summary - he found her after the war, and for once in his goddamn life Jellal Fernandes followed his instincts [[jerza week day two: sunset ]]

The fight was finally over.

It had been a bloody affair that had taken much from them for the end to be celebrated. Instead, the various mages of Fiore took their time to mourn all they had lost, whether it be a home or a loved one or both.

Erza carefully walked through the debris, eyeing the aftermath of the battles with sullen eyes. They had caused so much heartbreak, so much destruction, in the name of honour. Natsu had caused of all this destruction…no, not Natsu, END. A possessed version of their comrade, the embodiment of Zeref's supposed brother.

She shook her head softly, trying to clear the memories of war. The sounds of Lucy's sobbing and Gray's screaming still haunted her, hours after they had put END's spirit, and Zeref, to rest.

She had spent most of her time checking on the wounded, on her friends, and making sure everyone was accounted for. This was all after she was forced into the medic's tent and had her injuries looked at, of course, because Laxus wouldn't have it any other way.

With a sigh, she rounded the corner, intent on getting lost in the forestry capping off the west end of the kingdom all by herself, just for a few moments to herself. This part of the town was deserted, the buildings around her in total shambles as opposed to crumbling. A glance to her right offered her a blood-red sun setting behind the trees, the skies painted in the warm hues of the sunset.

"Erza!"

She knew that voice.

Hesitant with disbelief, she turned around and gasped at the sight of Jellal, hair mussed and skin stained with drying blood but alive and well and here. Before she could call out to him, though, he was striding towards her, quick and shaking steps, and she could do nothing but stand there. In what…anticipation? Worry? Confusion?

Jellal reached her before she could sort out her emotions, cupping her face and slamming his lips against hers.

A squeak died in her throat, having no where to escape from; her mouth was, for lack of a better term, occupied. She felt her eyes slide shut as she leaned into his body, wrapping her arms around his neck and relishing the feel of his lips against hers. She kept repeating to herself that he was here, here and okay, and most importantly they were together.

For a solid minute, the duo remained entwined, lips slowing from furious to gentle, and Erza could've sworn his hands were shaking. But the need for fresh air arose before she could verify her thoughts, and they broke away to breathe.

Jellal, for his part, was feeling a mixture of guilt and contentment simultaneously. He knew better than to indulge himself, but after hours upon hours of fearing for the worst, seeing his beloved alive and well broke his self-restraint. The same woman was currently gazing up at him fondly, her hair haloed in the golden light the sunset bathed her in. Holding his breath, Jellal gently caressed the skin of her cheek, brushing away the blood that had dried. He took it as a good sign when she didn't lean away from his touch, but instead tilted her head to further press her cheek against his palm.

"That's one way of saying hello," Erza couldn't help but tease, unable to stop herself from catching his free hand in her own and lacing her fingers through his. The hand brushing her cheek moved from her face to her neck, moving the tangled tresses off her shoulders before sliding down her arm and wrapping itself around her waist. Automatically, she moved into his embrace, her forehead moving to rest against his shoulder.

"I'm sorry if that was unacceptable," he murmured, eyes searching her face for any sign of discontent. "I just…throughout the whole fight, my mind plagued me with thoughts of you in pain, hurt and unable to fight. Seeing you well and relatively injured put my heart at rest."

She reached up and pressed a kiss to his cheek, pulling the hand she still held to rest over her heart.

"Seeing you here relieves my heart as well," she admitted, a chuckle escaping her. "I-I played with the possibility of you entering the fray, but hadn't seen you while dealing with Natsu…but you're here."

"I'm here," he reiterated, smiling. For a moment, neither of them said anything, instead enjoying the feeling of finally being able to hold one another without holding themselves back. His heart felt lighter, felt as if it beat stronger, holding Erza in his arms.

"Jellal?" Her voice interrupted his thoughts, and he glanced down at Erza questioningly. "Where does this…where does this leave us?"

Their eyes met, and he took note of the fear and hope in her eyes as she awaited answer. Where didthis leave them? The council was gone, and had been for a while. Doranbolt…Doranbolt knew of Jellal's location. He knew of Crime Sorciere, knew of their goals. He supported them. He would have no further trouble from the Magic Council; essentially, he was a free man.

Could Jellal, truly, lead a normal life? With Erza? Would he let himself have happiness?

More importantly…did Erza still want him?

"Erza, I…" He paused, unable to find the words to ask her want he wanted so, so badly. She was so pure, so untainted…he didn't want to ruin her. She deserved better than him.

She deserves to be happy, a small voice in his voice countered his thoughts. It oddly sounded like Lucy, who had convinced him to go find her in the first place. And you make her happy.

"You just helped save the world," she whispered. "Is that not to atone for the sins you still weep for?"

And in that moment, Jellal realized he wanted this. They wanted this. She was still watching him with bright eyes, her expression almost begging for a response.

"These hands…these hands are stained with innocent blood," he finally spoke, voice quiet in recognition of all he'd done. "But they feel…they feel clean when they're touching you, holding you. I feel human, I feel…right. You make me feel like I haven't done anything wrong. And I dare to hope that you feel happy, content, when you're with me. All I've ever wanted was for you to be happy, to be safe, whether it be without me…or with me by your side. The latter has always been a dream, something I've always wanted but couldn't have, because I couldn't see how having me by your side would make you happy. You were always a purity, a single shining light in a sea of black, and I…I was the sea of black. I was willing to accept that, and built my life around the thought of being a sinner that didn't deserve to love a woman so sacred, so divine. Until now."

There was tears in her eyes, a shaking smile plastered on her lips as she listened to him speak. Gently, he pulled himself away from her, lifting her hand to his mouth and kissing her fingers as he let go of them. A laughed bubbled up from her throat as he lowered himself onto one knee, his cape pooling on the ground.

"Erza Scarlet," he tilted his head back to look at her. From here, on the ground, she looked like a goddess reincarnated, hair swaying in the wind and the dying sunlight shining around them. It was a new start for them, he realized. Their old lives were fading away, leaving room for something new. Something more. "Will you give me the honour of calling you my beloved?"

There was no ring, for they knew this wasn't a marriage proposal. It was a proposal to love each other freely, to call each other 'mine', to let the world know that their hearts were one and would be one forever and always.

Erza was nodding, her tears flowing down her cheeks as the man in front of her rose to his feet and hugged her close, pressing their foreheads together a he whispered soothing words to her in an attempt to stem her tears. But Erza, in all her ecstasy, could only think of one thing to say.

"Your fiancee isn't going to be very pleased with you."