Example-V: Hey there, gang! It's been ages, hasn't it... I'm so sorry for making you wait. If you're still here at the end of the chapter, I'll explain what happened!
Rand: Hey there, dear reader! I'm sorry it's been so long. I've been trying to support myself entirely on my writing, and it's been pretty tough! Haven't had much time to write for fun! I'm honestly flattered that you think so highly of me, and if you want to support me, send me an email at Extravictorious , or Message me on facebook, at . , and I'll let you know how you can buy some of my work!
Rand: I couldn't be more flattered. I hope I can still make you smile, if you see this!
Jennessa Sample: Thank you, I really appreciate that!
Kereny: Thank you! It's a little late (Extremely late), but here, I hope you like this chapter as much as the last one!
Foxydame: No, thank you! I'm delighted that you're enjoying the story so much.
Me: It's been a long time, lover. I hope you see this, and smile.
WinterSummit: I didn't exactly update soon, but better late than never, right? I hope you like the new chapter, dear reader!
Pi Pi m: Thank you!
River King: Thank you too!
"It's going to be a long night, Jellal…" She needled him, sneakily and wryly. "Why not just confess, get it over with?"
"Unlikely." He chuckled, eyes flashing and narrowing at her again. "You must have all sorts of plans, I wouldn't want to rob you of our long night…"
Her eyes glimmered, excitedly. "That's good of you, Jellal, I do…"
He glanced away again, setting his glass down on the armrest, preparing himself, but also somehow enjoying himself… The wizard saint was beginning to grow somewhat concerned, worried by how much he was enjoying her company and presence, as always…
"Another drink, Erza?" He offered, stepping over to the whiskey, contemplating whether or not it was still viable to get her drunk. She might collapse, pass out, and spare him the dangers of their continued conversation, but… On the other hand, she might also really start taking her clothes off…
"Gladly, thank you..." She hummed, triumphantly; eyes glimmering at him, already quietly celebrating her assured victory. She could see it in his face, the beginnings of weakness.
Of course, his posture hadn't changed, his eyes were still calculating and cool; they stared at one another, evenly matched, for a moment, and he handed her cup back, full. Erza took it, watching him closely, smiling lightly, unable to stifle her glee; attentive to his every move, every subtle detail of his features. She felt like they were playing chess, and It occurred to her that he could probably read her just as well. Just as well, if not better.
He was still Jellal, after all, still exuding a calm, charismatic confidence...
But she could see it, somehow. She could see that she would win.
The wizard saint suppressed a sigh, well aware of the mischievous glint in her eyes, her expressive smirk. It can't go on like this. I have to end it.
Deciding to play hardball, he stirred up the whiskey bottle in one hand; casually plying her with sweet words, attempting to attack where she was weakest. "Tell me, Erza..."
She stiffened, noticeably, hearing the suave tones, the dulcet grit under his words. Her face reddened, and she took a sip, nervously, almost on impulse, just to rattle herself. Desperate to keep control of the situation, she tried her best to stay focused, and cleared her throat. "Y-Yes?"
"Does it have to be me?"
His words still rang with charisma and charm, shaking the Fairy to her very bones.
"Don't... Don't be stupid, Jellal..." She covered her face with both hands, flushed and smiling broadly, uncontrollably; briefly unable to summon her words. "Who else is there?"
He seemed to struggle with this for a moment, her voice was very soft, but full of affection. He could immediately tell, somewhat sour, that she was very handily winning.
His only hope was to pray that she didn't see it too.
The commander laughed, disguising his reticence and weakness, camouflaging it in smooth confidence. "I don't know, Erza. Have you considered fantasizing about someone normal?"
She breathed, exhaling deeply, relieved that his voice was no longer so heavy. No longer so seductive that she couldn't see straight, so seductive she couldn't help wanting to tear her clothes off; to beg for his attention and cry. "...Normal?"
He adjusted his suit, messing with the collar and tightening his tie, absentmindedly. "Yeah. Someone normal."
She didn't reply, as if bamboozled, raising one eyebrow. He chuckled, at last, resisting the urge to just give in.
She was too cute.
"Anyone but me, Erza." Jellal shook his head, grinning and shrugging faintly. "How about that popular guy Meredy and Angel were talking about... They called him 'too handsome'."
Titania tilted her head at him, curious, lifting her glass to her lips.
"The magazine star." He went on, thumbing his chin; recollecting what he'd overheard the night before.
