Disclaimer: I own nothing but the story plot!
Chapter 9: Jealous and overprotective Sting.
Rogue was drinking a glass of hot chocolate when suddenly a body slammed into his from behind. He fumbled with the cup then steadied it as arms steadied him.
"Rogue! I need a huge favor! A big reward for this job. I need a partner and I'll split half the money with you. I just need half so I can buy a house for me and Levy. Please Rogue!"
"A gay bar. One that possibly has their workers cross dress depending on the day of the week according to this," Rogue deadpanned seeing the request paper. "Why?"
"It'll be good money and all we got to do is catch the man that's been kidnapping the dancers. Please! I'll never bother you for a job like this again!"
"Gajeel," he scowled.
"Rogue your guild needs money for repairs, right? This will cover that and more. Don't you want to help out Sting," he pressured making him look conflicted.
"I'm not wearing a dress or skirt," he scowled.
"Alright alright I'll be sure to not let them put you in one," he chuckled.
Rogue went by his house and got a backpack to travel with after leaving a note for Sting on his desk saying he was going with Gajeel to take care of a request. Gajeel doubled over with laughter at the outfit Rogue had to wear. He was in skinny jeans, knee high black boots, a gray top that stopped above his belly button and a red thong peeked from his pants. His hair was in a pony tail and his lashes were curled to make them look longer. Gajeel wore black skinny jeans, no shirt but a studded leather jacket, his hair in a ponytail as well, black sneakers, and black fingerless gloves.
"Shut up before I back out," Rogue sneered making him fall silent. "Yours is no better. Look at that gaudy studs on the jacket. You look like a wanna be biker."
"Hey," he frowned offended.
"Lets just get this over with," he scowled. "So, I can go home to Frosch."
"Yeah yeah don't get your thong in a twist," Gajeel waved him off making him punch him.
Rogue waited tables while Gajeel tended to the bar. Men flirted with Rogue continuously making him roll his eyes. He only liked Sting's attention. Not that Rogue would ever admit his feelings about his best friend. He kept and eye out for anyone suspicious. Rogue frowned when one man made it his mission to gain his attention at every second.
'Maybe he's the one,' he pondered. 'Well maybe I need to flirt back and gain his trust. So then he'll take me to his hide out where he's keeping the employees,' he thought.
"So cute," the man started placing a hand on his hip. "Ssssoooooooo how about we…."
"So nothing you creep," a voice interrupted. "Don't touch him so casually," he said threateningly pulling Rogue to his side.
"Sting," Rogue gasped.
"What are you doing in a place like this Rogue," he demanded.
"I left a note. I…."
"I don't like it," he said bluntly.
"But it'll help with repairs and….."
"There are other ways. I don't want you looking like this in front of others," he said fingers grazing his exposed hip making him shiver slightly.
"But Sting," he started as he pulled away then bumped into another person.
"Well lookie here. Such a cutie. Is this guy bothering you," a man leered licking his lips.
"Ah no he's a friend of mine," Rogue said placing his hands on his chest to keep him a distance when he got in his space.
"Are you sure I don't need to take care of him for you," he asked smiling smugly and grabbed his wrist.
"No really…..," he trailed off and noticed a faint smell to him.
He glanced to the bar and saw Gajeel watching grimly. He nodded at Rogue in clarification.
"Actually, can you walk me home," he smiled pressing into him making Sting sneer.
"I said," Sting snarled catching on.
"What I do doesn't concern you. Go home," Rogue demanded guiding the man away.
"Oh does it not," Sting spat.
"It really doesn't," Rogue spat back as he left out the door with the man.
"IF YOU GO ANY FURTHER, I'M NOT SAVING YOU! SINCE IT'S NOT MY PROBLEM I WON'T WORRY ABOUT IT! YOU HEAR ME?! YOU WANT TO SELL YOURSELF CHEAP THEN FINE! I'LL LET YOU SUFFER YOUR MISTAKE," Sting roared after him.
'Stupid Sting spouting that shit! He'll only get my hopes up! Who is he to barge in and act all mighty?! I'm doing it for the guild he should be happy! What does he think I'm weak or something,' he thought angrily.
"Lover's quarrel," the man asked amused gesturing at the bar.
"No. He's an ex but we're still friends," Rogue lied smoothly then jolted when he felt a prick in his neck.
"Is that so," he hummed as Rogue's eyes lidded. "You let your guard down. You should know I don't work alone," he smiled as the dart that had taken effect. "I knew the moment that guild master came in you were one of his members. Maybe next time don't let your master bust in like that in a huff," he hummed as he lifted the limp body. "I'll have fun with you cutie."
'What you don't know. Is it's part of the plan. I'll find those missing persons and set them free. Then take you out bastard,' Rogue thought amused. 'You're just taking the bait. Even if Sting was a setback.'
Minutes later he was taken to a building where he was chained to a wall. He blinked his vision back into focus. The smell of death assaulted his nose. He peered around and rotting corpses were in piles. His breath hitched in shock. They had figured the man had been trafficking them not murdering the males he disappeared with. Rogue struggled against the chains ready to get free.
'Why is my magic not…..,' he wondered then realized that there were seals all around him on the chains. 'No wonder. The seals are a precaution incase the drug has little effect on others like with me. He's smarter than he looks,' he acknowledged.
"Now to start some fun. I'll enjoy every moment with you. I'll kill you very slowly and mail you bit by bit to your master. How does that sound," the man pondered holding his carving knife.
"You sound like a wannabe anime villain," Rogue deadpanned.
