Fade to Sapphire (Jerza fanfic)

Chapter 9

I had been in the guild since early the next morning, and I stayed there sitting at a table the entire time, trying to figure out what to do next. Should I actually go to Jellal and just...ask?

"Maybe you should head home too", I heard Gray's voice as he patted me on the shoulder. I had spent such a long time lost in my thoughts that I didn't realize almost everyone had already left. I smiled at him and headed out, but having no idea where to go.

I could go back to my house, but Jellal could be there, and I didn't feel ready to face him yet. I could go to Lucy's, but I didn't want to get her worried since I was still as glump as I was yesterday.

I decided to go for a stroll, and clear my thoughts as much as possible. I walked around the main city, the park, anywhere I liked being at.

I ended up on my favorite place in Magnolia, which was under a cherry tree next to the deck. The view of the sunset, the falling petals gently touching the water's surface, the soft grass and how you could see most of Fiore there, were just a few of the reasons I loved this spot. I wasn't sure if it was my favorite before the accident too, but...does it really matter? I stood there and enjoyed the view of the sun that needed only a couple more minutes to set, taking a deep breath, closing my eyes and enjoying the gentle touch of its rays on my skin, until I felt a familiar presence behind me that was the one I never wanted to sense there. I slowly turned around, slightly taken over by fear.

"What do you want, Jellal?" I had no idea how I was actually able to talk with his presence in front of me. I was looking deep inside his hazel eyes, but I could't ignore the way the sunlight made his sapphire hair look as vibrant as ever, and how he was radiating a weird feeling of warmth, despite the tension of the moment.

"I just...felt like I owe you some explanations, so go ahead, ask me. Yell at me. I'll reply honetly, it's a promise." I wasn't as surprised with the fact that he came to me instead of the reverse as with the fact that I didn't know where to begin. Within those few seconds, I decided to focus and pick the most crucial question from my thoughts.

"Was it really you?" I felt like that summed everything up, and I didn't know if that was good or bad. His expression changed to a way I could not depict, as a gale of wind blew, entagling some petals from the cherry tree on both of our hair.

"I can't give you a clear answer to that, but..." He sighed and scratched the back of his head, remaining like that for a couple of seconds. "Yes and no."

"Meaning?"

"I was indeed there fighting you, I was the one that threw you off that cliff, but...I, as Jellal, was not there." I raised an eyebrow.

"And who was?"

"Zeref."

For some reason, it all started to make sense, but I let him continue.

"I was foolish and left myself get consumed by him again. He took over my consciousness and used my body and my powers to attack Fairy Tail. I can't believe I actually let him do it again.." He held his head in his palm, moving it side to side in desperation.

"Then...it was against your will?" I asked, and he nodded. "I am partially responsible for letting him win, though."

"Why was everyone so secretive about it?"

"That, I don't know. Probably to get your mind to bring up the memories itself, in hopes of helping you remember. But I didn't tell you much because I...was afraid." His voice was so silent and fragile it almost made me hurt.

"I'm sorry, Erza. For everything, and I mean everything. I truly am. I would never hurt you, ever. Because I care about you.." He had gotten closer, making a step towards me at a time, until the space between us was little enough for me to feel his breath on my cheeks.

"..because I love you." His eyes were piercing through mine now, making the moment even more intense. I could see the smallest detail on his face, and for that moment, it felt like nothing had ever happened.

"I...forgive you, Jellal." He looked a bit surprised, but I continued. "Even though you did what you did, I understand it was not under your own will, and that is enough for me -I trust you. And you mean way too much to me to ruin everything we once had now...as crazy as it sounds." I laughed silently, and he did the same, before looking at me in the with a look full of delight.

"Thank you", he whispered, as the sun disappeared behind the horizon, the exact moment he pressed his lips against mine...and for that moment, I could not have asked for a better way to end that crazy story.

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