Seeking Forgiveness (Jellal x Reader)

Chapter 21

The group laughed as they wandered up the hill to the disguised guild of Crime Sorcière. The sound echoed over the rolling hills and carried with the wind. For the first time in days everyone in the guild was happy and content, the demons on their pasts forgotten, even if it was just for a fleeting moment. You hand was tightly intertwined with Jellal's as you walked, helping you keep an eye on his injured side until you all got home.

Your breath wheezed as you turned to Erik, who had just told a joke. Your smile stretched so far it made your cheeks ache, but you couldn't help the laugh that broke through, "he actually said that?" You managed to ask him. Erik was merely grinning but there was a shine to his eyes that never appeared with his usual knowing smirk. A gleam of happiness.

"Yep. That pink haired buffoon actually told that joke through the middle of a fight," he chuckled under his breath, but it quickly turned into a wince as Richards booming laughter filled the air.

"OOH YEAH! THAT IS A TRULY LOVELY JOKE!"

Macbeth sighed, but his smile stretched as he relived the moment the joke was told, "I don't think lovely could be used to describe that joke."

"As crude as it may be, it is funny. Who would've guessed Natsu knew such a funny joke?" Sorano giggled.

Meredy linked arms with you on your free side, the tips of her ears and her cheeks flushed pink but even she could see the humour behind the joke. You had all reached the top of the hill by now. The booming laughter had died down to soft giggles, racer hadn't seemed to cool down just yet as he sniggers to himself.

Jellal let your hand go, and glanced at all of you. Happy, free and together. Something you'd all needed for a long time. A family, in a sense.

"Are you alright?" You asked him, watching his face for signs of any distress he may be feeling.

Jellal smiled softly at you and kissed your temple, making the group behind you watch with interest, "I couldn't be better." You blushed at his actions and his words as he walked passed you and towards the door.

Jellal stepped forward, a rare wide smile on his face, as he went to push open the door. But before he could, it burst off its hinges and sent the mage flying backwards, and rolling across the dirt, stopping face down. You gasped and ran forward, crouching next to Jellal. He was still hurt from saving you, with no time to recover, this wouldn't be good for his wounds. You quickly checked the wound on his side and sighed in relief when it didn't seem as if it got any worse.

You rolled him onto his back and watched as his eyes fluttered open a groan escaping his lips, "are you alright?" You asked him.

Jellal opened his mouth to answer, but he beat him to it, "he'll be fine my lovely Shadow Whisperer. It's yourself you should be worried about." He walked out of the shadows, his face twisted into a crazed look you knew all too well. One that usually meant death for the person on the other end. He tilted his head and smiled. You stood up, glaring at the man that was the cause of your nightmares.

Eriks' eyes widened as he began to run forward towards you, his hand outstretched as he heard exactly what the attacker was thinking, prepared to pull you out the way, "(Y/N)! GET BACK HE'S GOING TO-!"

But before he could a blast of pure, blue power shot from your captures hand as he cackled manically, "goodbye, dearie."

You watched with wide eyes as the magic blasted towards you and Jellal. The blast was moving so fast you knew the others wouldn't have any time to move, to protect you or Jellal. You glanced down at his moving form, injured and helpless.

It was then that they whispered.

'You can protect them'.

So, raising a single hand you broke your vow to yourself to protect your guild. Your friends. Your family. And your love.