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Jellal grimaced. Putting his hands on his hips, he gave an exasperated sigh. He was horrible at this.
For hours on end, missing sleep and breakfast and until the sun had already passed its highest point, he had watched her. Watched over her, that it – of course; what else?
The day had been endless and after he had forced water down her throat and she would still not show any signs of moving or waking up, he had decided it would be safe to go out for a little. Only a quick trip to the library – and that was not an understatement. He had run across the streets, zoomed through the cooking section and grabbed the first available guide he could find, scaring the lady at the front desk witless.
On the bright side, Erza had not moved while he had been out – though whether that was all that good stood for debate. His relief – at least something close to it – had been drowned like a stone in water not a minute later. Having laid out all of the ingredients Meredy had brought, putting on the kettle and firing up the stove, Jellal had finally taken a closer look at his newest acquisition.
And it was a 'platter decoration ideas' book.
Had the wall not been freshly painted, he would have hit his head against it until it was red.
Leaning against the counter, sunken on the floor with his knees against his chest, Jellal had sulked for a while. It was unbelievable what powers this currently sleeping – unconscious? – woman had over him. Without any effort.
He thought about her. Closing his eyes, he let the image of her beautiful face appear before his inner eye. The shining in her eyes, the vibrant scarlet colour of her hair, the gentleness of her touch. The awkwardness of her touch. The blush that rivalled her hair and the sheepish pout she would have when admitting to have destroyed his property once again.
He could see her smile, and he did not even know when he had seen her smile at him like that, like the sun, but it made him smile, too. The light in his life… His light.
With new determination, Jellal had worked his way through the entire book, finally stepping into action. He tried to ignore how the entirety of his kitchen equipment – about twelve items in total – was unsuited for detailed work. He cut and peeled and boiled and stirred. He arranged without breathing for most of the time, even if the only things on the plate were decoration. Herbs and sauce.
It looked nothing like what he had expected. It looked… rather horrible. Not to mention that it was not even a meal.
Resigning at last, Jellal showered to free his head, gladly searing off his scalp would his shower allow anything but lukewarm water. He checked on his still motionless crush, eating her untouched rice while watching the new one soak. He sighed so deeply when climbing into bed, he felt as if he had deflated into a sheet of paper.
What an utterly unproductive day.
He tried to get comfortable, frowning at the coldness of his feet. He patted the mattress for the blanket, finding nothing. He froze. Turning around carefully, he stared into the darkness until his eyes adjusted. He listened to her breathing, his gaze not on her face but below.
She was clutching the blanket to herself. She had stolen the blanket. She was not even covering herself with it, just hugging it. Holding on to it as if her life depended on it. She was better, he immediately thought, his heart skipping a beat.
"Erza," he tried in a hushed voice. No response. He asked again, receiving the same result. Inhaling for courage, he nudged her with one finger. Still nothing happened and so he tried again, lightly shaking her shoulder. She was glowing hot, like a bonfire one was standing too close to. Concern rose in him.
"Erza," he shook again, when her hand snapped up, trapping his wrist. Her brows furrowed threateningly and he held his breath, enduring the way she squished his arm. She exhaled sharply through her nose, still not waking up. Her grip loosened and she wandered down to his hand, her fingertips tenderly brushing along his palm, feeling the lines, then sliding between his fingers, interlacing. It sent shivers down his back.
"Jellal…" she sighed, as if feeling his hand was enough to tell her that she was safe. And maybe it did. He was not sure he saw right in the dark, but she appeared to be smiling.
"Erza," he said, more urgently. He squeezed her hand once, trying to get her attention. She sank back into her dangerous sleep, so he shuffled closer, snaking one arm around her waist. He pulled, holding her against him, leaning his face down to hers. Blushing deeply.
"Erza." He said. She gave a hum. A sleepy one, but a hum. He nudged her forehead with his, not getting another reaction. He pulled on her again, squeezing her hand, repeating her name but she just fell, deeper and deeper into her previous unconsciousness.
An idea struck him in his panic. Jellal released her, nearly jumping up to sit. He took the blanket with both hands and tugged so heftily, she almost let go. Almost. Erza's grip tightened and he saw his chance, tearing on it, just like her. She groaned uncomfortably. She was entirely too strong for her condition since she was still Erza. She would win.
With a growl, Erza ripped the blanket in half. Jellal yelped, flying backwards off the bed. He rubbed the back of his head then stared at the shred in his hand. He crawled back on with his arms, trying to see whether it had worked. She was gone.
"Jellal…?" Erza croaked from the other end of the room, also on the floor. He almost had to laugh. And then he did, dragging himself across the mattress, looking down into confused, tired eyes. The loveliest eyes he had ever known.
He crouched next to her when she did not manage to get up by herself. Gently, he placed her back on the bed, a constant warm smile adorning his face.
"How are you feeling?" He asked, feeling her forehead with the back of his hand.
"On fire." She said honestly, letting her eyes fall close. He draped her in what was left of the blanket. He went to wet a towel after she negated any further pain, then placed it on her forehead. She sighed in relief. One hand came up, weakly pressing the cooling cloth to her hot skin.
He told her about how everything had happened. How she had been ill due to plants and how he had asked Lucy for help. He left their solution to the riddle out – for now. He would ask. Sometime. Just… just not now. He also avoided the part where Natsu had beaten him black and blue and him spending his day with worrying and ruining whatever he touched. What was it with them and failing surprises so hard, it made Ichiya attractive in comparison?
He let her rest, watching her as closely as he held her, until his own exhaustion buried him in eventual sleep.
Erza felt as if being hit by Natsu. Repeatedly. Her head was spinning and her insides turned relentlessly. Her muscles burnt and sagged at the same time. Her hand trailed along the wall to find the doorframe, though mostly for support. She turned to enter the bedroom, losing her balance. She stumbled. Her legs gave in, wobbling like noodles and she hit the bedpost hard.
She clutched it with all she had. Her nails dug into the wood but her arms trembled with the effort. Her legs had long but given up. Her stomach gave another cramp, then shoot up nausea in the form of acid in her throat. Her head spun and she lost every sense of up and down, alongside the feeling in her hands, limply falling to the ground.
She realised moments later to be moving – or rather moved. She could not see anything but white and black dots, so she closed her eyes, focusing every functioning braincell and nerve on her surroundings. Arms held her, lowering her leisurely onto what she assumed to be the bed.
"I'm sorry," she managed, the acid biting at her throat. She had no saliva left to force the itching down. "I just…" she panted. She should not have used magic to requip during the same trip she had made to the bathroom.
"You should tell me beforehand," Jellal scolded gently. Something in his voice sounded off when he said those words. The mattress next to her sunk and she inhaled deeply when he neared. Every horrible feeling of her body softened when he put both arms around her. She struggled to reach her own out to hug him back and he noticed, taking it. Erza's heart leaped in loops when he brought her palm to his lips, kissing it. She felt his gaze on her in the dark.
"Erza," he said quietly, keeping her hand in his, his pulse drumming against her fingertips, "we need to talk…"