I was writing this so late in the night. Forgive any errors. I will fix them…soon.

Their eyes clashed against each other, unrelenting, waiting for the other to finish their piece so they could move in for a counter. Which one will succumb to the other one's demand? "I just need you to sign the paper, Your Majesty." Knightwalker's acidic tone stung him. Her use of his title was frigid and he shivered as if they were standing in a middle of a blizzard without any form of protection from the blade like winds and harsh snow. "And as I explained to you, Captain Knightwalker, I cannot sign your document in good faith." He emphasized her name.

She growled, an animalistic sound that both frightened and aroused him. "Why not? I have stated and described the project at hand. Clearly, I have given you enough. What more could you possibly need?"

The king shook his head. "Captain, the title of your project is and I quote, 'The Human Catapult.'" Knightwalker threw him a look that said "What's wrong with that?"

He sighed at her obliviousness."I gave you the benefit of the doubt and deliberately read through each and every lines, believing it will contain some semblance of sanity and cohesion. As a whole, I understood every sentence and every paragraph so I will give you a point in cohesion. However, your proposal is completely insane!" He flipped through ten pages of her essay and then threw it at her lap, dismissing it completely. She gestured for him to elaborate with her hand.

"You would sacrifice people to supply your contraption?"

"I do not see the problem." She uttered woodenly.

"You want to lob living, breathing humans from a catapult!" Jellal exclaimed.

"So I'll kill them. Problem solved." She suggested, which earned her a murderous glare she quite enjoy on him.

This was not the first time his redheaded captain had requested an appeal for a project of this magnitude. All her projects had interesting names like, "The Neck Twisting Apparatus;" "Face dissolver;" and how could he forget "The Human Meat Shield." Could you imagine what those entailed? Let's not overlook the fact of just how serious she was about each and every line in her essays. They were formal, with a beginning, middle and end, with side-notes, bullet points, blueprints, and highlighted words and sentences. The most baffling part was that this wasn't some kind of serpentine prank to throw him off his game. She was deadly sincere about all this. As smart and reasonable of a woman she was, from time to time, Jellal was reminded that his dear captain had a bit of loose screws here and there.

Judging from the concerned crease on his forehead, Erza had a feeling her proposal will be rejected once again. "So, no, Jellal?"

"I need not repeat myself." He spoke harshly, not breaking character. Another small booklet was placed on his desk. On the cover page, "Firestarter" was written down. Taking notice of the displeasure in his gaze, she urged him to reconsider. "I worked hard on it, King." 1In a curtly manner, he walked towards her seat and slammed the palms of his hand against the back of her chair, sending Erza tumbling down on the floor. "Get out, wench. Your face is bothering me."

Knightwalker seemed rather touched by his uncharacteristic display of temper. "Fair enough, Your Majesty." She dusted off her clothes like nothing happened and left the booklets on his desk, announcing that she'll leave them there; in the off chance he'll change his decision later on. Knightwalker shifted her dark eyes to the woman who remained quiet throughout their heated performance. "And congratulations, Ultear, for replacing Byro." Ultear nervously laughed "Thank you, Captain Knightwalker?"

"Excuse me but I must attend to my duties." The tone she relayed to the newly appointed Chief of Staff changed to solemnness. After the redhead exited the office, Jellal nonchalantly returned to his chair and began reviewing the document Erza left for him. Ultear moved her mouth for a question but she couldn't locate her tongue. Confusion was setting in until finally, curiosity bested her. "What was that?"

Jellal raised his voiced. "What was what?" An apology automatically came out of him when he saw his friend flinch. "I'm sorry, Ultear. This is all Erza's fault. I'm sucked into this role a bit too much." A mirthful dimple replaced the frown on his face. "We're doing this role-playing game where each of us give the other a different personality than the one we have right now. We have this week trial run to test the waters." He slid open his desk drawer and showed Ultear a binder full of notes about the direction he should take his character on. "I believe I'm doing well but I also do not wish to mistreat Erza like this anymore. I feel so…dirty." That was the least of his worries. "Jellal, should we be concerned that Captain Knightwalker seemed rather fond of this type of behavior from you." She quickly skimmed the contents of the binder and one name stuck out.

"Oh dear. She said that book was rubbish. That lying—" Ultear's eye bulged out when she was reading some of the example lines she created for the king to say. "I cannot picture her reading this kind of…oh wait." Memories of an interaction with the Captain a couple weeks ago came into mind. "She did mention it was rubbish and how badly written the story and characters were. That was the clue."

