Four(ish) Months Later
3rd POV
"So what are you going to do? Kill me?" Siegrain scoffed from his seat in front of Jellal. Hands tied behind his back and face littered with deep bruises created by his one and only brother.
"Hahahahaha!!!" Jellal teared up at the joke and crossed his arms above his chest. "What in the hell makes you think I would grant you the liberty of death so early? You're even more naive than I thought if you think you're going to get away that easily. Listen, nii, if I wanted to kill you, I would have done it when we were 8. And then at 12, 20 and a few months ago. But I've been waiting for this moment my entire fucking life. I'm going to watch you scream and writhe in agony until there isn't a single trace of my brother left in that stupid head of yours." Jellal smirked, his pupils drilled into the top of Siegrain's head. "Whatever you wanted to do to me— however much pain you wanted to cause me emotionally, however much you did, I'll repay you two fold in physical pain. I'd say it's just about fair, don't you agree?" Siegrain turned his head upwards and smiled in return for the blessing he was to receive.
"Yeah, seems about right."
"Alright, since you think it's fine, what do you prefer? Whips, chains, tazors, pliers, scissors?" Siegrain's lips curled downwards into a deep frown when he spotted the pair of dark gray, steel pliers that emerged from Jellal's bag.
"You think you can beat me?" He scoffed, rolling his eyes. "I've had you wrapped around my finger from the moment you breathed the air on this planet. Don't get your hopes high, brother."
"If you think shitty mind games will still work on me, you're kidding yourself, Siegrein. You see, I'm so past that point, that I actually enjoy the crap you throw at me." Stalking towards his brother, Jellal swung an arm up to his head and ran the same hand through his hair. "Well, if you don't mind, let's get started. I don't have all the time in the world." He stroked the handle of his favorite whip.
"I know I haven't seen you in many years but I thought you'd at least have common sense. I mean since you're an assassin and all, I would expect you to know that most ask questions before torturing." The draw of Jellal's whip caused a surge of adrenaline to pump through Siegrin's blood, nervous beads of sweat trickling down his forehead.
"It's people like me who can't wait to hear the utter silence that you make. The last thing I need is to hear more lies spew from that useless throat of yours." He lowered his arm for a moment and sighed. "I know you're just trying to delay me... But since you asked kindly, I'm willing to question you." His grip around the whip tightened and he glanced down at the floor. "Ultear. Did you not care? Did you not give any fucks about the fact that she ended her own life?" Siegrein was silent, their breathing the only sound heard for a few minutes before he bravely began.
"Do you want me to be honest?" Jellal was hesitant with his answer, taking these simple words into consideration. He wanted to know the whole story, no matter what he had to hear.
"I can handle it." He said, shutting his eyes and realizing he already knew what Siegrein was going to say before he even replied. Siegrein lowered his gaze for a moment before sitting up straight and leaning his head back.
"I never once from the moment either of you were born gave two fucks about what happened to you or Ul. I still don't and I never will."
~~~
"Where the hell is he?" Erza mumbled to herself, staring up at the clock; growing antsy. Juvia rolled her eyes and covered her face, fully prepared to take a nap and ignore the problems she had at hand.
"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 so much!!" Gray's eyes softened and he opened his mouth to speak, trying his hardest to push out some form of speech. However, his voice betrayed him. "We've only known each other for so long. Natsu- he lost the love of his life and his bride. Erza and Jellal have some sort of history that is almost preventing them from being together. Gajeel and Levy have such a dangerous job that they had to take a leave just to make sure no one came by and killed their child. That's how worried they are. I don't want to regret things like how each of them did. I don't want to become the person I swore to expel from the people around me. God damn it I had nothing to do with it. But every time I think about Quator, I feel so fucking bad. Those people did nothing to be taken away!! Why does trying to save the people of the city from a corrupt government end in all of them being taken away!!??" She yelled, frustrated. "I don't want to hold on to any of you!!! I can not and I will not become them!!! I will not be Natsu!!! I don't want to be him!!!" She repeated, fresh tears clouding her vision and nails scraping unconsciously against the brick wall behind her.
"That's what you're worried about?" Gray pacifically wondered aloud, hand meandering towards Juvia's elbow and gently holding it against his palm. "Listen to yourself. You're letting things of the past come back to haunt you when you weren't even present. Juvia, Quator disappeared three years ago. Even if they were found by now, the chances of any of them being alive is slim. You have to accept the fact that they're gone. Life isn't sunshine and flowers; people die and things end. Halcyon does not last forever. Everyone dies, darling." He hushed, pulling her into a hug and kissing the top of her head. "Though don't let yourself believe that it means we're going to leave you. If you're afraid of losing people, just think of how worth it the love you feel is. I'm not forcing you to start shit with me or anyone, I would never— I just..." he sighed. "I guess I made it seem that way. But you aren't obliged to keep anyone close. I was just hoping you felt the same way as I did. It was selfish of me and I'm sorry." Juvia sniffled and blinked a testy eye up at him, the disappointment sewn on his face sending her heart pounding.
"I'm sorry as well." She whispered, digging her head back into his bare chest. "I'm willing to give us a shot. Let's just... not tell Natsu about it for a while."
"He's killing his brother, what do you expect? Either he's taking his sweet time to watch him suffer or this is the hardest thing he's had to do in a long time." Gray stared at her disheveled state from the end of the table and sighed. "God, we know how much he shits on Siegrein. His birthday is coming up so it could be like a present." He chuckled, slumping in his seat from veritable boredom and the fight to stay awake. "It feels like it was just cold out yesterday but it's been like four months. Shit, time flies."
