Sorry, I was going to upload yesterday but I forgot we were going to the theatre. The absolute worst and most thoroughly confusing 'Romeo and Juliet' I've ever seen...
CheesyDelphox, thanks for reviewing and sorry, I didn't want to pressure you to do so. Just worrisome not to have heard from you. 'nice potato' xD Haha, no, they're not married but she liked to be called 'Mrs' and pretend they were :D
Isanien, thank you so much for so many reviews! Ah, no, I haven't planned anything on Meredy having a crush, sorry :D Can't think of anyone fitting. And yay, you did catch up (does that mean I'm slow...? I am, though ':D)! Ah, you mentioned so many things, thank you so much for so much effort! Love reading everything again!
pilikali, thank you so much for your review! I'm so glad you like it! I never dared leave reviews when my English was not half as good as now, so I'm really impressed and honoured!
Mitzy123, thaanks for your review! I can't believe how just just manage to cram everything in there, thanks so much! And yeah, she just liked to be called 'Mrs' to pretend to be married already :D
Mikasa-Chan, thank you so much for reviewing! I already feel very appreciated by you, thank you so much for so much support!
foxydame, I just swoon every time I read 'this message has been truncated due to length', thank you so much! So much effort! Do you write the review as you read or do you just remember everything? Cause it's so detailed (heart eyes). Haha, he didn't conjure glasses, he pretended his fingers to be them xD And I'm relieved to hear that you've forgotten so much as well; I had to check the Wikia a couple of times ':D Thank you so much for such kind compliments, I'm really so happy you like the story! Thank you for letting me know and always motivating me!
jellal san, thanks for taking the time and leaving me a review! I really appreciate it!
Somnolent Sushi Roll, haha, the expressions you put in there xD Thank you so much for your review! So many paragraphs! That's not a bad point at all, them having been separated causing this onslaught of passion, not a bad point at all... thanks for mentioning so many things, I'm happy to know you liked them!
Enjoy!
"Flawless, as expected," Jura nodded, impressed, "and with the correctly filled forms waiting on my desk in the morning." He complimented and Jellal glowed with pride. "However, I do not comprehend how she did it so fast – travelling time alone should have taken her a half a day, one way,"
"She told me she prefers short missions," Jellal supplied. He was giddy with how stunned everyone at the Council had been upon seeing Titania's report so quickly, a carriage load of chained-up delinquents and a carefully wrapped artefact of dark magic waiting for them not a mere sixteen hours later. They had calculated with roughly a week, at least several days. But with her perception and analytic skills on point, she had only needed to scan the scene, having studied the files she had received with her beloved beforehand and made short work of her targets.
Jellal had welcomed her very late in the evening, picking her up at the train station outside of Era, driving the Magical Vehicle in her stead. She had fallen asleep on his shoulder, gladly being carried to bed, though having gotten up early again.
"She went to the composite sketch artist this morning; did you recognise any of those faces?"
"I don't believe to have seen them. Did she drop them off today?" Jura asked. They turned a corner and it relieved Jellal how he had to take the lead, feeling less creeped out when the Wizard Saint did not know the way to their borrowed mansion on his own. So no surveillance, at least not on his part.
The street lamps were their only source of light, the sky pitch-black with clouds veiling any stars and what little of the crescent moon there would have been.
"She said she would send them by pigeon," Jellal retorted. It only occurred to him now how the mention of a single bird must have sounded, not yet having let Jura in on how there were just a handful of people of their list missing. An easy job for one pigeon, given that it carried the drawings on its back.
"I didn't know you had a messenger pigeon," Jura said, obviously neither having received anything, nor needing an explanation on the number of suspects – she must have elaborated in her report. Such a hard-working- Jellal shook his head, almost having called her his wife in his head. He blinked repeatedly as not to get stuck on that thought, trying to remember the current topic.
Oh right, the bird. That bird.
"I suppose it's only a one-way system," he sighed, causing curious laughter. "Has anyone informed you about a missing pigeon?" He asked, shrugging back the briefcase he had slung over his shoulder to rummage his front pocket for the key.
"That is not really my department," Jura disclosed, amusement still sparkling in his eyes. Maybe that was why he took liking in Jellal, the latter thought. He was entertainment. It was the reason why Meredy stuck around so often after all.
