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15 ; butterflies
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Erza's too caught up in conversation with Lucy when it happens, not paying attention to where she's going. It's been too long since she last saw her, and they have a whole holiday to catch up on, a whole high school career to talk about beginning. It's usually fine to open doors without looking at them so that's exactly what she does, not giving it the slightest thought—
Except someone on the other side pulls it open just as she leans into it, leaving her falling back into nothing with a high yelp.
"Whoops—" Steady arms catch her, more contact than she's used to with anyone, and when she looks up with wide eyes she burns up on the spot.
Jellal is grinning down at her, looking far too pleased for someone who had to catch her out of the blue just now.
Before she can do anything, stomach leaping, insides fluttering, flustered beyond rationality, he rights her with a laughed, "Watch your step," and then he's walking away without a glance back, resuming conversation with his friend easily, smoothly.
Erza has to gulp a few times before the nervous laughter bubbles out in a rush. Lucy, on the other hand, looks torn between full-blown laughter and incredulity.
When Erza risks another glance at his retreating back, his broad back because he's grown so much since she last saw him a few months ago, she freezes to her place because— because there he is, looking back at her, smile still faint on his lips.
"Looks like someone had a worthwhile holiday," Lucy laughs to Erza, a little smirk curling her lips. "Do you think he spent the whole vacation working out, or just most of it?
Erza wants to slap her best friend on the arm. Or, worse, so much worse, giggle along. Because yes, she can affirm: his arms were... noticeably strong. His biceps were curved with muscle she wouldn't have expected him to have, ready and capable.
She lets out a disgruntled groan, burying her flushed face in her hands as Lucy just giggles again and leads her further down the corridor.