"How about this one? Does it look good on me?"

"I still think this one looks better though, what do you think?"

"Nashi! Get back here this instant! Stop running around and put on your dress!"

"But Mum~~ I don't wanna wear dresses!"

"Nashi!"

Meredy allowed a small smile to set on her face as she watched her guild mates fitting on the elegant dresses for the upcoming party the royal family is hosting in their castle as a celebration in defending their country from invading dragons. It has been a few days since that day and miraculously, no lives were lost. Master Makarov had stated that if it wasn't for Zancrow destroying such a large amount of hatchlings in the way he did, their entirety of their forces might have been overrun or worse, decimated.

"Meredy, have you picked out a dress yet?"

"I don't really know what to wear." Meredy admitted. "All of these are nice and I don't really have any preferences, so I am a little lost here."

"Really?" Mira's eyes sparkled with delight and Meredy instantly regretted her words. Meredy felt shivers crawling up and down her body as Mira rubbed her palms gleefully.

This is going to be another few long hours of being dressed up like a doll.

Damn it.

"I'm sorry."

The Princess of Fiore, who I now know her name is Hisui E. Fiore, bowed down in a ninety degree angle as a sign of apology.

To be honest, I don't really care much about what she did anymore since I survived the extraction process and somehow managed to stay in this timeline. When my body glowed so brightly like what happened to the dragons I really thought that I would be sent back to the past. However, the light suddenly died down and I stood there blinking my eyes owlishly with Meredy hugging me and not wanting to let go at all.

The Eclipse Gate had judged this timeline as the timeline I should be returning to.

There was a mismatch of time as well. I had spent two years in the distant past while in this timeline, I was gone for four years. I don't know what to make of this issue and I don't wish to dwell on the hows and whys either. I am finally back here, where I truly belonged.

I just hope Anna and the kids are safe back where I have left them. They probably thought that I was dead. I wish there is a way for me to assure them that I am alive and well.

My reappearance had apparently made it very awkward for the Magic Council and the royal family, especially the royal family since they were the ones who sentenced me to "death". From what Meredy had told me after I disappeared, the royal family had declared me dead, and somehow my death had sparked a movement across the entire nation that ended up in the royal family and the council to take drastic measures to solve the dark guild problem to appease them. I am now a famous figure of sorts. Go figure.

Me, a famous figure. I can already sense the headache forming.

I don't know what to make of the princess. On one hand, what she did is with the intent of protecting this country even if her methods were questionable. On the other hand, she was too naive, got herself manipulated, and everything went out of control from there. I'm not sure if I was the only one who she sacrificed to bring her failed plan to fruition and I don't want to ask. I don't want to know. I don't want to care. I'm tired. Call me selfish, but I'm sick of all the ridiculous bullshit that has been a part of my life ever since Hades fucked it up for me. Right now, all I want to do is to quietly settle down somewhere and live my life out in peace. And maybe once I have recharged, I will continue to do what I did before getting myself caught by the Rune Knights. I don't know the state of things in this world now since four years had passed while I was gone, but there probably will still be places that may need my help.

"I forgive you." I said as I stared at her. "But that doesn't mean that I will forget what had happened."

The princess said nothing as she kept her head bowed, but I can tell that she is crying.

"Raise your head, you are the Princess of Fiore. Don't bow down to a criminal like me."

The princess slowly raised her head and I saw her tear-stained face. She wiped off the tears with the back of her hand before continuing.

"With my authority and power as the Princess of Fiore, I want to relieve you of your crimes. That is, if you let me."

"You sure about that? I have killed, you know?"

"I am. Your actions before you were captured had bettered the country. You had ended numerous dark guilds with your own hands, something that the country should be doing a long time ago before that. We are trying to pick up what you left behind ever since your mysterious disappearance four years ago and there are improvements, but it is still a work in progress."

"I see."