"Well, then I'll be the one to tell you that one has quite literally escaped your notice. It somehow comes in through tilted windows – I don't know," he added at the questioning frown, "we don't even have bread lying around or anything." The lock clicked and he bid his guest in before him. It was slightly odd of the older man to only be wearing sandals in winter, but he dutifully took them off in the entrance.
"Please," Jellal gestured forward, guiding towards the first parlour when stopping in his tracks. He pointed into the kitchen instead.
Jura's lips curled in amusement at the sight of a pigeon, peacefully curring on the windowsill, gazing outside as if being able to see a thing in the darkness. There was a thin pile of scattered papers on the kitchen table, as well as feathers, the little backpack to roll the sheets into lying around in defeat.
"Did the previous owners by chance have a pigeon?" Jellal asked, putting the kettle on before bashfully tidying up the mess he had not expected. He should have. Erza and the bird were not the best of friends.
"Again, I have no knowledge of such things," Jura illuminated. His hands disappeared in the wide sleeves of his kimono where he joined them. He patiently waited while Jellal collected the evidence to hand it over. Next, the younger man opened the fridge, arranging the most presentable left-overs of the Oyaki he had made that morning – sweet, of course, they had been for Erza. The flan was long gone, but that was not something he would offer a guest alongside tea. He was more than glad to still have something to offer at all.
While the tea boiled and Jura insisted on carrying the plate and chopsticks to the parlour, Jellal leaned against the wall with a sigh. It had been such a long day and he had looked forward to finally cuddling into Erza after not having seen her all day and most of the previous one. Still, it was always pleasant to chat with Jura, being the only Wizard Saint whose company he truly appreciated in a serious yet friendly talk.
His hand found the pigeon's head, absently stroking down with two fingers where it had already gotten its plumage back in order after its little fight with the Queen of the Fairies. It curred quietly. Closing the window for the night, he sauntered over to the teapot and cups he had readied on a tray. He knew the bird could fly out in the hallway upstairs if it wanted to, somewhere safer from burglars than ground level.
Jura took the couch opposite Jellal's, steam rising up to his face as he inhaled the soothing scent of infused herbs. His eyes opened again in a tranquil gaze.
"I take it you will take her to the Christmas gala," he said, sipping the burning hot beverage as if it was only lukewarm. Jellal tilted his head.
"Gala?" He picked up his own cup, holding it without putting his lips on the line.
"I assumed you had been informed about the Council's annual celebration,"
"I know them to have been held back when I was still a member but that about covers it," Jellal said. He did not like to remember those times, least of all remind the current Council of it but he spoke easily, calmly, thinking of Erza when seeking the courage to face his uncomfortable fears.
"We continue the tradition, of course," Jura went on as if nothing was amiss and it made Jellal's heart sink gladly. Perhaps it really was not bothering the Wizard Saint at all, but in any case, the lack of persistence on the topic worked wonders for his confidence. He would have to tell Erza. Or maybe just show her on the next opportunity, he thought, noticing his mind to wander back to her.
Sipping his tea – a mistake, his tongue whined at him – he refocused on the present.
"The evening is very important for us, seeing as it is the first of its kind by our hand and represents our new constellation." Jura downed his tea in one, simply refilling it. Distracted by it, Jellal just stared, letting the words flow from his superior. "Our staff will naturally be present and we have invited many important guests, our new Queen Hisui amongst them," he beamed when repeated the word 'important' for what felt like the tenth time. This really was vital for their reputation.
"Would you like me to help with the arrangements?" Jellal asked, trailing his now lightly burnt tongue across the roof of his mouth.
"I would like you to come," Jura firmly said. "Don't worry, it does not interfere with any of the traditional festivities, so you will not have to come back during your holiday," he assured at the hesitation of his subordinate. Not that that was the primary issue Jellal had dreaded.
"When is it then?" He asked, uncomfortable with the heat of his beverage rising to the rim where his fingers clutched it. Jura laughed. Then blinked repeatedly when Jellal did not join.
"You really weren't told?" He unbelievingly leaned forward. "It's tomorrow!" He announced. Jellal's previously lightened heart slumped. "Did you truly not know?"
"I… was going to arrive at work like every day," Jellal stuttered, still taken aback. A party. Tomorrow. Lots of people, important people, the Magic Council counting on him not to disappoint them with a bad impression. Heck, with an average impression. He would have to be outstanding, witty and eloquent in language, fetching in conversation and not to forget attire.
