A.N: In which Jellal and Erza are both teachers, with students that adamantly 'ship' them (whatever that means).

Out of all the people on the teaching staff, Jellal Fernandes was the one she least wanted to run into. But, of course, fate was a funny thing.

It was break-time for the students, in between their first and second periods, and Erza had decided on grabbing a second cup of coffee. She had breezed through her first cup in less than half an hour, her students' repetitive questions grinding on her last nerve.

No, she was not seeing Mr. Fernandes. No, she was not his fiancee. No, they were most certainly not fucking! She had kicked Bacchus out for that comment. He had laughed at her all the way out of the room.

With a sigh, she pushed the door to the teacher's lounge open, tying her hair up and out of her face as she headed down the small corridor towards the kitchenette.

And freezing when she saw Mr. Fernandes, mumbling to himself and pouring out a cup of coffee for himself. At the sound of her heels clicking against the flooring, though, he glanced up, eyes widening in shock (embarrassment?) at the sight of the red-headed English teacher.

"M-Miss Scarlet," he cursed himself for stuttering. "A pleasure to see you, good morning."

"Jellal, please, call me Erza," she offered him a small smile. "We've known each other for decades. Good morning."

"Coffee?" He offered, hoping he wasn't blushing. His damned students, and their damned questions, were getting to his head. He couldn't help but wonder if she held him accountable for their actions.

"Please," she all but pleaded, accepting the cup with a thanks and taking a sip of the steaming liquid. A sigh went through her lips as the caffeinated drink slid down her throat.

"Have your, er, students been bothering you with questions as well?" He asked, watching her lean back against the counter as he was. He didn't fail to notice the way she stiffened, before slumping and nodding with a slight laugh.

"Bacchus?"

"Bacchus," Jellal nodded, grimacing slightly at the reminder of the inappropriate questions the boy in question had been badgering him with. It was his fault he couldn't look Erza in the eye, damn it!

"Silly children, wondering things about our relationship…" she couldn't help but offer him a smile, hoping it was a safe enough topic to talk about. Jellal nodded, laughing almost nervously, before scratching the back of his head sheepishly.

"Actually, I might have been the one to start this all," he confessed. "Or, at least, added fuel to the fire."

Erza frowned, startled at the revelation. "What are you talking about?"

"I, erm, might have mentioned wanting to ask you out to dinner a few weeks ago," he explained, feeling his cheeks burn. "That either started all of this nonsense, or added to it, but either way I'm so-"

"What stopped you from the dinner invitation?"

He paused, glancing up at her to find her grinning at him in amusement, or mischievousness, or a mix of both. The look stole his breath away, and he fought a small internal battle.

What was the worst that could happen?

"Well, it's definitely still on the table," he told her. "If you would have me, that is."

Erza's smile melded into one of warmth and happiness. She hadn't realized how much she had wanted this subconsciously until it was out in the open. "I would love to."

Suddenly, a large cheer broke out, and both teachers jumped, startled, their now lukewarm coffee spilling all over them.

Their students, a loud and rowdy bunch, all stood outside the windows lining the wall on the far east, wearing identical grins and watching their two teachers glare back at them.

"Did you know those windows were that thin?" Jellal couldn't but ask, bewildered. Erza shook her head no; clearly, the school hadn't thought that soundproof windows were necessary. He begged to differ.

He watched, mouth agape, as the students began to exchange money, pulling bills and coin out of their pockets and handing it over. They had made bets about them!?

"A fat load of homework tonight?" Erza asked conversationally with a smirk throw at the man in question.

"And a pop quiz tomorrow."