Façade | Jerza

32 | Destined Simon

It was a new day when Jellal awoke, catching a whiff of the breakfast being made by Mirajane and Erza.

Not to mention, the pain bloomed from his countless injuries across his body. He was going to feel them for the rest of the week.

"About time you got up," Gildarts said, appearing behind Jellal. The Wizard Saint nodded in acknowledgement to his senior, before washing up for the morning and disappearing from the camp.

He found a hot spring, occupied by nobody. Jellal took to taking a bath there. He stripped down to his boxers, refusing to go skinny dipping in fear of anyone approaching him. Before he stepped into the water, he retrieved a vial from his messenger bag and popped the cork open, using the substance to lather his skin against the soap.

"I thought people took baths naked," a voice behind him chimed. Jellal turned to find Gajeel, Natsu, and Gray joining him.

"I'm not quite comfortable doing that outdoors."

They all stared at the black boxers Jellal had on, silently judging him for wearing it.

Natsu dove in straight for Jellal, grabbing his right arm in the process. "You gotta get your guild mark back so we can match!"

Gray's eyes narrowed at Jellal's chest, with other thoughts occupying his mind. "This is the first time I've seen you shirtless."

"I can't say the same for you," Jellal mentioned with a teasing smile, causing Gray to sheepishly scratch the back of his head.

Gajeel groaned. "Hey, are we gonna have breakfast or not?"

"Why'd you follow me?" Natsu shrugged.

"Just wanted to see how he was doing." Gajeel mumbled in a shy confession. He glanced up at Jellal. "I heard you and Simon cast Abyss Break. Even Phantom Lord couldn't achieve that."

Natsu huffed, "You can't just compare Jellal to that lame guild!" Gajeel couldn't say anything to disagree with him, but still felt sorry for the fate that befell his other guild members.

Jose, however, never really crossed Gajeel's mind, except when the Dragon Slayer struggled to fit in with his new guild upon initially joining. Sometimes he wanted to confront Jellal on the fate that befell that guild master.

Would Gajeel ever go meet him? He would have liked to say no.

But Jose was kind to him, in some cruel way.

Natsu announced, "Alright Jellal, let's fight here. If I win, then you make me S-Class right here and now!"

Gray and Gajeel stilled.

Natsu rolled his shoulders as a warm-up.

Jellal crossed his arms. "I think we should put on some clothes if we're going to fight. I don't want to send a naked man flying to the other side of the island."

"You wish!" Natsu summoned his fire, treading through the water quickly to reach Jellal.

The Wizard Saint flew up with Meteor and slammed Natsu's body into the water to the surface beneath it.

It was a rather quick battle. Jellal did not hold back nor show any mercy.

When Natsu emerged, he floated in pain as the water carried him, unable to make sense of reality.

"And K.O. by Jellal!" Happy announced, flying over the hot springs.

Jellal smoothed his hair and before getting out of the water, dragging Natsu along. Using his telekinesis, Jellal got himself dressed rather efficiently. He fixed his collar as he said to Natsu, "Next time you want to challenge me, please don't do it when we're bathing."