This chapter is surprisingly short, mostly due to the fact that I was on a phone writing this so if there is grammar errors..I AM SO SORRY, BUT from now on THE STICY MOMENT WILL GO UP TENFOLD! /nosebleed/

I wanted to have a rather vulnerable moment for Lucy and a reaction from Sting so this is the outcome of it! HOPE YOU ENJOY!

Please follow, fave or review if you like it! xD

The rune magic surrounding the house was easily dispelled by Lucy, who obtained a large schooling from Levy on the difference of Rune magic and how to counter it. It only had taken a matter of seconds to unravel the simple coding they had placed.

Whilst her new 'Aquitaine ' was waiting on the outside of the house, Lucy had spent her time examining the door. Sting patience to leave was near wits end. He wanted to be away with that house, to never set foot upon it again!

"Have you done yet Blondie... You sure take your time..." Sting eyed off Lucy who had yet to step through the front door, taking every last precaution so that she could safely travel for at least a little while longer.

Lucy brought her delicate fingers up to the one last purple rune that scoured the house, the others near it reacted and started to decline towards the rune, folding on each other until all disappeared into the air.

Standing up, Lucy stretched her back and resolutely walked through the door, or so she wanted to. She had closed her eyes and was ready to shriek while walking through; Lucy even thought of running through, but that wasn't needed as she was safely able to transpire the boundary. Looking up at sting she had a smile on her face, she was feeling overly confident about herself. An attitude she came to when needed in a situation, she liked to show her skill to others.

The sunlight was like a breathe of fresh air, the intensity not only made Lucy's eyes instinctively close and flicker, but it also brought colour to her skin; her cheeks had risen with a tinge of pink, her bruises that were still present weren't as eye catching as her skin turned from pale to her slightly darker skin tone.

Sweeping her hand over her clothes Lucy made a desperate attempt to clean off the grime present on her clothing, but it was quickly stopped as she realize her clothing were permanently stained. Sighing she shook her head, wanting to be rid of those clothes. Straightening herself up tall again Lucy walked up to Sting with a no longer solemn face.

"We should find someplace to stay, I'm not sure how long until we are noticed..." Lucy mulled things over, sting had yet to show if he had an ulterior motives, if he had any; she didn't know how long his faithfulness would last. The best action to take at that specific time was to hold her plans from him.

"Hmmmm, right." Sting put his hands over his head, he was awfully laid back compared to his actions beforehand.

"Well Blondie, I know a few places, I've been here many times before but it's not like I'll openly show you without a fee.." he smiled, his cunning and overly flirtatious words always seemed to catch Lucy of her guard.

"Ehhhh... Uhm, well.." Lucy wasn't completely fond of the situations Sting has always put on her, making her feel uncomfortable.

"Pfft, it's alright don't stress Blondie, only joking..." he gave her a last fleeting look and kept walking gaining some distance on her. Gulping Lucy followed close behind, not wanting to lose her guider.

As they turned down an abandoned street, much like all these part of Crocus that were old and ready to fall down, Sting's footsteps had suddenly stopped, his hands falling from his head to near his sides. Lucy stopped as well, only slightly behind him.

There was a gust of wind, the silence seemed to ring in Lucy's head; her hair obscuring her view. Before Lucy had time to react Sting's hands had come towards her, grabbing her waist and pushing her up against the wall. Her breath was taken out of her body and she started moving in protest but was held down.

"Don't move a muscle." he whispered into her ear; Lucy was breathing heavily, her arms by her side. Sting moved his arm to her face and one behind her waist. It trailed from the bottom of her spine to near the tops, his hand moving slowly over her nicely curved back and to her neck, she had a slight weakness of tickling there and moved her head instinctively, only to behold closer to him. Trailing his hand back down her waist he started bringing his hand near her torso, to her chest but his hand hesitated and fell short back down to her waist.

"wh-what are you-" Lucy was cut off by Sting's soft 'shhh'. Thoughts moved through Lucy's mind, was this is ulterior motive? Was it plainly for that fact alone, I mean she did have a desirable body throughout Fiore, but for Sting.. no. It almost made Lucy sad, but her emotions didn't last long, she was still obeying his commands which was a pleasant surprise to Lucy.

The hand around Lucy's waist slowly closed around her body pulling her in closer to Sting. He was indifferently gentle as his other hand went through Lucy's hair, scaling to the top of her head and threading strands of hair between his fingers. He brought Lucy's face into onto his shoulder, just near his neck, with the curiosity Lucy slightly sniffed at his neck, and was pleasantly surprised that his mundane masculine smell was nice, she flinched though when Sting brought his head to her neck, near her collar bone, and starting from the bottom of her neck he trailed his tongue across her skin. It wasn't like he suspected, thinking that her skin would be dirty and stained with a stench, but it was soft and moisturized, when he took it off he smirked, his sharp canine tooth showing.

