My Scarlet Rose (A Jerza Fanfic)

Chapter 1 - Different Paths

After the seven year time skip, the two lovebirds had a reunion. Everyone was getting their Second Origins unlocked by Ultear which was quite painful. Well, except for the Requip Mage. She didn't like others to see her in pain. She knew acting tough was not true strength, but she couldn't help it. She had trained herself to be like that. To be strong. Because if she was strong, she could protect her loved ones. But strength wasn't all that mattered to her. She just wanted to protect her friends, which were like family to her, and the man she loved dearly. Even though he could protect himself, she still felt the need.

Moments ago, the lovebirds had fallen down a path. Their current situation left a pink blush on both of their faces. Erza laid on the ground, her scarlet hair sprawled out and her big brown eyes staring up at her beloved. The sunset was hitting her face just right. Jellal was on top of her. He hovered over her staring into her beautiful brown orbs, his mouth slightly open. The sunset hitting him as well. Erza placed her hands on his cheeks, overwhelmed with emotions of having Jellal right in front of her. She thought she would never see him again since he was in prison. A single tear ran out of her left eye.

The redhead slowly pulled Jellal's face toward hers. His face getting inches closer to hers. And he did not resist. Jellal loved Erza as well. He cared deeply for her. He wanted this to happen, but he still felt guilty. He didn't understand how Erza could still want to be around him after everything he'd done to her. Having been close friends as kids in the Tower of Heaven then turning against her during their time of escape. Only to show up again years later to try and use her as a sacrifice in order to resurrect Zeref. He felt like he didn't deserve her love. And that's why he had to stop it.

Just as his lip brushed against hers, he pulled back. Erza used her elbows to prop herself up. Her face had surprise and confusion written all over it. She was also a little hurt by the fact that Jellal didn't want to kiss her. "I . . I can't." Jellal gripped Erza's shoulders and turned his head to the side, avoiding eye contact as he was about to lie to her. "I have a fiancée." He added. He wasn't getting married, but he didn't deserve Erza. He had done some screwed up things and he did not want to drag her down with him. She could only nod, stunned by the words that just came out of his mouth. She knew he was lying, but she didn't expect that. Maybe it's for the best, she told herself.

Hours later, once the sun had gone down and Crime Sorcière had been long gone, Erza stood alone next to a tree on the beach. She recalled her earlier conversation with Jellal moments before he left.

"I am too engulfed in darkness, Erza. I don't want to pull you down with me."

"Jellal-"

"Erza. You shall walk in the light while I walk in the dark. Unfortunately, the light and dark don't mix."

"I-I understand."

"Thank you, Erza. Please continue to live in the light and we shall meet again some day."

She understood how he felt. She did, but she just wished that he wouldn't torture himself like this. She knew that Jellal was punishing himself by not allowing himself to be happy. But this was also affecting her as well. A piece of her wanted a relationship with the Heavenly Body Mage. She had longed for it since she was a child. No other man could make her feel the way she felt when she was with Jellal. Only him. She had known this for a long time.

Ultear and Meredy scolded Jellal for lying to Erza. "You shouldn't punish yourself like this. You are allowed to be happy, you know." Ultear spoke in a soft, comforting voice. "I know." Jellal sighed. He did know, but he and Erza were in two different worlds now. One full of pure, warm light and the other full of cold darkness. He was trying to aton for his sins, hoping that it would lead him to the light.

But that would be in the future. Right now, he and Erza would have to be separate. They would have to walk different paths and live different lives. But they would meet again soon. And then they would be driven apart.