Disclaimer: All characters mentioned below belong to Hiro Mashima but I am sure everybody knew that already.

"This is just a shame, isn't Captain." The King smiled, sarcasm clear in his voice. They had returned from the dinner the inn had provided. He shut the door and sat by the edge of the bed. She glared at him. "Yes, a shame." During the middle of the day, signs of storms cloud loomed over the horizon. A bad sign to say the least, the island locals were warned to prepare for the worst and to stay indoors until further notice. By the evening, the ill-fated tempest had brewed in, with no indications of ever stopping. Basically, everyone, including the King and the Captain that were only here for the conference were now stranded until the storm passe by. "I suspect that this was the reason for the delays yesterday." Carefree as one can be, Jellal stretched his aching joints, paying no mind to the sullen atmosphere around his Captain. "Loosen up, Captain. Mother Nature is unpredictable, and we are safer in here." Knightwalker knew that, but that wasn't her problem. No, her dilemma was, now that they were stuck in here for another night, she had to spend one more agonizing night with him...alone. There was this familiar tension in the air and it was smothering her.

"Captain, I apologize that your privacy is somewhat lax throughout this ordeal, but if you would like, perhaps—" She waved her hand, brushing him off. "It doesn't matter. I'm only the King's guard aren't I?" Her reasoning troubled him. She wasn't just his guard. You are more than that. His mouth dried up. Why couldn't he say it? He'd been forward with her, with those times that he initiated their kisses, but there was a difference between the emotion of love and physical attraction. He feared that she only felt the latter. This fear…this dread, aroused his uncertainty.

She might've just been responding to the moment or to her body's innate need for copulation. Was he afraid to learn how she felt for him? He was...afraid? "Captain, you…where are you going?" A towel, and some articles of clothing hung on her arm. She is going to take a bath? Now? Their accommodations came with a bathroom, full equipped for bathing, and she wanted to take advantage of it, like she did last night. "What? You can take one after me."

She reached for the knob of the bathroom, but a hand gently curled around her elbow. "Shall I join you?" He teased. Heat radiated from his body, and all she wanted to do was to lean into that warmth, but despite her body's wishes, there was a nagging voice that told her fraternizing with the King of the kingdom she served under was improper. In fact, this whole intimacy that has been going on between them was improper. "Your Majesty…" She elbowed his stomach with a free arm, and he coughed painfully from the sudden impact.

The door slammed on his face. The King placed his head on the door, bitterly laughing at himself. It hit him. His dream. It represented his inner turmoil streaming inside and the only one that could placate his storm was the woman on the other side of this door. Since she will not act on her feelings, I will just have to.

From the other side, she leaned her back against the door frame and closed her eyes. She forced back the whirlwind of emotions from invading her being any further. This is nothing. It will wane. She couldn't let anything else happen between. Nothing else. She took a deep breath. Nothing else. Knightwalker took another deep breath.

Her will might not be as strong as she would like it to be.

The windows were close and curtained off, but the deafening roar of the storm permeated through the walls. A storm outside and a storm inside? Just perfect. Knightwalker had finished her bath and now she rested on the makeshift bed she had created with several blankets on the floor. She stared at the ceiling and wondered what was taking him so long in the bath. Then, all of the sudden, the off-key singing of the King penetrated her ears. She buried her face on a pillow. "Must he do that?" After a few more minutes, his terrible trilling ended.

"Are you asleep, Captain?" She sprung up to her feet, ready to yell at him that nobody in their right mind could sleep from his dying screeching, however, his appearance made her swallow her tongue. "You should take the bed tonight." Knightwalker's eyes raked over his muscled body. The only thing hiding his "assets" was a thin, yellow towel. Her reaction pleased his ego. A sly grin traced his lips.

The bath was truly cleansing since during it, after an internal argument or so, all voted that whether its lust or love, he'll take whatever he can from her...for now. Sooner or later, she'll have to fall for him, so there was no room for his doubt and fear to overcome his mind, otherwise, he would fail to win her over. He couldn't have that since this woman was already chosen to be his Queen.

No one else.

"Captain." Jellal casually shrugged his shoulders. "I seem to have misplaced my clothes. Assist me in my troubles, please." A pillow smacked his head. "They're in your bag! Get them yourself!" His towel slipped, but she maintained her focus on his face.

"You dropped something." This man…he will be the death of me.

"Did I? Can you get it for me?" She smiled mockingly at him. "I can't seem to bend down." The Captain walked towards the playful monarch, never breaking eye contact with his taunting brown eyes. Once close enough, she placed a hand on his bare shoulder and balanced herself while her feet reached for his towel. "There you are." They were locked in a heated staring match. "Captain, you waiting for something?" He was throwing one of his mocking smiles at her way. "Put some clothes on." Oh no. Keep your eyes forward. Do not look down. She added, "At least the towel." Eventually, the poor towel was wrapped around his waist again.

"Anything else, Captain?"

"No, King. Nothing else." Maintain your bearings, Knightwalker. "Good night, King. Don't sleep with your hair wet." That's right, good night. Idiot King. "I won't." He pulled her in his arms. He cupped her cheek. "You will help with that." Their lips connected. Instantly, without even thinking, she buried her hands in his soft azure locks, drawing him closer.

Looks like he didn't need the towel after all.

...

Does anybody watch Persona 4 animation? If not, check out episode 15, around the middle of the episode. The main character, Yu Narukami, whose voice actor is the same as the VA(Daisuke Namikawa) for Mystogan/Jellal, said something along the lines of "The King's order is...sit on my lap." I laughed. It made me think of Mystogan! lol

Drop a review when you have the time. Thanks and have a nice day.