Thinking that he was finally done Lucy moved her hand up against his stomach pushing him away, but she couldn't budge him. Swiftly his hands grabbing hers and putting them up against the wall, intertwining his fingers with hers. He pressed his body up against hers, leaving no room between them, his head still resting on her shoulder, when she heard a voice.

"LUUUU~UUCY. WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?"

The voice was of one of her best friend, Natsu, only a couple of streets away. Thinking on it now, it all made sense. When Lucy had exited the house her smell would of wafted throughout Crocus for all of the creatures and humans with a sensitive smell to hold. Sting whom had smelt Natsu from awhile away would have suspected that he was after Lucy, and Sting willingly masked her smell, maybe she could trust him.

Slightly purring Sting looked up at Lucy, "Like to keep going?" that playful bastard; Lucy relinquished her hands from his and this time pushed on his stomach, he stepped back still smirking.

"-You could of warned me, or NOT HAVE LICKED MY NECK!" blushing Lucy looked away, angrily she crossed her arms sulking.

"Eh? Well you didn't have to sniff my neck either.. but that didn't stop you did it?"

"I DIDN'T DO THAT ON-""Lucy stopped and flared her eyes at Sting and slapped his arm, still blushing.

Turning away she didn't say anything to him. 'What was that, that jerk was so mean. Playing with her like that...

Sting wasn't surprised by her reaction, being fondly used to it. He had to admit that her cross blushing face was somehow cute, but it wasn't like he voluntarily wanted to push her up against the wall but it was a mere necessity, something that conflicted with his plans, but it didn't mean he couldn't enjoy the moment.

Lucy continued to sulk, she didn't plan on thanking him, there was just no way. Not even surpassing a look at Sting she waited until he continued guiding them to the shelter, and she had just started trusting him too. Her heart hadn't stopped the beating though, it wouldn't succumb to calming down. There were multiple reasons as to why that would be; being so close to her friends when she knew that she couldn't make contact and the due fact that Sting invaded her personal space. She wasn't prepared for what he had done, it was quite shocking.

Feeling a disturbance once again in her throat Lucy noticed that her coughing had become frequent, after her battle with Minerva, and with the events that followed, Lucy's immune system had declined considerably. Her magical ability was near its full potential but her physical state was letting her down.

Overcome with her choking coughs, she kneeled down on one knee, her hand was pressed against the wall. Lucy suppressed a tear that was ready to fall, from her in capability to breathe, and was startled when Sting was in front of her. Crouching beside her he showed a considerable amount of care, unlike what he had previously been like.

Bringing his brow towards his eyes he affectionately held out his hand, looking at it for a moment Lucy just turned away, not wanting to risk anything.

"Are you an idiot? Give me your hand if you don't want to slow me down..." being considerably forceful with his words Lucy couldn't resist, deep inside Lucy knew his intentions weren't as bad as she took them to be.

Uncurling her fingers and relinquishing her hand from the wall Lucy hesitantly moved her hand towards his, slow enough that Sting moved his own hand forward to grab hers.

Unlike his personality Sting's hand was warm, trying to control the amount of strength he used on her frail hand. His previous actions, though we're gentle, were forced, but this was willfully soft.

Standing up Sting helped Lucy up, who was still choking on her coughs, except he didn't just stop with helping her up. Continuing his movements of bringing his hand further up he turned around in one swift movement. Wrapping his other hand around Lucy's thigh he easily lifted her onto his back, letting go of her hand he secured it around her other thigh. Lucy was weak on his back, not even trying to restrain, a sweat drop appeared on her forehead and realized she was picking up quite the fever, not that that would stop her from her motives, but it made her more of a burden then an asset.

Looking at Sting who's face had changed, it looked as if her weight hadn't affected him at all. His broad shoulders could easily hold up her arms that dangled over them, his arms were securely reassuring over her legs while she molded completely to his body. Smiling she slightly snuggled her head into his shoulder, momentarily her coughing had ceased, and whispering almost do he couldn't hear.

"Thankyou..." Sting's eyes widened, that was unexpected. Not wanting to show any amusement or concern of her statement he just shrugged.

"This won't happen again, Blondie..." He easily started walking, if all went well he could get her to tell him the plans while he executed them, specifically not wanting her to endanger herself anymore.

The walk wasn't a long one, every time Lucy coughed Sting's grasp on her tightened in the slightest making sure she was alright, and over some time Lucy's cough subsided. Her breathing went back into its regular pattern but her heart didn't stop its uncontrollable beating; not that it was completely bothering to Lucy. She still rested her head on Sting and didn't move even an inch, Sting seemed to be enjoying Lucy's vulnerability.

Even though she had regained most of her strength the escalating fever was debilitating. This little thing could easily have a hold on Lucy, which made her feel like her resolve was weak. It wasn't the first time this had happened.

Sting was still holding strong but didn't say one word, being unusually quiet. His behaviour had been in all different directions, she wondered why this was. He had a resolute face and it eventually went to one of peace; when they finally arrived at their destination. Lifting her head up from Sting's shoulders only slightly, Lucy saw the building of their new lodgings.