Hey! Thanks so much for your reviews, guys! I love reading them!

Now finally, a treat. (.,.,. means POV change without a time skip)

Hope you enjoy...

Erza felt herself panic at those words. He opened his mouth to continue but she was faster. She had to tell him sooner or later.

"I'm sorry I clogged the drain! I tried to fix it but the sword got stuck and kind of broke the tile and then I couldn't really reach in anyway, so, um…" her voice retreated to a mutter that continued with incoherent things. He was silent for a moment, his gaze perforating her in the dark.

"The… the bathtub tile? I thought- no, wait, it doesn't matter," he shook his head, in- and exhaling to prepare anew. He was nervous. Too nervous for a tile. He was so nervous, he did not even try to make her feel reassured, like he had with the kitchen she had burnt.

Her eyes widened the second he spoke. She knew. The moment the words "Meredy said" left his mouth, she knew that he had found out. And that he had most likely come to his own conclusions. Though… was that not a good thing…?

She felt her face steaming, as if searing the fever through her within a minute would cure her. Not that it did not distract; the ache in her muscles was hardly an issue anymore.

"…and I'm really sorry, honestly. I would have never done that if I would have known."

"What?" Erza snapped back into the present. He had probably told her novels at the speed he was blabbing but she had missed almost all of it. "Sorry, I didn't…" she swallowed, feeling the acid itch up her throat. He noticed, sitting up. She grabbed his sleeve to prevent him from leaving, so he reached over her with his other arm. She could hear the glass against the wood of the nightstand, letting him go.

Jellal knelt next to her head, aiding her in holding it up, as well as the glass to her lips. She drank it greedily, emptying it so quickly, she had to cough. It felt like heaven, the cool liquid washing down the sandy scratching of her throat.

"Would you like another wet towel?" He asked and she nodded, fetching the now warm one from next to her on the bed. He left quietly and she could hear the water run. She spotted a cup of tea on the nightstand – cold but still a beverage. She downed it in one go, gladly sinking back down into her pillow.

The room adjusted around Erza and she sighed in relief when he returned and placed the soaked cloth on her forehead. He remained where he was, kneeling next to her, hands self-consciously on his lap. As if ready to take another order. Or perhaps to run for it, she thought, remembering their last topic.

"What was it you said?" Erza asked. She felt calmer now. Maybe it was the fever and exhaustion but with the previously overwhelming pain now eased, her mind cleared, too. Relaxed even. She was glad that she had been able to save him from her illness by going on the mission and even happier that he let her stay and took care of her.

She glanced at him through the veil of darkness, feeling his discomfort. She decided to do her best to return the favour. To give back even a fragment of the happiness he made her feel. She would be his lighthouse in a stormy night at sea.

.,.,.

"I… I said that I'm sorry. I really am."

"I wanted to go on that mission, Jellal, you-"

"No, not the job. I mean before that, when… I came back and," he struggled. He squeezed his eyes closed. This was so much harder than he had imagined. How does one apologise for something one cannot remember? "After the drinks, when I came home and woke you up and…" he could not say it.

"Oh," Erza sounded surprised, but her voice was soft. He saw the silhouette of her arm come up to touch her neck. To that mark he was responsible for. He still felt a twist in his stomach when thinking about it. A strange twist that was neither good nor bad. "It's okay, you didn't do anything wrong," she said.

He swallowed. He did not know how to answer, the only thing coming to his mind being apologies.

"I… liked it…" Erza quietly confessed. He winced. He stared at her calm face; how her fingers lightly brushed over the lovebite.

"I… didn't hurt you?" He asked, still unsure of how far he had gone.

"What? Heavens, no, Jellal," she almost laughed, "you really didn't do anything wrong, it was… thrilling…" he held his breath, "and I guess I was kind of hoping that you'd never stop or…" her soft voice almost faded out and he cursed at the blood that pulsed in his ears, trying to hear her with every fibre of his body, "would… go further…" she dared. She twisted a strand of hair between her fingers, avoiding his eyes.

His mouth had dried out. He exhaled shortly, taking a deep but quiet breath when his lungs screamed for oxygen. She… what? His spine shot up straight. That meant he had not gone too far. He felt as if his skin would melt off his bones with relief, hotly washing down his back.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about the pills; I didn't want you to think you were obliged to do anything," she ranted on, giving him a fresh zap of flurry. "I only wanted to be prepared, just in case; I hadn't read the side effects yet and then there was that plant and I wanted to tell you but I didn't know how…" she faded out again, though every word burnt itself into his head. This time, his heartbeat drowned her out completely. It almost shook him.

She… she wanted… what? Be prepared in case he would… that they would….

His face exploded with blush that carried all the way up to his ears. His pulse was setting new standards, breaking every record as it sprinted so heftily, he felt dizzy. Because now he did feel obliged to do… something. Anything in that direction at least, anything at all. Starting with what he was dreading most of all.

