Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail - Hiro Mashima does.


It was the morning of Lucy's departure back to her own guild, for the first time ever since the fiascoes of the Grand Magic Games, the Sabertooth guildhall was packed with chattering mages. The Sabers filled the building as if a king descended to visit them and they couldn't wait to get a glimpse.

The mages crowded the hall more than how it packed it was when she first arrived, nor the party last evening.

Mages flocked towards Lucy, giving her hugs and messages as if it would be their last meeting. They surrounded her as if the party last night was not enough to celebrate her. Even those who liked her (and were turned down politely) lined up to give her flowers and messages.

Lucy breathe a sigh of relief after the crowd subsided and left her alone. Really, she was thankful for each and every one of them; but as the others repeatedly told her, this won't be the last time they would see her.

Just as she was about to take another bite of her already cold breakfast, a hand smacked her squarely on the back—causing her throw the spoon she was holding. "Really, Sting?!"

"Good morning to you, too!" He cheerfully sat down beside her, picking up her fork and taking a bite of Lucy's breakfast. "Wow, these are cold, Luce."

The blonde glared at him, before sharply grabbing her fork from him, "You stole my food and you have the audacity to complain?!"

"Not my fault I was preoccupied earlier."

"Kiana, breakfast!" Lucy stared at the blond man chatting happily with Kiana as she make his breakfast. Though Sting looked as if everything's normal; she stared at him, noticing something was amiss.

He was fidgety more than usual.

"Why are you here so early?"

Sting rose a little on his seat which would go unnoticed if Lucy wasn't scrutinizing him, "…No reason. I just woke up earlier than usual."

The Fairy scoffed, "Yeah, too early."

They ate cheerfully, throwing jokes and banters towards each other.

"You bastard, that's why you don't have a girlfriend," Lucy said before laughing. They were throwing jabs to why both of them remains to be single.

"Hey! I'm damn handsome that's why women flock all over me."

"Flock? Yeah, they do look like birds," the Fairy said before she took another sip. "Really, that whole arrogant approach you have can only get you somewhere."

There was a moment of silence, Sting suddenly became serious as he stared at his food.

Thinking that she somehow offended him, she opened her mouth to talk—only to be cut off by the Saber, "…Maybe that's why I can't get you."

A cold wind blew, enveloping the pair's atmosphere. Dumbfounded, the woman sat still; waiting for a punch line, a joke—anything. Anything to remove the awkward chill that was vibrating through her body.

"W-What… that's a low joke, Sting! You're getting bad with comebacks!" Lucy tried to playfully dismiss what the blond man said.

For the first time since the whole morning did Sting finally looked at her; staring intensely at her, he brought his face closer before whispering, "I was—am serious, Lucy."

After a few seconds of his intense gaze, Sting stood up nonchalantly. He walked away as if nothing was out of the ordinary—as if he was just mentioning something about the weather.

It took a few moments for Lucy to recover from the shock. Sting's breath still burned hot, as if he was still close to her. Thinking that no one noticed the scene, the blonde Fairy cleared her throat, and asked Kiana for a glass of water. She needed distraction. She needed to calm down.

Otherwise, she may explode.


Unbeknownst to the pair, their little exchange had an unwilling audience. A man with raven hair stood still behind a pillar—too shocked to move, too afraid to be noticed. 'Sting likes her… Just as I've thought.' Before anyone can notice his presence, he slipped into the shadows and darted out the door.


Lunch time came, two hours before Lucy departs for Magnolia. Minerva and the gang ate with Lucy, chatting merrily. Just then, a loud cry echoed throughout the hall.

"ROGUEEEE!" Sting, in all his glory, came running like a child after a scolding. He latched immediately on said man—who almost choked from the food he took a bite of. "I have good news and bad news."

The table eyed him carefully, Minerva speaking up before anyone could even react, "You better have a good explanation why you're out here causing a ruckus when you should be at the office."

Rogue sighed before turning to face the blond man, "What's the good news?"

Sting innocently grinned before speaking, "I won't do it again."

"…That's your good news?" The raven haired man asked, his eye twitching from irritation. "What's the bad news?"

The man in question immediately took a deep breath, before speaking in a low voice, "I… may or may not have accidentally splashed water on the files for the Magic Council."

Dark clouds loomed the group, the negative aura from Rogue increasing every second. The guild master awkwardly clung to Orga, trying to keep himself safe from the wrath of his partner.

"Sting." Rogue calmly called him—dangerously calm.

"…Yes, sir?" He gulped.

"You're dead after I finish your mess." With that, he stood up, making his way to the office.

Sting audibly gulped before slumping his body on the table, "I'm dead."

"You think?" Minerva snorted. She was only answered with a loud thud.


A/N: Thank you for those who are still supporting and reading this crap. ;;