Chapter Four: Jellal
Jellal walked up towards Erza's front door and rang the bell. Natsu and Erza were upstairs asleep. Erza heard the door bell ring a few more times. Natsu sat up and realized who it was.
"Jellal," he growled. Erza held onto him so he wouldn't get out of bed.
"Stay. I'll go see what he wants," she said calmly while getting up and getting dressed. Natsu also got up and walked up to Erza. He leaned in and kissed her cheek.
"Be careful. The moment he looks like even considering hurting you I will not stay back. I almost lost you. I don't want that to happen again," Natsu warned. Erza smiled and nodded. She kissed his cheek and headed downstairs.
"Erza, I know you're there!" Jellal said through the door. Erza unlocked and slowly opened the door. Jellal looked amazing as ever. Erza always admired the tattoo over his right eye. Erza leaned her shoulder against the door.
"What do you want Jellal? Do you have any idea what time it is?" she asked in her angry tone. Jellal smirked.
"I came here to apologize," he said. Erza crossed her arms over her chest.
"Last time you said that to me you attempted to kill me. Why should I believe you now?" she asked in a more demanding tone. Natsu came downstairs and went for the kitchen. Jellal and Natsu locked eyes.
"I want to make things right Erza," said Jellal as he looked back at her. Erza shrugged her shoulders.
"I don't believe you Jellal," she simply said. Now it was Jellal who crossed his arms over his chest.
"Please? May I just come in to talk?" he asked sincerely. Erza shook her head.
"I have things to do and a job to do later. Leave Jellal," Erza demanded. Natsu was in the kitchen making himself a sandwhich.
"Can it wait? I really need to talk to you," Jellal persisted. The minute Natsu felt Erza hesitate, he came out of the kitchen and walked up behind Erza, wrapping his arms around her and giving her a tight hug before pushing her away. Natsu and Jellal locked eyes again.
"Why are you here?" asked Jellal with a surprised look on his face. Natsu chuckled sarcasically.
"Protecting Erza from you," Natsu snapped. Erza balled her hands into fist, getting nervous and angry all at the same time.
"Jellal just leave," demanded Erza. Jellal ignored her. Natsu took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"Erza is a woman that doesn't need protecting," snapped Jellal. Natsu in the blink of an eye had Jellal pushed up against the door, with Natsu's forearm pushed up against Jellal's neck. Jellal tried to get out of Natsu's lock.
"Do you remember what you did to her?" yelled Natsu. Jellal stared at Natsu. The memories of Jellal attempting to have Erza as a sacrifice for the revival of Zeref rushed into Natsu's mind. Jellal used Erza's feelings for him against her. Erza suddenly remembered the kiss they shared.
"You and I know that wasn't me," whispered Jellal. He bowed his head and his hair covered his eyes.
"Bullshit!" yelled Natsu as he applied more pressure against Jellal's neck. Jellal tried to remove Natsu's arm, but it was too much.
"Leave him Natsu. Go home," ordred Erza. Natsu puased for a moment before looking back at Erza.
"Erza, I'm not leaving you alone with him. I don't trust him," he growled. Erza walked up to them, and placed her hand on Natsu's arm.
"Then go upstairs," she said with stern eyes. Natsu hesitated before letting Jellal go. Jellal gasped for air, rubbing his neck from where Natsu has pushed pressure.
"Thank you," Jellal said. Erza didn't look at him.
"Don't thank me. I didn't do it for you," Erza said. Natsu hurried upstairs, stomping his feet. Erza watched him make his way upstairs. Jellal leaned against the door as he tried to catch his breath. Erza did the unthinkable. She turned to look at Jellal, and slowly placed her hand over his heart, feeling his heart beat.
"Erza? What are -"
"Quiet," Erza said cutting his sentence short. Erza closed her eyes and only used her senses of touch, and something more. She flatened her palm over his chest, feeling his heart, hearing it. She opened her eyes when she felt his hand over hers.
"I'm not that Jellal anymore Erza. Please believe me," he whispered. When Erza looked up at him, she found tears in his eyes. Erza reached up with her other hand and gently touched the mark over his right eye. It felt more like a scar.
"Erza," he said as he closed his eyes and leaned his face in her hand, feeling the warmth of her touch. The tears slid down his face. Before she knew it, Jellal broke down.
"I stil don't believe you Jellal," whispered Erza. Jellal tightened his hand over hers before letting it go. She continued to gently trace the scar over his right eye.
"Please Erza. Let me show you. Look into my heart," he pleaded. He guided her hand more over his heart, and gently pushed their hands over his chest. Erza felt his heart beat against his chest. The memories of their childhood rushed into her head. Natsu peeked downstairs and noticed the way Erza was looking at Jellal. Natsu's heart pounded against his chest. He then went to her room and searched for his dragon scaled scarf. He wrapped it around his neck and headed downstairs. Erza broke eye contact from Jellal and watched Natsu walk past her and out the door.
"Where are you going?" she asked. He kept walking.
"You have things under control. I'm going to see Lucy and check what job I can go on," he said. Natsu left Erza and Jellal alone. He did not want Erza to see his broken heart. Moments later, Jellal and Erza were in the living room, sitting across from each other.
"Please don't be afraid of me," asked Jellal. He stared at Erza. He could tell by her body movements that she was uneasy.
"That is a lot for you to ask Jellal. You killed and manipulated our friends telling them lies. You tried to kill me just to resurrect the most dangerous evil wizard Zeref. How dare you ask for me not to be afraid of you," snapped Erza. She crossed her arms again and gave Jellal a very mean and angry look.
"Five years after that happened, the fight between me and Natsu, everything changed. I no longer hear that voice in my head. I don't feel that pressure, the need I've always felt. I never wanted to hurt you or our friends Erza," explained Jellal. It was his turn to feel uneasy. He could feel Erza's eyes burning at him.
"I loved you Jellal. I trusted you. Once my trust is broken and after what you've done, I doubt I'll feel compassion towards you. None-the-less pity for you," Erza said as she stood up. She walked towards the door and opened it. Jellal watched Erza. Her hands were shaking.
"Leave Jellal," she demanded. Jellal stared at her, hesitating. Erza struggled not to cry the minute her eyes were full of tears. Jellal finally got up and heads for the door. He stopped and stood infront of Erza. He looked and noticed that she was crying. Jellal reached up and Erza flinched. He slowly wiped her tears away.
"I'm sorry Erza," he said before he left. Erza closed the door and locked it. She slid down to the floor and brought her knees up to her body. She rested her chin on her knees and stared out into space.
"Jellal," she muttered to herself before punching the wall next to her. His words played over and over in her mind.