"Your help in repelling the dragons was also instrumental to ensure the continued survival of Fiore. We did not suffer any casualties thanks to you. I have wronged you. Please, let me try to make things right. Let me have the chance to do so."

"It will be nice to finally be able to walk around as a free man." I admitted. "Being on the run isn't fun at all. I accept."

"T-Thank you. For giving me the chance to make up to you."

"However." My voice took on a warning tone and I can see how her guards and knights tensed at the sudden change in my demeanor. "If you pull this kind of shit again, or if I have to take on the alias of Skull once more to solve your country's problems, I will find you. And when that happens, a simple apology will not suffice."

"You will not have the chance." The princess said with a firm tone. "This time, I want to do the right things. I want to make things right."

"I hope you do."

Meredy fiddled with her dress nervously. What will Zancrow say when he sees her all dressed up like that? She knows that he was invited and will be coming to the party from what her guild mates told her, but she had never dressed up before. Sure, she had a makeover in the three years when they were first separated, but he had never seen her dressed up before.

And right now, she is dressing herself up just for him.

What will Zancrow say? The last time she showed him her makeover, he didn't even compliment her on her looks.

Stupid idiot. Will it hurt him to even compliment her on her looks?!

"Relax, don't be so stiff." Mira said as she placed her hands on Meredy's shoulders. "Just act as per normal."

Meredy gave a sigh. Act normal? How?!

Mira led the group of women and girls from their group out into the huge room where the party is being held. It's being lavishly decorated and food of the highest quality is being served. An orchestra is by the side of the room, playing music for guests to dance to as waiters walked around with their trays filled with the finest drinks, serving it to those who need to quench their thirst.

Meredy didn't focus her attention on all of these. Her eyes darted around as she searched for the one person that truly mattered to her. She had grown paranoid. She's scared. She's afraid that he will just disappear on her again in the blink of an eye, even if it is not his fault.

She does not want to lose him ever again. She had so many regrets when she first learnt the news of his supposed "death", she had so many things that she didn't have the chance to say to him and will never be able to say to him. But Zancrow's alive and back with her now, she still has another chance. She will not hold back any longer. She will say what she truly feels about him even if it may destroy the relationship between them, the one outcome which she dreads.

But at the very least, she can say that she had tried.

"Looking for someone?" Cana teased as she draped an arm over her shoulder as she started to drink the fine wine that was being passed around. "He's over there."

Meredy's gaze followed Cana's outstretched finger and saw Zancrow leaning against a wall with his eyes closed in a quiet section of the room partially hidden in the shadows. He had cut his hair short again like how he did three years after the Tenrou incident. Zancrow is wearing a dark blue formal suit, looking very bored and looks as if he wants to get out of here as soon as possible.

Meredy had never seen Zancrow looked so smart and handsome before. She had never seen him dressed up before.

"Get a move on already." Cana teased as she playfully shoved Meredy towards Zancrow's direction. "We'll be right behind ya. No pressure."

Meredy turned around and saw the female members of Fairy Tail giving her a thumbs up with sparkles in their eyes. The kids probably didn't know what is going on, but they imitate their parents' actions anyway.

No pressure. Right.

Meredy sucked in a breath and cooled her nerves before approaching Zancrow.

Zancrow's eyes opened even before Meredy got within ten meters of him. To her hidden delight, his eyes widened momentarily before returning back to its original size. Similar to what the other female members of the guild wore, Meredy wore an elegant victorian dress. However, instead of the dark red colour which she usually preferred, she chose a dress that is dark blue in colour, similar to the colour of the suit Zancrow wore. Her hair had been done up by Mira into an elegant ponytail and she wore some accessories as well. Nothing too gaudy, just enough to highlight her charm.

"Zan."

