Happy New Year! I apologize for those who got a double notification...I posted the wrong thing lol. I need sleep
Italics = what the characters are thinking
…
"Cap…tain." Ultear panted. "Do you not listen? I called out for you several times and not once did you acknowledge me." Knightwalker looked at the other woman through her periphery and mocked an apology. "You walk so damn fast." Ultear cleared her throat and smoothed out her wrinkled top.
"Speak then, if you have something to say." Knightwalker's aloof personality somehow confounded Ultear. The female Captain always distances herself from Ultear and it puzzled the raven-haired woman. What has she done to deserve such treatment? It is time to break the ice.
"Are you busy?"
"Yes."
"Good!" Ultear clapped her hands cheerily and linked her arm with the Captain's. "Let's go shopping!"
…
Knightwalker thought the rigorous training session she established for the recruits were tough. Going from vendor to vendor with Ultear exhausted her mental state but she would be lying if she did not admit it was an entertaining afternoon. The amount of skill and patience to haggle with shopkeepers that Ultear exhibited impressed the Captain quite a bit. The redhead woman would have merely walked away or better yet; she would have not placed herself in that kind of situation. Haggling equals patience, an attribute she doesn't have.
They strolled through a park and Ultear pointed out an unoccupied bench nearby. "I need a breather. We gathered quite a haul here." They plopped down on the bench.
"We should've brought Captain Hughes or Sugar Boy to carry our bags." Knightwalker corrected her. "You mean yours." The redhead suddenly smirked. "Perhaps Jellal should have came. To use our king as a mule to carry the bags would have been a sight to behold." Ultear giggled at the image and then an idea struck her. "Or perhaps we could have made him try on a dress. I could see him in a nice fuchsia gown." Knightwalker chortled at her suggestion. "We could also find him a matching purse while we're at it." The women continued their mirthful conversation, at the expense of the King.
"Thank you, Captain. This excursion of ours was simply delightful! It was like a girl's day out, wouldn't you agree? Shame Meldy isn't here. She's hiding something from me. It's probably a boy." Erza threw her a small smile. "Perhaps so." Girl's day out, huh. I suppose it's quite rare for me to spend any time with another female. Ultear lightheartedly nudge the captain's arm. "Since you spent the whole day doing what I like to do, let us embark on an activity that you like to do in your spare time."
Erza scooted away from the dark haired woman when she grabbed the redhead's arm. "So what's your favorite past time?" Ultear asked. The grip tightened. She thought about it for a second before replying. "I like to hit things." The captain uttered in a deadpan tone, hoping the other woman would be dissuaded but unfortunately, she become more and more persistent as Erza pushed her more away.
"Oh my. That's no way for the future queen of this kingdom should behave. Think of a more peaceful activity. You know, something that requires less blood, and more passive interactions. How about sewing? That way we could initiate that friendly, womanly bond we need more of." Ultear's words filtered out towards the ends because Knightwalker latched on to the woman's first sentence. Did she hear correctly?
"Reiterate please. What you just said."
"That way we could initiate that friendly, womanly-" Before she could finish, the redhead interrupted her.
"No, before that."
"How about sewing?"
"No."
"Something that requires less blood-" The captain impatiently gritted her teeth and pointed her index at Ultear. "Your first sentence." Ultear recalled the beginning and she tried to avert her gaze from Knightwalker as she released Erza's arm but in reflex, the captain grappled onto the other woman's arm to prevent her from escaping.
"Oh the future queen bit?" Erza nodded. "Oh yes, Jellal constantly speaks about you and one topic he seems to always venture on is your future with him. " Her tone sounded casual, as if she was discussing the weather or what she will have for dinner. "It is rather adorable and—" Knightwalker's brow furrowed deeper as the voice of Ultear fades into an incoherent noise in the background. She looked at the ground below and concentrated at the passing centipede that crawled its way on the tip of her boot. Has she thought about it? She has thought about him but not their future. In fact, it never crossed her mind. She would rather just see where the chips would fall than think about what will happen next. Erza's mouth formed a small "o".
"He once quipped that if he didn't speak to anyone about his overwhelming feelings towards you, he would literally combust. To…" Ultear trails on as she realized that Erza wasn't listening to her anymore.
