"—ref. Zeref!" I looked up as someone called my name, and smiled at the blonde-haired wizard running towards me. Her white dress swayed around her feet when she stopped in front of me, a smile of her own lighting up her entire face.

"Good morning, Mavis," I said, getting to my feet.

"Good morning," she smiled. "I've been looking everywhere for you."

"You have?" It was strange for her to come seeking me, so I wondered what it was she wanted.

"You've been very distant since—"

"You know why I must stay away," I told her, frowning.

To this, she returned my frown, crossing her arms stubbornly. "I don't see why that would cause you to stay away. It wasn't your fault. I made this decision on my own, so you don't need to blame yourself."

"I shouldn't have taught you—"

"If you hadn't, I wouldn't be standing here," she said, her voice gentle as she smiled kindly at me. "I can't forget how you helped me, Zeref, no matter what you may think about it."

"But now you're no different than me," I sighed.

"So?" She grabbed my hands, meeting my eyes as she continued to smile at me. "That's not so bad, is it?"

"I'm cursed, Mavis." I could feel the darkness swirling inside of me, the more frustrated and angry with myself I grew. I knew what it would do to her, but I taught her anyways. I shouldn't have given her this curse as well. I should have stayed away from her.

"You're not cursed," she snapped, clutching my hands a little tighter. "I refuse to believe that, and I don't think you should either."

"I have been alive for centuries," I said. I pulled my hands from hers, feeling my magic getting out of control the longer she was near me. Why do I react like this towards her? Why does she make me so nervous?!

"And I will be too."

I stopped after she said that, my fists clenched. And that's my fault.

She put both of her hands around one of my fists, bringing it up to her chest and holding it against her heart. "I may not age anymore, but I don't think that's so bad. Not as long as you're here, too."

"Mavis… You won't thank me forever. You'll grow to hate me for what I've done to you," I said, quietly.

I turned when she chuckled. "You shared your magic with me, and helped me save my friends. I could never hate you for that." She frowned down at her bare feet for a moment, a slight blush dusting her pale cheeks before she raised her eyes once more to meet mine. "I love you, Zeref."

Not giving me a chance to respond, she wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me down until her lips met mine. The kiss was brief, but it left me breathless nonetheless. She gave me a bright smile, grabbing my hands. "You shared your magic with me, so now let me share something with you."

"And what would that be?" I asked, still slightly in shock from what had just happened.

"You'll just have to keep me around to find out," she giggled.

"You're welcome as long as you wish to stay," I told her.

"That might be a while," she laughed, taking off across the field, dragging me along behind her. "We have forever, after all."