As always, thank you Isanien and Nina-Chan202 for your support! Also to RubyRose2007, thanks so much for reviewing every single chapter! I really appreciate it, thank you guys!

The restaurant had been nice, but the rest of their date had been like Christmas and Easter and every other holiday combined. She could not believe that he had planned to go to the fireworks festival and it had been so much better than she could have imagined. It was the best surprise ever. And for once, a surprise that had worked!

They had been lent clothes for the occasion and she had to admit that Jellal looked good in traditional attire. So good, in fact, that she had constantly caught herself to be staring at him, sometimes noticing his glance on her, too. She always liked a good excuse to dress up and wear a florally kimono.

It had been a dream come true. The streets had been lit up with warmly twinkling lights. Music had played and performers had danced. The fountain had been illuminated in changing hues of red, green and blue. They had tasted previously unfamiliar drinks, shared cotton candy and watched the fireworks paint the night sky.

They had kissed under the stars.

Erza was overflowing and leaking with joy. Her stomach was fuzzy and bubbly and bouncy, all at the same time. And all in a positive way. Everything was light – everything but Jellal, hanging with one arm over her shoulders.

They reached the inn and she had to support him past the lobby towards a flight of stairs. She had not had as much to drink as him, but even so, she thought that he really was not used to anything at all. With the same amount each, it could have easily ended just like this, too.

"Erza…" Jellal said, his voice dragging as much as his feet, "remind me not to let you… let me… you… uh," he frowned to himself, blinking repeatedly. She wondered whether he could see up and down, pulling on him to keep moving. "Remind me to never let you order me cocktails again… for me…" he slurred, reaching for the handrail.

She winced when he staggered, nearly falling. Catching him, she tutted, shaking her head. Bending down, she picked him up, carrying him up the stairs to the door of their room. Their room, she thought with excitement. Sure, they had been sleeping in the same room and the same bed for a whole while now, but the idea was still so romantic, she wanted to skip about.

Jellal grinned, giving her a hard time upon letting himself fall into her completely.

"My knight in shining armour…" he said and she almost had to laugh.

"Then I suppose you're the princess I saved?" She smiled, too. He pouted, even more when she set him down to fetch the key from her pocket.

"Not even prince?" He asked, holding on to her shoulder. "At least 'knight' is gender-neutral,"

"You're speaking nonsense now," she proceeded to pat his front pockets, finding the key and digging it out. She unlocked the door, returning to aiding him with walking.

It was a nice room; rather small but lovely. It had a double bed, a bathroom and even a small balcony.

Erza brought Jellal to the bathroom, then left, looking for his bag. She spotted it on the bed, rummaging through until she found his sleeping clothes and toothbrush. She waited in front of the door until she was sure he would be done, knocking anyway. Jellal opened the door wide and she yelped in surprise when he threw his arms around her.

"Erza!" He said as if surprised to see her. She rolled her eyes. He was such a dork when forced to be plainly honest – and a little dense.

"Come on, we're not done yet," she impelled when his weight increased and she feared that he would fall asleep while standing. The lit-up tiles made her head spin ever so slightly, so she turned the main light off, leaving only a small one to throw long shadows against the wall.

Having handed him his stuff, Erza proceeded to brush her own teeth. She planned ahead in her mind, assuming that when they changed rooms, she would most definitely find him asleep. She already knew that alcohol was not a solution, but she had still hoped it would give her a boost of courage.

In his current state, however, she doubted he would be happy with himself afterwards. Plus, it would be a miracle if he could do anything at the given moment, since the walk up the stairs had already been too much.

He proved her right. Erza pushed her lips out in annoyance and amusement at the same time as she saw Jellal sit on the rim of the bathtub, toothbrush in his mouth but not moving. Not even holding it. He stared at his foot, his eyebrows rising alongside his toes and sinking again. She spit out the toothpaste foam in failed supressed giggle. She absolutely loved being able to see this side of him.

"Jellal," she caught his attention, demonstrating with her own toothbrush how to go on. He was fascinated. Sighing under her breath, Erza stood in front of him, overtaking the task. Should she ever have children, she thought, him being drunk would be good practice.

Jellal finally moved, mirroring her actions, probably thinking to be very helpful. They brushed each other's teeth most ineffectively. Staying in the bathroom, Erza sent him to change with his clothes in hand. She was not used to undressing normally, but the outfit was not hers, so she could not just exchange it for one of her own.

