I Can Wait Forever

Theme: Waiting

Pairings: Mystogan X Knightwalker, Jellal X Erza

Black boots crunched down into the deep white snow as Mystogan made his way back to Edolas. Two years had passed since war had broken out and it had been a month since they had eliminated the threat that was Devlin. However casualties and the losses suffered had been high. Although Edolas was intact, half of the royal army had been wiped out and those who remained struggled to return home behind him.

The snow was falling more heavily now, covering the world in white. They shuffled slowly between the pine trees, leaving heavy footprints in their wake. Mystogan looked on in despair. He had been on this journey for a month and it had been two whole years since he had last seen his home. He wasn't going to make it. He could feel it.

Looking up, he fell to his knees in exhaustion. His hand went to his left arm. It was broken, hanging limply. His shoulder was also dislocated and he gripped it tightly. Gritting his teeth, Mystogan wrenched it back into place with a large click. He let out a cry of pain and his laboured breathing attracted the attention of his right hand man.

Laxus looked far worse than Mystogan but he grinned and gave the blue haired man a thumbs up.

"Come on man, whatever it takes."

Mystogan was panting but his eyes grew serious at Laxus' words.

Yes, he was right.

She was waiting for him.

She was waiting for him at home.

Mystogan looked up at the blonde and smirked. "Whatever it takes."

It had been two years. Two years since she had last seen him.

She had heard no word from the border and time seemed to drag on forever. Her heart longed for him and the peaceful scene outside her window contrasted greatly with the turmoil within her.

Was he safe?

Would he return?

When would he return?

Erza gazed out of the window, watching the snow fall slowly. She placed a hand on the cold glass and wiped away the cold water droplets and a smile flickered across her face.

He would return soon. She had faith in him. And she would wait for him here.

She placed a hand on her heart.

Yes, she would wait for him.

She would wait for him forever.

Jellal looked up with hardened eyes. It had been two years since he was imprisoned by the Council. He jerked at the rusted chains on his arms but soon, he abandoned his struggle and slumped back down against the wall. He rested his head on his arms and ran his fingers through his blue hair.

It was infuriating that he had been imprisoned for Zeref and Ultear's actions but that was the price he had to pay for the power he had been granted.

For the hundredth time, his thoughts drifted back towards a certain red head. He wondered what she was doing at this moment. Was she thinking of him or had she moved on?

His heart sank as the brutal reality seemed to finally sink in. Of course she would have moved on. He had threatened her, betrayed her and even tried to sacrifice and kill her. He deserved all of her hatred, that much was certain. He had no right to even think about her.

Jellal balled up his fists tightly. But he couldn't move on. He couldn't stop thinking about her. He couldn't get her out of his mind. He could remember her smell and her warm touch. He could remember vividly every little detail about her.

The nights he had spent with Erza at the tower was burned into his mind. The corners of his mouth twitched upwards at the memories and he lowered his head.

She would not wait for him and he respected her decision. And over time, his eyesight faded with the lack of light in his cell but he would still remember her face and her name. And most importantly, he would remember how she made him feel.

Erza Scarlet sat at the guild bar and signaled at Mirajane for another beer. Sighing, she drained half of her glass and slammed it onto the table.

Two years and she was still thinking about Jellal. Even though he had fallen into darkness, Erza knew that he was a kind person deep down. He had led her group when they were slaves at the Tower of Paradise and looked out for them. He had defended her against the slave drivers and showed her courage when she needed it the most. Even though he had strayed from the path of light, Erza knew that her feelings for him still remained and probably would for the rest of her life.

She smiled bitterly. It was ironic that she would never be able to see him again either.

Then her eyes softened as she made up her mind. She could wait for him for years, for decades and still continue.

She would wait forever.