Thank youu so much for the reviews! And sorry for the confusion, but I'll solve it and make it more clear in another chapter.

Hope you enjoy!

"That would be soo sweet!"

"You know I can't cook, Meredy,"

"But just imagine! Self-made soup to wake up to…" she interlaced her fingers, wavering from side to side with her head clearly in the clouds.

"Every meal is self-made by someone," he plainly said as he leaned against the counter, one arm crossed across his chest while the other held his mug. One of the two he owned.

"It would be specially made by you," Meredy stressed.

"I'll just ruin the kitchen," he shrugged. She pouted, fed up with his lack of enthusiasm. Or most other emotions. She let her gaze travel instead, around the tight space of his kitchen. He watched from the corner of his eye without looking up.

She had called twice after he had asked about the mission. She had invited herself, persisting on him telling her the address 'or else'. And Meredy was not a woman of empty threats. She had had the best teacher.

"It's really neat," she said. It was the only compliment she had given him so far on the house, even though she had seen every room. He supressed a sigh, knowing how none of them were deserving any praises yet.

"Because it's nearly empty," his voice remained unshaken. She kicked his shin from across the room. The kitchen was that small. He winced, glaring at her for a moment. She leaned back now, too – her back touching the bag of groceries she had brought without his consent –, taking back her mug and draining it with defiance.

"You're so negative…" she made that face again, cheeks puffing and lips pouting with childlike annoyance. His eyes softened. It made her eyes spark up with slight anger, cheeks even puffier. He could almost put down a coin on her lower lip as it stretched further. She knew he saw her as someone who had to be protected and was still a child. She also knew that she was not making it better at the moment. He could practically see the gears in her head turn, his lips becoming one thin line of a failed suppressed smile of amusement.

"It is nice though; very clean and light," she argued, turning to the window. It looked out to the street, hovering above with a tiny windowsill where a flowerbox was waiting to be filled.

"We painted it freshly,"

"We?" Meredy exclaimed in excitement. He looked down into his mug, even though it had been empty for quite a while now. He closed his eyes for a moment, focusing hard on keeping a straight face – and keeping its current colour.

"She wanted to help," he shrugged again, then muttered "since she burnt half of it…" he confided without looking up. He saw her reaction anyway. Meredy beamed a smile so broad at him that it made him afraid his entire head might fit in it. He jumped when she took him by the shoulders, shaking him repeatedly in rapture while scream-whispering an overjoyed 'projeeects' at him.

He hid his smile, refusing to admit just how happy it actually made him. Erza being into it, wanting to help and spending time with him while working in a comfortable silence. The thought – no, the memory alone gave him a warm glow all over. Her opinion meant much to him, especially if taking her ideas into account made her stay.

"It's really nice of you to let her stay," Meredy said, calming a little. He had not noticed her to let go or step back. A mischievous smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. "I mean it's not like she doesn't have a family of like a hundred people to take care of her…"

"Your point?" He lifted a single brow. Meredy might have loved to tease but she always had a reason for putting questions – or vague statements that ended in stretched vowels or imaginary dots for others to finish. Ultear had taught her that; some kind of personal information scanner technique. She never bore anyone ill will with it, but she would persist until her goal was reached. Those two women had been a deadly combination – often grilling him about something without making it seem like a big deal. Getting the most awkward results.

"Oh, nothing," she traced a finger along the rim of her mug, continuing immediately to give him no chance to abandon the topic, "I just noticed how well-suited you'd be for them – I mean you practically know everyone, they know you, you're pretty adapted to hanging around people ther-"

"Don't be ridiculous."

"I'm not-"

"Just because I watch over Erza while she's sick doesn't mean that I could join her guild," he cut in sharply.

"But they-"

"I've been a monster to them – most of them would run screaming if they even heard my name." He argued, feeling that well-known flame of self-loathing lick at his insides. "And they have every right to,"

"You're overreacting,"

"Meredy, I go shopping about a minute before closing time so that I won't run into anyone."

"But-"

"I sacrificed Erza to resurrect Zeref. I lied to her and I failed the Guild with public humiliation in front of the entire continent at the Grand Magic Games." She winced at that. She stared at her feet for a moment, then continued to talk back in more prudent tones.

"Erza's team likes you; you've even been to Lucy's house; you just told me,"

"Yeah, and a minute after, I was head-hunted." He said grimly. He did not blame Natsu for finding him responsible. He had always been the source of Erza's misery and suffering.

The Fire Dragon Slayer had nearly set his guildmate's house ablaze upon being freed and tracking Jellal down. Lucy had yelled an explanation, trying to keep her friend from attacking. Jellal had not fought back. He had waited. Endured. After a couple of hits, Natsu's fire had died out and he had been as confused as he had been pissed.

Lucy explained the situation but Natsu only stopped narrowing his eyes when Jellal had confessed himself, retelling how Erza had gone on a mission for him and returning ill.

"Ah, okay then." Natsu had nodded, having stunned both by his blunt acceptance.

"Stop with that frown; I know she really appreciates you taking care of her," Meredy said, patting his arm reassuringly. He walked her to the door, trying to relax his forehead.

"Well, I owe her that much,"

"No, Jellal, you don't owe her anything; you didn't do anything," she nodded decidedly. She had stayed another half an hour to talk him out of his guilt-trip and he had agreed, partially because he wanted to get the conversation over with. He remained quiet. A fatal mistake.

"Did you?" She almost gasped, staring at him with wide eyes.

"No, I didn't," he felt a light blush tint his cheeks, "it's just… still hard to believe…" he lied, but she seemed satisfied with that answer. And it was not a lie, really, since Erza had apparently been quite content with what he had done, right?

… right?

He sighed deeply after closing the door behind Meredy. Reassembling a calm expression, he strode back into the kitchen. He washed the cups and put away the groceries. He cooked two bowls of rice, eating his while the other boiled.

Silently, he entered the bedroom. Nothing had changed. He set down the bowl of plain rice, alongside a cup of fresh tea and a glass of water. All on her side of the bed. She did not react to the smell or his movements on the bed. He went to take a shower – nearly cutting his foot on a splintered tile next to the drain – and brushed his teeth, returning to the bedroom in his sleepwear.

He was not sleepy. He was exhausted, yes, but he could not imagine to sleep now.

Taking a notepad and a pen, Jellal leaned against the headboard with his legs cocked up. He tapped the pad twice before writing. He started on a to-do list, which grew bigger than he had originally thought.

Fix bathtub.

Buy stone flooring.

Decide on other floors and walls.

Plant flowers in box.

- Remember to water flowers.

LEARN TO COOK.

He glanced to the side. Erza's face was as peaceful as ever. There was not a single hint of the usual battle she fought during the night, the deep, dreamful breaths and wild tug-of-wars she had with the blanket. He frowned sadly. He felt powerless, though it would not keep him from trying everything within his power to help her get better.

Her chest rose and fell steadily. Her lips were parted and he caught himself staring at them, at her long lashes and gently falling hair. He blushed lightly. Covering her with the blanket, he crawled beneath the covers as well. He turned off the light, just after adding one last note.

Ask her out on a date.