WRITER'S BLOCK: I really feel sorry for this couple. I think they deserve their own happy ending… Anyway, get ready for minimum comedy. Drama is now coming up.
-GOOD TASTE: JOURNEYS-
Jellal && Erza
Away from the busy and noisy city, deep within the forest, was a small hidden cave. It isn't much when you look at it; just an old, dark and moldy cave which needed a makeover or even a complete renovation. To any passerby, it would be just any other wonder of nature—just another cave. But to Erza Scarlet and Jellal Fernandez, this old and disregarded hollow was their personal paradise.
It had already been three weeks since the two of them started to secretly meet each other. Erza was the one who came up with the idea. It seemed that just waiting to bump into each other was tormenting to both sides and even though meeting secretly was childish, as well as dangerous, the two didn't mind at all. They would have their twice-a-week breather meet-up in that cave at exactly three o'clock and do nothing but enjoy each other's company.
Today wasn't any different: three o'clock was usually nap time and Erza laid her head on her man's chest and closed her eyes just to feel him fall asleep beside her.
He looks tired, Erza thought to herself as she looked at him. Jellal did look as if he needed rest; there were dark circles that started to form under his eyes. The skin that once gave off a youthful glow, now sagged slightly, indicating that he had lost weight.
And those scars, she continued to muse. The man's face now had multiple scars and scratches which were far from visible at a distance. However, being so up close, Erza could somehow tell that Jellal had been in few fights trying to escape and hide from the Council.
The armoured mage looked at him with a heavy heart. If only she could protect him… If only she was courageous enough to plead to the Council for him… If only there was something she could do to make life easier for him…
Jellal opened his eyes slowly and with these eyes, looked at Erza and smiled.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing…" Erza replied, smiling back. Despite all you've been through, your eyes are still as kind as they were.
"You're awfully silent, though," Jellal asserted and started playing with scarlet strands of hair with his hand, "Are you sure everything's fine?"
"I was just thinking…" she started, "What if I plead to the Council for you?"
Jellal dropped his hand and stared outside the cave entrance. Then, after he breathed in deeply, he said, "We talked about this, didn't we? You know they won't listen to anything anyone says. And as far as I'm concerned, I have crimes I need to pay for…"
"Those weren't your crimes. You were being used," said Erza calmly, burying her head deeper in his chest, "I just want you to be happy."
"But I am happy," replied Jellal gently. He looked at her again as he smiled, "I'm happy with just this. I can't ask for anything more."
"I want you to be a free man," Erza fought, "Not hiding away in this cave and beating yourself up for no reason."
"Erza, you know what I did! I've put a lot of lives in danger and even killed a few," he said loudly. He sat up and cupped his face in his hands as if trying hard not to remember bitter memories, "I don't deserve to be a free man."
"You're a kind man, Jellal! You among any other person should know that!" she, too, sat up beside him.
Jellal fell silent, so did Erza. It took a while before he could speak, "Are we fighting?"
"No…" Erza answered, "Just… talking."
"If…" he started, "If we were to try and convince them… Do you think they'd have the heart to let me be free?"
Erza bit her lip. She knew it was close to impossible. The people in the Council were hard as stones and saw the law as an absolute way of living. They would not consider external factors stated not stated in the law. If Jellal was to surrender himself, he would be put in prison again, not to see anyone for the rest of his life. And worse, he will never be pardoned.
Jellal laughed at the silent treatment he was receiving. He knew what it meant. He had known Erza long enough to figure out what she was thinking.
"I told you. But you're just so hard-headed," he said, ruffling her hair in a child-like manner. Erza took the hand that was on her head and held it with both hands.
"I'm sorry… I can't do anything…" she said.
"I told you, didn't I? I'm happy with just this," Jellal declared, "Me, you, this cave… It's my own personal kind of freedom."
"Jellal…"
He put one hand in his pants pocket and took out a small, velvet box. Erza's heart thumped at the sight. Somehow, she knew what it was. Jellal opened a box to reveal a ring with "JF && ES" engraved on it.
Hardcore as she was, the scarlet-haired mage couldn't help but accumulate tears in her eyes after seeing Jellal's present. Both hands covered her mouth to stop the cries that died to get out.
"I know it's impossible for us to get married but…" the man slipped the ring in Erza's left ring finger with ease, "Will you at least wear this?"
Erza jumped at Jellal, emotions swirling within her like a tornado. She hugged him tightly, biting her lower lip to keep herself from wailing.
"I'm sorry," Jellal said, "This is all I can give you…"
"It's okay," Erza assured, "I love you."
The man pulled away and looked at Erza with eyes that searched her very self, telling her a million things all at once. He smiled at her gently once again and said, "That's all I need to hear."
Jellal planted a soft kiss on her lips, which Erza reciprocated. When they pulled away, Erza could only cling onto his neck and whisper 'I love you' to him over and over again.
Jellal is right, she thought. Perhaps the freedom she wanted to give him was superficial. It's not like he didn't want to be free but Jellal was a realist. He knew it was close to impossible for the Council to pardon him and in order to make up for this hard truth, he was living his life to the fullest, as much as his freedom could get him.
"Ah!" Erza suddenly exclaimed, as if an idea had just hit her.
"Erza?" Jellal pulled away suddenly to look at her.
"You're right," she said, "You can't be free here."
"What're you—?"
"Let's run away, Jellal," she said firmly, "Together."
WRITER'S BLOCK: I hope they do end up together and they will runaway happily without any regrets… :'(