He interrupted her when he inquired about the novel she was talking about. "Oh well, it's…" She cleared her throat. "It's a novel…" She paused. "…of a sort. I can't believe there's a table of contents here." She muttered to herself. "What she wrote here is a meticulous analysis of the main character, Magnus Coine. He is despicable, arrogant, self-centered and he treats people like objects. I mean poor Sheila." To cover her bases, she explained that Sheila is the love interest of Coine, to which, mind you, Jellal never asked for. "What happened to them in the third book is just complete and utter madness." She gasped. "Wait, if you two are role-playing, have her play as the cute, bubbly Sheila. Quite the contrast from Knightwalker, I would say. The Captain would hate it but she would have to adhere to rules of the game, no? If she agrees, I want to watch you two." Replaying that in her head, Ultear realized that sounded weird.

He suddenly stopped her. "Ultear?"

"Hmmm?"

"You are so passionate about this book." Her head rolled back in laughter. "No, it's absolutely stupid. The Captain is right. It's rubbish but it's a fun distraction." Jellal thought about it. Not about the book but its characters. He would love to see a cheerful Erza but all he could picture was her laughing in a monotone fashion while rolling her eyes indignantly. Then, his mind began to wander. Why would she have him act like this Magnus person? Why not a doctor so he could give her a thorough check-up or a masseuse? This role-playing idea of his was backfiring.

Negative thoughts began to swim in his head. "Wait…is she bored of me? Is that why she has me portraying this Magnus creep instead of normal role like a dentist so I can carry out a routine check-up of her mouth." His friend was flabbergasted. "I said the last part out loud, didn't I?" She hissed. "Yes, you did. Jellal, you're over thinking this. She wouldn't be bored of you. You know her more than anyone here but if you're really keen on finding out, just discuss this with her."

He nodded his head. "That is sage advice. You should be our counselor instead of Laxus." She declined and added that the castle's only royal counselor was doing a fine job, albeit a grimace did reveal itself by the end of her sentence.

"Your Majesty?" An abrupt knock thumped against the door frame of Jellal's office. When it opened, Sugar Boy was on the other side, wearing the most placid face the King had ever seen.

"Your Majesty, did you approve of Erza's Human Catapult project?"

"No, Sugar Boy. Why?"

Sugar Boy provided a succinct reply. "Hmmmm…no reason."

Anxious, olive eyes stared at the blonde captain. "Sugar Boy, Erza is in the courtyard preparing the catapult, isn't she?" There was a quiver in the king's voice. Sugar Boy crossed his hands, looking unperturbed as always. "Your words, Your Majesty. I told you nothing."

A realization struck him." Is that how it is?" Gritting his teeth, Jellal rushed out the room.

As if nothing happened, Sugar Boy patted Ultear on the shoulder and welcomed her to the team. "Hmmm, congratulations, Lady Ultear. Byro would be proud to have you as his successor if he were still with us. May he rest in peace." Dumbfounded, Ultear needed to correct him for her own sake. "Captain Sugar Boy, Lord Byro didn't die. He retired." Shock stained the tall Captain's visage.

"Oh dear. I've been telling everybody he died." Finding nothing to say to him, Ultear took his arm and urged him to follow after the King. "We should go as well, Captain Sugar Boy, before a war ignites."

Over by the courtyard, a gathering of soldiers circled around the gigantic mechanism capable of toppling over walls like it was made out of paper. The catapult hadn't been in used in years but with some engineering ingenuity, Captain Knightwalker and her men managed to repair it. "This is going to be amazing, Captain E!" Hughes, propped up inside the bucket of the catapult, readied himself to be launched. "Sure, Hughes. Ready it up, boys."

"Captain Knightwalker!" A deafening shout that formed her name was the only command needed to cease all forms action. The soldiers knew whose voice that belonged to. She clicked her tongue. The king caught on earlier than she would hope. Still, this was a success in her opinion.

From up top his perch, Hughes whined and glared at Sugar Boy. "You're a tattletale, Sugar Boy!"

Jellal glanced up and ordered Hughes to get down. "Knightwalker, in my office…Now! You are suspended until further notice." The tone of the young monarch was deep and humorless. Erza eerily smiled and accepted the terms. "Hughes, I will speak to you later." Most of the troops backed away when their unusually outraged King switched his attention to them. "I want this thing out of my sight by the time I return here. All of those who are involved in Knightwalker's little misadventure will be reprimanded. I want everyone here to report in the mess hall at nineteen hundred hours. Is that clear?"

A symphony of "Yes, sir!" filled the serene courtyard.

"Knightwalker, why are you still here? I said go to my office!" Raising his voice at Erza only caused her smile to broaden. "At once, sir."

The door slammed shut. Jellal pointed at the chair in front of his desk, motioning for her to have a seat. When she remained upright, he repeated himself. "Sit. Down." His voice was laced with a menacing edge, which only further stirred the elation brewing within her. He sat across from her, wearing a glare that was specifically for the Royal captain of Edolas. "Captain Knightwalker…" He said with a harsh growl.

