Jerik: Serendipity part 4
Day 4: "Future together"
They were lying in bed, shoulders touching and eyes locked on the ceiling where little plastic stars were the only thing shining in the dark around them.
It's a silly thing meant for children, but somehow Jellal insists they buy it.
"Now that we have a real roof under our heads I think I'm going to miss watching them a little. Let's buy this so we can still watch them!" He said at the time.
And with the big smile and shiny eyes his lover offered him, Erik had no other choice but to give his approval.
Now that they are contemplating them, Erik kind of understands what Jellal meant.
It doesn't really look like the sky they used to sleep under, of course. There are a few items that are missing a leg or two, making weird shapes instead of stars. Erik is also sure the Moon isn't supposed to look oval, but he gets why Jellal wants them hanging there.
It means they've finally found a place to settle, a place where they can exist and evolve without worrying about anything.
"I heard Ultear saying that Gray and Natsu adopted a baby," Jellal says, breaking the silence around them.
This brings Erik's attention back to the man he loves. Jellal isn't looking at him, eyes still fixed on the ceiling, but he has a soft look on his face, so Erik doesn't respond yet, waiting for him to continue.
"A little girl named Ally. From what she said, the child is only eight months old. They rescued her from a fire."
Jellal frowns at this, taking a moment before he finds his words again.
"Her parents died, and she didn't have anyone else. According to Ultear, Gray was the one who convinced Natsu to keep her with them." Jellal states.
"Really? I would have thought Natsu would be the one more excited about it." Erik tells him.
"Yeah..me too. But I guess it makes sense. Gray has always been a softie at heart."
Erik snorts at this. He's never really talked to the man but from what Natsu tells him each time they see each other at those silly dragon slayer meeting - that Wendy insisted they hold at least twice a month- he couldn't agree more with Jellal.
" I guess this is the only thing I'm going to hear about next week then. Maybe I can come up with an excuse and say I'm sick?" Erik suggests.
And this brings out a laugh from Jellal.
"Yeah, I don't think that will work. You've already used that too many times. Last time they literally came here. I don't want to have to replace more furniture because of one of Natsu and Gajeel's useless fights. You'll go, or I'll make you go."
The dragon slayer only groans but doesn't argue with him. This brings back the silence again, and Erik closes his eyes this time. It's peaceful, and the environment is calm enough for him to fall asleep. But he doesn't have much time to contemplate the idea as Jellal's voice rings again.
"Do you want kids? I mean one day, not now? Doesn't have to be with me either but yeah..uh kids?"
It's said in a weird and unconfident way, and Erik would have made fun of him if it weren't for the fact that he is caught off guard.
He is definitely awake now, and his eyes are wide open as he slowly turns his face toward Jellal, who is also looking at him now.
They stare at each other's eyes for a moment. Neither of them making any noise. Jellal's face is open and curious. He is clearly expecting an answer but is waiting patiently for Erik to come back to his senses.
"I-I never thought about it before ?" Comes Erik's answer. "How about you?" He chooses to deflect the attention back to Jellal.
"Well... I never thought about having one seriously until...recently ?" He says, almost whispering.
And if it weren't for his special hearing Erik is sure that he would have missed it.
His heart is suddenly beating fast, scared to understand the meaning being these words.
"What do you mean...?" He still asks.
Jellal looks uncomfortable for a moment before he turns on his side, body fully facing Erik now. Erik imitates him, and a few seconds later, their hands are locked together.
"Before we had this home... I never thought about having a child. I mean what kind of world would they have grown up in, right? Always on the run, never settling in one place, too much danger. But now... now it feels more right? I don't know how to explain it properly." Jellal sighs.
And Erik squeezes his hand because he knows precisely what Jellal is trying to say.
"I don't mean I want one now. But I definitely would like to take care of a little human being one day." He finishes, a smile taking over his lips.
Erik keeps his eyes on him. Honestly, the thought has simply never crossed his mind. Probably because he was always focused on something else so that it didn't occur to him that it was something he should consider at some point.
Now that Jellal has brought the subject up, he can't help but imagine what it would be like to have a child of his own, running around the house, laughing and crying. He's sure that Sorano, Meredy, and Ultear would be head over heels for the little being and he has no doubt that the other guys would make greats uncles.
But he realizes something else too. If he ever has a child one day, there's one person he can't help but see by his side. Only one person who would make the experience worth it.
"I wouldn't mind having a child one day. As long as you're in the picture too." Erik confesses.
He feels more than sees Jellal coming to catch his lips against his. There's a hand tangled in his hair and a body coming closer to his. And Erik can't fight the smile tugging on his lips as they kiss. It's a little awkward and weird, but he knows he's said the right thing because he can hear Jellal's thoughts mirror his. He can't dream of a better person to raise a child with either.
*
Thank you to @mdelpin for your help, for your advices and for always guiding me on the right direction with my writing !