"Has it actually been?" Juvia murmured, words fumbling together into an incoherent mess. "What month is it?" She slurred again, gradually meandering into a deep, much desired slumber.
"Stop saying random things and sleep already, you're a hand full. I'm not in the mood to deal with a tantrum like earlier."
"Gray can you shut up for a second? I'm trying to be concerned for Jellal." Erza whined, beckoning to him in a way that would hopefully shut him up. "You're being too loud."
"Aww is someone worried about her little boyfriend~?" Gray cooed, puckering his lips in a taunt. "If you think I give a fuck, then you're sorely mistaken. If you're so worried then just-" he attempted another sentence before being cut off by another voice that boomed over his. Usual loud thuds of boots against the wooden floor of Phoenix reverberating throughout the large room. Everyone's heads turned towards the loud stomping proceeding down the hall. Standing to greet their boss, Wendy, Juvia, Gray and Erza bowed slightly when Natsu slammed the door behind him upon entering the main expanse.
"What's got you in the next world over?" Wendy questioned, eyes sleepily squinting in boredom. She meant it rhetorically but still would have been entertained to earn a response.
"Put everything away. The authorities are on their way. I'll be back." He growled, voice seeping with contempt and utter lividity. He glanced at them for a moment and nodded, acknowledging them and making sure they knew he recognized them as his comrades. Making silent sure they knew he wasn't stepping into a pit of self loathing and despair yet. They didn't know where he was going— they didn't want to know. His eyes widened and mouth curling into a sinister grin, he shook his head and lucidly walked through the main doors. Unused legs shot everyone from their spots again immediately— the four scattered across the building, hiding weapons and any signs of their presence underground in planned out spaces with locks and secured openings and exits.
Two Hours Later
(I'm sorry if this seems rushed I'm trying to slow down but it's difficult)
"Are you okay!?" Erza yelled, running up to Jellal who entered the eerily still building and caught her cautiously in his arms.
"Hey, stand yourself the hell up, I'm not going to carry you." He replied, pushing her off of him and dropping his empty bag onto a nearby chair, ignoring the redhead that followed him around like a small duckling.
"You used poison, didn't you!? Don't think I didn't catch on, that's dangerous, you don't even know how to use it properly what happens if you got seriously sick!!?? You should have left it to Levy, why not just use your sword like-"
"Shut the fuck up, you sound like my mother." Erza furrowed her eyebrows and yanked his backpack from its spot on his chair, putting it away in a place the authorities wouldn't think to look. Jellal returned the small glare she shot him and ruffled his hair, sitting down at their table and sighing out loud. "Where's Natsu?"
"The authorities are coming so he was seriously on edge. Kinda just walked out without much warning and hasn't been back for a few hours. Oh and by the way. Your little sister has seriously been stressing herself out." Gray answered, glancing at Juvia for a split second and scowling at her anxious expression, the sight racking his body with anger. "Help her out for once." He ordered quietly, gesturing towards Wendy and raising an eyebrow.
"She is not my sister, Denver. Say that again or try to give me an order again and you'll be sleeping with an eye open." Jellal reminded him, immediately and effortlessly backing down the man who sat below him. Although he began following his directions regardless- hesitantly and standing to pull Wendy into a comforting hug. "It'll be ok, Lima. We've been prepared for this day for a long time. Besides, do you really think they'll be able to take you away? You're the most stubborn person I know, they'd be dead before you allowed yourself to be caught, right?"
~~~
"Are you ok?" Gray hushed, sighing gently and leaning against their usual brick wall.
"Yes, why do you ask?" Juvia responded, grabbing her hands together in an attempt to hide the light trembling they created. "How about you? Are you ok?"
"I'm fine. Come here." He told her, gripping a hand firmly around her wrist and forcing her beside him. She quietly squeaked and mimicked his position, eyes falling to the floor when he wrapped an arm around her. "Don't make this about me. I asked you how you're doing." He repeated, rubbing her arm up and down to try and calm her in some way or another.
"Is it that obvious? That I'm acting strange, I mean. I knew I was... but I didn't think anyone would catch on." She said, voice quieting gradually with every word. "I-I was just really not expecting that news from Nishio. I think that Jellal and Erza's mission with Jen set her dad off- he called authorities. And I think my next assignment is to take him out. But for some reason-..." she slowed, hands dragging upwards to stare into her eyes. Tears of fear welled up behind her eyelids and she felt her knees weaken slightly. "For some reason can't stop shaking. I was discovered once and- they definitely know my face. I don't want to be taken away. I don't want to leave this place. I don't want them to take me from you. What... what if they-"
"Hey." Gray interrupted, flipping her body to face him and holding her firmly in place. "They will not take you. I promise you, I'll keep you safe. We're going to put you somewhere safe with Wendy and they'll be gone before you know it. You should have to keep yourselves and each other safe." He assured her, forcing her against his chest and shutting his eyes tightly. Images of the one before him suffering by the hands of the authorities sending panic through him.
"I can't fight back. I never learned proper self defense, if they found
us-" He squeezed a bit tighter.
"Don't be afraid. We can do this."
~~~
"Jellal, this is bad, right? We did this, didn't we? After all, Jen's father serves almost directly to the king. He could have said something, right?" Erza asked, biting a nail between two of her front teeth.
"I'm not sure who told. But there's nothing to be worried about. There's not a chance they'll find any evidence of us being Phoenix. The only risk we're taking is putting Wendy and Juvia under the ground. I'm not sure if they'll check there so I can't really say anything for certain. But then again, they did it to themselves by not being careful like I told them and getting caught." He told her, leaning an elbow against the table and sighing, head spinning from a dull ache the settled between his temples. "They'll be here soon. Help me put Wendy and Juvia in place." He said.