Heart Kreuz Chocolates - Jerza fanfic

Jellal looked around Magnolia's South Gate Park. Erza had told him to meet her here. He pulled his hood down a little lower, worried about being out in public. For Erza to call him out like this, the issue must be serious.

Finally, he saw her sitting on a bench. She wore a short, black, pleated skirt and slightly over-sized beige cardigan. No armor, so he assumed she was not in immediate danger. That was a relief. Jellal walked up to her, glancing around cautiously. Dressed like this, so simple, like any other girl in town, made the redhead blend in more. He hoped the black hoodie he had opted to wear, rather than the suspicious cloak he normally wore when traveling, also made him seem like just another man out for a stroll.

He stopped in front of her bench and looked down at the woman he cared for more deeply than anyone else in his entire life. "I came," he said curtly.

Erza's face was flushed, and he worried if she was actually in a lot of trouble, yet hiding herself with these plain clothes. Her face twisted with anxiety. Perhaps she was being pursued, or blackmailed, or...

She reached behind her. Jellal stiffened, ready to see just what the trouble was. He was prepared to protect her. He knew deep in his heart, he would die for her. She was his reason for still being alive, for surviving and turning his sin into a blessing, helping others to escape the darkness. He had followed the sunset of her red hair through the dark night and back into the crimson dawn, bathed in glorious light and freedom.

Yes, he would do anything for her, because she had done so much to save him.

Yet instead of something threatening, Erza pulled out a small heart-shaped box. It was cutely pink, with a gold bow that had the brand name Heart Kreuz embroidered into it.

In a quiet and gruff voice, she explained, "Heart Kreuz had a special. Buy a box of chocolates and get a free cake. I...I just wanted the cake, so...t-take this."

Jellal stared in silent amazement. Chocolates? Was this a trick? Was there something hidden in the chocolate? Aloud, he asked, "Is this for real?"

Erza turned her face aside as her cheeks went brighter. "It's not like I bought it especially for you or anything. Just take it." She shook the box, rattling the desserts inside.

Shocked, Jellal reached out and took the box. He opened it slowly, and inside were decorative chocolates. He sensed no magic in the candies, nothing evil. They were simple store-bought chocolates.

"You called me out...for this?" he asked, unsure what to think of it.

Erza stood up with an angry gleam to her eyes. "It's stupid, right? Putting you in danger for something as dumb as Valentine's Day. And they're store-bought because I kept messing up when I tried to make my own. What sort of woman am I, who can't even make chocolates? Just take it and go."

Valentine's Day? Was it the fourteenth already? He tended to lose track of days when wandering around Fiore with Meredy.

He saw Erza had turned and was about to leave. He reached out and grabbed her quickly. She spun and lost her balance, falling into his chest.

Jellal held the chocolates up, blocking their faces from the passing pedestrians, then leaned in and gave her a quick kiss. Erza's eyes went huge, and her cheeks turned a whole shade darker.

"I'll enjoy eating them," he whispered, smiling at her adorably shocked expression. "I'll see you on White Day, then."

"Y-...yeah," she stammered. "That is, you don't have to. It's not like I..."

"Erza," he cut in, shaking his head at her stubborn pride. "Do I have to kiss you again?"

"What? No!" she yelled. Then she looked around nervously. "We're in public."

"Breaking taboos..." He grabbed the back of her head and forced his lips up against hers once more. "That's what Crime Sorcière is all about. I'll see you soon. Enjoy your cake."

Then he turned quickly and marched off. He tugged his hood back down, not just to shield his face from being recognized, but also to hide the blush and giddy smile that refused to go away. He looked down at the chocolates again, something Erza had put a lot of thought into, so much that she had tried to make her own. Even if they were store-bought, he knew she probably spent hours trying to pick the right box.

He hugged them closer to his chest. Meredy would protest, but he was not about to share these precious Heart Kreuz chocolates with anyone. They were a Valentine's Day gift from the woman he loved, after all.

He would need to get Erza something really wonderful for White Day. What could he possibly get the girl who already had captured his heart and soul?