Request: Jerza-Train Rides? :)
One-Shot:
They sat opposite of each other, early morning light filtering through the blinds and streaking across their faces, which were full of unspeakable emotion.
"So," Erza chose to begin, tilting her head to the side and observing Jellal with lidded eyes. "You're free now."
It was true. The man and his two companions had saved the Princess' life midst the war, and were granted with free passes for all their past crimes. Now, Erza and Jellal sat, alone, in one of the train's carriages whilst everyone else slumbered in the cart in front of them. They opted to stay wake, since the procedures and whatnot had finished at dawn; there was no point in sleeping so early.
"Yes, seems that way. Although the council certainly doesn't appreciate the Princess' kindness," he chuckled, remembering with a sadistic grin the looks of outrage and pain that had flitted across their faces once they had been announced clean.
"What do you think you're going to do?" Her voice soft, she kept her face void of emotion, rather deciding to look out the window than let Jellal see her nervousness. Of course, at the same time, she knew he could read her like an open book; he saw it clear as day, and chose his answer carefully.
"Well, we were thinking of continuing what we were doing."
The words cut through her like a rusty blade, but she had been ready to hear that answer. Clenching her fists in her lap, she nodded, swallowing the seemingly unmovable lump in her throat and looking anywhere and everywhere but Jellal.
He sighed quietly, unsure of how to reassure Erza. He knew she was hoping that he'd agree to come home with her, where his home really was, but at the same time he knew he couldn't; the kingdom may have forgiven him, but he hadn't forgive himself.
He had hurt his Scarlet.
He got up, a movement that went undetected by Erza, and sat beside her, pulling her into his side gently and caressing the blood-red tresses that had been the inspiration of her last name. "You know I can't come with you," he whispered into her hair. "I still have to atone for my past sins."
"Why do you have such a hard time forgiving yourself?" She turned in his hold, throwing caution out the window and burying her face into his warm, warm chest, relishing the comfort only Jellal could give her.
"Because I hurt the one thing that kept, and still keeps, me alive," his explanation was short, but the amount of meaning it held was in the high heavens.
"But she forgave you," Erza gazed up at the ultramarine, a saddened look adorning her features.
"But I haven't," he kissed the top of her head softly, pulling her in-between his legs and letting her snuggle into his arms. He knew it was wrong, leading her on like this, but a small part of him couldn't help but hope that with his new-found freedom, there was a chance for their feelings to come out into the light. "I'll tell you what, I'll come and visit as much as possible."
She looked up at him again, taking in the sheer sincerity in his tea-green eyes. Smiling softly, she realized that in time, they'll be mended. Mended enough to find solace and happiness together, like they deserved to. But for that, they needed time, and time is what she'd give him, if need be.
Reaching up, she kissed his cheek softly, before settling back into his grasp and they lulled into a comfortable silence, enjoying each other's company before they inevitably parted ways, contented by the fact they'd no doubt see each other again.