Somewhere on Tenrou Jima, Yuuki stood before a simple yet intricately carved stone monument.
This is the resting place of Fairy Tail's First Master, Mavis Vermillion.
Although the area had become overgrown with vegetation and tangled roots over the years, the monument itself remained surprisingly clean, as if someone had continued to care for it despite the passage of time.
"So this is her grave." Yuuki had a soft expression as he gazed at the monument before him.
Although Yuuki had no direct connection to Mavis, he knew how tragic her life had been. She had spent so much of loneliness and suffering, and even Zeref didn't care for her when Irene tortured her.
In his heart, Yuuki made a vow. 'If there is no connection between us, then I'll create one and make sure she won't feel alone again.'
Just as Yuuki made that vow in his heart, he sensed an unusual yet strangely familiar magic presence behind him, and he already knew who it was.
Yuuki turned around and found himself face to face with a beautiful fairy. She had pale yellow-blonde hair that reached her feet, with a small ahoge sticking up from the top of her head.
She wore a frilly, layered pink robe, with a red ribbon tied into a bow around her neck. Her peach colored skin and petite, childlike figure gave her an innocent appearance while her large green eyes stared directly at him disbelief.
"You..." Mavis who was in her ethereal form couldn't help but be surprised as she stared at Yuuki sensing the boundless magic power inside him.
Despite everything she had experienced throughout her existence, simply sensing Yuuki's magic power was enough to leave her uncertain.
'What? Who is this person? His magic power is too strong. It's immeasurable... No, it's limitless! It's just like... my original body.'
"What's wrong, First Master?" Yuuki smiled softly at Mavis, who was still lost in thoughts. Before she even realized it, he had already arrived directly in front of her.
Noticing that Mavis's ethereal form was beginning to fade, Yuuki gently reached out and placed his hand against her cold cheek. He was actually surprised to be able touch Mavis since she was currently a spirit but he still manage to do so.
Without hesitation, Yuuki transferred a vast amount of magical power into her spirit body, replenishing the energy that was rapidly fading.
The sudden surge of magic coursing through her body finally snapped Mavis out of her thoughts. She then realized just how close Yuuki was. Their faces were only inches apart and their noses were almost touching, while Yuuki gently cupped her cheeks with his hand and continued transferring his magic power into her spirit form.
At first, Mavis instinctively tried to struggle, as every senses in her body warned her that the person before her was dangerous. Yet, at the same time, something inside her told her to trust him.
As she felt the magic power flowing from Yuuki, her body gradually relaxed. She stopped resisting and closed her eyes, allowing his warm, immense magic power to continuously flow into her tiny ethereal body.
Yuuki continued pouring his magic power into Mavis, only to notice something unexpected. His magic power actually began blending with hers, gradually synchronizing as though the two were naturally compatible.
This unexpected discovery surprised Yuuki.
Their magic seemed to complement each other perfectly, like yin and yang, each balancing and complete the other.
After some time, Yuuki finally stopped transferring his magic power into Mavis. And her fading body had become clear and stable once again. At the same time, Mavis slowly opened her dreamy eyes and stared blankly at Yuuki's face, which was only a few inches away from hers.
Still, as Mavis became clear headed, she hurriedly brushed away Yuuki's hand, which were still resting against her cheeks, and took a small step back.
She turned her face away, as a faint trace of blush could be seen visible on her cheeks.
Looking at Mavis, who resembled a frightened kitten, Yuuki couldn't help but chuckle as his lips curling into an amused smile.
Mavis took a deep breath to calm herself before finally facing him. Her expression became serious, and her eyes sharpened as she questioned him coldly.
"Who are you, really? How are you able to touch me? And... that magic power..." Mavis asked and stared at him with a bewildered yet vigilant expression.
Seeing her alert face, Yuuki simply smiled and raised his right hand, revealing the Fairy Tail guild mark. "I'm a member of Fairy Tail, First Master. Didn't you feel our connection just now?"
Mavis guard was lessened seeing the Fairy Tail mark on his hand but, hearing Yuuki's words made Mavis's stern expression completely crumble and her cheeks is once again tinged with a faint blush.
In a panic, she hurriedly raised a hand and covered Yuuki's mouth.
"You're not allowed to mention that again!" Mavis said with a flustered expression.
Yuuki looked at Mavis's panicked expression and couldn't help but find her cute. However, since she had been the one to initiate physical contact this time, Yuuki wouldn't let such an opportunity to slip away.
"Kyaa!"
