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Poetry In Motion
the final downpour of metaphors

Chapter Sixteen: Until We Meet Again

"So you're finally moving out? That's great!" Lucy grabbed Erza's fingers and almost got away with painting her nails with an absurd shade of pink. The redhead pulled away and sank deeper into her friend's soft bed. Moving out and getting a unit in the girl's section was great. Really. That had been her plan in the first place, but the way she had been sulking and sighing all day told the blonde that either she's not too delighted about the transfer or something else was bothering her.

"You don't look thrilled about it." she commented, gazing down to her fingers and then to the woman who just groaned and tossed around her comfort zone.

"I'm not." came her honest reply. Lucy fumbled for the nail polish after hearing a straightforward answer directly from her.

"Wow. The last time we hang out, you were describing your roommate as repulsive. Now you wanna stay with him?" It's true. Erza had openly stated before how she hated Jellal and his ridiculous antics; but that was before she got the chance to know and understand his situation. Now, more than ever, she just wanted to be close to him. This might come off as a surprise to the blonde and she's clearly mistaken if she thinks that the reason Erza wants to stay was because of pure attraction. Though that's a measly part of the equation, the main reason Erza wanted to stay was because she still felt responsible. Just because they've finally gotten Zero out of the picture doesn't mean he won't be back. It was just temporary to buy them sometime to figure out a way to rid of him for good and she's afraid that—that without her by his side, he might end up in another unpleasant situation.

But that's not the only thing that made Erza feel uneasy. It's the fact that she can't do anything about her situation to stay because doing so would probably get her kicked out of the dorm.

"A lot has happened, and...yeah a lot just happened." she finished her lame explanation with a defeated sigh.

"Well, what are you gonna do about it?" Another sigh left the redhead's lips. Lucy was right on the money with her question. Truth be told, she still doesn't know what to do. Erza had already asked Mira for permission if she could just remain in the boy's dorm by using an alibi such as she's already gotten used to it there and that it would be inconvenient moving out during the course of a busy semester. Mira of course, with her angelic features replied with a rather demonic statement.

"I've been given a full week to move out. If I refuse to within that time period, I'm out for good."

Lucy just nodded in sympathy, totally understanding her dilemma. After all, this was almost the same predicament she had back then when she compromised with her father to live alone in a dorm without the luxury of her family's life.

"Do you need help moving out your stuff?" she offered to which Erza had politely refused.

The blonde peered through thick lashes as if another concern crossed her mind.

"Does Jellal know?"

Erza looked at her with a fixed gaze.

"No."

Jellal was done with his classes for the day. He was especially feeling light and giddy right after issuing the temporary restraining order against his stepfather. Now a heavy weight had been lifted from his shoulders and it was all obviously thanks to Erza. Jellal figured he hadn't had the chance to repay her so he thought maybe, he could at least buy her lunch.

Yeah he could do that.

He figured Erza might like Chinese food so he settled with buying noodles and pot stickers while he had a sudden craving for hamburger and fries. He went straight back to their unit and opened the door with an urgency only to find the redhead bustling in and out of her room with hands full of books. He didn't need to be told as his gentleman senses kicked in automatically. He placed the food on top of the table and went on his way to assist her.

"You're gonna study all those in one go?" he teased, but when he saw her ignoring him to get more books out, he tried once more. "Well, since you've been working hard, you might as well eat first. Did you take your lunch?"

Erza stopped whatever it was she was doing and bit her lip. Was this the right time to tell him?

"Not yet." she hooked one hand around her other arm. The nervousness was setting in, getting the best of her because she doesn't know what his reaction was going to be. Will he be sad? Devastated? Ecstatic that she's finally out of his life?

"Erza?"

"Oh, I'm sorry what was that?" she apologized for getting sidetracked and took a seat opposite him at the table.

"I said, I hope you like Chinese food." he smiled warmly, offering the redhead her share. "It's on me no worries. Think of it as a thank you for...everything." And then he looked at her with those olive eyes that made her heart beat erratically. He was making it harder than usual to break the news out to him but she had to tell him now.

