"Are you still having some doubts about us or does it take something more intimate than this to convince you?"

His words were echoing in her head and she felt a bit dizzy. She sat up and leaned against the wall. Her breathing was rapid and her face red. She looked at him and he just winked. There was no need for this, but she's not complaining. She trusts him and knows that everything will be all right if he says so. Or not.

She still has some doubts, but she's not sure why. She doesn't want to confuse him, so she just won't mention it. But she couldn't hide that she was nervous and scared of Fairy Tail's reaction. She bent her head and thought. About everything. Once again. She had to, because everything happened too 's when she realized it was not her fault. She had no time to think. Is it her fault that she fell in love and he returned her feelings? Did she make a mistake because of it? She didn't. She argued with herself whether she should turn away from Sting and forget everything or just let it all go to hell.

"Hey..."

Sting whispered worriedly, noticing her expression. He walked up to her and stroked her hair. He kissed her forehead and muttered that everything will turn out well. She nodded and smiled weakly.

Holding hands, they arrived at Fairy Tail. The plan is - she enters first, so no one would suspect anything. They decided that they won't say anything for now.

Juvia sat with Lucy and Levy, and Sting came in a little later and sat with Rogue, Natsu, Gray, Gajeel and the rest. Juvia explained that she went to Fairy Hills to take a shower, while he didn't have to explain anything - they began drinking right away.

Juvia has mixed feelings. She's trying to act normal. She's distant while she thinks is there any reason for such panic. Everybody obviously accepted Sting and other members of Sabertooth as their friends. Why would they not accept their relationship then? Fairy Tail is a guild that doesn't look back to the past and doesn't hate even its worst enemies. But it was still a betrayal. She hooked up with a guild member who, at that time, hated Fairy Tail, hurt her friends and her.

Is this situation really as complicated as it seems to her?

"Juvia, you're spacing out again. "

Lucy waved her hands in front of Juvia's head, interrupting her deep thoughts.

"Huh?"

Juvia looked at her, puzzled. She was thinking for so long that she forgot where she was. She was still in Fairy Tail. She looked around and saw the smiling faces around her and all her worries seemed silly. Everything was fine.

"In love?"

Levy's question surprised Juvia. Hidden truth hit her. In an attempt to defend himself, she reacted harshly.

"No! What are you talking about?"

She shouted, a few heads turned in her direction and she covered her mouth in embarrassment. Yes, she was in love and she was blushing because of it.

"You're blushing!"

They teased her. Sexy blonde appeared in her mind and made her face even redder.

"How sweet."

Levy pinched Juvia's red cheeks as if she was a little kid. It angered her a bit and she glared at both of them.

"I'm not."

She hissed through her teeth, trying not to attract attention to them. It had no effect on the two silly mages and they decided to tease her more.

"Hey, looks like Sabertooth's Dragon Slayer is looking at you."

Lucy wiggled her eyebrows and nodded in his direction. It was true, from time to time he looked at Juvia and blue haired mage decided to join Lucy.

"Yeah, Sting. He's cute, isn't he?"

Levy had a dreamy look as she looked at Sting's direction and Juvia's face darkened.

'Cute? Sure he's cute, but he's mine. '

Is she jealous? Doesn't Levy like Gajeel? They must be fooling around, but why would they pick him?

"Stop it."

She said sharply. She turned to look at Sting and indeed, he was looking at her. He sat there, completely relaxed, and shirtless. His 8-pack was luring women to look at him and Juvia fought the tingly feeling between her legs and replaced it with anger. But he looks so sexy. His hand reached for a bottle of beer, and she unblinkingly watched his muscles flexing. Sting wrapped his hand around the neck of the bottle, his intense gaze eyeing her. Without taking his eyes off of her, he lifted the drink to his mouth. Some liquor slid down his mouth and fell from his chin to his sculptured stomach. The sight of him was so sinful and she barely kept her mouth shut. If they were alone, she'd surely jump on him, her tongue would trace the trail of liquor up his abs, along his neck, before she could capture his delicious lips. She almost moaned, but kept lustful sounds in her mind. She closed her eyes, but she could still feel his eyes all over his body. She felt his rough hands going up her waist to her-

"He winked at you!"

Lucy screamed excitedly and started shaking Juvia. She was grateful this time, because if she didn't interrupt her thoughts, she'd probably be aroused to the point where her panties would be soaked. And that's not something she'd want to happen to her in the middle of Fairy Tail.

"Did you see it?"

Levy asked, excitedly. Both were letting out some girly squeals and Juvia tried not to blush again. She left embarrassment aside and tried to calm them down.

"Calm down! There must be something in his eye."

"Maybe. But explain why doesn't he take his eyes off of you?"

"How should I know?"

Juvia played dumb and shrugged. Why were they getting so excited about it? She leaned against the bar and rested her head on her hands. Levy suddenly let out some muffled sounds. Juvia lifted her head and looked at her. Levy took Juvia hands and her eyes were shining for some unknown reason.

"Juvia, he's coming! He's coming!"

"What?"

It didn't take her too long to realize what they were talking about. She turned and saw him coming. He had a seductive look in his eyes and it's no wonder they squealed that much. Some girls, no, most girls were following his every move, but she had no time for jealousy. Panic swelled in her chest and no matter how sexy he looked as he walked towards her, she wanted to kill him.

'What's he doing?'

Lucy dragged Levy away, to leave them alone. Juvia's eyes pleaded them to stay, but it was too late. They have already left and Sting dropped in the empty seat beside her.

"Hey you."

