I was sick, my apologies.

1:20 PM, Sunday, Sabertooth Leisure Club

"I'll see you at practice on Tuesday then," Orga said as he picked up his duffle bag and fist-bumped Sting on his way out.

"See you then, man," Sting said as Orga retreated from the locker room.

Sting dried his hair with his towel as he approached his locker and threw on a white tee.

Gray then entered the locker room and stood beside the door with his arms folded and one leg up on the wall. Sting noticed him but continued putting on his deodorant, and adjusting his clothes on his body. He put his deodorant stick back in his locker and sat down on the bench, proceeding to put on a new pair of white socks.

"What did you want to talk about?" He asked without looking up at Gray.

Gray remained quiet for a minute.

"Natsu's told me a lot of things about you," Gray closed his eyes. Sting looked up at Gray from the corner of his eyes, but later returned to putting on his shoes, "But, I don't know whether I should believe him or not,"

Sting fitted on his sneakers, before getting a hold of the laces, "Well, as long as it's the truth then you should believe him. If not, well, I don't know how to help you,"

"You can tell me if the things he has said about you are true or not," Gray pushed himself off the wall and stood beside Sting, "Because right now, I don't think I can trust Natsu, he's been behaving strangely ever since Lucy came into the picture."

Sting stopped tying his shoelaces and lifted his head up to listen more to Gray, "What kind of behaviour?"

Gray noticed his sudden attention to the topic at hand. He was now fully aware that Sting knew something about Natsu that he doesn't know.

"One of self-importance: Narcissistic behaviour." Gray said, he looked off elsewhere, "I never knew he would possess something like this until I remembered our conversations during summer. He would tell me how he wanted to love somebody, and I would reply with how Lucy was the best candidate, seeing how she loves him as well. However, he would just smirk and say something along the lines like, 'Lucy is special.'."

Sting's eyes widened.

"I was hoping you could give me some insight. Given that you guys have known each other since you were young," Gray laid his eyes on the blonde who quickly finished tying his laces and stood up. He hit the front of his shoes against the floor, making sure that they were fitted before turning to Gray.

He furrowed his brows, "Aren't they just friends?"

"Yeah, they are. However, they both hold feelings for each other that they have not expressed to each other yet." Gray watched him intently, he noticed how Sting's expression suddenly changed.

Sting clenched his fists. He bit his lip with frustration written all over his face, his body shivered as he slowly turned up at Gray, "Let's talk."

Gray nodded in agreement and opened the door, "Not here though. We'll discuss this in the quiet room back at the tavern,"

"You guys have a quiet room... in a tavern?" Sting raised a confused brow as he picked up his duffle bag.

Gray stepped out from the locker room, "Erza."

"Makes sense already," Sting shrugged his shoulders as he walked out after Gray.

The two walked side-by-side down the halls that eventually lead to the exit. On their way there, Sting will wave to the members and chat shortly with them due to Gray's patience, they then managed to make it to the entrance where Gajeel stood waiting for them.

"Why didn't you go with the others?" Gray questioned the long-haired man.

"There's something I wanted to tell Eucliffe before I beat Elfman again at foosball," Gajeel fist-pumped the air.

"Gajeel wanting to spare a few minutes of his day to speak to me, well isn't that something," Sting said smugly.

"Heh, don't get any bright ideas, kid. I can still pummel you," Gajeel punched his palm.

Sting sighed, hoping that maybe Gajeel and he had finally seen eye to eye but alas, nothing has changed, "What is it that you want to tell me?"

Gajeel stopped punching the air and that's when the air around them changed. His brows furrowed and he stared at Sting as if he was staring at his soul.

"Last year, what happened on that summer trip?" Gajeel asked.

"Trip?" Gray said in his head.

Sting stared back at Gajeel with sweat rolling down the side of his face, he made a silent gulp and looked back at Gajeel, "... Why?"

"Wish I could tell you, but it involves details of someone who doesn't really want me to speak on it. I just need it to cure a hunch of mine and make me decide if I have to do something about it or not." Gajeel explained.

Sting stared at Gajeel for a while then looked at Gray beside him. He stepped back for a bit and pointed at the both of them, "What are you guys up to?"

"Huh?" The two said in unison, both raising a brow at the blonde.

Sting held the strap of his duffle bag tighter, "Obviously... what you two have asked of involves Natsu. Did he put you guys up to this...?"

"Fullbuster asked you about the trip?" Gajeel said as he glanced over at Gray, confused at how he could know.

