*

Continuing to stare at the distant waves, Mavis smiled bitterly and turned away, sighed.

"And why is he so strange ... No matter how much I asked, he didn't explain anything" - closing her eyes for a moment, the girl smiled:

- So he left ... I have not experienced this for a long time ... I think we can now be considered friends? It's so unusual, I feel alive again ... But, - looking around, Mavis whispered worriedly:

- He won't stop. So stubborn ...

In the intervening time, Mavis has learned too much about Aidan. Even if he didn't say anything about himself at all, she understood enough to believe him. A man filled with loneliness, not at all appropriate for his age. Sometimes playful, sometimes throwing admiring and even excited glances in her direction, but at the same time he is somehow sad and lonely. Even without a curse, he seemed out of this world - burdened with something, as if looking for his own way ...

Mavis already knew about his family, knew about his new friends from the guild, but even when he talked about them with a warm smile, he seemed to be somehow overly sentimental - like an old man talking about the only value in life. It seemed really sad ... He seemed to want to become a part of someone else's family, but he was simply unable to do so. He seemed unable to find his place.

- You know ... I think the main thing is just to see that everything that you believe in exists in reality. When I first learned magic, saw the world, I met Wendy, it can show the stupid or strange the reason for my concern for her, but ... - lying by the fire, Aidan broke into a gentle smile:

- It's funny, but ... I just feel happy when I see her smile. Even if we just met, even if I barely knew her ... When she smiles back at me, when she happily calls me "brother" I feel that everything is not in vain, not at all like in the past. I feel that there is someone who can appreciate me, someone who can love ... I never had a family and, like a thief, burst into a sacred place, trying to become one with him, to find a family.

A face lit in the light of the fire, shadows fluttering playfully against his fair skin. Mavis watched him intently, her eyes still sparkling. A warm smile came naturally, and she tried to catch his every word. He spoke softly, purely and heartily. The girl's eyes flashed notes of sadness, entwined with tenderness. He completely opened up to her and continued to tell with a mockery.

- When I met Wendy, I wanted to quickly get rid of her, go my own way. But, I quickly realized that she is the only living soul in my life. I could give her everything I have, and in return I would get a strong ally that I could raise myself ... Then I decided not to continue to wander alone, that's right ... So ... - clenching his teeth, the guy exhaled with a grin :

- So disgusting ... This feeling has always accompanied me. I became attached to her, knowing full well that I would find more people like her. As a stupid fool, I knew it looked pathetic, but, I went to Fairy Tail, behaved nicely and even kindly ... But, all this is not the same, every time I feel that I am not what I am not one of them ...

Touching his forehead, Aidan turned slightly towards Mavis and smiled sadly.

- I want to be so, kind, honest and also loves friends, to be ready to sacrifice myself. Ha-ah ... Not at all what I should have told you. I would like to tell this to my sister ...

After a few seconds of silence, Aidan continued:

- They say that mom and sister will always understand a stupid son or brother, they will never turn away, even if he behaves like a pitiful fool. I want them back, I want to know if they can smile at me ... Will I be happy ... Wendy changed me, instead of an ally, I found this strange feeling. Now I just want to know the truth, that's all.

Remembering that day, Mavis's lips twitched.

She understood enough, and in every possible way tried to support him. He possessed pride and could not tolerate pity, so she tried to just be there and make him smile, involuntarily and herself succumbing to his mood, and now, after parting, she, like him, experienced an indefinite melancholy ...

Touching her lips a little, Mavis smiled sweetly and took off.

"His soul is special ... Maybe it's his magic or they were originally connected. Yes ... It really was fun with him. "Turning her gaze to a distant part of the island, Mavis sighed softly:

"He felt it too. Where this will lead ... Aidan, be careful. I believe in you, I hope you will also believe in Fairy Tail. Just believe...

With a last sad smile, the world blurred, Tenrou Island slowly evaporated. There was only an endless ocean and a calmly drifting raft. Aidan swam for a very long time until he met the first fellow travelers.