"Cheeky bastard are we? Well it'll be fine cutting away that spirit. Please entertain me and lash out as much as you want, I enjoy a challenge," he smiled.
"Now you sound like a sex deprived psycho," Rogue commented.
He was rewarded with a slash across his stomach. Blood rolled down his delicate pale skin in response. Rogue struggled against the chains.
"Damn it. I can't get free. Where's Gajeel? Surely that other guy wasn't hard to take out. Was there more? I need help. I need…I need Sting. But I dismissed him and now he's mad at me. He won't come. No matter how much I want him to. I don't deserve to be saved by him after what I said,' he thought eyes dulling as the knife slashed his skin in different places on his arms, legs, sides, hips, face, and chest.
"Sorry….Sting," he mumbled feeling like maybe this was the last day he'd get to speak his name.
The wall next to him exploded making him look over shocked.
"Well if you're sorry then I guess I can forgive you," Sting said cockily.
"Sting! When did you…..How did you…."
"Well I followed your smell and was right outside the building having just arrived when I heard you apologize," he smiled
"Bastard coming in here all mighty! I'll show you," the man roared using his magic to send blades at Sting.
"Sting," Rogue cried out worriedly.
"Is that all you got?! I'll show you what a real wizard can do," Sting countered.
The blades melted as his magic slammed into the man.
"You're pretty weak on your own. You use drugs and seals on your victims so they can't fight against you. You're pathetic," Sting scoffed at the man laying in a heap.
"So you cleared things up here before I got the chance. Well good work Sting," Gajeel said smirking as he appeared and went to the unconscious man.
"ROGUE COULD HAVE BEEN DEAD BY THE TIME YOU GOT HERE! YOU'RE NEVER TAKING HIM ON A REQUEST EVER AGAIN," Sting roared.
"Yeah yeah. We'll see drama queen," Gajeel laughed.
"Gajeel don't piss him off any more than what he is," Rogue sighed.
"Awww but you can have such passionate angry make up sex if I rile him up more," Gajeel teased.
The pair went dark red in response to him comment and both sputtered.
"WE AREN'T LIKE THAT," they roared flustered making him laugh.
"Come on let's go get you treated," Sting scowled breaking the chains and scooping Rogue up carrying him away like a bride.
"Sting," he protested blushing harder.
"Shut up. I'm not listening to a word you say. Understand? You're going to shut up and listen to me for once," Sting scowled rushing to the hospital.
After he was treated Gajeel brought him his clothes and he changed. After Sting dragged him along to head home.
"Sting," he murmured when they got to the next town and it was getting dark. "I'll pay for a room. Can we rest for the night," he asked hesitantly.
Sting had been in an agitated mood since their trip to the hospital. Sting didn't answer him he just kept dragging him along by his hand. They cut to the right suddenly and they were in a hotel. Sting held up a finger and tossed money on the counter. The lady gave him a key and he hauled off with Rogue again. Sting took a shower as soon as they set their bags down. Rogue had taken one at the hospital so they could see the wounds better. He changed into pajamas and sat on the bed head hung. Sting was really angry at him. Rogue hadn't meant to make him upset. He just wanted to help the guild. Tears flooded his eyes and spilled down his cheeks. After several minutes of crying hands seized his face and made him look up.
"Stop that. I can't stand it," Sting frowned.
"Can't stand what," he whimpered as his lips trembled pressing back sobs.
"I can't stand you crying. It hurts knowing you're hurting. Even worse when I'm the reason you're crying. I'm sorry I was mean to you. Just please don't cry," Sting frowned stroking the tears from his cheeks.
"STUPID! I THOUGHT YOU HATED ME! YOU WOULDN'T TALK TO ME," he wailed hiding his face into his chest.
"I could never hate you."
"Well you acted like it! You kept glaring if I tried to speak up and wouldn't talk to me all the way here! I thought for sure you hated me now because I didn't listen and got kidnapped," he blubbered.
"Well I am angry you didn't listen but I can't hate you. You're too important. I didn't exactly go about getting you to leave the place correctly either. I let my feelings get in the way of being logical. I didn't want perverts looking at you. I'm also sorry I said I wouldn't save you. You must have been scared not knowing if anyone was coming. I'll always come to save you no matter what," he said sitting by him and cuddling him.
"Don't say nice things anymore. It'll get my hopes up," Rogue begged.
"What? What do you mean get your hopes up? Why can't I say nice things," Sting questioned.
"Because I love you. I'm sorry if that freaks you out but I can't help it," Rogue sniveled.
"Idiot," Sting chuckled holding him tighter. "Of course I love you back. Don't cry. I would never reject you," he smiled making him look at him once again. "Be my boyfriend Rogue."
"Ok," Rogue breathed then leaned up and pressed a shy kiss to his cheek.
"So cute," Sting whined cuddling him when he ducked away blushing.
"I'm not," Rogue whined.
"You are," Sting chuckled kissing his forehead. "So tone it down around the others. I don't want anyone else after my cutie."
"Stupid! I said I'm not!"
"I say you are and you have to listen to me for the rest of the day. So no more protesting or I'll put you on toilet cleaning duty for a month," he teased.
Rogue whined angrily hiding his face into his chest still snuggling into him regardless. Sting chuckled beaming down at him and kept holding his adorable boyfriend until they were both ready for sleep. Rogue climbed into his bed to snuggle with him despite having his own. Sting wasn't going to complain though. His boyfriend was rarely affectionate towards anyone other than Frosch. He enjoyed the times when Rogue would be affectionate with him when they were just friends. Now it seemed he'd be even more affectionate. Sting couldn't wait for all the future cuddle sessions.
