Ship: Jerza - Jallal x Erza
Warnings: angst?
Ages: Jallal-29 Erza-28

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"I love you." The woman stated. She wanted it to be simple, so she could get the rejection over with.

"That's... problematic..."

Even though the red-head had prepared herself for it, the words still stung actually coming from his mouth.

"How?" She asked, attempting to keep her voice from wavering.

He looked into her dark eyes, glistening with sadness but shimmering with slight hope. Sighing, he shook his head before stating his reply.

"I... don't deserve you"

Caught off guard, the woman struggled to hold back her gasp or snort. Afterall, there was no way those cheesy words could possibly be true.

The girl had already announced her love for him twice. The first time was at her pink-haired friend's birthday party. The words had slipped out of her mouth before she had realized what she had truly said.

Fortunately, she was able to fake being drunk and the only witness to it was Happy, Natsu's blue-furred house cat, who she still gave her best 'tell-anyone-an-I'll-kill-you-look' to even now.

The second time was much harder to cover up. They were studying in the library at high school when she'd muttered the words under her breath.

Somehow, he heard and blurted out the first excuse that came into his head, before running out the door.

"I-I have a fiance!"

Tch.

Not that Erza believed Jallal or anything, but his fiance probably hates this woman who keeps randomly proclaiming her love to their soon-to-be husband.

"Listen Jallal," Erza flashed him a sad smile ,"I knew this wouldn't work out anyway... I just wanted you to know. But please, don't give me a fake excuse if you wish not to see me again"

Her heeled boots clicked along the floor as she moved solemly. Even with her vision blurry, she moved forward while refusing to the let tears fall.

"If it's worth anything, I love you too" he stated, with the corner of his mouth twiching upward.

She remained with her back towards him but stopped in place. Minutes passed until Erza broke the silence.

"Your fiance will be furious"

A humorless chuckle sounded between them before the red-head heard his footsteps. She waited until all she could hear wear the echos of his boots against the tiles, then finally started to move forward again.