"Meredy." Zancrow greeted her as he pushed himself off the wall and stood up straight. Meredy can't help but notice the glaring absence of Zancrow's left arm due to the flapping empty sleeve. Zancrow had told her the specifics of his encounters when he was accidentally sent into the past, including the part on the Dragon Slayers. They both agreed to keep it a secret for now. There's no point in revealing what they know just yet and it's best to adopt a wait-and-see approach. For all they know it might not be important at all and revealing it may just cause unneeded distress for everyone around them.

Meredy can't help but smile brightly. She playfully twirled around on the spot like what she loved to do when they are alone together.

"How do I look?"

Zancrow shrugged.

"Pretty? Fabulous? Breath-taking? Whatever words you prefer."

Meredy's eye twitched in annoyance. She really can't tell if Zancrow is doing this on purpose to annoy her or if he really don't understand the subtle hints she is trying to give him. Meredy love him with all of her heart, and she believes that somewhere deep down in Zancrow's own, he love her as well. He just don't realise it yet.

That will have to be fixed.

"Don't you know that a girl loves to be commented on her looks?" Meredy reprimanded Zancrow as she wrapped her arm around Zancrow's and dragged him into the center of the room where some of the guests are already dancing to the tune the orchestra is playing. "Geez, you are hopeless."

"I praised you, didn't I?"

"There's no sincerity in it, Zan."

Zancrow rolled his eyes and cleared his throat exaggeratedly.

"My sincerest apologies." Zancrow said as he did an exaggerated bow in her direction before standing straight up. "You look stunningly beautiful tonight, my fair lady."

Meredy laughed, both at how funny Zancrow did it and at the comfort of the fact that Zancrow is now relaxed enough to joke in this manner. He is finally able to move on from his past. She doesn't think he has truly forgive himself yet, but it is a good improvement.

Meredy stopped when they reached the center of the dance floor and turned around. She gave Zancrow an expectant look.

"Well, what are you waiting for?"

Zancrow's left eyebrow rose a tad higher than usual, but he extended his right hand towards Meredy and gave a slight bow in a gentlemanly manner.

"May I have the pleasure of dancing with you?"

Meredy placed her hand in Zancrow's.

"Of course."

The both of them started to dance to the tune. Nothing too complicated. They just adjust the rhythm of their steps to those of the slow but melodious tune that is currently playing as they enjoy each other's company silently.

Meredy couldn't have been happier.

Still, she is concerned about Zancrow's missing arm. Even after seven years, she still feels a little guilty about it. Apollo's Chariot may have been used to save the entire Tenrou group, but she knew that the true reason why Zancrow learnt the spell in the first place is for her sake.

She is the reason for his missing arm.

"Stop staring at my arm, or lack thereof. You are not responsible for what happened to it."

Meredy jolted slightly at Zancrow's words, but looked up to face him anyway.

"It's not your fault. I'm planning to get a prosthetic after this anyway."

Meredy could hear her voice rose higher in excitement.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

Meredy beamed at the news. She couldn't help it. Everything seems to be going in the right direction for once. Zancrow is no longer a criminal, he's alive and here, and he finally decided to move on from his past and look forward to the future.

She wants to be a part of his future, just as he is part of her future.

The two of them continued the slow dance for a short while and Meredy could see many couples from both her own guild and the allied guilds dancing on the dance floor as well. She swallowed and finally decided to speak what is weighing on her mind for so long.

"Zan. I-"

"You are Zancrow, aren't you?"

Whatever Meredy was planning to say was interrupted as two people made themselves known. Zancrow gracefully ended their dance and led Meredy off the dance floor before facing the two people who interrupted them. Meredy couldn't help but felt a little irritated at the interruption. Of all the times they could have chose, must it be now?! The mood was just right, and she had finally gathered enough courage to do it too! Now she have to start all over again!

"Yes, I am. Who are you?"

A large muscular man with spiky green hair extended a hand which Zancrow accepted and shook it.

"I am Orga Nanagear from Sabertooth. I am the Lightning God Slayer. It's nice to finally meet another God Slayer other than Sherria."

