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21 ; distance

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"I wish I didn't have to go," he murmurs into her hair, twirling one of the ends around his finger. "So annoying..."

"Oh, hush." Erza grins into the crook of his neck. "It's only for a week, you'll be fine. Just drive safely."

"Will I though? What if I can't come back? What if I die?"

She snorts. "Why on earth would you die? You're visiting family, not visiting a warzone."

"...From loneliness."

He bursts into laughter and pushes her away, flinching and grinning as she gives him a hearty whack in the ribs. But before she can turn away to hide her embarrassedly pleased expression, he's pulled her into another tight embrace, exhaling against the crown of her head.

Erza pouts resolutely. "You're teasing me."

He squeezes his arms around her, and whispers back, "If you don't want me to tease you, stop being so cute when I do."