Fairytale | Jerza | AU

45. Christmas Eve.

Two months later

Afternoon

Jellal's POV:

     Finally, a break. A week to take rest before the battle continues. I knew that I needed the rest. 'Don't wanna break it down to know it needs rest... Last time was embarrassing enough.' I thought as I fiddled with the contacts on my phone.

     'Who should I call? I don't know what the girls would like and Gray won't really help, more trouble than worth... Natsu and Gajeel are just a pain in the neck... Laxus?' I shook my head. I couldn't imagine him picking a gift for the girls, or them enjoying whatever he could pick.

     'One of the girls then... Would it be weird to ask a girl to go shopping with me, just the two of us? ...yes it would. Is that even a question!' I sighed. 'Natsu wouldn't like it if I call Lucy... She seemed like a safe option though...'

     I kept my phone on the bed and ran my fingers through my hair. 'I should try calling one of them... I don't have much time.' I picked up the phone again and went through the contacts.

     My finger stopped at Erza's name, but I continued to scroll after a moment. I decided to call Wendy and impatiently tapped my foot against the bed, as I waited for her to pick up.
"Hello, Jellal?"
"Hello, Wendy."
"Hi.. Did you need anything?"
"Um.. yeah, I mean, could you help me to pick gifts for everyone?"
"I'm sorry, but I'm helping out at the animal shelter right now, to decorate for tomorrow... I'm really sorry!"
"It's alright! I'll ask someone else. Thank you! Bye.."
"Bye! Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas..." My voice trailed off as the call ended. I sighed again. 'If no one else agrees, then I'll ask Erza.' I thought as I dialled Juvia. But she didn't pick up.

     Out of concern, I texted her and asked if she was alright and wished her a Merry Christmas. Then I proceeded to call Levy.
"Hello, Jellal! Merry Christmas!"
"Hello, Levy. Merry Christmas to you too..."
"So what did you need me for?"
"Can you help me pick up gifts for everyone?"
"Are you telling me you haven't done that yet?!"
"Um..yeah..."
"Okay, um.. did you ask Erza?"
"No, why?"
"I'm sure she would like to help you. She is free this evening too..."
"Oh, but.. are you busy?"
"Um, yeah! Yes, I am."
"Okay. Thanks!"
"Call Erza then! Bye!"
"Bye.."
     I ended the phone and decided to call Gray. He picked it up after it rang for a while.
"Hey!"
"Gray, you free right now?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Help me get gifts for everyone...please?"
"Oh..."
He thought for a while before replying,
"Can't do, Jellal. Have you asked Erza though?"
"You... What's your problem? You don't have anything to do! You're just trying to set me up!"
"I'm really busy, Jellal. My aunt's come here for Christmas. I can't leave her alone."
"Oh, really? .. well, okay then."
"Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas..."
     I ended the call and threw the phone onto the bed. I checked the time, '2:57 pm'. I shook my head. 'Gotta call Erza.' I thought as I picked my phone up again and dialled Erza's number.

     I waited anxiously, as the the dial tone rang. The moment she picked it up, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding and answered her,
"Hey, Erza."
"Merry Christmas, Jellal!"
"Merry Christmas to you too." I said, a smile blooming on my face. I continued,
"Can you help me out please? You are the only one who can..."
"Okay, what is it?"
"I am about to go shopping for gifts... For everyone. Don't ask why I'm so late."
"Oh okay. I'm free right now."
"That's great, then let us meet at the Market. I know a few good shops..."
"Okay! I'll meet you there in 15!"
"Great! Thanks, Erza! Bye.."
"Bye!"
     The call ended, as I moved around, trying to find something good to wear, smiling all the time.

Market

Erza's POV:

     As I waited for Jellal, I heard a voice call out to me. I turned in that direction to see Jellal waving towards me. He was wrapped in a thick coat and his face was covered with a scarf, which honestly made him look cute.

     I smiled warmly at him as he approached me and we went into the crowd together. Snow started to fall slowly as we made way through to the shops.

     Jellal grabbed my hand suddenly and pulled me with him into a cozy, little shop. I had never seen it before, even though I visited the market so many times in the past year and a half.

     A wave of warmth spread over us when we went in through the doors. A pleasant sounding wind chime rang somewhere from within the shop. Jellal let go of my hand and started looking at the items placed on shelves all around us.

     "Here... Do you think Lucy will like this?" He asked me, showing me a bracelet in his hands. It was made of wooden beads and colourful gems strung together.

     "Yep. She'll love it! It's pretty!" I said with a nod. He smiled satisfactorily and went on to search for other gifts. "You know..." I said as I followed him, "I haven't found gifts for all the guys either... So, I'm hoping you can help me."

     "Sure." He said, "You wanna pick your gifts first? I think Gray would like this here..." He pointed to a shelf to his right as be asked me. "Okay, but I got one for Gray. This is weird, but the only guys I don't have gifts for are you and Laxus."

     "Oh... So you don't want me picking a gift for myself?" He asked awkwardly. I nodded and said, "I'll buy you something. But I'll keep it a secret till tomorrow."

     Then we proceeded to another shop for a gift for Laxus and then Jellal's gifts. While he was busy searching for a book for Levy, in a shop adjacent to the bookstore, I saw a collection of lockets.

     'Would he like a locket?' I tried to remember all the things that made him happy. 'He wouldn't mind a locket I guess...' I looked through all the lockets that were showcased there.

     My hands stopped at a lock shaped one. It reminded me of Jellal. 'Like a lock... You don't know what lies beyond till you open it. Isn't that how he is?' I smiled to myself as I picked it up and went to the counter.

     The old man at the counter smiled at the locket and said in a coarse voice, "Young lady, would you like to buy the key to this lock too?" He pulled out a small key hanging on a chain from a drawer.

     "Oh, are these a pair?" I asked. He nodded as he kept the key beside the lock on the counter. I thought for a second before answering, "I'll buy both."

     "Good choice, young lady..." He smiled, "Should I wrap these together?" I shook my head, saying, "Only wrap the lock. I'll keep the key." He nodded before proceeding to do so.

     I craned my neck to see if Jellal was still in the shop. I couldn't see him anywhere outside, so I assumed that he must still be inside. I paid the old man and grabbed the lockets before rushing back to the neighbouring shop.

     I tried to find Jellal in the shop, searching for his blue hair. After a moment, I found him standing at the back, hidden behind racks. I walked towards him but stopped when I heard him talking to someone.

     "...always hanging around you." A girl was saying to Jellal. A girl on her left smiled and said, "Why don't you hang with us?" Jellal almost shouted, "Because you are like this! Worthless idiots! You don't tell me what to do, who to be friends with, do you-"

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(A/n): Hello guys! I hope you all are enjoying the story so far. I apologise for any mistakes regarding Christmas. I mean it's pretty popular, so I do know a lot about it, but it isn't celebrated as much from where I am. So, if there are any mistakes, please tell me! I'll be happy to rectify. Thank you all for reading. Take care, stay safe and healthy. Bye!