"I asked him to prove the accusations Natsu has against him. I didn't know about this trip you speak of, until now of course," Gray glanced back at Gajeel just as confused as he was.

"Accusations? Like the harassment charges-." Gajeel spoke but had his mouth covered by Sting.

The blonde looked over his shoulder at the members who were moving around in the lobby.
Sting, Gray and Gajeel had not left the building completely and were actually right by the entrance.

He looked back at the long-haired man and brought his index finger to his lips.

"You can't talk about that shit here, it could get me kicked out of the club," Sting said with an annoyed expression.

Gajeel nodded in acknowledgement.

Sting took his hand away from Gajeel's mouth and placed it in his pocket. He sighed heavily.

"Let's head to the tavern and talk about this because we definitely can't talk about what happened on the trip here," Sting said.

Gray and Gajeel nodded.

25 minutes ago - 12:55 PM, Sunday, Natsu's Home

"Will you promise me one thing?" Lucy asked as she looked deep into his eyes.

"Sure, what is it?" Natsu looked back at her.

"Abstain till Christmas," Lucy said as she tapped his nose.

"Eh?" Natsu said with a slightly shocked face.

"Don't have sex with anyone till Christmas. Now that we are dating, our first time together has to be sacred since it's my first time and I want to cherish our first time together." Lucy said passionately.

Natsu rolled his eyes, "It's not that sacred y'know. That's just a stupid rule made by one of your brain-dead romance authors who think love has anything to do with sex. You can have sex without love too y'know,"

"But we both love each other, so we may as well make it a great thing between us," Lucy said, suddenly acting a bit bolder. She's always wanted to be the boss of the relationship but in a playful way of course. "Besides, you're my first kiss, so it may as well end nicely on Christmas,"

She got off of Natsu and picked up her things, "I guess the next thing to do now is appear in front of everyone in the tavern as a couple-."

"No!" Natsu jumped up.

"No? Why not?" Lucy cocked a brow. She made a sad expression as she didn't want to be like one of those girlfriends who remain a secret because the boyfriend doesn't want to be seen with her at a certain place.

"Because..." Natsu looked up for a moment before looking back at her, "I haven't got a ring yet,"

"A ring?" Lucy's heart almost jumped up out of her as her eyes sparkled.

"You see Luce, I wanted to propose to you instead of asking you out. I know it seems kind of fast but you've been the woman of my dreams and I wanted to keep it that way by putting a ring on it, you know..." Natsu said as he rubbed the back of his head, "Once I built up the courage and money to buy the ring, I would propose to you in the tavern just to show the people how special you are to me,"

"Natsu." Lucy smiled brightly as small tears came from her eyes, "Normally people date first before that-."

"Why do we have to date when I know everything about you as a friend?" Natsu questioned as he stood before her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Hehe. Because it's the principle," Lucy shrugged her shoulders.

"Fuck the principle. Fuck society. Let's do things our way," The pinkette spoke softly before planting his lips on hers.

Lucy kissed back as she ran her hands through his hair and pulled him deeper towards her.

Natsu's hands ran down her back and landed on her plump behind. He squeezed her beautiful backside which resulted in her flicking her head back and letting out a small moan. Natsu immediately went for her neck and began kissing her lightly whilst getting a firm grip on her butt.

She lightly pushed him off her and adjusted her clothing.

She looked away from him as her face was completely red at this point, "Y-You have to wait for C-Christmas, p-please."

"Ugh, Fine. You're no fun, Luce." Natsu folded his arms and turned away from the blonde.

"Hehe, it's just I'm a little new to having you touch me like that. Plus, I really want us to do this sorta thing on a special day," Lucy explained as she fixed her hair.

Natsu scoffed as he turned away from her with his arms folded.

"I'll be heading home now. I have to prepare my presentation for a meeting tomorrow morning, so I won't be heading to the tavern with you," Lucy said as she put on her jacket and began slipping on her shoes.

"So work gets put before me, huh?" Natsu asked, slowly turning back around to face her.

"Well, if we want to have a wonderful life, later on, then we are going to need money, Natsu," Lucy said as she stood up and unlocked the door. Upon opening it slightly, she looked over her shoulder at Natsu, "I love you, Natsu."

Natsu smirked and looked back up at her, "Love you too, let me know when you are back home safely,"

She nodded and closed the door behind her. Natsu walked over to the kitchen and picked up a glass cup on the counter, he looked down at it, marvelling at its tough yet delicate body, the glint of light that bounced off it as he held it up towards the bulb in his living room, he brought it back in front of him and began to put pressure on it.

