Disclaimer: The characters belongs to Hiro Mashima.

Rogue entered their home with slow steps, carrying Sting on his back, and followed by the exceeds. They were just coming back from a mission that didn't go as well as they wanted.

"Are you sure you don't need any help, Rogue-kun?" Lector asked with a concerned face.
"Don't worry I'll take care of him. Go to bed, you two. It's been a long day"
Both cats nodded and made their way to their shared room, while Rogue watched them disappear before he made his way to their own room.

Sting had been sleeping on his back since they left the train. It was good cause when he sleeps he was still and that meant he won't be moving around loosening his bandages. He shouldn't be using those bandages but he had been hurt in the mission. Rogue still wasn't sure what happened. They were fighting side by side until Sting decided he would take the lead. He lost sight of him for just a few minutes and next thing he saw was half the enemies on the floor and his friend's body covered in blood. It wasn't that bad as it seemed at fist but he had to patch him up before they could leave and Sting would have to rest for a few days before taking new missions. At least he wouldn't have excuses to avoid the paperwork anymore.

After entering the room, he left him over the bed with extra care to not hurt him more than he already was. He covered his body with the blankets before caressing his hair and face. He turned around thinking about getting something to eat but a sudden voice surprised him from behind.

"If I had known you would be so cute with me, I would have got hurt before."
"Don't say that" Rogue answered with a low and sad voice, as he sat on the side of the bed. "You were too careless, we could have done it easily. You didn't need to charge right towards them"
"It made it faster"
"They were so many for you alone, why you didn't wait me?"
"It seems like I underestimated them" Sting said, without looking him at the eyes.
"You don't have to do everything alone, I thought you knew it"
The blonde shrunk a little when he heard him and Rogue felt bad. It wasn't necessary to talk about that just now.
"Sorry, you're hurt and I'm scolding you…"
"Maybe I deserve it now" Sting said with a little and tired smile.
"Yeah, maybe you deserve it" Said Rogue copying his smile. "But you still need to rest. I'll go to do something to…" He stood up, ready to leave, and then a hand reached his fingers before he could go away.
"Can you stay with me?"
"Sting, you're hurt…"
"I know, I just want to feel you near"

Rogue knew he should say no. It was the smartest decision that he could do. He should get something to eat for both of them and their home was probably untidy and dirty. He should take his chances now that Sting and exceeds were sleeping.
However, he was also tired and he had been too scared of losing him. He needed to feel him near as well. Feel his warm against his skin to be sure they'll be together next day. He pulled back the covers and lay down next to him, softly hugging the other one.

Sting was colder than usual, his body too busy healing to keep his natural heat. He curled up nearer to Rogue's body, letting out a groan while he did it.
"Be careful, you're gonna hurt yourself more"
"It doesn't matter" was the answer, muffled by his neck since the blonde was hiding his face there.
"Of course it matter, you fool" Rogue said, sighing. "Go to sleep"
"Will you stay with me?"
"I'll be here when you wake up" he answered while stroking his hair and soothing him to sleep.

Sure he was reckless and careless, sometimes too much for his own health, but he loved him that way after all.

I did nothing for Flowers so, that it's all :3