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24 ; laugh with me
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"You can have half," he jokes, pulling the tray towards him. There's a bowl of thin, runny soup, and a glass of water.
"That's not funny."
"Well, maybe I'll keep it all to myself then if that's your attitude."
The smile peeks out in defiance of her intentions and Jellal takes it like a trophy, kissing her suddenly and with a forcefulness so unlike himself that it leaves her out of breath, heart a-flutter. Before she can reciprocate, even respond, he's pulled back. "It was a little funny," he murmurs against her lips.
(Why do we love what breaks us? Why do we need what we also need to lose? Oh, but Erza knows. She knows exactly why.)
She shakes her head, red hair brushing against his cheek, and takes a deep breath before re-adjusting the tape of his IV for the millionth time. "Drink your soup already."
(Of course she knows, but that doesn't make living with it any easier.)