Disclaimer: I do not own Fairytail.
Summary: So, Zeref's out in the woods (he's out there a lot) and he comes across a girl who steals his heart immediately. But for the black wizard only grief awaits.
Warning: Character death.
The day he met her, she was dancing in the rain. Twirling, and jumping and laughing. He watched from afar as the girl danced. Like the little fairy, she was.
Zeref had always despised the rain, but for a moment, he thought it couldn't be so bad. Not if she loved it.
Then, she turned, long, blonde hair sopping wet, her eyes twinkling with mirth. And in that instant, she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. When she raised her hand and that huge smile crossed her face Zeref felt his heart skip a beat. Zeref knew very well what love felt like. He felt it. So, he ran. He could imagine her confused expression as she wondered why he ran off. Hopefully she would never know.
He never thought he'd see her again, but there she was, smiling that smile of perfect happiness. Zeref clenched his fists. She was not meant for him. She was too happy, too soft, still not hardened from years of pain and suffering. She would never be able to walk by his side. So, Zeref moved forward. She turned to him, her smile widening at the sight of him. Why did it do that? She didn't even know him.
"Hello." She said, her voice carrying throughout the forest. It was raining. He was wet. She was beautiful.
"Hi…" he said quietly. He felt emotions long since buried arise within him. Zeref's eyes hardened. She opened her mouth to speak but Zeref never got the chance to hear it. He was already running.
"Wait!" she cried running after him. Zeref knew he had to lose her. What if he killed her too? What if she was another one of his victims. What if she never smiled or laughed or danced again? What if it was all his fault? He couldn't let that happen! Not in a million years. It had already happened before. Never again, he had promised himself. Never again.
He felt the instant she grabbed his hand. He jerked away like her touch hurt him. "It's okay." She said, giggling softly. "I don't bite." Zeref took a few steps back. She might not bite, but he did.
"You should stay away from me." Zeref whispered. The little fairy shook her head.
"Why? You look like you could use some company." She said.
"You… you don't even know me." Zeref said. The girl's smile widened.
"Even the best of friends were strangers at one point, were they not? And I have a feeling that you and I are going to be very good friends! You'll see."
Zeref honestly doubted it. He never was a good friend. But that was probably due to the fact he killed anything he cared for. The more he loved it the more likely it was to die. It had been so long since he'd talked to another human being. Zeref smiled sadly. "I already consider us friends… you're the only person I have talked to in a very long time." The girl laughed.
"I'm glad I could be of service." She said.
"Me too. Believe me… me too." Zeref said. "But I really must be going now. Bad things tend to happen when I'm around. Things often… die."
"Die? Well, that's not good and it most certainly isn't true! Things don't die just because you show up, don't say things like that!" she exclaimed. Zeref only looked at the ground. He could feel the curse threatening to come out.
"I have to go." He whispered and took off.
"WAIT!" she cried. Zeref didn't even turn back to look at her. "But I didn't even know your name…" she whispered quietly. Just then, the young boy doubled over in pain. She was concerned so she rushed over to help him. "Are you okay?"
"You have to run!" he said through gritted teeth. "Right now."
"I don't think so! You're in pain, I need to help you." She said and knelt down beside him. "Don't worry, we'll have this fixed up in no time." Zeref opened his mouth to respond but all that came out was a cry of pain, and a wave of black fog burst throughout the area, killing all the trees and animals nearby. Zeref slowly opened his eyes.
"Please don't tell me." He whispered. There, lying on the ground next to him was the girl. She was pale and the life in her green eyes was fading.
"What's happening?" she whispered. Zeref paled and scrambled back. She was dying was what was happening. Zeref felt tears spring to his eyes.
"I told you." He whispered. "I told you I brought death." She smiled a little.
"Perhaps I should've taken you a little more literally." She said and coughed. The rain started pouring down even harder and they both heard thunder off in the distance. Zeref squeezed his eyes shut, not believing what was happening right in front of him.
"I'm so sorry." He whispered.
"It's okay. You warned me, but I have a habit of not listening." Zeref sobbed into his hands. One more life had been taken. Just how many lives would the curse claim before it was satisfied? Zeref wasn't sure.
"It's not fair that you have to die." Zeref said. He should die. He should be the one dying. Not someone innocent like she was.
"I suppose not. But life isn't fair. This isn't exactly how I pictured my death."
"It isn't?" Zeref asked. Did people really picture their deaths? Zeref thought that was rather depressing.
"It's better. The rain is falling, I was dancing… it's a Friday. Overall, I believe this is a good way to die if you have to. I'm at peace in the rain."
Zeref waited for her to say more. But she didn't. he leaned back and bit his lip trying to hold his tears in. She would never say another word. She would never smile another smile. Not in this world. It was over for her. She was dead. And it was all his fault. Zeref supposed he should've known better.
He was alone again. Somehow it was… lonelier than he expected. Zeref stood up and gave her body one last glance. He shouldn't burry her. Someone else would find her. He didn't want to be here when they did.
It was almost funny how much this death hurt. He loved her. Yet he didn't even know her name. But she had been the first to smile and wave at him in decades. Even if he could not hold her. Even if he could not see her or hear her. Even if he did not know her name he loved her. He supposed love at first sight really did exist.
And he decided that if she could smile, dance, wave to a murderer, and live her life while her simple gestures made the world to him. Then he could live in this world too. After all, a world that had her in it couldn't be completely beyond saving. They say that two people can be alone, together. They say that misery loves company. They say that even a murderer needs a friend. Now, things aren't always what people say they are, but in this case… they were forever correct. And if humans could be forever correct. Then he could certainly learn to forever smile.
A/N It's 7:30 A.M where I'm from, way to early to be up on a Saturday morning. Don't you just love when you have soccer games at the crack of dawn?...?... Didn't think so. Anyway, thanks for reading, reviews and constructive criticism appreciated.