*A/N- Quick question, is it acually considered Jerza if Erza is just in it? Because the last one wasn't very shipy, and neither was this one. Oh well. Whatever. Close enough.
Jellal sat up, panting, and looked around the dark room. Moonlight filtered in through a part in the curtains, filling the air with an ethereal, surreal quality. The air was chill on his sweat covered skin, and gooseflesh rose along his arms, though he could not, in all honesty, contribute this to the temperature. In every corner lurked a shadow, concealing from him, it seemed, a ghost, there to remind him exactly why he didn't deserve to be sitting up in the same bed where she was lying down, sleeping peacefully. There essence floated on the air, stealing his warmth with every breath he took.
There, in the corner, crouched Wally, glaring. In the corner reclined Miliana, her features a mask of betrayal. Sho sat beneath the window, light filtering through his translucent form, his tear stained face of hurt and disbelief possibly the worst of all. Jellal shook himself, reminding himself that these phantoms were merely after-images from his nightmare.
In the door stood Simon, his body so large is filled the entire frame. Simon was the only one looking not at him, but Erza. Jellal was unsurprised, he had always known of Simon's feelings for Erza. He was, surprised, however, when Simon strode across the room. None of his "ghosts" had ever moved before, only sat and bore into his soul with their eyes.
Crusher stirred, and growled, hackles raised, at the air where Simon was. Jellal marveled at her, could she see him too? Jellal had assumed that these phantoms were nothing more than figments of his imagination. The others, after all, were still alive. Crusher wouldn't be growling at the airm would she? Was it a possibility that Simon was really here, in spirit?
Simon paused and looked at the dog, smiling. Skull Crusher tilted her head, confused, and let out a small whimpering sound. Unconsciously, Jellal reached out and stroked her head reassuringly, his gaze remaining on Simon. Simon's eyes returned from Skull Crusher to Erza, and Jellal couldn't help but feel a little stung at being deliberately ignored, despite the irregularity of the situation.
A protest rose within him as Simon reached out towards Erza, but it died in his throat. Skull Crusher seemed to be experiencing a similar phenomenon, baring her teeth silently. He knew Simon would never in a million years hurt Erza, even as a lingering spirit. Simon took hold of the blankets around Erza's waist and tucked them around her shoulders. Jellal gasped slightly. This was real, this was happening. Simon had just manipulated the environment, which meant this wasn't a hallucination.
"Simon…" Jellal breathed, feeling a wealth of guilt and regret wash over him. Simon ignored him still, and Jellal couldn't blame him. Tenderly Simon reached out and brushed hair away from Erza's face. She sighed happily and snuggled deeper into the bed. Simon's face softened even more as he stood straight again, turning finally to face Jellal. Jellal had expected to see hatred and fury in his eyes, but was shocked when all that met him was forgiveness and love.
"Don't cry, Jellal," Simon said. Jellal blinked, and Simon was gone. Another gasp escaped him, and he glanced around himself to where all the others had been before. They were all gone as well. Jellal stared, open mouthed, at the place where Simon had disappeared. He hadn't even been aware he was crying.
What did this mean? The love and forgiveness in Simon's eyes, had it been real? Had the forgiveness been genuine, or something he had dreamed up to comfort himself? He looked down at Skull Crusher, who was now sniffing around where Simon had touched, searching for his scent. Jellal felt a long forgotten weight lift from his chest.
"Thank you, Simon."