"Natsu," the black wizard warned, "Don't forget your goal." The younger Dragneel stopped before he could exit the large hall, furrowing his brows he turned around to face his brother. Was there any specific reason why Zeref was doubting his resolve? Because Natsu found it pretty silly. He had never once failed in any mission, let alone this one, when his homeland and his people were on the stakes. He possibly couldn't fail and he wouldn't.

"Is there a specific reason why you're saying this?" The pinkette asked, taking a few steps towards the man sitting on the chair. "Yes," he answered, "I don't want you to get lost from your track once you reach the Heartfilia Kingdom." There was an uncertainity in Zeref's voice that left the fire dragon slayer both confused and bothered. "I simply don't get you brother, are you doubting my resolve?"

Natsu felt himself get angrier than before when the black wizard chose to not answer his question. "You do know that I've never disappointed you right?" This time his tone came out as harsh. He watched Zeref sigh, leaning his head back on the chair. Natsu figured that something was definitely bothering the black haired man and it didn't help the fact that he was doubting the slayer's capabilities. To make it worse, Natsu didn't even know the reason and he was getting impatient.

"It's not that, I trust both you and your skills Natsu." Thankfully, the man spoke up before Natsu had to say anything else. Zeref closed his eyes and rubbed his temples, almost anxiously. "Lucy..." He trailed off the first time, causing Natsu to raise a brow. "Lucy Heartfilia isn't an ordinary woman," he finished. Natsu almost snorted at this, "Just 'cause she's a princess who uses celestial magic?"

"No." Zeref opened his eyes and stared out of the window. "Then what's bothering you so much?" Natsu huffed, rolling his eyes at the elder Dragneel. What was wrong with his brother? Why did he have to be like that? It was just a matter of time before Natsu would return with the holy scroll of the Angel realm. He just had to win that girl's trust and fool her till she handed him what he needed. That was it!

Natsu didn't know what was there to worry about so much! It was a simple task and he was more than enough for that. "It's not as easy as you think Natsu. If she has even a fragment of similar qualities as someone I know, then you should be worried." His grave tone made Natsu shift in his standing position, uncomfortably for some reasons. Perhaps because he knew who Zeref was talking about and what had happened in the past.

Natsu figured it was natural for his brother to be worried. He felt guilty for his rude behavior as he visibly relaxed and assured, "Trust me Zeref, I won't stray from my chosen path. I'll bring the scroll and end all of this."

His radiant smile seemed to calm Zeref but the black haired man's stomach churned at the thought of what could possibly happen if Natsu wasn't careful enough. He didn't want the boy to make the same mistake as him, he didn't want him to suffer for eternity longing for someone's love. Which he would never achieve. But if that's what fate had decided for the two, Zeref wouldn't protest. If Natsu was to find her amidst this complex if a situation, so be it.

"Lucy Heartfilia right?" Natsu's sudden words snapped the elder Dragneel back from his thoughts. "I'll be careful about her and yeah," he paused and scratched the back of his neck with a pout on his handsome face, "I won't underestimate her, rest assured." The man almost laughed at his brother's childish nature. Standing up, he strolled towards him and patted him on the shoulder.

"I'm sure I can." Natsu frowned, catching the sarcasm in his tone. "Hey! You can trust me okay?" The dragon slayer hmphed dramatically. "I do, I do trust you Natsu," this time the black wizard said genuinely, smiling. Natsu smiled back at him, nodding before turning around to leave.

"Say Natsu, do you believe in love?" Natsu stopped in his tracks again, the abruptness of the subject of the question left a uneasy feeling in his guts. He swallowed hard, not finding any answer at the moment. Not that he had any before. Love was never a topic he contemplated on much since he never needed to. And now he was faced with it right before he had to leave on an important mission, that too by Zeref of all people, much to his dismay. What was he supposed to say though?

"W-What?" Natsu cleared his throat and turned his head to the side but not fully turning to face the man questening him, only eyeing the man from the corner of his eyes. Even though Zeref didn't mean to make the boy awkward, he thought he wanted to know how Natsu felt before he took off. "I asked if you believe in love or not?" The black haired man repeated.

"Uh, look, that's not significant now..." Natsu replied vaguely, actually not sure what to say. He might not have thought about love but he couldn't really say if he believed in it or not. He decided to figure it out someday, though. "Besides I've never given it any thought." Natsu confessed hesitantly.

"You can leave now, brother." Zeref permitted and walked back to his chair, sitting down he heard Natsu say a quick "goodbye" before the said pinkette boy disappeared out of his sight.

I hope it never turns out for you the way it turned out for me, my dear brother...