A/N: i still don't own anything.

A/N - 2: It would be incredibly cool, if I got together 50 reviews on this story, before I go travelling next Wednesday. That of course means: unless I have time this weekend, I won't be updating anytime soon. The earliest possible would be 15th March. Humour me.

14. Battles of Life and Death, part two

"So, what makes you think you'd be the most suitable for me?" she asked, leaning curiously over the table. Sting smirked at her.

"We're both blondes," he blurted, cheeks reddening a little. "And we're both sexy." Lucy giggled. She felt slight attraction towards the man, who was, despite their looks, years younger than her. He was charming in his own arrogant way, but for some reason, Lucy could not forget the time gap.

"That's so lovely of you," she smiled sweetly, mixing the sugar in her coffee. The spoon nearly slipped and clinked. Sting caught her fingers between his.

"Careful," he teased. There were drops of the liquid on the table around the cup from the sudden slip. Lucy stared at them in surprise, then at their entwined hands. She pulled away with a blush. Sting let go of her hand with a face as colourful.

"I should probably go now," he said, looking away. Ever since Rogue had given him a lecture about how challenging Natsu would probably not give him any love points, he tried his best to look calmer, more powerful and charming without a girls hanging on both his sides. He wasn't sure if it was working.

"Y-yeah," she stuttered, cheeks flaring. Sting stood and walked towards the door. "W-wait!" she suddenly remembered. He turned, surprised. Lucy raised an empty vial.

"Can I get a sample of your blood?" she asked. Sting nodded and reclaimed his seat. The girl stood and walked closer to him with a needle. The man frowned. When Lucy took his muscled arm, he slammed his eyelids shut, before the needle made it through. He hated injections.

"All done," she patted him soon. Her warm touch sent tingles down his spine.

"Awesome," he grinned. Lucy froze. It was indescribably beautiful, making her heart beat faster. She had never imagined he could be like that. Right now, she wouldn't mind if the compatibility test showed him to be her best match.

No. She had already decided on Laxus. She shook her head and smiled softly. "Thank you," she opened the door for him. "Please send Rogue next." Sting gave her the thumbs up and left, leaving the girl to her thoughts.

Rogue entered silently, almost going unnoticed by the young woman, whose senses had become even more sensitive. She raised her head and smiled politely like she had smiled at everyone else. The man did not return the smile. Feeling awkward, Lucy raised her cup to her mouth. He took a seat in front of her.

"How are you?" It was her who posed the question. He looked at her curiously and shrugged.

"I'm okay," he replied. Yet she knew he was lying. She reached her hand out for his unconsciously and gave it an encouraging tug.

"You can tell me," she whispered. He looked at her – how beautiful she was! - and then away, shrugging again.

"I'm not stupid," he said, choosing his words carefully. "I know what you're doing and I don't like it. You won't get my blood." He pulled his hand away with a roughness he'd never shown her before.

"Rogue," she was certainly surprised. "Why?"

His features softened and there was a strange gleam in his eyes. It looked like he took all his willpower to restrain himself from doing something. She was curious to know what it was.

Instead of replying her question, he looked away from her. His deep breaths could be heard throughout the room. He wiped anxiously his forehead, although there was no sweat. Brought his fingers to his lips and shook his head. Lucy stared at him in silence.

"Why yourself?" he finally turned to her, eyes dull with pain. "Out of anyone, why couldn't it have been anyone else?" She wasn't sure how to reply.

"Why did it have to be you?" he asked, voicing the question Lucy had been asking from herself ever since the whole thing started. There was no answer. Some things were simply written in the stars.

"Rogue," she started, but the man cut her off.

"Ever since the games, you've held my attention," he confessed. "Your golden hair, your carefree laughter.. Your warm smile. You're so different from me, yet I can't seem to stop those growing feelings within." Lucy brought her hand to lips, covering it in shock.

"You're so far," he whispered and his voice cracked with pain. "You're right in front of me and I know you will never choose me." The woman shook her head, as if telling him he was wrong, but they both knew he wasn't.

He raised his hand and brushed his fingers against her cheeks, now wet with uncontrollable tears. The hormones made her more emotional, but her feelings were sincere.

"I love you," his inaudible words were heard by her still. The dragon senses were kicking in. Her heart ached. "I have loved you and will continue to love you until the end of the worlds, even after there is no longer any you nor me. When the stars have perished and there is nothing left in the night, I will love you still."

"My power might be inhumane, but my heart is not," his words poured like wine and she longed for them the more he spoke. But he stopped. There was nothing left to say.

He stood roughly, frightening the suffering girl. "Wait!" She begged. She reached for him too fast and nearly fell out of her chair. Rogue caught her just in time and Lucy clutched onto him, begging him with her to stay.

He brushed a strand of hair from her face. She was so close.

Lucy wrapped her hands around him, leaning in. He wanted to stop her. He knew this was not supposed to be, she had already made her decision. It was so clear to him, a simple man with a simple heart staring at the woman he loved.

But he couldn't pull away. When Lucy's wet cheeks pressed against his, when their lips met ever so slightly, he pulled her closer. His heart soared, his eyes cried.