He crushed it between his hand, feeling the glass pierce his skin and mark its home in his flesh. He groaned deeply as the pain began to take its place in his hand, he pressed more, squeezing the glass in his hand, crushing it whilst some shards made more markings in his soft flesh. He threw his hand back and lunged the remaining pieces at the wall.

Natsu sighed heavily as he looked back down at his hand covered with blood. He smiled from ear to ear as he let out subtle breaths, "Really a sucker for pain,"

He began roaring as he started punching his walls next, "I need to fucking break something else!"

He went over to his TV and clutched its sides, ready to pick it up and slam it on the ground, but then he stopped for a second. Realising that his television was his only source of entertainment, he let go of the television and looked over his shoulder at Happy.

The two shared a moment between predator and prey, a brief moment of silence that offers both sides to make the first move.

He smiled from ear to ear as a glint of red appeared in his eyes, "I can always find another stray,"

Happy shivered from head to tail and immediately acted on instinct. He scampered off, jumping right over the couch as Natsu dived headfirst into his couch, knocking it back.

Happy raced around the first floor of the house, trying to find an exit.

Natsu rubbed his head and grabbed the remotes off the coffee table. He raced for Happy, taking the batteries out and chucking them at the feline. Happy dodged every one of them and made a sharp turn into the back room, sending Natsu sliding into the closet and hitting his back against the wooden door.

"Damn cat! C'mere!" Natsu rubbed his head, making his way into the back room.

Happy remained under the couch, staying absolutely still, eyes focused on Natsu's footsteps and breathing.

Natsu looked around the back room that contained a smaller television, a few small couches and the main family couch by the window.

Natsu walked past into the second hallway that leads to the main room and with an entrance to the backyard.

Happy came out from under the couch and managed to jump up on the ledge, slightly pushing the window open. The old window made a slight noise with every push Happy gave it as the hinges were old and rusting.

Upon hearing the squeaking hinges, Natsu turned back and glared at Happy with eyes that could pierce someone's very soul. Happy tried to slip through the window but his long tail was caught by Natsu who dragged him back into the house and held him up by the tail.

"You little fucker," He got ahold of his arm, squeezed it and then threw the small feline at the couch and instantaneously knocked him out.

"Pathetic animal." Natsu grimaced as he spat at the small cat and threw the rest of the batteries at him.

Natsu left the room for a minute and came back with a bowl of tuna and water. He placed it beside the couch and smiled down at Happy.

He knelt down and lightly brushed his fingers on Happy's face, and said with a deep tone, "You know you're very precious to me."

He stood up and locked the window, leaving the room as well and heading to the main room.

He lifted his couch back up and flopped right onto it, folding his arms behind his head as he looked up at the ceiling.

"Lucy," He spoke aggressively. "You're supposed to succumb to my greatness. If I say let's have sex, you do it. You belong to me and only me. Why is a lowly being like yourself denying my requested desires? A woman is there to please a man, not talk, you all don't have free will on this planet. All you have to do is shut up and open your legs," Natsu said as he got off the couch and made his way over to the front door. He threw on his blue jacket and flicked the main light switch that turned off all the lights in the house, "Doesn't matter anyway, if I can't get it from you, then I'll get it elsewhere. You only breathe to please my future endeavours anyways,"

1:30 PM, Sunday, Fairy Tail Tavern

Erza sat in the booth with Levy, discussing their new jobs and how their weeks are laid out, just when she felt someone grab ahold of her shoulder and call her name.

"Erza!" A blue-haired male stood above her with a concerned expression, "Why are you here, I've been looking all over for you,"

Erza looked up at the male and gave him a disgusted look, she brushed his hand from her shoulder and looked forward once more, "What do you want, Jellal?"

"Come back home, we need to talk," Jellal asked her politely.

"I don't want to come back there. Just go on your own, I'm fine here," Erza replied without turning back to him.

"Why are you acting like this? We are supposed to be a unit that conquers all the hurdles that come against us. I still love you, don't you see that?" Jellal clenched his fists and pressed her more, "Please, while I'm asking-"

"Politely? Are you going to threaten to hit me again like last time?" Erza said as she turned back to him this time.

Once she had said that, the loud noise from all tables abruptly stopped and focused on both Jellal and Erza. But it wasn't the stare of wanting to get in their business, but more of an army about to pounce on the enemy.

