A/N: Guess what this story is about. ;)
Anyway, it's already day three of the week! I hope everyone is having fun, both the artists and the readers/watchers (how do you call someone who looks at art? o.O)! This story is longer than the previous one, hopefully you'll like it. :)
Day 3.
Prompt: Diamonds
Word count: 1194
"Are you sure this is good enough?"
"Goodness, Jellal, I am certain I have answered to that question numerous of times already."
"But-"
"No buts! Now get over here so we can continue celebrating!"
Well, he couldn't refuse that, could he?
The two lovers danced to a soft tune one of them (the blue haired man) was humming. The gentle rays of moonlight fell on them, subtly warming their skin and their hearts, and illuminating their already shining faces. Both were simply glowing, radiating happiness, and no one else was there to interrupt their precious moment. Only the moon, the stars, their little safe haven and the two of them, knew of the reason why their hearts were beating erratically, and why neither of them could stop smiling.
Because of the promise.
Because of a seemingly unimportant vow that held so much meaning to the two of them. Because they had finally faced their demons, and they had finally won, and they were one step closer to crowning that victory.
Because now, they pledged themselves to the other – they voiced their oaths, and they weren't allowed to break them.
Couldn't break them.
Wouldn't try to even if they could.
The man had long ago stopped humming and was now simply looking at the woman before him, holding more adoration than she ever saw before. And that was great – his eyes looked far more beautiful when not clouded by guilt, remorse, regret. (Or hate.) The scarlet haired beauty returned the gaze with her own feelings of love, that burned just as brightly as his (in fact, it seemed as if their eyes were competing in whose were more ablaze with passion and adoration – and both refused to back down). He then took her hand, brought it to his lips and kissed her knuckles, before gently passing over a thin, silverish metal.
A ring.
She lowered her gaze to where his was, and the smile on her face became softer, as she fondly recalled the clumsy way her lover asked her to become his, and let him become hers (as if it wasn't so already). The ring was very plain – there was nothing engraved onto it, nor did it hold some sort of precious stone. It was an ordinary, round piece of metal. And Jellal felt very bad because of it.
"I still think this isn't enough.", he said, critically inspecting it. "You deserve so much more than a make-shift ring we found somewhere, Erza."
"I think it is more than enough.", she answered, lifting her hands to his face and cupping his cheeks, effectively bringing his eyes back to hers. "Jellal, you and me, us together, it is enough for me. To know that we have promised we would be together forever… I can't ask for more. You and your love, they are the only things I need from you. Nothing else."
Jellal smiled softly, then kissed her lips with every ounce of love he felt, leaving Erza breathless. He brought her closer to him, and she nuzzled her head in the crook of his neck, tickling his skin with the threads of her scarlet hair, while he kissed her head. Both inhaled the scent of the other at the same time, and Jellal chuckled while Erza giggled because of it. They spent some more moments in the silence, before he decided to break it once again.
"But there should be a diamond on that ring, after all."
Erza sighed, tired of his stubbornness, and pulled away from him a bit so she could properly look at him.
"Jellal", she started, talking slowly as if to a little child, "I do not need a diamond. I am very well aware that having such an expensive stone on your hand is many girls' dream, but I am not one of those girls. I do think that diamonds are nice, yes, I am a woman after all, but that does not mean I yearn for one, or am in need of it. Diamonds are just an object. A very clear, shiny and pretty object, but an object. And I don't need them.", she finished, repeating herself, in order to make sure her message finally got to him. Jellal blinked a few times, as if to accept the fact that he had just been treated as a five year old by his… promised one, then started laughing and Erza laughed as well.
"All right, all right, I understand. But one day, when all of this is official, I will take you to a jewelry store, and you will pick a nice ring. Is that okay with you?", he asked, with hopeful eyes, and she could do little but roll her eyes and agree to his request.
"Fine. But if it gets in the way of my armor, I am taking it off. Are we clear?"
"We're clear.", he replied, and then smirked, prompting Erza to raise her eyebrow. "Now, about that celebration…", he said, and Erza smirked as well, then let out a small squeal (which she would later deny ever escaped her lips) as he picked her up and carried her inside of their cottage.
…
"E-Erza."
"What is it, Jellal? Is there something wrong?"
"No, not at all but… I need to ask you something."
"Then ask."
"… Okay, here I go. But well, before I do, please don't interrupt me."
"I am listening, Jellal. Spit it out already."
"Yes, well, okay. Uh. Yes. Erza, I know that I've done many bad things in the past – things that can't be erased, can't be undone, nor can they be forgotten. I regret many things, and I wish they were different. But never once did I, or will I, regret meeting you. You brought light into my bleak and somber world, and you taught my heart how to beat again. I owe you so much, but I can give you only so little. I can give you only my love – my undying, eternal love, and my heart that is already yours. I can give you only my lying lips, and the one promise I would never lie about. I can give you, only my vow, that I will never love another, and that the only one for me is you. I can, and will, and am promising you myself, for now and the eternity, for however long you want me. And I might be selfish, and you may refuse, but can I ask of you, just one thing?"
"W-what?"
"… Can you, promise yourself to me, as well?"
…
Months later, as their unofficial vow became official, Jellal took Erza to a jewelry store as he said he would, and let her choose any of the rings in display. She, after not even five minutes, picked one out and didn't want to look at any other. She exited the store with a thin, silver ring which held an elegant little cerulean stone. She kept her old ring as well, though. It held many sweet memories and she refused to let it go, no matter how plain and ordinary it was.
And she didn't need any diamonds after all.
P.S.: Could you please leave a review? Just a word or two, to let me know whether you liked the story or not. It would mean a lot, and I hope I'm not being too greedy... :)