Dawn of Adventure {Book One of The Paths We've Traveled}

Chapter Forty-Nine: Goodbye Until Tomorrow

Erza stood by the prow, watching as the horizon solidified and turned into the bustling port of Hargeon. The emerging buildings were clear in the fading light, the sun approaching the horizon behind them. She smiled to herself, breathing in the spring air deeply. The wind had died last night, leaving the air heavy and humid even as the current pushed them through the waves and the sun disappeared in the sky. So even though they all wore their bathing suits and Wendy had stirred up a cool breeze earlier, everyone hid below decks. Erza was the only one left, her long hair sticking to her back and shoulders. The strands hung past her waist, a scarlet waterfall nearly three feet in length.

Erza sighed, pulling her attention from the approaching city and focusing instead on her hair. She gathered it all in a ponytail in an attempt to escape the sticky feeling, but it did little to improve her discomfort. She let it go, biting her lip while she thought.

Jellal came on deck a few minutes later and found Erza examining a sword. He blushed at the sight of her in her white bikini, the fabric leaving nothing to the imagination. She was the most beautiful person he had ever seen. How did I ever win her?

She looked over at the sound of his soft footsteps, giving him a gentle smile. "What's the sword for?" She snorted, the weapon disappearing in a flash of golden light. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead before stepping away and looking at the ocean. It was too hot to hold her, and watching her would just distract him. Besides, although he loved her deeply, he still was unsure on how to touch her, how to hold her. He'd been without physical touch for so long that it was difficult to learn what was best. And it certainly didn't help that he and Erza were some of the most awkward people he knew.

"I was wondering how sharp a sword would need to be to cut my hair." Jellal started, his attention jerking to her immediately and catching her smirk. "Erza Nightwalker did it in one move!" She defended herself, leaning against the bulwark.

"Why would you ever want to cut your hair?" He laughed, only slightly concerned. He felt sweat drenching his hair and skin, and Erza glanced away before she found herself reaching out to brush blue hair from his face. The sight of his bare chest was also extremely distracting, especially in the golden sunlight.

"I'm not sure," she admitted. "I think the heat is getting to me. And Nightwalker looked good with short hair. And since we're pretty much the same person..."

Jellal smiled before tucking a strand of her sticky hair behind her ear. "I've never met Erza Nightwalker, but I know that without a doubt, you would look beautiful no matter the length of your hair. What... how short were you thinking?"

Erza hummed, twisting a strand of hair around her finger smirking as Jellal's eyes followed the motion. "Hmm... Not that short, I don't think. What do you think would look good?" Her voice dropped even as her head tilted downwards, brown eyes looking up at her boyfriend from beneath her lashes. His heart stammered even as he let his gaze run freely over her, willing his cheeks to stay cool.

"I-" He cleared his throat and looked away. "It shouldn't matter what I think. It's your hair." A cool breeze had finally started up, and her hair began to blow sideways and hit him in the arm. He shivered, sliding slightly away to escape the locks that were now tangling in the wind.

Erza sighed, all thoughts of hair and seduction gone from her mind. Using her magic, her hair pulled up into a ponytail even as she turned to look at Jellal. He was looking at Hargeon again, watching as the buildings grew in size. "Jellal? What's bothering you?"

He groaned, leaning over the railing and letting it dig into his stomach. "I don't want to keep being negative. I love you Erza."

She reached out and placed a hand on his forearm. "And I love you," she murmured, feeling a pressure lifting off of her heart as the words came out. She smiled up at him, rubbing her thumb over his bicep. "But that isn't what's wrong, is it? You just said that, we both did, and you don't seem any happier." She continued to run her hand along his arm, and he unconsciously leaned toward her. "I know you love me. But why... why do I feel like you're saying goodbye?"