Erza is like the Queen of Fairy Tail, she is praised by all members as the one with an iron fist. She is the strength behind the name, Fairy Tail. The other members were just keeping a lookout for if they had to bury somebody tonight or not.

Jellal could feel the eyes all on him as if they were burning pairs of holes through his back. Sweat was pouring down his head as he initially came here for a talk and not a fight. He let go of Erza immediately and let out a small sigh.

"Fine, have it your way. Just please come back home tonight," Jellal told her as he quickly made his way out of the tavern. He closed the door behind and not a second later, everyone returned to talking amongst themselves.

Jellal slammed his fist against the wall followed by a sigh of relief; he was relieved that he got out of there unscathed, but frustrated that he was embarrassed like that. He put his hand to his face and shook his head to forget what he had just gone through.

Jellal got his bearings and continued walking on, not looking forward and rather just staring down at the ground. He bumped into somebody and quickly apologised without looking up, the person with their blue jacket stared at Jellal before continuing on.

They entered the tavern and made their way to Erza's table. They gently placed their hand on Erza's shoulder,

"Hey, Natsu." Levy looked up at the pinkette who intensely looked down at Erza.

Erza looked up at Natsu and gave him a gentle smile, "Why, hello there Natsu, I heard you were hanging out with Lucy today,"

"We were. But, she had work to finish off," Natsu replied, "I need to talk with you in the quiet room,"

"Sure. Excuse me for a moment, Levy," Erza waved to the blue-haired woman who waved back and returned to her book.

Natsu made his way upstairs with Erza in tow.

Gajeel kicked his feet up on the group desk that he, Sting and Gray were all sitting on. The quiet room was a separate room on the second floor of the tavern. Fairy Tail is a club like Sabertooth's Leisure club, but they are expanding little by little. The tavern used to be a huge library, but then they made the first floor a hall for drinking and catering thus people know it as the 'Fairy Tail Tavern'.

The owner, Makarov, plans to expand it even more by moving to a new location so that his leisure club dream can come true. But for now, this location in Magnolia will suffice. The room they were in is the room Erza uses to read or the room Lucy uses to work sometimes when she requires help from Levy and Erza. The room is soundproof so it blocks out everything from the bustling hall downstairs.

Gray did not want to be disturbed, seeing as Natsu rarely visits the quiet room, they would have enough time to discuss the strange pinkette and his behaviour lately. Gray picked up the jug of cold orange juice and poured a cup of orange juice for everyone

Sting took a chocolate croissant from the middle and took a small bite from it, he looked over at Gray and Gajeel who were on the other side of the desk and spoke after chewing and swallowing the treat, "... Who wants to go first?"

Gray looked over at Gajeel, who noticed his small stare and shrugged his shoulders.

"I guess I can go first," Gajeel put his feet down and picked up the cup of juice, "I want all the details on the summer trip you guys went on last year,"

"Okay, well we went to the summer home my dad has out in-."Sting started but was stopped after Gajeel slammed his other hand on the table.

"Not those details. The case with you, Salamander and Sara," Gajeel said.

Gray was intrigued as another name came out from Gajeel's mouth. He looked over at Sting who was quiet for a moment, before opening his mouth once more.

"Just so you know beforehand, I never did anything wrong," Sting said shakingly.

"I'll take that with a grain of salt and decide once you tell me the whole thing," Gajeel drank his orange juice in one sitting and slammed the cup back on the table. "Now, go ahead."

Gajeel looked at Gray from the corner of his eye, "Listen in closely Fullbuster, you're going to want to hear this,"

Sting started, "We took a trip last year with Mrs Anna. To fill you in Gray, Mrs Anna was our caretaker, she took care of me, Rogue, Gajeel, Wendy and Natsu. We went with our parents too, but Mr Redfox and Gajeel couldn't come because he was in his last major year of Mechanics and stuff."

"Wendy? Is she the small girl who visits Erza every now and then?" Gray asked.

"Brown eyes, blue hair, has a white cat and she's very short?" Sting said.

Gray nodded.

"That's her. All our parents became friends through Mrs Anna as she's been taking care of us since we were all eight, Wendy joined us later when she turned four. Because of our long friendship, we took a trip last year because why not, right. I invited Sara, a friend of ours from High school with us too,"

Gray looked over at Gajeel then back at Sting, "Wait, do I know of Sara too?"

