3rd POV
(Sexual content and fluff)
"Did you... see it?" She huffed, scowling at her stupid forgetfulness.
"Of course I did, it was out in the open-"
"-Then- then...! Forget it and don't misunderstand!!"
"What is there to misunderstand? Get in bed before I have to drag you." He repeated.
A Few Minutes Later
Jellal entered Erza's room and placed a bowl of soup beside her along with some medicine and water. She uncovered herself and patted down the sheets, holding the bowl of soup and slowly sipping it.
"Thanks." She said quietly. He nodded and sat himself on the floor, sighing and staring down at the wood below.
"Wait until it cools, it's a bit hot now." He advised, taking it from her and placing it back on her nightstand. She didn't resist, but instead leaned back into her pillow and turned up to the ceiling. Unspoken words hung in the air before Jellal opened his mouth to speak. "I didn't want to tell you."
"I know that. Who would?"
"I meant the reason."
"Why's that?"
"Because it sounds like bullshit. Besides, despite having a reason; no matter what it was, I shouldn't have done it."
"Yep."
"What I'm saying is-..." she turned to him, seeing the unfamiliar expression on his face. "He wanted to..." he scowled at the sad memory of that night.
"Spill it already, I can take it."
"If I say why so easily, won't all of these years of keeping it to myself and only myself have been useless?"
"They were useless regardless, Jellal. No matter the reason, you should have said something."
"I know that."
"What was it? Hurry up."
"The piece of shit tried raping you. And killing you. He was gonna put a fucking bullet in your brain." He said bluntly, not giving Erza time to react before he continued. "I don't care if you forgive me or not. I don't regret it and if god sent me back a million times to redo it, I would do the same thing every single damn time. That's why I don't expect you to be happy with me and I don't want you to be eith-"
"He... was he really?" Jellal glanced at her for a moment before sighing and standing up.
"Yeah, he said it to my face as I stared at your naked body." Erza's anger instantly melted into sadness and regret. Years of hating this mystery person she thought she knew nothing about. She thought this person had malicious intent when they killed the man she had previously loved. In this very moment she realized she really was deluding herself. Confusing missing someone she cared for with love. Telling the one she did in fact adore with all of her heart that she felt the opposite. That she hated him. She made him hurt for no reason. She caused the one she loved pain because of her ignorance. She really was a bad person. "Get some rest, Erza." He spoke gently, standing at her doorway and preparing to leave. "It's getting late... I'll see you tomorrow, Bethel." Tears cascaded down her cheeks, ones that held three years worth of pain. It took nearly everything Jellal had to not pull her into a hug and kiss every tear away.
"Wait!!!" She pleaded, standing and running towards him. He paused at the door and placed a hand on her back when she collided into his chest, sobs ripping through her throat. "Stay. Please stay." She begged, tightening her hold on him. His eyes softened painfully as he stared down at her vulnerable state. "I can't handle it. I miss you so much, I'm losing my mind." He did, too. "I've cried so much. I've been so ignorant! I even said such terrible things to you...! I'm so sorry!! I'm so reliant on you that it's gotten to this point and I- I don't know what to make of everything right now!!!" She looked up at him and reached for his hand, lacing their fingers together and squeezing him. "I need you so badly. I want you more than anything right now."
"Erza. You don't know what you're saying right now. I get you're confused about everything but I think you need sleep."
"No!" she screamed, banging her fist on his chest over and over until he caught her wrist easily. "No, I'm not just being stupid. I know what I want."
"...I killed Invel." He reminded her.
"You said it yourself, Jellal. If you hadn't, a fate much worse was in store for me-... So... thank you." She sniffled into his chest. "I forgive you." Not a moment later did Jellal drop to his knees, teeth grinding, relief absolutely dissipated the constant tension and guilt he had felt for three years. Nothing felt better. He covered his face with a hand for a moment before picking Erza up from the ground and falling with her onto her bed.
"Thank you. Thank you." He nuzzled his tears face into her chest and held her close. "I missed you so much, Erza." Erza placed a hand on his head and hugged him tightly. She longed for this touch so much that she felt she could die right then and there.
"Jellal..." She called for him, watching nervously as he lifted his head to look at her. Absolute, pure, love swam in his irises for the first time in a long time. He hummed in response.
"I think I..." a few tears fell down the sides of her temples as she squinted. "I think I'm in love with you." She hushed, her voice just barely escaping her throat as she bit her lip painfully. She'd never felt this way about someone and it was scaring her. Jellal swallowed, his heart hammering in his chest as if it would fall out at any moment. Removing his jacket, boots and armour, he returned to Erza. Bending down to meet her lips, the locked together again after what felt like so long. Erza wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in as close as possible. His hand rested on her face and his thumb stroked her cheek gently as they kissed sweetly. "Can we... can we do it?" He paused, thinking for a moment before nodding in agreement and wrapping her in another warm hug.
~
"You're on the pill?" Jellal asked, feeling a bit on edge as he lay with Erza in bed.
"I am I just need to restock." She chuckled, turning around in her position as little spoon and kissing him gently. "I love you, Jellal." She repeated.
"I know, you've been screaming it for the past few hours." She swatted him in the arm and pouted, looking away.
"You're cute." He chuckled, a grin plastered on his face.
"Do you... love me as well?" She asked cautiously. Placing a kiss to her forehead, he nodded and held her closer, his muscles flexed with each movement.
"Yes, Erza. I love you more than anything on this Earth." She sighed in content, enjoying his muscled skin against hers.
"Then... w-was it ok?" Her face flushed, she traced random patterns against his back. He smiled and laughed genuinely.
"Yes, Erza. It was amazing, thank you." He drew circles on the skin of her lower hip in return. "How about you?" She curled up into a small ball and kissed his chest.
"The best I've had."
