Request: Fear

One-Shot:

He couldn't comprehend, really, why he was so scared for the impending day of destruction.

He sat under the bridge where Erza and him had spoken days before, his mask set aside him and his chin resting on his palm, supported by his knee. Gazing out at the man-made river that ran through the city, his eyes fell on the reflection of the moon within the ripples, reflecting and dancing across the crystalline blue.

Memories of his conversation with the Lucy from the future flashed through his mind, sending new waves of panic and anger scorching white-hot through his veins. How the hell had that all happened once before?

How had he allowed her to get hurt?

Gritting his teeth, he stared down at his shaking hands, worst-case scenarios running through his mind before being replaced by visions of his Scarlet. Her smile, her smouldering eyes, and her laughter. God, he had it bad.

"Jellal?" His head snapped up, thrown off by the soft voice that bounced off the walls encasing him and keeping him out of sight. Right in front of him stood the redhead that haunted him day and night, gazing down at him with those amber-brown irises that drove him crazy.

"Erza," his voice was deep, filled with confusion and surprise, "what're you doing here?"

"I…" She looked away, but not before he caught the blush that spread across her cheeks, the light pink dusting across the porcelain white of her unblemished skin. Smiling to himself softly, he stood, walking close to her and standing extremely close. She turned back, startled by the proximity, but he had made up his mind; even if it was for one night, even if that was all he could have, he'd keep her safe.

Tugging her softly into his hold and somewhat ignoring the sound of surprise that lip her perfectly shaped lips, he wrapped his arms around her slight form, letting his cloak settle around her and shield her away from the world's prying eyes. For a second, she was stiff, but almost as suddenly as it came it was gone, leaving behind an Erza that was holding him just as he was holding her.

They simply stood that way for quite some time, before settling onto the cobble-stoned floor, not speaking and simply relishing the company of the one they no doubt loved the most.