Yuuki naturally slipped his arms around her small waist, causing Mavis to let out a startled squeal and immediately pull her hand away from his mouth. She wanted to move back but Yuuki's arms was already embracing her petite body.
Mavis's face was flushed with embarrassment and growing increasingly warm as she desperately wished she could hide her feverish face from him.
Yuuki chuckled at her bashful reaction and decided to tease her a little. "Alright, I'll do as First Master says and won't mention how cute your reactions are when I—"
"Ah!!! Didn't I tell you not to mention that again?" Mavis panicked once more and quickly covered Yuuki's mouth with her tiny hands as she couldn't bare the embarrassment. She tried to glare at him, but her expression looked more adorable than intimidating.
She wasn't truly angry with Yuuki. In fact, she had already forgotten that his arms were still wrapped around her waist.
In the end Mavis sighed in defeat and pouted at Yuuki but then, she sighed with a helpless smile. "Geez... As my junior, you really are cheeky!"
Yuuki couldn't help but think that Mavis was incredibly charming. He broke free from her tiny hands and what he did next was completely out of her expectation.
Yuuki suddenly wrapped his arms around her small frame, pulling her into a gentle embrace.
Mavis froze in surprise as her face was resting against his chest and she could even hear the steady beat of his heart. She could feel the warmth of his body through the embrace, making her even more conscious of how close they were. She immediately tried to pull away, feeling that they were crossing a line but she couldn't.
"...Stop."
Yet, Yuuki's teasing expression softened and became serious yet gentle. His deep voice made Mavis stop struggling, and she slowly allowed herself to relax, indulging in the warmth of his embrace.
『Wishing (Re:Zero) - Inori Minase』
"Mavis..." This time, Yuuki called her by her name rather than addressing her as First Master.
"This might be our first time meeting, but the moment I saw you, I felt a strange connection between us. And... you feel it too, don't you?" Yuuki said softly.
Mavis didn't answer, however, it's true that she also felt a certain connection with Yuuki. That was also why she looked surprised when their eyes first made in contact with each other, as though some part of her instinctively recognized him despite this being their first encounter.
"You might have already guessed it, but like you, my body is also cursed. I don't age, and I cannot die. But I don't hate it. Because, there are people who stayed by my side and cared for me."
Yuuki paused for a moment, feeling Mavis's resistance slowly begin to melt.
Mavis couldn't help but feel surprised by how much Yuuki seemed to know about her past, but she didn't think too much about that for now. As Mavis listened to Yuuki's words, her memories drifted back to the time she had spent with her friend on Tenrou Island.
She remembered meeting new people, embarking on many adventures, and even falling in love.
Those beautiful memories, however, eventually turned into despair. She lost her dear friend, her existence killed her friend's wife, and was ultimately abandoned by the person she loved.
And yet, she had been forced to endure those painful memories alone for countless years, carrying the weight of her past.
Mavis rested her head against Yuuki's chest, as her face changed into various emotions like fear, sadness, loneliness, longing, and finally, hope.
Now, at this moment, there is someone who shared the similar fate as her, made Mavis's hazy green eyes clear again as mist cover her eyes.
She slowly wrapped her arms around Yuuki's back.
For the first time in countless years, Mavis found solace in the warmth of another person who could understand what she had endured.
"I know your past has hurt you deeply. But... I want you to know that I want to give you the happiness of truly living again, the warmth of having a family, and having someone who will accompany you until the very end." Yuuki said with a calm and sincere look on his face.
"If you feel helpless, let me be your pillar and shoulder everything with you."
"Mn!"
"If you feel like crying, you can always lean on me."
"Mn!"
"If you ever feel like you can't see the light anymore, I'll be the sun that guides you through the darkness."
"Mn!"
With every word Yuuki spoke, Mavis would firmly nod her head as tears streamed down her face and cried openly. Yuuki could feel her body trembling as she hugged him even tighter.
Seeing this, Yuuki gently smiled and gently lifted Mavis her face. The moment he saw her vulnerable expression, Yuuki couldn't help but feel his own emotions welling up.
Tears streamed down on Mavis's cheeks, while her trembling lips struggled to hold back the sobs she had kept buried for so long.
Cupping her face gently, Yuuki gave her a soft smile before extending his hand toward her.
"Mavis... Would you give me the chance to show you the warmth this world still has to offer, and allow me to stay by your side?"
With her tear-stained face, Mavis smiled brightly through her tears and slowly reached out to accept his hand.
"Yes... I'd love to."