And he still only had that one formal suit, he cursed inwardly. He could not come in his working clothes and if Hisui herself would attend, there was no way he would wear the same white as he had at his pardon. It was Thursday. Thursday night. Too late to buy anything else. And Erza! If she agreed to accompany him – if – then she would surely want to buy some dashing new dress to match his currently non-existent one.
"Well, we do expect that, all except for the ones scheduled to make the preparations." Jura rubbed his chin. "Did you never ask about the decorations and giant tree they towed into the ball rooms?"
"I was working, Sir," Jellal muttered, so absent now that his brain simply went into automatic honorifics to be on the safe side.
"I'm glad we cleared this up then," Jura nodded decidedly, "I will send someone with the details to your office tomorrow morning." He elaborated. Completely unaware about the troubles of the man opposite of him. Not to mention forgetting the sheer amount of work and time that went into planning an outfit when it came to women. What a catastrophe having to report back to her. She might even decline on such short notice, it occurred to Jellal.
"About that case of yours, the 89.3," Jura proceeded with a completely different subject. He was not usually this inattentive or, dare he say, ignorant. It seemed as if it was as much of a burden to him as it now was to Jellal, an awkwardly fleet handling being all there was to it now. "We have granted to postpone the trial due to your findings; there might actually be a connection to-" he stopped when the ajar door creaked.
Jellal's body rose off the couch of its own accord at the sight of her.
With her eyes half closed, slightly crusted and veiled thickly with sleep, Erza stood in the doorframe. Rather hung, leaning against it with her shoulder.
"Jellal," she cawed, blinking into the to her garish light, visibly wanting to just close them instead. He blushed at how she wore what clearly belonged to him, the shirt not buttoned up completely.
He reached her to block out the light that tormented her sleep-heavy eyes. She rubbed one of them, glancing up at him.
"I'm sorry, did we wake you?" He asked, gently wiping away the small tear her yawn caused.
"Come to bed," she slurred. Her head fell forward, propping her up against his chest. She had not taken the hint, neither been awake enough to notice their guest by herself. He buttoned the shirt up with a practised haste, making sure the tails were long enough to conceal her down to the upper middle of her thighs.
"I'm still having a conversation with Jura," he tried again, this time gaining her attention. Grabbing his shirt – the one he wore – to stabilise herself, she peered around his side. Jura beamed an adoring, cordial smile at her and she jerked back to hide behind her beloved for another moment of rising blush.
Now both a little red in the face, they turned back to their guest.
"Jura," Erza bowed shortly, hands on her legs, noticing what Jellal had a minute ago, unsuspiciously grabbing the hem of the shirt to pull it down. The exhaustion kept on clouding her eyes, however, thickly coating her voice and both men attributed it to her most recent quest. Her masterpiece of a fulfilled job.
"Good evening," he returned politely. "I must apologise for having raised my voice just then," he bowed his head, too.
"No, it's nothing," she brushed the issue aside. She must have tried to wait up, Jellal assumed as usual, finding her too calm to have awoken from a bad dream. He was about to return to his seat when her hand kept its hold of his shirt, chaining him to her. Turning, he received a pout as she knew him to be staying and not going back to bed with her.
"I'll be with you before you know it," he lowered his voice for only her to hear. Erza's lips stayed pursed. Not letting go, she waited for him to move again, following when he did. He pulled a face. "Go back to bed, love," he tried again but she refused, sticking to him with all of her sleepy might. He sighed through his nose in defeat, leading her back to the couch.
"I can leave," Jura started but Jellal waved his hands in rejection.
"No, no, please don't worry about it," he immediately interfered. He felt torn between granting her wishes and being a good host – and his own tiredness, but he pushed that aside for now.
"If I may be so bold," Jura's eyes twinkled, "I see now how the guard confused you for a married couple," he said, enticing deepening blushes.
"I'm afraid that was my mistake – a misunderstanding," Erza saved her beloved, the words coming slower than during the day. It were the last ones she uttered until their guest's leave.
"So then I take it you are going back to Magnolia over the holidays?" Jura asked and Jellal nodded. He bit his lip shortly when her arm stretched past him, pilfering an Oyaki.