Erza stared at him, baffled, and opened her mouth to speak, but fell immediately silent; she paused, disbelieving, before being overcome, suddenly, by a fit of giggles. Jellal glanced at her, sideways, somewhat oddly, but she said nothing; the redhead couldn't help feeling like she had a very good idea of who Meredy and Angel had been talking about...
"Did you say... Magazine star, Jellal?" The fairy queen could barely contain her amusement, her delight; halfway incredulous. She kept her voice even, however, making every attempt to appear innocent and naive. "The star... The star of the New Sorcerous Weekly, by any chance?"
"That's it. That's the one, The guy from the new Sorcerous Weekly." Jellal snapped his fingers, nodding seriously. "What about him...? Don't you find him attractive?"
"Jellal..." Erza did her very best to keep from bursting into thrilled laughter, faintly red. She kept her face straight and serious, as she gazed directly into his eyes, and it took all her considerable willpower. "You don't... Happen to have any idea, of who that guy might be?"
He laughed, nonplussed and waving her down with one hand; completely oblivious. "Of course not. Whoever all the girls are fawning over these days."
"You can't... You can't think of anyone? Anyone it might be...?" She led on, somewhat subdued, with heat rising in her cheeks; as he swirled the whiskey in his glass, baffled, staring sideways over at her.
"Why would I be able to?" Jellal bristled, almost affronted at the idea that he spent his time reading gossip rags and celebrity magazines.
Erza covered her mouth with both hands, flushed bright red, giggling madly. "It's you, Jellal."
He fell silent, for just a moment. Dead silent.
The special ops commander blinked, once, realization flooding him as he looked away, straight ahead; she looked like Christmas had come early, glowing, and he stared back over at her, eyes wide.
"It's you, Jellal. You can't think of anyone else, because it's you..." She repeated, blushing furiously, in a quiet voice, full of affection and love.
The ultramarine was speechless, blown away, as the truth of this began to sink in.
The atmosphere between them was suddenly heated, and tight, with sexual tension positively dripping from the quiet stillness. He blinked again, and she giggled again.
"You're the popular guy that every girl wants." Erza managed, at last, almost whispering, wringing her hands over her breast and looking away; with happy tears beginning to well up in her eyes.
Jellal couldn't speak, he felt choked; just absorbing her words and hearing her heartfelt tone, which reverberated through him. His chest tightened, and he realized he'd made a grave tactical error, in this chess game of love...
"Me?" He answered, finally, dryly, doing his level best to get a grip. "Me... Great."
She chuckled again, casting her eyes back over to him; as he took a long swig of his whiskey, clearly overwhelmed. "You should read the article they published about you."
"What'd it say?" he shut his eyes, twitching faintly, almost consigning himself to his fate. He could feel the relentless burn of the strong alchohol in the back of his throat, and the sensation lingered, helping to clear his mind and settle his racing thoughts.
"It said that you're the greatest mage of all time, and a hero in the eyes of everyone you've ever come across." Titania answered, very seriously.
He snorted, miserable, and grinned helplessly. "I didn't realize Sorcerous Weekly was in the business of lying to their readership."
"Well, I may be paraphrasing. Slightly." Erza teased, eyes twinkling as she studied him, carefully, relishing this moment that they were spending together, so intimately.
"Slightly..." the guildmaster sighed. "Only slightly?"
She hesitated, and a blush crept through her face again. He met her eyes, when she paused, and the breath caught in her throat.
Erza lowered her eyes, heartbeat accelerating in the restless silence.
"They also said claimed that I'm your fiancee."
Jellal reeled, stock still in place. It took a moment for her words to filter all the way through his mind, and when they did, they stuck there. Redhead and Ultramarine were quiet, under a heavy blanket of tense sexual chemistry and swelling desire.
"Paraphrasing again, are you...?" He replied, weakly.
She looked up, breathless, but smiling brightly; eyes wide and shimmering, radiant like a mid-day star. "No, that one was verbatim."
Jellal grinned, eyes narrowing, flashing; gripping his suit tightly in one fist, over his heart.
Example-V: I hope you liked it! Again, I'm so sorry I've been gone forever. I lost my day job, and am still in school, so everything is very expensive, and I've been living on nothing but the money I make writing, for the past few months, and so I haven't had much time at all, at least not to write for fun.
I got a couple new sponsors recently, though, and that means some actual free time! At long last! I'll be sure to use this new free time to post and update stories for you all, I'm completely in your debt!
If you're interested in supporting me, send me a PM, and I'll tell you how you can buy some of my work!
I hope to see you in the next chapter!