"Hi! My name is Sherria Blendy! It's nice to meet you too! I am the Sky God Slayer from Lamia Scale!" A girl with dark pink hair greeted excitedly but also politely at the same time.

"Zancrow Cinders, formerly of Grimoire Heart. I am the Fire God Slayer. It's nice to meet the both of you."

Orga gave a large grin.

"I know you are crazy strong, like Jura level kind of strong. But I still want to spar with you some other time when we are both free as fellow God Slayers."

"I don't know about the 'Jura level' part, but I wouldn't mind sparring."

"There's no need to be so humble." Sherria gave a cute pout. "We all saw how you held your own against a dragon even if it was only temporary. Not even Jura can do that, and he's a Wizard Saint! None of the Dragon Slayers were able to hold their own against a dragon too! Even if for a short while!" Sherria gave a sigh. "I wish I can be on your level of power someday."

"I'm sure you will. I sense a great deal of magic power from you, it's very impressive for someone your age."

Sherria gave Zancrow a bright smile and the three God Slayers bonded over their shared form of magic. Meredy is irritated at the untimely interruption but she isn't unhappy at it. She's glad that Zancrow is now attempting to make friends, and his fellow God Slayers is a nice start.

They really could have chose a better timing though.

The four of them made their way to the tables where a wide spread of food is being offered for them to choose and eat at their convenience. They all took a plate as they chose what they want to eat as they continued their topic of discussion.

"Here."

Zancrow passed a plate to Meredy filled with her favourite food and sweets, much to her surprise.

He didn't forget what she liked and disliked eating even after so long.

"Thank you."

Meredy accepted the plate with a soft smile on her face as Zancrow went to pick out his own food. She took a small bite of one of the desserts.

It's sweet.

Thankfully, the discussion between the God Slayers didn't take very long and both Zancrow and Meredy retired to one of the standing table with their beverages to take a short break. Meredy absentmindedly swirled her wine glass and took a quick glance around. She doesn't want any more interruptions.

Finally gathering enough nerves to give herself that one last mental push, she spoke.

"Zan. I-"

"Over there!"

The cry of kids were heard as a group of them ran up to both Meredy and Zancrow, almost knocking over the waiters that were serving the drinks.

"Hi Aunt Meredy! Hi Mister!"

Nashi, Natsu's and Lucy's daughter, greeted the both of them on behalf of the group of kids as they crowded around them and bounced on their feet excitedly.

Meredy inwardly suppressed a frustrated sigh. Why can't things go the way she want?! All she wanted is just some alone time with Zan! Just a little while!

Still, Meredy managed to clamp down on her frustration and plaster a sweet smile on her face as she patted the top of Nashi's head fondly.

"Hello, Nashi. What do you need?"

"Aunt Meredy, is it true that this Mister managed to fight off a dragon? Daddy told me he is a Fire mage too!"

Ah, so that's what the kids were curious about? A Fire mage stronger than Natsu?

"Yes, he is. His name is Zancrow. Go on, introduce yourself properly to him."

Nashi, the bright and cheerful girl she is, spun around to face Zancrow, who seemed ready to bolt out of here at any given opportunity seeing how the kids looked at him like a predator would to its prey. Meredy giggled.

Zancrow, the infamous S Class mage of Grimoire Heart, also known as the notorious bounty hunter Skull, is afraid of a bunch of energetic kids. She wish that she can take a picture of his face right now.

"Hi Zancrow! My name is Nashi! It's nice to meet you!"

Nashi extended her right hand out fully for Zancrow to shake, which he bent down slightly to match her height and returned the gesture, with caution, looking as if Nashi is a timed bomb waiting to explode.

In a sense, he isn't wrong. Nashi can get a little out of hand sometimes with how energetic she is and she did inherit some trouble-making tendencies from her father.

"Hello Nashi, my name is Zancrow. It's nice to meet you too."