"No. She was a part of my high school, Natsu was expelled and went to your school later on in his academic year. Rogue, Gajeel and I still attended the same high school and so did Sara." Sting answered.

"I see, go on," Gray said.

Sting continued on, "Sara and Natsu had a thing going on even after Natsu left our high school. He would meet up with her whenever the school day came to an end, all the way up until the start of college. The beginning of the college years were weird because Sara would start to confide to me and Gajeel about somebody sneaking into her home and taking her stuff, mostly underwear. In the morning, she would feel a slight pain on her hand and find small cuts around her hand with clumsy cleaning and bandaging."

Gray furrowed his brows as he cocked his head back with slight shock and disgust. Gajeel remained still as he also furrowed his brow and listened intently, although he knows half of the story already, he needs to get the details based on the trip.

"She mentions how she told Natsu about this, and the latter would react in an overprotective manner on how he'll protect her from this person. When Natsu says he will do something, it's always safe to rely on him because he always keeps his word," Sting said. He stopped for a moment as he brow twitched and a ball of sweat rolled down his cheek, he looked down for a bit before raising his head up again, "I was so sure that Natsu would take care of this stalker issue, but I was hesitant when he started to say that Sara was special."

Gray made a slight groan as he listened to what Sting was saying.

"Every day we talk about anything slightly related to Sara, he would always answer with how special she was. And when Sara told us about Natsu's fascination with pain, it wasn't hard to put the dots together-." Sting stopped once Gray stood up from his seat.

"Hold on a second!" Gray started. Gajeel looked up at Gray who was finding it hard to take in, "Are you trying to say that Natsu is some sort of crazy blood-loving, psycho stalker?"

Sting nodded, "I don't want to beat around the bush, but yes. I'm saying this first as it ties up to the issue that happened on the trip."

He looked up at Gray with the most serious face he could muster, "Natsu is unwell and insane, Gray, he-."

Sting stopped talking immediately as if something was caught in his throat. From where he was sitting, he was facing the door that had a small window on it, whilst Gajeel and Gray's backs were facing it, and with this view, Sting could observe anybody passing by.

A familiar face that he knows all too well just stood behind the door, glaring into the room, standing motionless.

"N-N-Natsu..." Sting shivered with wide eyes as he continued to observe the person at the door.

Gajeel and Gray froze.

Gajeel slowly turned to the door whilst Gray wore his neutral expression and turned to the door as well, and indeed, it was Natsu; just standing behind the door, staring into the room with a blank expression on his face, as if he was just stabbed and didn't know what face to make first.

He pushed open the door lightly and took a step in. Out of nowhere, he grinned from ear to ear as he threw his arm over Gray's neck and pulled him in tightly, "We having a party here and I wasn't invited? How cruel."

"What the heck are you doing here?" Gray asked, he noticed Natsu's increase in strength as he pulled him in for a semi-hug. For the first time, Gray was slightly shaken by Natsu finding out what he's been doing in the background.

"What are YOU doing here?" Natsu retorted as he looked at Gray with wide eyes, "Were you planning on fucking Juvia in the quiet room?"

"Heck no! You know me, I don't do that kind of stuff outside my home," Gray pushed himself away from Natsu. He slightly jumped at the face Natsu made, "I was just showing Gajeel around the tavern since we didn't do it last time,"

"Yeah, this room is pretty cool, so we decided to talk about the game we watched today," Gajeel added.

"Yeah!" Sting chimed in.

"I see. I see." Natsu said as he reverted back to his toothy grin expression, "Well, I have something to discuss with Erza, so do you guys mind heading out for a minute?"

"Sure." Gray made a small gulp. Sting picked up his things and exited the room first as the intensity in the air was rising, Gajeel followed behind in tow.

Gray followed after but felt Natsu's hand on his shoulder.

"Gray, we are friends, right?" Natsu spoke up without actually turning around fully, "You wouldn't do anything to hurt me, would you?"

"Of course not," Gray responded without looking back either, "I'll always be here to watch your back the same way you watch mine, Natsu."

Natsu remained quiet for a while then began with, "That's good to hear,"

He let go of Gray, who quickly left the room, as he wasn't exactly great in intense situations like that. It was like he could feel the bloodlust spewing from Natsu the more he held onto him.

Natsu remained in the room with his back towards the door, he began to scratch the back of his neck, slightly peeling away at his skin with minimal effort.

"I'd hate to have to put holes in the back I'm watching, Gray," Natsu whispered to himself silently.

To Be Continued