shuffled along the carpeted stairs a moment later, and by the time he reached me I had some strappy summer sandals on my feet and was ready to go.
"Lead the way then." Jellal motioned me forwards with his hands, and I quickly locked the doors before heading in the direction of our destination; an old townhouse hidden along the edge of a local park. It was a few blocks away, so we wouldn't have to walk for long. Interestingly enough, Jellal opted to walk slightly behind me off to the side, so I had to trust that he would follow me without question.
By the time we made it to the front stoop of the house, Jellal had fallen behind slightly and had a hand clasped tightly over his injury. I doubled back, easily inserting myself between his arm and body and taking as much of his weight as I could comfortably support.
"I'm fine on my own." He murmured in what sounded to be embarrassment, even as he allowed me to help him along, leaning heavily on my shoulder.
"Of course you are." I murmured back, gripping his hand tightly in case he started to slip. Walking around and dressing himself this morning must have worn him out much more than I'd realized, so I made sure he was carefully balanced lest I lose my own. If we had to fall before we made it the last few metres to the door, I would make certain he wasn't the cushion.
"Right on time as always, Erza." A voice drawled, sounding rather bored in my opinion. I glanced up, beyond relieved that they hadn't used my last name. Porlyusica was leaning against the doorjamb, her red eyes glowering at me and my "passenger".
Jellal raised his head slowly, eyes locking with the elder for a moment, before abruptly dropping his head back down. In that moment, Porlyusica's glower had darkened, and I seriously considered taking Jellal and leaving. She may be an old friend and the only qualified yet unregistered doctor in the city of Magnolia capable of healing Jellal, but for some reason I found myself second guessing bringing the man here.
"Well, come in then. I don't have time to waste." She muttered, turning and walking into her house. I followed behind, knowing I had no other option but wishing I did. Jellal's feet dragged along the ground, seeming to highlight my fears, and I sucked in a steadying breath. As soon as we crossed over the barrier between Magnolia's streets and Porlyusica's territory, the atmosphere changed, the door slamming with a resounding bang behind us.
A/N: I will not specify an update date, since I can rarely be exact. But please know that I will update.
I'm sorry it has taken me so long, but I would like to thank my reviewers. You guys make me so happy, and I hope my update is sufficient enough, even though I know in my heart that it wasn't.
I also hope I didn't make anyone too OOC in this chapter.
Other than that, thank you for reading. xoxo