The group of kids followed Nashi's example and introduced themselves one by one.

"Show us your magic!" Nashi exclaimed with twinkling eyes. "Daddy told me you used black flames! So cool!"

Zancrow looked a little apprehensive in using his destructive God Slayer magic around the group of young and fragile children, but he held out his index finger and lit it on fire like a candle, making sure to lower the power output as much as possible.

"Coool!"

"Hey! Will you fight with Daddy? I want to see who is stronger!"

Meredy quickly covered Nashi's mouth with her hand just in case Natsu heard her and got the same idea as well. A guild brawl in the royal palace is the last thing they need.

"Mffph! Mffph!"

"Nashi." Meredy tried to placate the little girl squirming in her hold. "It's not nice to fight people the moment you meet them. Especially not in an important place like this."

Nashi finally wormed her way out of Meredy's grasp. "But Aunt Meredy~~ I want to know!"

"How about I show you guys something else?"

Zancrow's voice got the attention of the kids as he very slowly picked up five serviettes from the table top and showed it to them. He bent down to the kids' level and the kids got closer to see what Zancrow is trying to show them.

"Watch very carefully now."

Zancrow crumpled the serviettes into a ball and clenched it into his palm with his fingers, hiding the serviettes from view. When he reopened his palm, five small birds were chirping and sitting on his palm where the serviette once was.

"Birdies!"

The birds took flight into the air and the kids went about to chase the newest object that got their attention. Meredy can see Zancrow visibly breathing out a sigh of relief.

"Come on, this place isn't safe any longer. The kids might return anytime soon and I don't want to fight that crazy Dragon Slayer. If anything, I'm willing to bet that girl is going to grow to be even more destructive than her father. The resemblance is obvious."

Meredy tried her best to stifle her giggle at the thought as she followed Zancrow.

The two of them eventually found themselves a safe haven near the spot where the guild masters were drinking and chatting. While both Zancrow and Meredy are fine with socialising, the both of them treasure their peace and quiet more. The spot near the guild masters is empty and it doesn't seem like anyone will be coming here anytime soon. As per usual, Meredy discreetly checked the area for possible disruptions, this time including the kids in the category as well. She does not want to be interrupted again.

Meredy's first two attempts were already thwarted by untimely interventions. There won't be a third time if she can help it.

"You were trying to tell me something earlier, weren't you? What is it?"

Meredy turned to Zancrow, who is leaning on the standing table and swirling his own drink lazily. She took in a deep breath.

"Zan. I-"

"NO WAY IN HELL ZANCROW IS YOURS! HE BELONGS TO FAIRY TAIL! SO IS YUKINO!"

"HE IS A GOD SLAYER LIKE ME! SABERTOOTH WILL TAKE IN ZANCROW! YUKINO WAS OURS IN THE FIRST PLACE!"

"Lamia Scale will enter the competion for both Yukino and Zancrow as well. We have a God Slayer too."

"Such individuals with beautiful parfum should enter Blue Pegasus."

"WILD!"

Meredy couldn't help but facepalm this time. Please, no. Just when she thought she finally got the perfect opportunity, this happens.

An inter-guild brawl. With Zancrow as the prize too. Just great.

"Huh. I didn't know I am so popular. What did I even do?"

Meredy sighed as she sipped on her drink. Guess she would never get to confessing to Zancrow today.

"You are strong, and what you did in your time as Skull had endeared yourself to the public, especially the mages. I thought I told you that already?"

"You did. But I guess this is the first time I see for myself the true meaning behind your words. I had kind of expected for it to be a joke too. I mean, come on. Me, a public figure? An inspiration to young and aspiring mages? And what's with the brawl with me as the prize? They didn't even ask whether I will be joining a guild."

Meredy looked up at Zancrow.

"You aren't planning to join one? I was of the impression that you will join Fairy Tail like I did."

"I honestly don't know." Zancrow admitted. "I have no idea what to do from now onwards."

