Zeref's heart was racing as Lucy confessed her feelings to him. He'd never thought he'd hear those words, especially not from the busty blonde that was lying beside him. Despite what Natsu had asked, he'd been sure that she couldn't feel for him in that way. Now, lying beside her, all he could do was stare at her as he tried to process what she'd just told him.

Lucy fidgeted next to him, causing him to break out of his trance.

"Please, say something," She whispered, her heart racing as well.

He grinned at her, "I love you, too, Lucy."

She grinned back before kissing him gently.

"I'm glad."

Lucy had almost started freaking out. Confessing her feelings for the dark mage had not been easy and, when he hadn't said anything for a long moment, she began to worry that she'd made a mistake in telling him her feelings. Levy had been the one to talk her into telling him after all, and she couldn't be sure that the blunette's advice was completely sound.

Zeref kissed her back, deepening the kiss until the two of them were practically making out on their bed. In a move that would have seemed practiced if he hadn't been alone on an island for four hundred years, Zeref rolled and pinned her underneath him as he ravished her mouth. Finally they pulled away, both of them gasping for air, only for Lucy to find him leaving little kisses on her neck and collarbone.

She moaned softly, but pulled him back up to her, kissing him deeply once more.

"Not yet," She whispered. "I don't think we're ready for that yet."

Zeref nodded, completely understanding what she meant.

"Of course," He whispered, kissing her nose. "But I still get to snuggle you, right?"

She grinned brightly, "You'd better. Without you I'm too cold and lonely."

He chuckled, rolling off her so he could wrap an arm around her waist, pulling her close to him. He felt at peace, snuggling with the woman that he loved so dearly. Lucy, he'd discovered, had a way of opening up your heart in ways that you'd never believe it could be opened. He wanted nothing more than to love and protect the gentle soul in his arms.

He was surprised at the depth of his feelings for a girl that he hadn't even known three months ago. If it were anyone else he might have been worried that they'd used a charm on him, but he didn't believe that the innocent girl in front of him was capable of such a deception. He smiled at her sleeping form, amazed at how easily she slipped into the land of dreams.

"I love you, Lucy Heartphilia," He whispered once more before he, too, fell asleep.

A figure slipped away from the cave entrance, his head hanging low as he made his way back to the cave he was sharing with his friends. Natsu had snuck out to hear what Lucy's answer to Zeref's question would be. While he had expected her to reject the idea of loving him, he had still been surprised at how much it hurt. He'd been even more surprised when she confessed her love to Zeref. For a long moment he'd sat there in stunned silence, fighting to keep his emotions in check.

Zeref seemed like a good guy, after all. Not at all like the stories made him out to be, but that didn't stop the jealousy that coursed through Natsu like fire in his blood. He'd always known that there was a good possibility that he was in love with the celestial mage, but he'd never wanted to admit it, preferring to stay friends with her rather than risk the chance of ruining their friendship. Now he couldn't help but wonder if he'd said something if she would have had a different answer for Zeref tonight.

Tears pricked at Natsu's eyes and he angrily brushed them away. He'd made an agreement after all and he couldn't back out now, especially not if Lucy was happy with the dark wizard. He looked back at her cave one last time before slinking into his, thankful that every was asleep as he curled up on his bedroll, holding his knees to stomach as he laid on his side.

Only then did he allow the tears to roll down his face. He'd lost his only chance to finally tell his best friend how he really felt about her. Coming here had been a waste after all. They would never get Lucy back. Not their Lucy, she was Zeref's now.

In another corner of the cave, Wendy watched the boy she viewed as a brother curl up in the same position that she curled up when she was hurting. More than anything she wanted to go to him and comfort him, but she sensed that right now was not the time. He needed to be alone to work through his emotions, which she could sense were a jumble right now.

Lucy must have denied him, She thought to herself, trying not to think about it any more as she rolled over and allowed herself to drift into sleep.

Erza had seen Natsu slink in the cave and had considered going to him and scolding him for leaving like he did. She rejected that idea the moment he laid down. Defeat and sorrow were written in the slump of his shoulders and the way he held himself like he was trying to keep his pieces together. Erza knew that pose all too well and sighed softly. Natsu had finally figured out what she'd known the moment she'd witnessed the way Lucy interacted with Zeref - Lucy was never going to come home. Her heart belonged to the man of the island and she would stay here with him until the end of time.

It made Erza angry to know someone that she considered her family could fall for history's darkest mage. Especially someone as gentle and innocent as Lucy, but meeting Zeref had made her wonder if history really had gotten him right after all. He didn't seem evil but misguided and lonely.

She sighed again as she settled into her watch once more. She just hoped that Lucy would be careful.