Sting sat there in silence, processing the new information. Over the course of the next five minutes or so, he had reached his fifth glass of Culerra and he was more than buzzed or tipsy.

"Would you say something..?" Senna asked, nervous about the silence. She, too, was on her fifth glass of Culerra and was unsurprised that they had managed to finish the bottle by that point in the conversation.

"So... lemme get this straight," Sting started, leaning his head back and staring at the ceiling, "Laxus is your brother, which means Makarov is your grandfather. And that makes Ivan Dreyar, master of the Raven Tail guild, your father."

"Yeah..."

"Shit, Senna..."

Senna felt more nervous than she thought she would, the thought that he might reject her beginning to creep up from the shadows.

Sting sighed and finished his drink, then turned to face her. "And they don't know about you?"

Senna shook her head. "I haven't had the courage to reach out to them..."

"Why not? Senna, they're you're family, they deserve to know."

"Sting, you don't understand what it's like, OK?" Senna felt like crying. She finished her drink and started cleaning things up. "My dad is a cruel man, and that cruelty came from somewhere." She could feel the tears brimming in her eyes, threatening to break free. "What if they end up being like that, too..? I can't stand the thought of going through that hell all over again... I can't even protect myself if that were to happen..."

Sting stood and walked over to her, turning her around to face him. "Hey, don't cry, Senna..." He reached up to wipe away the tears.

"I'm scared, OK?" She sniffled and looked down. "I'm scared of the possibility of them being no different than him... I've seen how they appear to everyone else, but I just..."

Sting pulled her into his arms, holding her close. "Hey, it's OK." He could feel Senna trembling and rubbed her back. "Tell you what: if and when you're ready to, I'll be right there with you when you tell them who you are."

Senna looked up at that. "R-Really?"

Sting nodded, offering her a gentle smile. "Really. I promise you won't have to do it alone."

Senna wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. "Thank you..."

Sting returned her hug. "Any time, Senna."

When Senna set herself back down, she laughed embarrassedly and offered him an apologetic smile. "Sorry, I didn't mean to just break down on you."

Sting reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "You never have to apologize for something like that. I'm always here if you need me."

Senna leaned into his hand, finding comfort in his presence. "Wanna know something crazy?"

"Sure."

"I can't even imagine a life without you in it anymore."

Sting blushed at that, not expecting her to say something like that.

Senna blushed, realizing how openly she admitted that to him and cleared her throat before pushing away from him. "A-Anyway, you should get back soon before it gets too late."

Sting stepped closer to her, his hands finding her hips. "Done with me already?"

Senna looked up at him, seeing a new look in his eyes. "N-No, I just don't want to keep you late when the party's still going back at the guildhall."

"Rogue can handle it while I'm gone," Sting said with a shrug, "besides, I'd rather be here with you right now."

"R-Really?"

Sting chuckled. "I wouldn't have come if I didn't want to be here, Senna. And what kind of man would I be if I left a friend hanging?" He watched Senna's expression change and reached up to touch her cheek, getting worried. "Hey, what is it?"

Senna mumbled something, but he couldn't quite make it out.

"Sorry, didn't catch that."

Again, Senna mumbled something and Sting only caught part of what she said.

"You want to do what?"

At this point, Senna was beginning to get really embarrassed and shouted, "I said I really want to kiss you right now!" Her hands flew to her face and she turned beet red. 'How could I just blurt that out like that..!'

Sting was caught off guard, but Senna's reaction to her own declaration was so cute that he couldn't help but laugh.

Senna groaned, trying to hide her embarrassment. 'Why is he laughing…? Damn it, I just want to crawl into a hole…'

Sting stepped back to catch a breather, clutching his sides. Senna tried to take the chance to hurry off to her room, but Sting grabbed her wrist and stopped her.

"Senna, wait."

"Can I just go hide please?"

Sting chuckled, pulling her gently back and turning her towards him. "Senna, you don't have to hide." He lifted her chin up and leaned in a bit. "There's nothing to be embarrassed about, either, OK? Cuz I really want to kiss you right now, too." He made to close the distance between them, wanting to follow through with that desire, but someone knocked on the front door and called out to Senna. "You should get that, it sounds important."

Senna nodded, slipping out of Sting's arms and hurrying over to see who was at the door. "Oh, hey Rogue. Is everything alright?"

"Sorry to interrupt, Miss Senna, but we need Sting back at the guildhall. An important matter has been brought to us."

Sting came to the door, standing behind Senna. "I'm guessing it can't wait until tomorrow?"

Rogue shook his head. "I'm afraid not. It came from the Magik Council themselves."

"Damn it, alright. Give me a moment, will you?"

Rogue nodded. "I'll wait downstairs." Bowing his head slightly to Senna, he wished her a good night and descended the stairs to the street below.

"I better go..." Sting said, cursing the Magik Council internally for ruining their moment. He could tell that Senna was feeling conflicted about it as well, a mix of relief and disappointment lingering in her gaze.

"You should hurry. If it's the Magik Council, it must be serious."

Sting really didn't want to leave, but she was right. "When I'm done with that, let's go out for dinner or something after, alright?"

Senna managed a smile and nodded. "I'd like that."

And with that, Sting took his leave. Senna watched as he jumped down to the street and took off with Rogue back to the guildhall.