A/Note: The prompt for this story was "For drabbles and asks - relationship firsts and Yukino". Since I've never written about Yukino and I'm only just starting the 2014 Fairy Tail anime series at the time of writing, this short piece took a little extra time to put together.

A rather bittersweet story, but I hope that you enjoy it - as a "might have been" if nothing else.

~Impracticaldemon


Soft Shadows


Yukino had wanted to be a part of Sabretooth for several years, but now she had been humiliated, stripped of her membership and guild mark, and expelled. It should have been difficult to pick a "worst thing", since it had all been terrible, from losing to Kagura to facing the Guild Master's sanction. However, if she asked her bleeding heart, the answer was clear: Sting's indifference to–no, his approval of–her punishment, was the worst thing about the entire disaster.

Sting had always seemed invincible to Yukino–a golden, shining light to be respected, admired, and adored. Hers was an unrequited passion, of course, but that had never disturbed her unduly. It had merely added to her need to prove herself by winning her battles at all costs.

Strangely, it had been the twin–dark, silent Rogue–who had seemed disturbed by the Master's harsh treatment. Unlike golden Sting, his black eyes had frowned at the Master, not at her, or so it had seemed. Of course, both men been behind her for most of that awful ceremony. Most of it, but not all. When she had turned to leave, belongings gathered in her arms but otherwise naked, they had been right in front of her, foremost among the assembled guild members.

In that moment, she had realized that Sting not only did not love her, but that he didn't think of her as a person at all, exactly–it was what he had been taught and all that he knew. It was the black eyes that had flickered with compassion, not the blue. Yukino could sense Rogue's distress at her humiliation, although he had hidden it quickly. Compassion was not a trait that Sabretooth Guild encouraged.

Rogue had come to see her while she packed, and somehow she had known that he had slipped away in secret, careful not to let anyone, especially Sting, know where he was. She had let him in without asking questions, and he stood near her now, the frown from earlier back in his eyes.

"I regret that this has happened," he said at last. Yukino knew that he had chosen his words carefully so as not to openly criticize either the Master or the Guild itself.

"I know, Rogue-sama. I undertand. And… I failed. This is one of the prices."

"Just one? Oh." Rogue was exceptionally intelligent; it only took a moment for him to remember that she had lost more than a match to Kagura–she had also lost a bet, and she had staked her life.

Yukino was startled when he reached out and touched her shoulder. At least she was dressed now, if only in an ordinary sleeveless top and skirt. The beautiful white and blue cape was folded away, forfeited along with… everything else. Rogue's hand felt oddly heavy on her bare shoulder. He was so quiet that people sometimes forgot that his darkness was the match for Sting's light–he was a strong man and a powerful mage.

"Please forgive my intrusion and also my… forwardness, I suppose," Rogue murmured. He was slightly flushed, and despite her half-dazed state, Yukino wondered why. Then his other hand clasped one of hers and held it up between them. With something that sounded like a sigh, he bowed his head and lifted her hand to his lips.

It was a strange, courtly gesture, and Yukino was at once confused and soothed. His lips on the backs of her fingers were soft and warm, a promise of unbroken friendship and a hint of something more. She heard herself inhale sharply–a small gasp of surprise, nothing else.

"I–Rogue-sama, I don't–I mean…" She trailed off when he looked up at her, smiling a little sadly.

"I know. It's not me that you see when you close your eyes. But it doesn't matter. Just remember that I am still your friend, no matter what. I believe that Sting will understand better–will see what's right in front of him–one day. For now, try not to give up completely. Promise me."

Yukino blinked at him, unsure what to do or say. He had not relinquished either her shoulder or her hand. Eventually she nodded uncertainly.

"I promise not to give up. I have a plan." She hesitated, but decided to keep the details to herself. "Thank you for worrying about me."

Slowly, as if waiting to be scolded, she raised her free hand and touched the other mage's cheek. The light flush on Rogue's face deepened, but he didn't say or do anything to stop her. When she stretched up to place her lips lightly on his, he still didn't move, except to bow his head and gently accept the kiss. When she moved away again, he was careful not to constrain her.

They stood looking at each other for a minute or two, and then released each other's hands at almost the same moment. Yukino, suddenly acutely conscious of what had just happened–of what she had done–couldn't speak.

"I need to go back to my room before I'm missed," Rogue said calmly. Before Sting notices I'm gone, he meant.

Yukino ducked her head in acknowledgment. "I need to finish my packing," she replied, striving for the same calm. It occurred to her that they were both putting their masks back on. She wondered if they would ever speak of that brief kiss and concluded that they wouldn't–not unless things changed a great deal.

"Good night, Yukino. And… be careful. Look after yourself."

"Thank you, Rogue-sama. You, too. Be well."

An instant later, Rogue was gone. Yukino lifted her fingers to her lips. It had all been very strange, like being in a particularly realistic but not necessarily believable dream. She was quite certain, though, that she would never forget her first kiss.


END


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