Lucy stood at a distance as Zeref and Natsu talked with the Queen. She wished she could hear what they were saying. Halfway through the conversation, Igneel came up to the group. He seemed angry about something.

The sun was beginning to set and Lucy's stomach grumbled. Finally, the Queen spread her wings and flew away. Zeref began walking back towards Lucy while Igneel and Natsu continued speaking.

"I'm famished, how about you?" asked Zeref.

She looked over at Natsu. He had to have seen her waiting.

"I'd like to congratulate Natsu on his victory."

Zeref glanced towards the direction of her gaze. "I don't think he's coming over," he said sympathetically.

She tried not to look too upset. "Okay, well I suppose I can eat."

Zeref put a hand on her back and started guiding her away. "I seem to recall you making me a lovely breakfast. How about I return the favor and make you dinner?"

She agreed and they made their way to Zeref's camp site which wasn't far from the dragon's base.

Once there, Zeref pulled out a small pot and some rice with vegetables. He began preparing the meal over a fire and they talked as they rice softened.

"What did they Queen say to you and Natsu after the tournament?" she asked.

"I'm afraid I have been sworn to secrecy, but it wasn't anything that you should worry about."

"Well, can you at least tell me if we'll all be leaving tomorrow?"

"I think you and the other dragon slayers can head back first thing tomorrow morning but Natsu and I have to stick around and perform an errand."

She raised an eyebrow at him. "What errand?"

Zeref was cutting the vegetables with a knife and placing them in a wooden bowl. He didn't make eye contact with her. "I told you, we have been sworn to secrecy." He began putting the vegetables on a stick to grill them. Something in his demeanor had changed. It was making her nervous.

"I don't want to head back without you or Natsu," she said.

He smiled. "I'm honored to be included on that list, but I think you should travel back with the others. I'm not sure how long this errand will take."

"I get the feeling you're not tell me something."

He popped a piece of raw zucchini is his mouth. "Of course—I'm not telling you what the errand is."

"You know what I mean—there's something else. Are you going to try to kill Acnologia?"

"No."

"Do you promise?" she asked.

"Yes." He put the vegetable skewer over the fire and came to sit next to her. "But, perhaps this errand is dangerous and a good luck kiss would be appreciated."

She laughed. "Why do I get the feeling you're trying to take advantage of the situation?"

"Because I am." He cupped her chin and started to lean down.

"Wait." She put a hand on his shoulder. "A lot of things have been happening. I need to talk to Natsu about my feelings one last time before I…" She searched for the words. "Before I move on."

He nodded. "I understand and I can wait. I have been alone for so many centuries that I have forgotten what it feels like to even want another person's company." He went back to the other side of the fire and turned the vegetables.

She watched his face as it was lit with a soft glow from the fire. "Why do you even like me? I understand that I helped you when we travelled back in time, but aside from that, you barely know me."

He shook his head. "I know you better than you think. I was in your dreams for months, remember?"

"How could I forget?" she asked wryly.

He continued. "You're a good person and I haven't met many good people in my life. On top of that, you are honest, brave, and pure of heart. It doesn't hurt that you are also one of the most beautiful women I've ever met. Seriously, I thought so even before you saved my life."

Lucy's blushed. "Thanks."

If even half of that is true, then why doesn't Natsu like me?

Lucy pushed the thought aside. It was rude to be thinking about another man when one had just spoken so openly.

The meal was ready. Zeref prepared two bowls of rice and put the vegetables on top. It was a simple disk but smelled fantastic.

"This is how I've eaten for the better part of four centuries. Easy-to-make meals over an open flame." He used his chopsticks to take a bite.

She took a bite also. "It's delicious," she said.

Their conversation drifted to other less emotional topics. Lucy was surprised by how easy it was to talk to Zeref. They chatted about her friends, the guild, and different jobs she had worked on throughout the years. He told her about the demons he had created in an effort to defeat Ancologia. She had a feeling he might have been filtering the more sordid details of the stories but she didn't mind. There were things in everyone's past that they weren't comfortable in discussing.

By the time they were finished eating, the sun had long since set and the crickets had begun to make their nightly music.

"It's late," said Lucy. "I should head back. I know things aren't great between Natsu and me right now but he'll still worry if I don't make it back to camp."

Zeref agreed and even walked her to the edge of the dragon's camp. There wasn't another attempt at a goodnight kiss—only a simple "good night".

Lucy found Natsu sitting on a large rock, staring at the moon. When he saw her, he motioned for her to sit next to him.

"I'll be staying here tomorrow," he said. "So you should travel back with the others."

"What about Happy?" she asked.

"He should go with you guys as well."

She didn't say anything. She had heard the same thing from Zeref.

Natsu continued. "I can tell you feel bad about kissing Zeref." He turned to look at her. "You shouldn't. I told you I didn't want a romantic relationship with you, so you should feel free to be with whoever you want."

His words were meant to console her, but for some reason they only made her sadder.

"I wish you all the happiness in the world. If some other guy, even if it's Zeref, can give that to you—then I approve."

Her eyes began to sting. Damn, why was she crying so much recently? She reached out to her friend, for what felt like the last time, and buried her face against his shirt.

Natsu stoked her hair. "I'm sorry things are so bad between us Lucy. You've been a very special person in my life. I just… I don't love you and you shouldn't love me."

There was no more hope—no more uncertainty. Natsu didn't love her and she simply had to accept it. She fought back against the tears and mostly managed to succeed. What would it accomplish? She didn't want Natus's sympathy.

"Okay, I understand," she said with a shaky voice.

Natsu held her for a minute before letting her go. "I'm sorry."

"Me too."