A/N: Like the summary mentions, college AU, to be added to whenever I get the urge

"Give it back!" Jumping up as high as she could, the tiny blonde couldn't reach her notebook.

"No." The burly student shook his head. "Imma need your number first."

Mavis blinked back sudden tears and looked left and right. The closest students she could see were too far. "You don't even know me! I just want my notes." She settled her satchel around her neck and shoved her hands into her pockets. "Please -"

"You heard her. She wants her notebook back." The new arrival smiled at the jock and it wasn't pleasant. He rested his weight lightly on the balls of his feet, just waiting for a response.

"I-I-I was gonna give it back!" The sandy brown haired boy stuttered, "H-here!" He thrust the tattered wire bound book towards the girl, not even waiting for her hands to take it before turning and running down the quad.

"Thanks!" The girl slipped her book into her bag and reached out to snag the sleeve of the young man who was already leaving. Mavis blushed, her hand-eye co-ordination was a bit off. Instead of fabric, she was clutching warm skin.

"S-sorry!" She gulped air and soldiered on, "thanks for helping me." Mavis smiled with all her considerable heart. "I'm Mavis! Mavis Vermillion." She thrust out her other hand and clasped her rescuer's hand firmly. "Pleased to meet you!"

She stared, her saviour was only a head taller than her. He'd scared off a guy a head taller than himself - and who'd out massed him by at least fifty pounds. His dark reddish eyes were intelligent and the grin that made a sudden appearance on his face was wide and boyish.

"The pleasure was all mine, Miss Vermillion." He tugged at his hand, "Be safe."

Mavis tightened her hold. "I fear I will require your name kind sir."

"Zeref, Zeref Dragneel." The grin lost some of its brightness, "I need to get going. If I may have my hand back?"

Blushing furiously, Mavis shook her head, "Just a minute!" Digging in her bag, she scrabbled around and withdrew a marker with a happy exclamation. She thumbed off the cap and wrote a series of digits on Zeref's hand, going over his wrist and up his arm somewhat. She let go with a wistful smile, "Call me."

"You don't even know me." Zeref's words echoed Mavis' earlier cries. He smiled gently and Mavis blushed in acknowledgement. Zeref walked past towards the science building.

"But I'd like to get to know you!" Mavis blurted these words and Zeref halted and turned back.

"Do we even have anything in common?" His words were perhaps harsh, but his tone was mild.

"Yes."

The certainty in her voice made Zeref cross his arms. "Really?"

"Betcha," Mavis giggled. Her hunches were legendary. "Betcha you get to pay for our first date."

"You're on. You tell me what we have in common other than going to the same college and other obvious human similarities, and I'll foot the bill for a date."

Twirling a long strand of blonde hair in one hand Mavis gave her new acquaintance another sunny smile. "We're taking the same science course."

"Be that as it may, that's easily guessed by me heading towards the science building." The black haired male shrugged. "That's maybe worthy of a coffee date."

"Biology with Professor Tate. Honours degree."

Bewildered and bemused, Zeref nodded. "Okay. Should I tell you or will you let me know where we're going?"

Mavis shouldered her satchel again and walked beside her new friend. "I'm going to let that be a surprise."