"So how was I?" The tone surrounding his voice altered to the genial manner he typically spoke with. A small smile visited her thin lips. "Your performance was stimulating." Incredulity appeared on his face. "I find it incredibly odd that my yelling elicits…excitement from you. I gave you a fake suspension. You still want that?"

"I should be punished for my insubordination. You can also lock me up in the dungeons." She suggested.

"Okay, first of all, I trust you Erza so I knew you weren't planning on firing that catapult. You told Sugar Boy and he indirectly warned me. Besides, that launch would certainly kill Hughes."

She emitted a low hum.

"Right, Captain?"

She rolled her eyes. "Right. Killing Hughes. Off the table."

"Second of all, can we discuss how incorrectly you're going on about this?" Knightwalker crossed her arms and threw him a defiant look. "This role-playing shenanigans was your idea, Your Majesty."

It took him a few seconds to reply. "Yes, I know but the persona you gave me is all wrong. I should start this week and present you an example of a proper role-playing persona."

An insulted expression marred her facade. "I won fair and square, King."

"I deserve a rematch, Captain." The two flexed their hands, like duelists preparing to brandish their weapons. Their hands zoomed towards each other, with their fists slamming hastily on the palm of their hands.

"Dammit…" The Edolas King cried out in defeat. Knightwalker smirked. "Rock beats scissors. You will continue with the Magnus persona. I gave you an opportunity today and you were splendid. See to it that you catch me unaware next time." Motionlessly, his shoulders drooped down. "But why do you have me playing as an ireful monarch with a strange fascination with fire and animal tranquilizer. His favorite word is wench according to your notes. I am not too eager in using that distasteful term to address you." Briefly averting his gaze, she coughed and vaguely explained her reason. "Why not? You, Jellal, should force your authority more often. Get mad. Engross yourself in your role. It's invigorating."

For me or for you? Were the thoughts swimming in his mind? "Plus, I do not want our fair king to be emotionally stunted."

"Ah now it all makes sense. You do care." Jellal placed his hand on top of hers.

"Jellal, we can conclude this game of ours. I have no desire to role-play in the first place but you seem genuinely drawn to it so I thought I should humor you. I mean, I like you just the way—" She trailed on, choking on her saliva.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't hear you very well, Erza."

"I lik…" She mumbled the rest. "I'm sorry, what?" She immediately donned her customary scowl. He beamed at her admission. "No, Erza. We should continue. That's why this week trial period exists." His mood started to pick up. "I have a perfect character for you. You know Sheila, from that book you're reading."

Steeling herself, Knightwalker took a deep breath and fidgeted in her seat. "Have you been following me?" It was a rare occurrence for Erza to show her vulnerable side but there it was. "I can't read. I only read picture books. Whoever told you, otherwise, is a goddamn liar!" The hostility in her voice would've shaken a typical person but not the king.

"So defensive. Hey, I did your Magnus. I need to see Bubbly Erza. Please?" If looks could kill, Jellal would be dead thrice over. "You did play a passable Magnus. It was a nice touch up when you pushed me off the chair earlier. You truly studied my notes." She sighed, reluctantly conceding to his demands. "I wasn't worried about what role you would hand out to me because I thought you'd just have me play something normal, like a nurse or a masseuse." He snapped his fingers. "I was going for that but Ultear had a better idea." Knightwalker will break every bone in that woman's body.

Groaning out loud, Erza slammed her head against table. He did play Magnus decent enough. "Just for a day? Starting…now!"

"No tomorrow."

"Starting tomorrow, then." He hugged her.

Then, he pulled away and whispered in her ear. "I want you to report to my chambers, two hours from now." He raised his volume. "If you're late, I will not be responsible for my actions."

"Should I bring snacks?" Jellal broke his Magnus character when he answered with a "Yes, please."

"Bring those books too." He added.

"What books?" She gulped. She had hoped he wouldn't bring it up again. "Your books. Erza, we have some studying to do."

...

Lol a couple of people were mentioning that the last chapter was funny and I'm glad some people understand the humor I apply in this story.

Oh btw, this is just something I've been curious about. How are you guys finding this fic? Is it through the filters because for me, that's the only way I can see my story be on the first page? It's not like I post Everyday Lives anywhere else. This is a niche couple since they're technically a crack couple (well imo anyways.) considering they have never been established in the canon. But there is dat Jerza (which is why some people like Mystwalker?) Speaking of them, I'm really curious about their development. Mashima has been subtly teasing about them since in recent chapters, it seems Erza was hanging with Jellal and his club after all during the one year skip."

Anyways, it's not really that important but it's something I've been meaning to ask. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I'll have another one up in…ummm…I don't want to lie. I don't know but know I haven't forgotten this story. Have a nice day!