He said in a sexy voice. He took the nearest bottle of beer and gulped it down without breaking eye contact with her. He looked so childish and yet so hot. She glared at him.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Now, is that a way to greet your boyfriend?"

He smirked at her. He took another bottle of beer and opened it. He was not that drunk, yet. She snached the bottle from him and placed it in front of her.

"I'm serious."

He took the bottle from her and lifted it to his mouth, but didn't drink. He watched distantly ahead. Suddenly, he no longer looked like a silly child. He looked almost worried, but it was just his expressionless face.

"Relax. I'm just flirting with you. We can start from the beginning and tell everyone that we met here."

She watched him drinking the bottle halfway, before she spoke.

"No Sting. I can't."

She didn't think twice. She lowered her head, fearing that she offended him.

"What?"

He put down the bottle and looked at her again. He felt somewhat betrayed.

"I can't tell everyone that we are together because you approached me half-drunk and flirted with me."

"I'm not drunk."

He shook his head. He was aware that he was a bit drunk, but it was still the best solution he could think of.

"And I'm not an easy girl."

He smiled cockily at her.

"I didn't go through a lot of trouble to get you."

"To get me?"

She was afraid that she might offend him, but now she's the one who's strongly offended. Same conversation again. Same words again. And again, his pleading look of regret. But she was already annoyed.

"Shit. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it."

"Please. Keep it to yourself."

She rolled her eyes dramatically and stood up. She knew that she'll cry later, but she really doesn't want to endure it again. But before she could make three steps, his hand caught her wrist, holding it firmly. He spun her around to face him and she looked into his watery eyes. He was obviously drunk, but his eyes were too sincere. Should she walk away, again?

"Wait, don't go."

"Let me go, they're watching us."

He didn't let go, but she shook off his hand. His hand nervously went through his blonde hair and he looked everywhere except at her. Everything about them seemed too tense.

"Wait for me outside."

"Okay."

"I know you're lying."

He looked at her and she sat next to him. This time she won't go away. She'll talk to him, about them. Why? Because now, he could be anywhere, with anyone. She was sure that since he met her he was not with any other girl. No girl in Fiore would refuse him, and he, this drunk, decided to stay with her. And whatever he says, won't ruin the fact that he still stayed with her. Even though, she was still angry.

"Sting...this isn't working. What is this? Why are we ever trying?"

"Because we can't be without each other."

He came closer to her, their noses almost touching. She felt his breath on her face. It smelled like alcohol and she was getting drunk from it. She looked down to his lips - they looked so kissable. Her eyes met his and she was thinking whether should she tell him what she really felt. She could lose him with these words. She gripped his arm and felt his muscles tense. She didn't want him to leave, so she squeezed his hand harder and said it.

"That's what I thought about Gray."

She squeezed her eyes shut and heard him let out a deep sigh. She opened her eyes, and he did not seem angry or too offended.

"Look, I could argue now, but I won't."

He said annoyed and slammed the bottle on the table, almost breaking it.

"Your point is?"

"What you told me offended me. As if Gray and I are the same to you."

"I..."

Before she could say anything, he shushed her. She didn't like the drunk Sting, but he was easier to handle.

"But I insulted you too. It just slipped, okay? I wasn't even thinking. And yes, I was trying to get you. For example, I could've left you to freeze on the rain. But I didn't."

"That's true."

"And let's say that, to you, I mean more than Gray and that you didn't mean it. Because it sounded like you don't want this to work."

"I-"

"But argues are a part of any relationship. So, we're doing good, right?"

He smiled at her and patted her head. That was fast.

"Yes."

She laughed. She was glad that they made up. He was right. She did some things, he forgave her. He did some things, she forgave him.

"If we were alone, who knows, maybe we would have fought."

He said and laughed with her. He handed her his bottle of beer and she drank the rest. There wasn't much.

"Sure. But you'd come to apologize to me."

He smirked at her.

"That goes for you too."

Some beer poured down her chin and he wiped it with his thumb. He traced it along her lower lip and put his finger in his mouth. He didn't care if they are being watched and it seems that she had forgotten that they weren't alone. He wanted to kiss her so bad, to smash his lips against hers. She was so innocent and yet so provocative. He wanted to take her and break her innocence, to leave marks on her body, so that everybody knows that she's his. Of course, there was love, but at drunken state he couldn't think of anything else except the sweet sounds that could leave her alluring lips. And in the way she looked at him, he could see that she thought the same. He got lost in her eyes and lustful thoughts.

They had no idea how much time has passed. They just sat there together, slowly drinking countless bottles of beer, sharing gentle glances from time to time.

"Sting! We should go!"

They heard Rogue's voice. Sting turned and saw him and their exceeds that were cheerfully waving at him. He didn't want to leave Juvia, but he'll see her tomorrow.

Juvia looked around and saw half-empty Fairy Tail. Lucy and Levy were still there, as well as Natsu, Gray, Lyon and a few more known and unknown faces. They stood up and prepared to say goodbye. Sting didn't move. He just stood there and watched her tenderly.

As he leant forward her pulse raced. A small lock of hair fell in front of her face, resting just in front of her flushed cheek, but with one swift slide of his thumb, it was brushed out of the way. As he draws closer to her, she feels her heart beating so hard. She fears someone might hear it, and if they do, their secret is secret no more. She wished that this is the moment Sting kisses her, in front of everyone. She felt their curious glances, but she didn't care. It must be alcohol. Her eyes close, her head tilts upward and then she feels his lips...on her cheek.

Somewhat relieved, she smiled at him and he caressed her cheek.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

I'm a bit late but - Happy New Year guys! And happy new chapter :)