The tension in the room rose as the various guilds tensed up to start the brawl that will happen at any moment now.

"Let's do this."

"This is a nice distraction from the tournament"

"We'll follow suit."

"My young blood is boiling~~"

Crap, even the guild masters are into it as well.

"Charge!"

"Take that!"

"Do it!"

"Pull Makarov's hair!"

"You bastard!"

"Granny, don't start stripping!"

"It's a free fight!"

"Men!"

This time, it is Zancrow who gave a sigh as he grabbed Meredy's hand and skillfully led her out of the room. No one noticed their departure from all the fighting.

"Come on, let's get some fresh air. All this noise is giving me a headache."

The two of them eventually made their way into the royal garden and the two of them strolled through it to enjoy the sights, the quietness of it, and the cool night breeze.

Zancrow realised that they are still holding hands and made a move to release it, but Meredy grabbed onto his hand and refused to let go.

"Meredy?"

"Zan." Meredy said as she tried to muster her courage for the fourth time tonight. "I... I have something to tell you."

"Oh, right. You have been trying to tell me something ever since before Orga and Sherria appeared." Zancrow said as he stood by her side and turned to face her. "Well, I'm listening. You know you can always talk to me whenever you want to, there's no need to be so nervous."

No need to be so nervous?! Of course she's nervous! It's a confession for crying out loud!

"I... I..."

Zancrow gave an encouraging nod to show that he is listening and to coax Meredy's words out of her.

"What do you think of us? As in, our relationship?"

"Huh?"

"I love you, Zan." There, finally. She had finally said it, there's no going back now. "I always did. I just didn't have the chance to tell you because I was afraid. I'm scared, Zan. I am scared that... that you will just say that you see me as nothing more than a little sister, that you wouldn't return my feelings." Meredy blurted out. "But then, you got yourself captured, and we were separated by a gap of 400 years and I thought you were dead. To me, you had died, Zan. You had died without me being able to tell you how I truly felt about you. I... I felt so much regret." Meredy said as tears threatened to spill out of her eyes, but she forcefully held them back. "But by some stroke of luck, you are back. With me. I don't want to experience something like that again. I know that what I say today can possibly ruin our existing relationship, but I know I will regret it if I never come clean and admit to you what I truly feel about you." Meredy finished in a single breath and she felt her shoulders relaxing now that the tension is out of her system.

"I love you." She whispered out, but not daring to look at Zancrow in the eye.

Zancrow was silent throughout the conversation and Meredy have no idea what he is thinking. She didn't dare to look at him in the eye either. She felt as if she wanted to bury herself in the ground and hide herself from the world after the confession, but she needs to say it out and she needs to hear what Zancrow has to say even if ultimately, the worst comes to pass.

"Meredy, look at me."

Very slowly, Meredy raised her head to look at Zancrow, who still have the same expression on his face since the start of the confession.

"I... I am not the most socially well-adjusted man, Meredy. You know this." Zancrow began speaking. "When I first found you, it was because I don't want, and I cannot bear to see a kid of all people getting killed in cold blood in front of my eyes. You know this. I don't know what to make of you back then, but I know that you are someone precious that I want to protect no matter what. You kept me sane in Grimoire Heart when all I ever cared for was revenge. You were the reason why I still had some hope that I will live on after I got my revenge when I was still planning for it, you were my purpose for living, and that remains true even up till now. You were why I managed to keep myself sane when I was thrown into the distant past where dragons roamed the skies and see humans as nothing but food save a few pacifist dragons." Zancrow took a breath before continuing. "You have a bright future in front of you, Meredy. I have nothing. All I had gave you so far were sadness and hardship all because of my own selfish desires. I never asked you what you truly wanted. I left you at Fairy Tail even though I knew that you would choose to come with me if I asked, even if Fairy Tail have been nice to you. I justified my actions by believing that it would be the best for you, that you will not continue to live the life of a dark mage, but I never asked for your opinion, not even once. I just threw you in there without any warning and disappeared without a trace. I... I don't deserve someone as wonderful as you, Meredy. Never once did I thought I did. I saw a bit of Ria in you initially, but I have never treated you as a younger sister. It was too painful for me. I have always see you as my equal. I know something in our relationship has changed when we first met three years after the Tenrou incident. I know you see me differently, but I thought that it was just a phase for you, that it may be just puberty wrecking havoc on your mind. I'm not suited for you, Meredy. Someone like me don't deserve someone as kind as you."