"Captain, are you there?" She didn't reply and dark haired woman assumed that she had stopped listening but then Erza began talking.
"You know…" Knightwalker spoke in a hushed manner. "Before I met him, I found most men dull and boring. Most held a notion that I was something to be tamed, to be dominated. Of course, I proved them wrong and I stopped caring for them. For all of them." She took a deep breath. "But him." Erza paused. "He made me feel these blasted emotions that I never wanted to feel. I—" A conflicted expression lingered on her face before it was completely wiped a way. "To me, he is the one. To me, he eclipse and predominates the whole of his gender." Ultear glance at the quiet captain through her periphery and smiled. She said nothing to her and merely tapped her on the shoulder.
"Do not discuss anything to him about what was said today." She received an understanding look from Ultear. "What did you say?" At last, a full smile swept Erza's lips. "Now let us head back, Captain. I am famished and I would like to return to the castle since night is approaching us."
Motioning to help Ultear with her bags, the Captain rose up from her seat and carried some of the heaviest bags. "Oh thank you, Erza. Now let us be off."
…
Later in the evening…
The light pounding on the door woke Jellal up from his stupor. Abruptly, he lifted his head from the surface of the mahogany desk and the paper he was evaluating before he dozed off stuck on his cheek. "Your Majesty?" The muffled voice of Captain Knightwalker came from the other side, but it took a minute before her voice finally registered. He smacked his lips lazily and opened the door for her. Right off the bat, she looked at him apprehensively. "Paper. Face." He immediately ripped the adhesive like paper from his cheek, and was little embarrassed that she had caught that. "Is that part of the reviewing process, your Majesty?" The King cleared his throat. "Yes. It is a meticulous process, I assure you Captain."
He looked at the tray she was carefully balancing in her hands. "Erza, I do not think I can finish two plates. Unless…" Knightwalker hurriedly ushered him forward and instructed him to close the door. Shooting the King with her infamous glare, he quickly cleared his desk so she could settle the tray down. "You weren't present during dinner again…His Majesty doesn't eat at proper intervals but I'll scold you at another time." He unwrapped the utensils from the cloth napkin. "Since I haven't eaten…and well you haven't…" His smile grew wider "…just shut up, King." She explained, stuttering slightly at the end. The sound of his musical laugh chimed in her ears. "Mock me will you? Fine. I will take my leav—" His hand stopped her. "Now, now Captain. Do not be so sensitive." Jellal placed an unoccupied chair beside his own. The King gaily patted the cushioned seat, signaling for her to sit her down. His mirthful grin never left his face. He was beaming with joy.
They took their seats beside each other. His chestnut eyes loitered on her face as she forked a slice of meat on her plate. Innocently, she sniffed it twice before placing it her mouth. Why is she distrustful of a chicken? She did this several times, chewing a sliver slowly at first, and then finally gradually coming into terms with the taste. She gave a nodding approval and he found it, dare he say it, cute. From her peripheral, she noticed he had been staring and cast her signature glare his way. She asked, "Why are you not eating?" He answered with a brilliant smile. "Pay me no mind." Returning to his plate, he sliced the soft part of the meat when all of a sudden, an idea flickered in his mind. He stabbed a chunk of it and offered it to her.
She looked at him. Jellal pointed to her mouth, gesturing her to open it. "Captain, you are supposed to eat it from my fork and not just gawk at it. Go on." After a minute or so of coaxing, she finally complied. "Good. Now your turn." He opened his mouth, gesturing for her to feed him in the same manner as he did to her.
Erza stared at him blankly. "Jellal." Thoughts about what she had said to Ultear streamed in her mind like an endless waterfall. I love you.
"Yes?" He waited for her speak but she remained silent. She stabbed the chicken with her fork and placed it in front of his mouth. He gaped at the piece of meat. "Don't gawk at it, eat it." Jellal chuckled to himself. He didn't think she would do it but then again, she has never failed to surprise him.
"Did you want to say something, Erza?"
"Nothing yet."
…
Happy New Year! Happy happy new year! To those who have been following this fic from the beginning, thank you for sticking with me and if you're just joining us now, thank you for taking the time reading and I hope you are enjoying this story of mine :D
I'll see you cool people later :D
