I ended up a few days behind for a little while after having migraines for most of the week, so that was fun. Anyway, since Merriam Webster uses awful words, I'll just be using another site and choosing the word I prefer for the day.
Also, this one is kind of a request, since I got a request on tumblr for Sting x Erza with 'Bail' as the prompt, and I liked how it fit into today's word. Didn't know this was a pairing, to be honest.
Clement
"Inclined to be merciful."
"Eucliffe. You've made bail."
Sting looked up from where he'd situated himself in the corner of the overcrowded room, rushing over to the door as the officer unlocked it and slid it open. He thought he'd die in there, surrounded by sweaty criminals, forever regretting his actions.
Sting knew he should've listened to Rogue. He always got himself into trouble when he went out with Natsu. It was always a blast when they did go out, but still, Sting had never gotten himself arrested over it. There was a first time for everything though.
Following the officer back out to the waiting room, Sting kept trying to peek around the broad man in the narrow hallway. He hadn't really expected anyone to come get him, especially after Rogue had hung up on him after using his one phone call on him. But, Rogue was still his brother, and Sting didn't think Rogue would willingly let him rot in a cell just to teach him a lesson.
"There you are," the officer said, unlocking the last door that stood between himself and strict freedom. "Stay out of trouble for the time being, kid."
Sting nodded. He'd be on his best behaviour for sure.
He was grinning as he walked into the waiting room, entirely expecting to see his brother sitting and waiting for him with a scowl on his face. "Rogue! I knew you'd—"
He stopped when he saw the fiery redhead standing with her arms crossed, half heartedly wondering if he could turn around and go back to the communal cell. Erza was scowling, not surprisingly, but Sting couldn't quite tell if she wanted to pummel him or perhaps kiss him. Maybe she's into bad boys? Sting thought. No, no. Definitely wants to pummel me, he realised as he got closer.
"H-Hey, Erza," he laughed nervously. "Guess Rogue called you, huh?" He hadn't wanted Erza to know, especially since they'd just started seeing each other. Sting guessed that was also part of Rogue trying to teach him a lesson.
Erza didn't say anything, instead turning on her heels to walk through the front door and out to her car. She, admittedly, had wanted to leave Sting there after his brother had called her in the middle of the night. She knew all too well what kind of shenanigans Natsu and Sting got up to, but usually she was stuck cleaning up after Natsu and not Sting.
But, against her better judgement, Erza had decided to be clement towards her new boyfriend. Natsu was a lost cause, but Sting… Sting could still be taught. He could be shaped into a reasonable human being, one that knew better than to go along with all of Natsu's antics. Either way, Erza had no intentions of helping him out of that situation again, should it ever happen.
His girlfriend's silence was intimidating, and Sting picked up his pace to walk alongside her out on the pavement. "Thank you, though," he said, noticing the glance she gave in his direction as they kept walking. "For paying my bail. I'll… I'll make it up to you, I promise!" He'd offer to pay her back but he knew she'd get her money back after he showed up at court.
Erza knew he would. That much she'd trusted to begin with. She just hadn't quite figure out how she could have Sting repay her. But Erza supposed she could figure that out as she went. "How about you start by buying me breakfast."