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Poetry In Motion
the final downpour of metaphors

Chapter Fifteen: Back To Square One

A/N: I'm sorry for being such an ass. :(

Warning: Typos, grammar mistakes ahead. Forgive the mistakes T - T

Erza flopped down to her bed. It was a wonder how she could find herself lost in her own room for the first time that she had even forgotten to opt for a change of clothes. Her windows were open, which was a rare sight. Her homework was left untouched; another rare sight. But what she had found most surprising was, despite all those things begging for her attention, she didn't seem to care. She was satisfied with just breathing. Contemplating on what had happened on the stretch of the long night.

Jellal was orphaned by a madman.

The redhead didn't go and ask for the details. How could she? She wasn't expecting a big revelation such as that and certainly not during their date. But he did tell her and she felt...what was she supposed to feel? How was she supposed to react?

Well you could have said something! she chastised herself for remaining silent up until the ride was over. There was no dinner, no hot make out. Just the two of them heading quietly home, an invisible wall between them as they kept each other's distance. The walk back home was uncomfortable, but so was the time when they reached their unit. Jellal just went on directly to his room and shut the door with a silence so deafening. And here she was, locked in her own personal space which she had wanted so much when they first met. This was her goal after all—and not wanting a distraction was a prayer she kept reciting every night.

Now she had it.

A knock on her door temporarily pulled her back from her own mind and for a moment she felt as though her heart leapt from her throat. Erza scrambled to her feet and headed straight for the knob, turning it with reckless abandon. She had only just let a tiny slit of opening when a force pushed the door open. It wasn't intruding, in fact it was done so gently that she even had the time to move out of the way. A foot away from her, he stood there; his face was stern and a newly lit up fire was seen in those olive eyes. Erza was about to say something when he beat her to it.

"I'm issuing a TRO right after class tomorrow." he softly spoke as if he had thought about it for the millionth time. Erza merely stared at him, waiting for him to continue whatever else he was supposed to say. "I've thought about it for the past few weeks...And after tonight well, you're right. I can't just stand by and do nothing. At least for the kids. Could you...Maybe..." he struggled to find the right words to say as his gaze dropped to the floor along with his confidence. His eyes fighting their own battles and his fingers scratching onto the flesh of his nape.

"Nevermind..." he begrudgingly muttered, turning on his heel to go.

Erza grabbed him hand, preventing him from walking out of the door.

"No. Seriously, what is it?"

Jellal drew in a breath before finding the courage to speak up again. "Could you go with me? I mean you know about this a lot more than I do. The process and all since this is your field and I—" The redhead placed a finger on his lips to stop him from talking.

"Shush. Say no more." she felt an rush of giddiness forming in her, spreading thoroughly like wildfire and she was happy. Because for once, Jellal was depending on her. Erza hugged him out of the blue without expecting him to return it. She just did it to reassure herself and probably reward herself at the same time. Jellal on the other hand did hesitate for a fraction of a second before wrapping his arms around her. For once, he finally felt like doing the right thing as his embrace got tighter. Erza didn't mind; she sighed deeper into his arms.

The process hadn't been easy, but they managed to go through it. Once they've finished they headed out to the orphanage to inform Ultear of what had happened.

"I see," Jellal looked away when Ultear's gaze bore through him. He had expected the dark-haired woman to yell or slap at him for being late and for delaying things or probably just because he was stupid. But Ultear merely gave him a pat on the shoulder before resting her hand there. "You're finally moving forward."

Jellal gulped. I am, aren't I? Finally.

Ultear faced Erza next with an expression that screamed gratefulness.

"And thank you Erza." she smiled at her. The redhead simply raised both hands in a defensive manner.

"Oh, I've little to do with any of it." she humbly told her but the other woman wasn't buying it. Ultear shook her head before pointing out to Jellal who agreed with her.

"No. If anything, you did more than necessary. You saved him, me and the kids. But most of all, thanks for giving this guy a push. Literally or not." she grinned, with sincerity laced onto that small gesture.

"Well, I kind of did more than just push." Erza laughed as the mood got lighter.

"Oh?" Ultear's eyes lit up mischievously, darting from Erza to Jellal. "More than that huh? Was it the bed or the couch?"

Jellal sharply intervened, his face adoring a deep red as he motioned for Erza to go along with him.

"W-We're leaving now. We still have to study. For exams."

"What are you talking ab—"

"R-Right! So we'll see you next time, Ultear." he gave her a warm hug before adding, "Keep safe."

"You too."

They reached the lobby when somebody called out to them.

"Erza! Jellal!" Mirajane came rushing to them, a cheerful expression ever so present.

"Hey Mira, what's up?" the ultramarine greeted.

"Actually I have to talk to Erza. Can I borrow her for a minute?" she sheepishly asked.

Jellal and Erza gave each other a glance and it was the tattooed man who spoke on her behalf. "Sure. I'm going on ahead first. Later."

Once he left the redhead nervously looked at the white-haired lady. Clearly in the past, when Mira made her presence known it was either she got into trouble or she did something stupid like breaking the dorm's rules.

"Did...I do something now?" she asked and Mirajane shook her head.

"Far from it. I've good news. There's a vacant unit available in the girl's dorm, and guess what?" she beamed like it was the simplest thing to do as she delivered the message outright to her. "I've already taken care of your transfer. You're moving out!"

Erza was still processing the news; did she hear that right? She was moving out and in to the girl's dorm? That meant no more having to deal with gross guys from the hallways or their loud snoring whenever night falls. That also meant no Jellal.

She felt her lips go dry so she licked them for good measure, swallowing thickly to find the right words to say. Instead of a happy disposition from the revelation, her face was stoic and the only intelligible reply she could manage to think of, slipped from her mouth.

"Oh."

A/N: 100+ followers you spoil me guys! T - T Thank you so much for keeping up with me even if my updates are blergh.