Come on Scarlet! The sooner the better!

"Jellal I..."

"Hmm?"

"I...hate Chinese food." she croaked out. The ultramarine gave her a look of confusion before clearing his throat and offering his food.

"Oh, sorry about that. I just assumed that...you know, you can have mine instead." he swapped their meals and Erza shook her head.

"Jellal I'm moving out."

There she finally said it.

The tattooed man dropped the chopsticks to the floor and he immediately picked it up. He looked at her with a sudden transition in emotions. First was shock, then confusion then horror.

"What? D-Did I do something wrong? Was it—"

Erza vigorously shook her head to disagree and continued on from where she left.

"No! It's not you. It's just that there's a vacancy in the girl's dormitory and transfers had already been made." she explained.

Silence lingered for quite some time and neither of them touched their food.

"Oh. So, when you were taking out your books...that was...oh. How much time were you given to transfer?" he asked. Erza's gaze remained glued to the side, the ground and anywhere where her line of sight didn't meet his. She was afraid of finding out the expression he was making.

"I was given a week. But I figured I start now so I wouldn't bother you for the rest of the days to come."

"Do you need help?" he asked again.

"Oh, I don't—" when she spoke up, she accidentally looked him in the eye and changed her mind. "Um, okay. If it's not much of a bother."

"You're not a bother." he told her firmly. "So, should I start bringing your things back to your room?"

She raised a brow at this. Erza needed help moving her things out not back in to her room.

"I don't intend to help you until the final day of the week, so just stay put for now." he looked at her with conviction boring into those eyes. "I want you to stay. For as long as time permits it."

Erza let out a shaky breath that she didn't know she was holding and slowly nodded.

I want to stay too.

"This is the last one right?" Jellal wiped the sweat on his forehead with the back of his hand as he set the last of her belongings inside the redhead's new room and noticed Erza staring at him. He gave her that signature smirk of his before asking what was wrong. She immediately responded that nothing was and that she's just grateful that he was out here helping her.

"So, you're roommate's Mira's sister huh?" he casually brought up as he watched Erza tucking a strand of stray hair behind an ear. Erza gave a curt nod before addressing a problem that may arise.

"You should probably go." She didn't want him to go actually. In fact, she wanted him to stay, but Jellal being close to her only made the redhead feel utterly disappointed that this would probably the last time she's gonna see him.

"I'll go visit everyday." he promised her, his voice softly making its way through her ears. And she heard it. Heard him.

"Will you?" she sounded hopeful.

"Only if you want me to, of course." he needed her to say it. To say that she wanted this just as much as him.

"I want you to."

And he got his answer. And he rewarded himself and the redhead with a crushing hug that momentarily robbed the time from inching another minute. He pulled back later and kissed her on the forehead, earning a soft and pleased sound from her.

"Then, I'll see you tomorrow, and the day after that, and the following days to come."

She kissed him on the cheek for good measure and voiced out her thoughts.

"And I'll be waiting."

To:

delicatebeginningrush: Thank you for your support!

Catndhat: Lol, I'm sorry no make out scene. But there will be some time later in the future chapters. Definitely!

Guest 08/15: I'm so sorry T - T

XxxJerza4everxxX: Here's another chapter! Thanks for looking forward to the updates and Erza had to leave at some point. Sorry 'bout that. :(

Vermillin Steps: Lol, next time, you'll get it right. I plan on updating Saving Grace next so do look forward to it! Thanks for your support!

amnaK96: Hope this was a fast update enough? LOL, thanks for the support! And you're right, the climax is nearing : though the story itself still has a loooong way to go and I hope you'll be patient enough to stay until the end. Aaaand sorry no steamy and sexual rendezvous for them :P

Erza: Thank you! :)

Kasumi Yukimura: T - T I'm sorry!

sarah scarletx: Nah, it's okay! Thanks for giving this a chance and I'll try my best to give a more exciting chapter next time so you can have something to look forward to.

Dg10: Here's a longer chapter (by a few words only) lol, sorry. Erza didn't want to but she had to. :( Thanks for the support!

And to everyone else following/fave/reading thank you!