"Simon!" I suddenly remembered the the time that Simon died. Jellal cast a powerful spell meant to kill Natsu and I. Out of nowhere, Simon stepped in front of me, blocking the attack. A rush of pain and sadness went through my entire body as I watched him fall to the ground, motionless. He was always there for me, and yet I let him die.

I blamed Jellal for it until he came back; memory erased and a completely different person. I knew right there and then that he was taken over by darkness, which was why he killed Simon. Ever since, I never blamed him. I still don't. So why am I thinking about it now?

I clenched the sheets to my bed and looked out the window. Is it because of this sky? Pure darkness, removed of it's embellishing stars. The same black pit as the spell cast by Jellal at the Tower of Heaven. I still remember his face: contorted with insanity and true evil.

I fell back onto my soft bed. But he's a different person now, I can't think of him in that way. That thought lingers in my mind a little while longer as I fall asleep.

It took a while, but I finally made it to the side of the cliff. It's calm, and the air is always crispier near the ocean. It's a nice place to sit and watch the sunrise.

"Erza," called a deep voice I definitely knew.Turning around slowly, I saw Jellal, almost expressionless.

"You came," I smiled sadly. I had woken up again in the middle of the night, and I couldn't fall back asleep. I sent him a message by pigeon, hoping he would come.

He came next to me and sat down. He watched the sky too, still dark, but now covered in stars. He looks so calm. At peace. It's hard to imagine this was once a man who fooled so many people into giving up their freedom to build the R-system. However, he's not exactly the Jellal I knew either.

"Is there something wrong, Erza?" he asked. He looked up at me, worry clearly spelt across his eyes.

"Not necessarily," I answered, "I just wanted to see you." He remained quiet. I suppose wanting to see him isn't a complete justification as to why I called him. But I don't want to remind him of the Tower of Heaven. Not now after all he's done to repent for his sins.

Trying to figure out why I suddenly remembered everything so vividly is difficult. Having to watch Grandpa Rob crumble right before my eyes again. None of that, I've forgotten. But why now, is it clear and fresh?

"Erza," I turned my attention to Jellal, "tell me what's wrong."

I smiled at him sadly, "Really, it's nothing-"

"You're acting like back then, in the Tower of Heaven," What? "You have the same look in your eyes as when you were afraid. Before you knew you could use magic. Quiet and distant. Are you remembering something?"

I sighed quietly, giving in to his insistence, "I was thinking of Grandpa Rob and Simon."

He suddenly looked quite sad. "Oh, I see..." He looked back at the sky, "And you blame me for it then?"

I widened my eyes in shock and grabbed at the edge of the cliff, "No! Not at all! Why would I-?"

"Well it is my fault after all." A wave sadness passed through my chest. He still blames himself?

"Jellal, do you ever think of yourself? And what you want? Do you ever think of your own future?" I looked up at him, almost hopefully.

He looked away, "I merely wish to repent for my sins."

"And how is that fulfilling!" I stood up and stared down at him, "Devoting your life to repaying for what you've done in the past is not a bad thing, but how can you do it without living your own life!" he stared up at me, shocked and confused. "Eventually, your regret will just turn into self-punishment! Why should you live simply to feel guilty? Thinking about what you deserve isn't selfish, it's your right, no matter what you've done in the past!"

For a long time, we just stared at each other, quietly. I could feel tears welling up in my eyes, and rolling down my cheeks. How can he even live without hope for his own future?

"Erza," he stood up and walked closer to me. "I haven't forgotten my past. I can't just leave it behind," He lifted his arm and gently placed his hand on me cheek, "After all I have done to Milliana, Wally, Sho, Simon and you... I can't just pretend that didn't happen."

"But you wouldn't have to. All I'm saying is to live your life to the fullest... Or you won't live it at all." One more tear fell from my eye. It felt colder and wetter than the others.

I started to feel weak. It was hard to stand. I pushed my arms up so that my hands would land gently on the sides of his face. His free hand pushed some of my hair back behind my ear before it rested on the back of my head. We leaned closer to each other. Closer and closer. And then his lips landed on mine. Tender and soft.

He was gentle. So gentle, as if I was about to break. At that moment, I almost felt like I would. It got even harder to stand, but somehow, being near him held me up. This man... This dark and pitiful man, has truly touched my heart. I will never let him let go.