"Yes, it will be the first Christmas at the guild for me and my friend," he replied. Jura finished his second cup, merrily carrying on while Jellal was simply glad to have gotten rid of his own through Erza's entrance before burning his fingers. Speaking of the devil, he had to try hard not to lose focus when she kept on stuffing her mouth with the sweet snacks.
"Ah, from Crime Sorcière, if I remember correctly," Jura closed his eyes to inhale the aroma of his tea. "Is she faring well in her new environment? Not that I would ever doubt Fairy Tail's well-known hospitality," he smiled honestly, having it mirrored.
"She is, more than I could have hoped," Jellal admitted. Erza's head dropped onto his shoulder and he did not have to listen closely to know, being able to tell by her even breathing that she was drifting off into a peaceful slumber.
The food was almost gone entirely.
"That's good to hear. She must be glad to have you join her for the festivities,"
"So am I," Jellal nodded. He opened his mouth, then closed it again. Something else had just come to his mind, something that had kept him awake almost more than his beloved with her constant seductions. He glanced up, seeing that Jura seemed to be expecting him to speak so he inhaled deeply, daring to ask. "Sir?"
"Jura is fine, we're not on duty," Jellal received a kind smile. He swallowed the next honorific.
"I have been wondering and wanted to consult you first on the matter," he started avoiding any names. It felt strange. He knew that Erza would not have problems with it, though she had known the Wizard Saint for a longer time already and if he was being honest, he found her to be by far braver than himself, anyway.
"You want to work from Magnolia," Jura filled in the gaps, stunning Jellal. The latter took a moment to form words but the warm smile that flashed from him to his beloved eased him.
"I was going to say 'would like to'," he pretended a hint of exasperation, grinning inwardly when causing laughter. "But yes. Even if only half the week, I would like to work from home. I already completed the entire week's cases on Tuesday this week and I can copy files to take with me should they be needed here," he sold himself but his counterpart was already nodding.
"I know all that – those matters I am informed about," the corner of Jura's mouth twitched in a friendly tease, keeping the mood as light as before. "And I understand your reasons. I will propose it to the Council," he said and it rang in his voice that he would put in a good word or two in order to have the request permitted.
Further into the night but not to an extend where Jellal had to try to stay awake, the two men continued their chat. Jura was a pleasant guest, not digging into any private anecdotes if he sensed it to be off limits, overseeing tiny mishaps or things too delicate to address in depth. He hardly commented on the scene before him, though the fond regards here and there did not go unnoticed.
Erza had not only nodded off on her beloved's shoulder but sunken down where she curled into his lap when the topic had wandered into local and then national politics, his suit's jacket covering her bare legs.
He returned to the parlour after having seen Jura out, grateful for her to have been awake enough to comprehend as to why he asked her to let him go. It would have been quite the problem had she not. Either at the loss of his shirt or having to carry her to the door, unable to open it. Jura had again not commented on their exchange of soft whispers, decently waiting as not to take his host's task of accompanying him to the door.
Regarding her now, Jellal had to smile. He crouched down.
"Come here, you," he lovingly nudged her, luring out a groan of complaint.
"Make me," Erza grumbled. It sounded as if merely a reflex, a habit, perhaps, incorporated into a slowly unwinding dream. Still smiling, Jellal slid his hands beneath where she had already gotten comfortable on her other side, facing the backrest. Rucking her up gently, she was a tiny bundle against his chest. Her breath vented warmly onto his collarbone, arms too tired to bring them around his neck, cradled into him instead, one instinctively grabbing hold of his shirt.
He did not get too far when there was a knock on the door. Frowning, he went to push the handle down with his elbow and her weight, glad for it not to be a knob. She had dozed off completely again, and he did not want to disturb her another time to ask for help.
Jura's friendly smile greeted him and Jellal wanted to thank him for not having rung the doorbell.
"The sketches," the Wizard Saint reminded in a hushed voice instead. Nodding, Jellal stepped aside for his superior to get them by himself. He waited in the hall, bowing his head while his own eyelids got heavier and heavier, finally climbing the stairs as the door fell shut.
Postponing all cleaning up after the visit, as well as properly getting ready, Jellal only peeled out of his clothes to join the warm heap of her body under the sheets. Sleep came quickly, the smell of her nape and the suppleness of her skin soaking him up, even driving out any churning thoughts on the Christmas party he would have thrown his night away for.