A short sigh of relieve leaves his lips when he hears Minerva say that Lector is still alive. But in order for Sting to get him back the White Dragon Slayer has to ensure Team Sabertooth wins the Games or otherwise he'll never see his partner again. After this commotion everyone is allowed by her to return back to their rooms. He waits silently if she gives him any order to help her move Jienma out from here. „Stay with him and ensure he'll win" is the only order she gives him right now, then he leaves with a short nod the hall. Honestly he isn't sure at all how he should now face Sting at all. It's his fault Lector was attacked in the first place. Because he had acted so foolish and reckless in front of the White Dragon Slayer.

He went towards the room the blond shared during the Games with Lector and first he hesitated to knock at the door. Sting might notice his presence even without making any noice at all. First the White Dragon Slayer acted enervated while opening the door to see who dared to disturb him and glared right at him but when he noticed him he turned around without saying a single word to him. „Forgive me, it wasn't my intention to endanger Lector at all" was he now saying towards the older Dragon Slayer, not looking at Sting at all and he could easily sense how mixed up the feelings of the blond just were this moment.

„Just what were you thinking at all, Rogue?"
„I..."

was he muttering, starring at the floor right infront of him and he was quite shocked when he felt the solid stone wall in his back.

The White Dragon Slayer tilted his head up so that he could look him directly in the eyes and he gulped hardly. Sting had always been the one to show righthand his emotions towards his surrounding. What came next left him in a mixture of surprise and shock. The White Dragon Slayer held on to him, hiding his face partly in his pitchblack hair and he felt like his own breathing stopped when he could feel a salty liquid touch his own skin. He'd never been in a situation like this so this was surely more than he could handle.

Slowly but unsure he puts his arms around Sting. He never comforted someone else besides Frosch. So therefore he is quite sceptical if he does the right thing at all. „I don't wanted you to be forced to leave because of how I've messed up everything" is he now saying with a low voice, while he pats the White Dragon Slayer on the back and even through Sting is known to be selfish, arrogant and childish there is this hidden soft side of him only Lector, Frosch and himself know about. He isn't saying it out aloud but while speaking up against Jienma he had really hoped this man would kill him so that he would be finally free from these mental shackles he's wearing since he joined this guild.

„Idiot, did you think I don't recognize your intentions at all? The thing I'm really afraid of is to lose Lector and even you" is Sting now saying to him and guilt is now building up deep within himself. How could he have not noticed how important he had become over this short period of time to the White Dragon Slayer? How could he miss the vital clue there is someone in this wrecked up guild who actually cares about him at all?

„I... Thanks, Sting" is he now saying to the older Dragon Slayer, a gentle smile appearing now on his lips and right in this moment he wraps his arms more around Sting. Now that Jienma is gone for good and the White Dragon Slayer nominated to become the next Guild Master he feels himself a bit closer towards freedom.

************

He really tried his best that Sting is able to be reunited with Lector again but he lost his fight with Gajeel. The Iron Dragon Slayer had to free him from the evil shadow that had taken over his body before he could admit his defeat. Shortly after Fairy Tail had been named the winner of the Games all the participating mages had to gather at the main square of Crocus.

There the king informed them about an incoming threat of ten thousands of dragons and without any sign of hesitation he volunteered to fight side by side with his guild mates against this danger. He wanted to proof he's also capable of protecting a friend like the mages of Fairy Tail taught them during the Games. Now he wants to be a man everyone can rely on. This is what he promises Frosch and even Gajeel.

In the battle against the dragons he has to face the fact, that this is all due to his actions in the future. One day he'll be swallowed by the darkness, killing the only caring soul close to him, absorbing in thir process his magic and aiming to become one day the new king of dragons. He can't believe these words the dragon Levia is telling him at all. This is not what he intends to be at all. But he is quickly drowning in despair when the dragon and even his evil shadow repeat his destiny is inevitable to turn out this way.

Is it really inevitable? Is this really what he will be one day? Resting on his knees he stares at the ground in front of him and he bites at his lips. So it would have been better Jienma had killed him before learning into what kind of monster he's going to turn in the near future.

„Rogue" is a familiar voice now calling out to him and just as he turns his head around he notices Sting approaching him. Shining so bright like a single ray of light cutting right through these thick layers of darkness trying to swallow him up. Right there he sees the constant radient smile rest at the lips of the White Dragon Slayer and he gets back up.

„Where you able to defeat your dragon?"
„No, but I brought mine along"

is Sting just saying while laughing at the same time when he notices another dragon to show up.

„This is not funny at all, Sting"
„I don't care what they all say about us. We're partners. So let's show them what the Twin Dragon Slayers are made of"

is the White Dragon Slayer now saying with this warm radient smile and he nods in agreement.

,Thats allright. As long as he's with me everything is ok. Should I become stained with evil, the light will surely kill me' is he now saying mentally to himself about Sting, leans slightly back so that they stand now back to back. Yes, they are partners and as long as the White Dragon Slayer stays at his side he'll be save from the dark.

************

It's only hours before the great ball starts. Honestly he's quite nervous. This is the first time at all he's able to move freely as he pleases. No sharp orders. No biting comments. No humiliation in front of the assembled guild. He enjoys this days where he can do his own decisions. He feels in some ways like a young bird finally able to take flight.

He helps Sting with the formal dresscode needed to attend the great ball and while he assures the jacket of the White Dragon Slayer fits perfectly he drifts of in his mind. Lately Sting had done so much for him. Even without asking the blond had reached out to him in so many ways. The once so cocky and selfish Dragon Slayer right in front of him promised to all of them he'd turn over a new leaf not only within the guild. „There is something I need to tell you once we return" are now his words towards Sting and it is his decision to finally tell the new guild master of Sabertooth how he is really linked towards the Orland family. Sting needs to know so that the White Dragon Slayer wouldn't carry some high hopes with him around of them staying together. Because deep within his soul he knows, if Minerva returns one day to the guild he'd be bound to her until she decides the other way around.