He felt a tremble take over his arms, then his body. It was ridiculous how much it terrified him. His entire life, he had loved her, longed for her and whenever he had gotten a chance, he had screwed up so badly, her grandchildren would still feel it. He just could not do it, no matter what he told himself. How could something he had never done, never tried before and would definitely fail at be the right thing to do? How would it not ruin everything?

What if it was not what she dreamed it to be?

"Jellal?" Erza piped up, concerned. He frowned, remembering her words. How it was so much more than what he was already unprepared for. He gulped.

"You mean...?"

"I mean," she read his uneasiness, her voice soothing and reassuring. She suppressed a groan, shoving herself up with great effort. He reached out, trying to stop her, telling her, but she managed to move enough to be at the height of his knees. She scooted closer, resting her head on his lap. "I trust you." She concluded, smiling.

He stared down at her, unbelieving.

"You know," she continued, ever calm, "if you would relax a little more, this would be the most wonderful view I could hope for." Erza said, her eyes shining even in the half dark. His heart stopped for a second. He exhaled sharply, desperately. His face fell into his hand, raking at his skin and pressing into his eye. How are you this brave? He thought.

And then he said it. Because she deserved the same. Because there was a point in talking about their feelings. And because he wanted to know the answer. To tell her things, too, to open up and be honest, since she had just poured her heart out to him.

"Brave?" Erza seemed confused with his change of attitude. She reached up to remove his hand from his face, tugging on his arm. He sighed under his breath.

"I'm just… scared…"

"Most people are afraid of me,"

"No, I mean," he had to laugh. It turned dry, though, bitter. He felt tears stand behind his eyes.

"I know." She said. "I'm scared too." She confessed, fetching back his attention. He met her eyes with shock. She was not looking away. "I was very afraid to tell you and that everything will suddenly end and I will have to wait again," she averted her gaze. He sighed.

"I'm sorry," he received a strict look, knowing she did not like him apologising and feeling guilty, "I'm the one who planted that seed. I was really horrible to you," he felt the tears again, hiding a sob behind clearing his throat.

"Jellal," Erza struggled, trying to sit.

"Don't-" he said, but she pushed herself up anyway, somehow. She turned to him, clinging to his arms and he supported her, afraid she would just break down. She grabbed his shirt firmly with both hands. Her eyes blazed with love so strong, he could not react. There was as much willpower in them as there was fear; as much can as there was can't.

She took a breath, and decided.

"Jellal," she said it like a question, though with so much determination that there was hardly any room for objection. He nodded. Her body faltered ever so slightly and he tightened his arms around her back.

"Do you not want to kiss me?" Erza asked. He felt his breath hitch in his throat. He shook his head, nose already brushing hers. She trembled. A fire built up in his stomach, bubbling nervously. "Then… may I?" He nodded again, almost unnotably.

She kissed him. She kissed him fiercely and his world got swept away from under him. He did not know where up and down was, everything spinning, making him dizzy. Everything but the heat of her lips, taking him in, drowning him in her passion. She tore on his shirt, drawing him into her.

They gasped for air when breaking apart. Both panted into each other's face, shaking. Her face lifted first with the same hunger in her eyes that his insides churned with.

"Can I…?" Erza breathed and he nodded again. She moved forward, like a bird diving onto its prey. He let her. He wanted her to. Her skin was hot, burning with more than a fever now, and he inhaled her scent, making it almost impossible to stay sane.

Her hands slid over his shoulders. One stroked along his back while the other entangled in his hair. She kissed him again and again, moaning when he lightly bit her lower lip. It drove him mad. His hands shoved her closer, onto his lap where her legs hung over the sides of his. She was higher now, her face practically merging with his.

Pulling away, they wheezed. Neither moved away from the other one, lips hovering close. Their hearts drummed in unison, adrenaline streaming through their bodies. He opened his eyes, meeting her semi-closed ones. She did not give herself the chance to catch her breath.

"…again?"

"Please…" he panted, meeting her half way. She was pouring every ounce of feeling into the kiss and so was he. Every time he had rejected her, disappointed and worried her. He squeezed their torsos together, pressing what breath she had left out of her. It flowed against his cheek where she squished her nose into. He dug his fingers into her back.

His tongue touched her lip and she opened her mouth immediately. She left no room for questions or invitations, pushing her own into his mouth. She wrestled his tongue, fighting a war he had long lost. Her nails scraped his back, while her other hand thrust through his hair, tugging on it.

His arm wandered, hands rucking her back up, remaining on her thighs. She moaned again. Then faltered. Jellal pulled away, breathing heavily, staring up at her. Erza's hands slid to his shoulders, her fingers trying to get hold of his shirt again. Her chest heaved relentlessly and her shoulders fell alongside her head. He propped it up with his forehead.

She was sweating, her forehead burning but she smiled. Her eyes grew hazy. Gently, Jellal moved his hands to guide her down his lap. He helped her all the way to lay on her back, covering her with the blanket. Her eyes fell closed but she would not release him. He complied, laying down beside her, embracing her.

And he smiled, too. To the moon and back.