"Zan." Meredy cut in as she put her hands on both sides of his face. "Please. Don't think that way. I... I will never hate you for anything. I can't and I won't. All you have done so far is to guarantee my safety and happiness, I cannot fault you for that, really. I know. I know that you need time to recover from your emotional scars. You are hurt, Zan, but what is frustrating is that I cannot do anything to help. I..." Meredy choked on her words, but she forced herself to continue. "I feel useless, Zan. Because I cannot do anything to help while you did everything in your power to help me. You helped me stay alive. You helped me to live a life that is free from the darkness. You did everything you can to give me a sense of purpose and to let me have a happy future. But that future will never be complete without you. Let me in, Zan." Meredy said as she tried her best not to cry. "Let me into your future, just as I want to let you into mine. I am not expecting a response straightaway nor am I expecting any drastic changes in our relationship. I just want to say what has been on my mind for so long. I just want you to know. I am willing to wait, even if it takes ten years, twenty years, or even longer. I know you are a broken man, but you had broke yourself not only for your sake, but for mine as well. Don't get the wrong idea, I didn't love you because I feel indebted to you or anything, but because I want to. Let... Let me love you, Zan. Let me try to help. This time, let's do this together. You don't have to be alone anymore."

Zancrow put his hand onto one of Meredy's and gently pried it away from his face.

"I... I will try." He said. "I don't know how things will work out and I don't know what to expect, I don't know what to do. But I will try. No matter what, you will always be important to me. That will not change."

Meredy broke out a smile as she hugged Zancrow and wrapped her arms around him.

"Thank you, Zan. That's all I ask from you. You will always be important to me as well."

"You don't mind me being seven years older than you?"

"Five. You spent two years on the other side while I waited for four years over here. So technically, we are now five years apart. Not that big an age gap anymore, is it?"

Zancrow snorted as Meredy felt him returning the hug free his arm and rested his head on top of hers.

"Maybe we should thank the princess for it?"

"I still don't like her."

"Me too. But at least everything ended well."

"Yeah. I'm glad you are back here."

The two of them continued their hug as they enjoyed each other's presence silently. Meredy cannot help but let a blissful smile work its way on her face. She had finally show Zancrow her true feelings and he returned them.

"Alright, the whole lot of you had seen enough. Get out here."

Meredy jumped a little in shock as she spun around and saw her guild mates walking out of their hiding spots in various parts of the garden.

How much did they see?! Why did she not sense them?! Why didn't Zancrow tell her that they were watching?!

"They are in loooooooooveeeee." Happy called out.

Natsu and Grey, in a rare show of teamwork, acted out a portion of what they had saw.

"Let me love you, Zan." Grey said dramatically as he posed as Meredy and Natsu as Zancrow while doing exaggerated actions at the same time. "Let me try to help. This time, let's do this together. You don't have to be alone anymore."

Meredy's face flushed beet red and she really wish that she can hide herself right now. This is embarrassing!

"Why didn't you tell me there were people watching?!" Meredy slapped Zancrow on the arm but it didn't affect him in the slightest. "Argh! This is so embarrassing! Idiot!"

Zancrow gave a shrug.

"Well, whatever you wanted to say sounded important and I didn't want to interrupt you."

"Zan!"

"Hey Aunt Meredy! Was that a confession?"

