Chapter 12

AN: I know that this is a Nalu fan-fiction, however, this chapter isn't about them. This chapter will be Jerza only.

Erza's P.O.V.

I drummed my fingers nervously against my leg as Jellal pulled my seat out for me. I sat in it, fixing my purple dress to where it didn't bunch up. Why was I so nervous? He's just a guy.... I'm just a girl.... A girl that's been in love with him since she was a little girl- I shook the thoughts from my head, the butterflies fluttering around in my stomach. I felt so... I don't know. It surpassed nervous and excited. I bit my lip to avoid groaning in frustration. I hated the feeling of being out of control, so you can imagine what this was like for me.

"Erza...thank you for coming out with me tonight," Jellal said, causing my head to shoot up. I blushed, and nodded. His hand came across the table and grasped mine. "This is something I've wanted a long time."

"I..."

"Yes?" Jellal asked, withdrawing his hand from me and resting his head in both of them, smiling at me. I looked down, unable to hold his gaze. I felt like I was going to have a heart attack. Instantly, I wished I would have worn my armor. I would have felt a lot better, stronger, more confident if I had worn my armor. However, I understood that wouldn't be the wise thing to do. We were in a fancy place, an expensive restaurant. If I hadn't reminded myself of that, repeatedly, I'd be wearing armor the second I sat down.

"I've w-wanted th-this a long t-time, too." I stuttered out, sure that I'd burst into flames any moment. Jellal smiled at me, before motioning for the waiter. We both ordered steaks and small Cesar salads. While waiting for the food, we made small talk.

"After the whole dragon incident," I winced as he mentioned the event from last year, but allowed him to continue. "I was looking for my friend. I knew somewhere inside that she was gone, yet I still went when I should have been with you."

"I-it's fine, " I mumbled, looking around the restaurant to avoid his eyes. "Why should you have been with me?"

"Well, because I like you!" He said laughing. Oh. My. Gods. Feeling flustered, I just giggled nervously- it couldn't be too bad to requip into armor... just for a minute or twenty....

"I'm sorry, Erza. Am I making you feel weird?" Jellal asked suddenly. I didn't want to nod; that would sound like I didn't feel the same way for him.

"I- um.... this is a bit new to me." I managed to get out without my heart exploding in my chest. I was sure that he could hear it beating.

"Do you like me as well?" Did he WANT to cause me to simultaneously detonate?

"I-"

"Here's your drinks." The waitress said, sitting down two glasses of water. We thanked her, and I pretended to be interested in the liquid in front of me.

"As you were saying," Jellal nudged, grinning like an idiot. Just one sword...

"Maybe."

"I'll take that as a yes." I stared at him, mortified.

"Erm- I- uh-graaaa?" I asked, unable to form any correct word. The blue-haired heart throb threw his head back, laughing. A couple of people sitting nearby glanced in our direction before minding their own business. After he'd calmed down, his eyes locked onto my own before I could look away.

"Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?" this time, I strangely didn't feel as hot in the face. Maybe his flattery and flirting were sinking in, enabling me to return to my normal confident self.

"I wouldn't say beautiful," I replied.

"Then what would you say?" He asked, taking a sip of his water casually.

"Average."

"What?"

"I would say, I look average." Jellal shook his head.

"You have always been far above average," my stomach had settled. Looking into his eyes, it's like my worries were melting into the background, unable to touch me at the moment.

"You're not too bad yourself." he winked, but before he could say anything, the waitress returned with our food. We talked about different things as we ate, mainly about how we'd been since said dragon incident.

"I've been fine. Haven't done much, but since I'm a free man, I've been thinking about joining a guild." I dropped my fork and stared at him intently. Even though this would sound dumb, I seriously worried that he'd say Saber Tooth or something. I sucked in a breath, picking up my fork and acting as if it had never happened.

"What guild are you wanting to join?" I asked, trying to sound calm.

