Sunset Musings
Another day has come to its close and I find myself thinking about you more than usual. How was your day, by the way?
"Good night, Erza-san."
"Good night, Wendy, Charle." Wendy bowed to her one last time, the smile on her face never leaving as she disappeared behind her door, chatting animatedly with her exceed friend.
It was the last of the checks she had to do before bed and, as usual, she was relieved by how reliable their youngest team member was. It made the process of heading to a bed a mite quicker than it could have been were Wendy as boisterous as the rest of the team. She could only wish the others were even a fraction more responsible sometimes.
Erza had no doubt Natsu and Happy snuck back into Lucy's room the minute they thought she was out of earshot. However, she also knew the celestial mage was more than capable of keeping her partner and his rambunctious feline in line. As for Gray, knowing how much food and ale he gorged on during dinner, he was already out like a light, with no way of being woken up until the sun picked up again – or whatever time his bladder decided it wanted release.
Then again, her friends deserved the break to goof around to their hearts' content. It had been a long few days trying to track, lure out, and capture the gang wrecking havoc on the quaint forest town that hired them. The mob put up more of a fight then they originally thought they were capable of – money and black-market weapons went a long way after all. But, fancy gizmos and gadgets were not enough to graze their level of fighting.
Though they were a slippery and crafty bunch with many numbers to their advantage, it was nothing their team couldn't handle.
The town we passed by today was abuzz with praise for you and your friends from Fairy Tail. I imagine you're tired after such a long mission. But, I hope the rest of the day was filled with joy and laughter. It always amazes me how you touch the world around you.
While their mission was not too strenuous or time-consuming, it was always demanding to lead the group and constantly make sure Natsu and Gray didn't destroy any more than was strictly necessary. Although, Erza thought with mild chagrin, she was sure Lucy would have a few choice words for her on the matter, also.
Lucky for them, the town and its mayor were gracious enough to scrape off no more than what was needed of the reward money for the reparation costs. Guilty for the mess they created, Erza proposed they stay the night and help with the bulk of the repairs the next day. Everyone except Natsu and Gray agreed, however, in due time, Erza managed to persuade them otherwise.
I wonder if you're looking up at the sky and watching the sunset, too. It's particularly beautiful tonight, so it'd be a shame if you missed it.
Nonetheless, as much as she loved the adventure that anticipated her at daybreak and filled the many hours of her day, there was something about twilight that rejuvenated the requip mage.
Watching the sunset was catharsis; the daytime star would dip under the horizon, the surrounding clouds gilded with the remnants of daylight while the sky dripped with colour in preparation for night tide. It was a time of reflection, to speculate on the order of the universe simply by the ribbons of colour left behind. It was dazzling how the same sequence of colours – orange, red, pink, purple, blue – were fashioned together each and every day, yet managed to look unique and take people's breaths away every time.
Erza stared out her window in awe, eyes following the silhouettes of birds in the distance as they soared across the skyline. It was particularly stunning tonight.
It may sound absurd, but I can't help but think on such occasions, when that everything under it has been touched with red, that the sky was made just for you.
Yet it was when Erza found herself alone and with time on her hands for quiet reflection, she always found herself thinking a little bit more about a familiar face plastered on boards and posters every so often. Of course, it wasn't the exact face printed so gloomily on the faded papers.
The face she imagined was accompanied by memories, adding a depth to the still portraits that no one else was privy to.
She recalled a myriad of colours – a mop of blue hair, earnest autumn eyes, and a bright red scar. Then followed the earthen whiff of wood-smoke and the memory of her name uttered in a low, clear tenor, which she felt reverberate in her bones. Erza saw the sad imitation of that face peeking out from behind a town hall notice today and then once more at a distance, underneath the hood of a long billowy cloak, on a path many kilometres away until it disappeared.
Out loud, it would sound pretentious however, Erza couldn't help but wonder sometimes if maybe, just maybe, that it was all a sign. A symbol from the world around her in response to the suppressed sorrows of her heart. Bright red into the night's blue; she and Jellal would survive to see a future together.
Even the stars are brighter than usual. Meredy teased me about it; something about hitting two birds with one stone in trying to impress and outshine you. It's silly.
And at the end of it all, the reputed requip mage would silently congratulate herself on another day lived and endured; another battle fought and won. Until the next day anyways, anticipating what tomorrow would bring and otherwise hoping that it was his name written for her in the stars tonight.
The warm breeze of a summer night caressed her skin and she wrapped her arms around her body, holding herself together as the rosier hues petered out. The seconds melted into minutes as she patiently surveyed their leisurely vanishing act to make room for the rest of the universe.
Because you are more to me than the sun, the moon, and all the stars. Day in and day out, I'm the one trying to walk and stay in your light.
Something between a hunch and an inkling that made Erza presume that, unlike her, Jellal preferred dawn.
After all, he rose with the morning sun, hope in his heart for better days. And as much as she loved the respite of dusk, she made sure to win every battle so that the sun could take to the skies again and he could rise with its light. It made her hope that soon they could watch dawn and dusk together, watch the universe in motion while the hours coasted by before their very eyes without worry and fear of separation.
Good night and rest well, Erza.
"Good night, Jellal," she whispered to the empty evening air outside her window. The last streaks of red long faded into violet and the moon continued in its ascension, the stars glittering all around it. It was a clear night. Erza was sure her voice would carry, if not with the breeze than in that unfathomable connection they shared. Not to mention, she knew he heard her because she heard him.
Who knows, perhaps tomorrow we will see each other.
The cosmos winked at her and Erza smiled. "I'll be waiting."
A/N: Another canon-verse type of story for Day 7 of Jerza Week 2016, Scarlet Sky. I supposed you could say I tried something a smidge different? Maybe? But it feels a little short, something more drabble-ly than a solid one-shot with a fixed plot? I'm not too sure. Also a very, very, very special thank you to guest reviewer fc: I was floored by your reviews and responded to them with more detail on my profile under "Notes & Updates."
On that note, I hope everyone enjoys this and please don't be shy to leave a few words for me! I'd love to hear what you think!
...::: Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ :::...