"Not. Another. Word. Asuka." Meredy growled out.

"Mum! Aunt Meredy is scary~~"

"Blondie!" Natsu said loudly as he walked over to sling an arm over Zancrow's shoulders, totally oblivious to his annoyed look, or maybe he just didn't care. "Does that mean you are joining Fairy Tail? Come on, join our guild! You can see Meredy everyday and we can finally have our fight!" Natsu laughed manically at the thought of a fight with Zancrow and shot cones of flames into the air from his mouth in excitement.

"Yay! Daddy and Uncle Zancrow! Fight!" Nashi yelled out excitedly before running towards Meredy.

"Aunt Meredy." Nashi pulled at the skirt of a very embarrassed Meredy to get her attention. "Will you and Uncle Zancrow be having babies soon?"

"Nashi! Don't ask these type of questions!" Lucy looked alarmed at the words her daughter spoke.

"But Mum~~~"

"This." Meredy turned back her head slightly to look at Zancrow upon hearing his voice. "Is what you deal with on a daily basis?"

Meredy cannot help but laugh at Zancrow's unbelieving tone. Her Zancrow is back. He is with her. They will never be separated again if they can help it. And most importantly, his emotional scars are healing. This time, she will be there to help him.

His dying flames are now being rekindled.

"Yes." Meredy said happily as she held onto Zancrow's hand, and he gave it a light squeeze in response to reassure her of his presence, knowing her paranoia of losing him. "Yes it is."

"Welcome back, Zan."

-END-

Edited: 28/2/2019

AN: TADA! End of story! I thought it might be good to end the story on a light-hearted tone instead of a somewhat tragic one. I'm glad I made this choice.

And before there are more questions on why there aren't any more chapters or why RC ended here without expanding on the other arcs like Tataros or Alvarez arc, I'm pretty sure that I had mentioned back in Chapter 4 that the end of GMG arc is where I plan to end the story. So yeah, I am not entertaining anymore of these questions. The whole point of fanfiction is to write something different from the story which you are basing your writing on. I had left some room in this story so that it is possible to do a sequel for RC if I wish, but honestly, I don't see Zancrow making a big difference to the storyline at this point in time onwards. The only thing I can think of now is a fight between him and Dimaria due to her God Soul Take Over, and writing another two arcs just for the sake of one single fight is not productive when I don't have the interest in continuing it in the first place. I might write one someday, but it is definitely not anytime soon. Some of you might find the ending lackluster, but I had already told you since the beginning that RC is not a story with interesting fights and stuffs. It is just not that kind of story. RC is a story that focuses on both Meredy and Zancrow and how they grew as a person.

I hoped that you enjoyed Rekindling Cinders. It was fun writing it and I hoped you had fun reading it as well. As for any other new works, I still have an idea of a FT fanfic in my head but I don't think I will be writing them soon. This is because I have been writing too many FT stuffs and the stories I have in mind are really long. I estimate that I may need years to complete it, assuming I don't give up halfway. I'm not a fan of long stories. Not many have succeeded in retaining my interest in it and it is so damn tiring to write them on top of what I have to do irl. I have always wanted to write short stories, RC is the first successful one I wrote. The other two I wrote, TAOFT and IJWTTTW, while fun to write, had derailed into becoming a long story along the way, and I kind of regret letting it progressed that way.

Another reason is that I'm itching to write a Naruto fanfic. I have been waiting for ages to find time to do so. I have a few ideas but I think I'm probably deciding on one soon. There is one that looks very promising, but I won't know until I get a few chapters out to see the feasibility of such a story. The Naruto series is a very delicate thing to write about. The plots can be very heavily dependent on each other.

And this time, I'm aiming for it to be a short story as well. No more long stories if I can help it. Writing these are a nightmare, gosh.

Hope you enjoyed Rekindling Cinders, and thank you for supporting me in my work(s) thus far!

-Banix