After being ready for bed, she opened the door. Jellal was sitting on the bed. He had successfully managed to change out of his yukata, even into his trousers, then either ended up overchallenged or fallen asleep while trying to take off his shirt beneath. He sat there with his arms above his head, all hanging down, hidden in the fabric.

Erza neared him, watching with loving amusement. Alcohol was definitely not a solution. She tugged on the shirt and he flinched, probably waking up. Tossing it aside, she stepped into the pile of his other clothes and sandals, trying to reach past him for his night shirt.

"Erza…" he muttered with content in his voice. His arms enclosed her once more, pressing his face to her stomach. "Most beautiful knight in shining armour…" She held her breath for a moment, then sighed deeply. It was not like she cared much for him to get dressed, anyway. This was fine. More than fine.

Gladly giving into her own tiredness, Erza climbed onto his lap. It took not more than a gentle nudge to get him to fall backwards. Her attempts to get him to follow were futile, however, and so she finally collapsed in the middle of the bed, happy enough. He had already fallen asleep.

Smiling broadly, Erza hugged his head closer to herself, snuggling up and curling around him.

"Finally… I could save you." It did not take much longer to follow his example.

Erza awoke when the train rucked. It was moving. Had it come to a halt and started again without her noticing?

She opened her eyes, blinking crusty sleep away. She must have dozed off… she turned her head, noticing to be leaning against Jellal and that his arm was around her, holding her waist. He had his eyes closed, slumped into the corner of the window.

She had never fallen asleep on a train during the day before. And even at night, when it was moving and not having unforeseen commotion, she stayed awake. Back then, when she was young, she remembered to have watched over Levy or whomever would seldom invite her to go on a mission together. She had watched out then, and did so still. She knew that her friends were more than capable of taking care of themselves, but it was a habit. It was deeply rooted within her, perhaps a result of her times in the Tower of Heaven, where she had always been alert as not to fear for her life being taken in her sleep.

Now, she had drifted off into a nap, just like that. She smiled to herself, watching the landscape fly by. They were going home. Giving a deep sigh, she leaned in further. He stirred, opening his eyes.

"Is everything alright?" He asked, apparently unaware how utterly delighted she was by merely being in his present. She gave a positive hum in return, closing her eyes again. The sun was shining in through the window, warming her face.

"I… think I have to tell you something…" Jellal said. She looked up when he continued, becoming uneasy. "Just to be fair…" he was struggling and it worried her. She scooted a little further on the bench in order to be able to see his expression better. It was more than uncomfortable.

"You can tell me anything," she encouraged. Her voice was calm but inwardly, she prayed for it not to be as bad as he made it seem. She did not want this to end. She would forgive him anything – she was sure of it – but she could not bear him to leave again. To abandon her and reverse everything they had worked so hard to be. Or… break up?

"You're… not my first," he hesitated, as if the word still stabbed him every time it was spoken out loud, "kiss." He managed at last. Her eyes widened, thoughts running wild. That fiancée of his had been a lie. She knew it had been. She had been so sure at least. Why would he bring it up, though, if it was not relevant for their current relationship?

"I see," she said, not knowing how else to react.

"I'm sorry, Erza, I just… I didn't even know it was happening and it was not on purpose," he started rambling and it hurt her to hear excuses. How could kissing be 'accidental' in any scenario? "I awoke and I suppose she saved me by that… we never talked about it, and I'm sure Kagura didn't mean anything by it, other than-"

"Kagura?" Erza interrupted. Her eyes were huge by now and she stared at him intensely. He was nervous, his gaze flashing away from her eyes, ashamed.

"Y-yeah…"

"Was that… after the battle in Hargeon?" She asked and he nodded. He was withering with guilt, shoved into his corner like a puppy having chewed on a shoe. Or rather like an animal, circled and awaiting slaughter. "Then…" she hardly noticed his reaction, the gears in her mind turning and clicking.

"I'm so sorry-"

"So that's why!" She exclaimed, hitting her fist into her palm. Her gaze snapped up to meet his and she suddenly realised how it must have sounded. How he must have felt – miserable and like a traitor. How she had moved away and accused him with mere glances. She waved her hands to play it down. "Don't worry, really," she had to take his hands to get him to look at her, "she was my first kiss, too!"

Hope you enjoyed!