"Good. Now it's late, so get some sleep."
"I'll see you in the morning, my love." She smiled and eventually passed out.
At Phoenix The Next Morning
"So when and how did you two make up?" Gray asked, leaning his head on his hand against the table and staring as they walked in together.
"You mean when did they make out?" Juvia corrected him.
"Oh please, they obviously fucked. I have never seen two people look like they had sex more than them right now." Wendy also added.
"Watch your mouths." Jellal threatened. He had a job to do today. It was nothing but take his twin's life, of course. But he was absolutely prepared; excited, even. "Erza, I'm going to complete a mission. Text me." He kissed her cheek, picked up a bag with his needed tools and left for the door.
"Hey, Jellal." She stopped him, noticing the strange shape of his backpack. He paused and turned to her.
"What is it?"
"What's... in your bag?" She questioned, worry beginning to build up. He was silent for a moment before smiling and continuing on his way out.
"Don't worry so much. I'll be back soon, so wait for me." Erza turned expectingly to her comrades.
"You're trying to tell me that after almost two months of hate, tension, cursing, yelling and regret, you guys are just perfectly fine? Overnight?" Gray spoke, almost in shock. "Shows just how much control a girl can have over a guy with sex. Seriously; take notes girls." He laughed heartily and stood up, looking to find Natsu for a job.
"Seriously, Erza. Make up your mind already." Juvia rolled her eyes and waited for Gray to get going.
"Yeah don't act as if you didn't sleep with Gray."
"Hahahaha!!!! As if. When was this? Are you spying on me?"
"You two act like a married couple for gods sake."
"Us!? Not you and Jellal? Erza, you've lost it. Gray just likes harassing me because he's technically stronger than me. I'm only higher rank than him because of my seniority in this damn squad. And that isn't even counting age, he's older too."
"Juvia have you seen the way that man looks at you?"
"Yeah, I have. You know what he also looks at in the same way? Food. Food!!"
"I feel like you're just forcing yourself to think he doesn't like you at this point."
"Who's forcing me?"
"You seem to know a lot about him."
"Of course I do."
"I was kidding."
"It's true, though."
"Is it? Prove it."
"Quiz me, idiot."
"What color are his eyes? When is his birthday? When did he join Phoenix? Who was he before Phoenix? Does he like you? How tall is he? How much does he weigh? What color are his lips?"
"Dark blue, July 1st, 5-6 months ago, a fucking solo murderer, probably, 6'0, 130lbs, uhhh... light grayish, beige, pink? Is there a color for that?"
"Did you know that the color of a man's lips is the same color as the head of his dick?" Juvia covered her mouth, unwanted images entering her mind. Which soon turned into straight up lewd fantasies.
"W-why.. why would you tell me this?" She lowered her head and ruffled her own hair.
"Great now this is all I'm going to be able to think about whenever I see any man." Wendy chimed in, a blush costing her cheeks.
"What are you guys talking about?" Gray spoke, entering the room. Juvia's red cheeks turned into a full on blush as she spun around, her eyes continuously drifting from his lips to his eyes.
"Juvia was fantasizing about your dick." Wendy whistled, giggling as Juvia punched her and cursed under her breath.
"That isn't true!! You can't just believe anything you hear, right!? E-especially when it comes from Wendy!! W-why would I be thinking things like this when I have no interest in you at all!?" She blabbered on, ignoring and staring away from Gray's amused expression.
"Well the same thing goes for girls and their cl-"
"Shut up!! Shut up, shut up!!" Juvia complained, pounding her fists on his chest and pushing him out the back door.
"What's your deal? Are you in a bad mood?"
"Listen... you can't listen to what she said."
"Are you that upset about it? Don't worry about it, it's fine."
"Erza was the one who forced this knowledge on me- I never wanted to know!!"
"Well shall we find out if it's true?" He suggested, closing in on her body against the wall. Pressing his lips against hers and holding each of her shoulders in his strong grip. Parting, a large string of saliva hung between their lips. He steadily lowered his head to lick and kiss the skin of her neck. Her breathing picked up, trembling hands landing on his pectorals to try and at least slow him down.
"St-top it. Wait." She whispered, biting her lip to stop a moan when he bit down lightly on her collar bone. "Gray, stop." She spoke louder this time, gaining Gray's full attention as he removed his head and stared down at her.
"What is it?"
"We have to stop. N-no further than this." She stammered, the leg that had ridden up to his waist remaining in its position as Gray did not let go.
"Why?" He ground out, his fist clenched against the wall. He was getting impatient with the way she unintentionally led him on.
"What do you mean 'why', Gray?" She squinted, knowing he knew her thought process. "What-... kind of question is that? With everything that's happened so far, you have to understand what I mean, right?"
"What rule out there says so?" Juvia sighed, shaking her head as he continued. "Why can't you make up your- mind? It's confusing me." Before he could even finish, they already started talking over each other. She was trying 'logic' and he was trying opinion.
"Gray, you can't be serious. Do I need to quote everything that says we specifically can't keep going? Or do I need- to show you, as well?"
"Great, now I've got ms. goodie two shoes over here. You're following every rule like it's burned into the back of your head. No one gives a shit about the rules- if you haven't noticed."
"It's me! I'm the one who cares about the rules!-"
"Why!? Do you seriously hate me that much?? I'm trying to start something with you but all you're interested in is leading me on, playing with my feelings and rejecting me! Can you make up your mind!?"
"Because I don't want to regret like her!! I don't want to become Erza. I don't want to become Natsu!! I don't want to lose anyone, I don't want to feel held back by the restraints of worry when I'm around you!! I'm literally so nervous that I'm scared to be with you!! You scare me, Gray!!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'll go back to fix up plot holes, grammar mistakes, and parts that don't make sense later on.