A/N: For the second Stingueweek I also decided on continuing the future story. I finally settled on a name for Yukino's twins. I gave Heron and Phoenix the healing ability because the phoenix out of the ash thing and the heron... well, it's a small ref to Fire emblem 09/10. There is no new story added, just a few corrections you probably won't be aware of
Title: Future II
Genre: Family/Romance
Warnings: None
Even though he gets teased for it, Sting can't help but to say that the twins have grown up into fine young men without them realising it.
"We should have cherished the time they were younger more", he sighs, sitting cross-legged on the counter of the guild's bar, a beer next to him; he is more of a fancy drinker, sparkling or red wine, but over the years, being in the company of Fairy Tail, he got used to the taste of beer.
"They are just fourteen and you think they are moving out, calm down", Rogue says to his left, sitting on a bar stool and leaning back with his elbows resting on the counter.
Even though he sounds annoyed, he looks more than amused and Sting can tell this, so his 'Minerva, Rogue is bullying me again' is more teasing than anything else, not to mention the 'traitor' Rogue gives in response
"Stop acting like brats. Sometimes you are the ones who need to grow up", Minerva points out, joining in their little joking, something neither could have imagined a few years ago but became as natural as breathing, the little pull at the corner of her lips and the fond gaze following her words.
"I have to let you know that I am very mature and responsible in terms of –", Sting starts, but the possible banter which could follow was interrupted by the opening of their heavy gates and two pair of footsteps approaching them.
"Uncle, look", Castor, Yukino's youngest son, exclaims when he makes his way to the guild master, happily showing him what he had obtained during the mission he had been on, "it's another key."
"Oh, another friend, who is it?"
Sting slides down on the stool next to Rogue, grinning at the boy and not faking his interest, always happy when the boys achieve something and show their enthusiasm, wanting to share it with their elders; whatever they and the others had wanted to argue about was forgotten in the light of their youngest members.
"It's the Heron, Crus. And brother got Phoenix. Now we both have two friends who can heal", he explains with a gleam of excitement in his eyes, presenting the silver key in front of them.
"Won't be of use if you still can't summon two at a times", Minerva reminds them, doesn't want these two boys who were like her sons getting into trouble by choosing the wrong spirit to assist them during a fight.
"I almost did today", Pollux, the older one tells her with a smug expression and even though he wants to sound like a strong mage, all Sting can do is ruffle his hair like he is still young and needs to be praised like this.
"Hey", he grumbles, slapping Sting's hand away and brushing with his own one trough his short silver hair in an attempt to tame it, an embarrassed blush gracing his cheeks.
"Sting, are you bullying my boys again?"
They look up when they hear Yukino's voice, seeing her with an amused expression and a smile betraying her accusation when she approaches them.
"Mother!", Castor beams and even Pollux's eyes lit upon seeing his mother.
"I would never do this. Was just thinking about how much they've grown."
Sting laughs when he sees the children grimacing, especially when she agrees with a thoughtful expression and a following smile.
"Mother, please don't treat us like children any more. We're so close to get S-rank", Castor whines while Pollux glares, or at least he tries to because getting angry at his mother is impossible, besides he is more mature than this brother so there is just no way that he is going to whine like a child (Rogue sees that he is sulking but doesn't say anything, simply smiles to himself).
"I know, I know."
"Ah, I still remember how you were so little and wanted to be carried around all the time to bed."
"Uncle Sting", they cry at the same time, only resulting in laughter erupting from the other guildmates who had listened, even more so when Sting sighs, his "and you're still calling me that, I'm hurt", more joking than anything else.
"Rogue-san, please train with me later on", the younger twin suddenly says, determinant to show them that they were starting to catch up with them – neither of the dragonslayers had the heart to tell them that they were far from doing so.
"Tomorrow", he promises them with a small smile, and even though Castor mutters a "fine", he can see that this is not the case at all.
"Rest for the day, okay? You won't be able to keep up with your uncle when you're not completely recharged", Yukino tells them, even though it probably won't help much.
"Just so you wait, one day we will beat you."
"Sure. Maybe you even make it guild master", Sting grins and even though it was meant teasingly, there was still some fondness, a bit of honesty and so Yukino flicks his forehead.
"Don't give them wrong ideas", she warns him, hand on her hips when he grins, returning it with a fond sigh when he says that he never would do something like this.
"Fine. Brother, let's go home, it's a race", Castor says, starting with a protesting Pollux who complains about a head start following him.
(Sting's "well, I guess they are still children" is meet with various amused expressions.)
"What a day", Sting groans, yawning and pulling the shirt over his head while he enters their bedroom, throwing it on the chair without paying much attention whether it really lands on the furniture or the floor and stretches.
He isn't complaining, not really. It took them a while but now Sabertooth is their home and they would always return to it, especially with the children around – they were like their own sons since they were little.
Rogue who is in bed already looks at his lover with a fond expression, eyes rumouring over the broad chest and appreciating every part of his body. They were no boys any more, no teenagers and probably not even young men and their bodies show that, the scars talking tales about their countless missions. He is glad that they are still together after all this time and wonders how it would be in ten or twenty years; he hopes it will be just the same.
"I want to spend the rest of my life with you", he says and it stops Sting in his task to fetch clothes to sleep in and look at his lover.
"This sounds awfully close to a proposal. I thought we didn't need something like this?"
Rogue shrugs.
"We don't. I just felt like saying it."
"You're weird today", Sting concludes, but it's with amusement and he joins Rogue in bed without a second thought to spare, kissing him.
"How long are you planing to grow this hideous beard of yours?", Rogue grimaces when he feels it scratching his cheek again after they break apart, pushing the blanket aside so that Sting can join him under the blanket; not that they would need it so soon.
"Until you admit that this is part of my natural charm", Sting grins in return, nuzzling his cheek in affection, a gesture he picked up when they started dating and a habit he would probably never break.
"Your so called natural charm lies elsewhere."
"Oh, will you show me?", Sting purrs, sitting atop of him and straddling his legs.
"It's my pleasure", Rogue murmurs, before he catches Sting's lips in a kiss.
Some things between them would never change and they wouldn't want to have it any other way.