"Oh- there's this one. It has a really hot girl that I think I'm in love with- I'm wanting to join it." I felt a twinge of jealousy settle over me.

"A girl, huh?" He just nodded, smiling. I smiled back, then patted my mouth clean with a napkin before standing up and walking out of the restaurant without another word. Jellal had the audacity to laugh as he called for me to come back. What was I to him? A joke? Great... my cheeks felt wet, but it wasn't cold outside. What was it... I realized quickly that it was tears. Why was I crying? I already knew it was because of him. How could I have been so stupid as to think that he actually had feelings for me? I was just a toy for him to play with until I got boring and ditch town shortly following. He'd never feel the way I felt about him towards me. I was just the girl from his past-

"ERZA!" I turned just in time for Jellal to crash into me, sending us both to the ground and tumbling down a hill, landing in water. I looked around to see that I'd made it to Magnolia- I wasn't far away from the guild hall at all. "Hey- why're you crying?" Jellal asked. He'd landed on top of me, but was now standing and pulling us out of the water.

"I-I'm not!" I defended, but he shook his head, peering into my brown orbs.

"You're eyes are red. You have tear stains on your cheeks," Jellal looked like he was the one who'd just had his heart broken.

"It's none of your business!" I snapped, trudging towards the bank. His arms went around my waist, and I was pulled into him. I thrashed and screamed at him as he carried me towards a nearby hotel. Renting a room and avoiding the manager's weird look, he dragged me up the stairs to the room. Throwing me in, he locked the door behind him leaving us alone.

"What do you think you're-"

"Let me explain."

"Save it, I don't wanna-"

"You're the girl," I reeled back, falling onto the bed.

"W-what?!"

"You're the girl I'm in love with, Erza." Jellal spoke gently, walking over to the bed and sitting down. He then pulled me into his lap, stroking my hair while hugging me. I just stayed still, in shock. What lies was he spewing in order to dig himself out of the trouble.

"You're lying." I said firmly.

"I'm not, though."

"You are!" I said, trying to pull away as I came to my senses. That was when he did the unexpected- he kissed me. I didn't mean to, but I leaned into it and closed my eyes, my heart overruling my mind. I'd wanted to kiss him for so long...

"Does that feel like a lie?" He whispered in my ear. I reached up, placing a tentative hand to my lips.

"Y-you have five minutes to explain." Jellal grinned, and started talking.

"Well, I was dropping pretty subtle hints, Erza." I rolled my eyes. Was he seriously calling me clueless? "I decided that I wanted to join Fairy Tail so that I could be with you about two months ago, when I realized how I felt." I gulped.

"And... how do you feel about me?"

"You first." He smirked.

"I- I asked you-"

"You. First."

"I love you," I blurted out. A second later I dived out of his arms and attempted to escape the room. Stupid, stupid, stupid! WHY?! Why did I say that?

"I love you, too." He murmured from behind me, before I was turned around and kissed again. Unable to stop myself, I kissed back, wrapping my arms around his neck. His arms fastened around my waist once more, pulling me closer and closer until we were chest to chest. "Say it again." Jellal said, his voice muffled against my lips. He pulled his lips away slightly, waiting for me to repeat myself.

"I...I love you." It came easier to the tongue each time I said it. Jellal smiled like he'd one the lottery or something. Okay, boy, it's a confession; not a proposal or anything. Still, I couldn't deny the joy I felt myself. We stood facing each other for a few minutes, a comfortable silence settling between us.

"So..." I began, twirling a strand of my hair to seem casual- which was NOT casual for me. "Do you... Ah, I don't know... want to go see if we can get ya into Fairy Tail?" Jellal made a thinking face, which I wanted to smack, before nodding.

"I'd love to," we linked arms and walked towards the guild hall. I didn't avoid it this time; I changed into my Heart Kreuz armor, a silent vow to myself. The guy beside me- I wouldn't let him break my heart. I didn't know how hopelessly I'd already fallen for him at the time.