15: It's A Hate, Love Relationship

(Sting's POV)

Well, what's going to happen next?

I can't stop thinking this and even though I hate to admit it, I'm kind of afraid of what is going to happen. Lucy's sleeping on my shoulder, while I'm trying not to throw up from being nervous (don't know why I am though) and this damn fucking train.

"Ugh..." I groan. I force my mouth closed though since I don't want to wake the brat. I didn't want to see how grumpy she'd be if I woke her up. I sigh to myself and glance down at Lector, who's sleeping pretty fucking comfortably on my lap. Little fucker. I want to sleep that comfortably too.

The train does another stupid thing and I have to force down the vomit threatening to come out. God fucking damnit.

"S-Sting?" Lucy asks, blinking up at me as she shifts. Shit. Did I wake her up? "Is it the train?" she asks, as she pulls herself up and off of me. I groan in response and I get the pleasure of watching her infuriating lips quirk up into a small smirk.

"Brat," I manage to gasp out. She looks at me, playing the innocent.

"Wow Sting," she tsks. "So so weak on trains, are we?" Her smirk transforms into a full-blown grin, but I can't return anything except another fucking groan.

Damn this train. And how the hell is Lector still sleeping with all this racket going on?!

I want to respond but this time, the train gives a giant lurch forward, and I nearly fall over, if not for Lucy's hands which are supporting me. It's not until after I feel myself force the vomit down again do I realize that she's laughing, and laughing pretty fucking hard too.

"Is something amusing?" I grit out, before the train can make me feel all wonky again. Oh hell did I seriously just think the word "wonky"?

"Yes. You," she giggled. I glare at her through my next-awakited groan. She laughs again and then I feel her hands on my head, and before I know it, my head is in her lap. "Here. I guess I owe you for the shoulder thing," she says, blushing. I only grunt in response, trying to ignore the fact that I feel a hell of a lot better. Like hell am I going to admit that to her. I gaze up at her and study her chin, and the blush that still resides in her cheeks.

"Your boobs are really big," I finally say. She doesn't even respond, except with a pinch of my cheek. "Ow," I complain. "That hurts, brat."

"Your face is going to hurt soon if you don't shut it," she responds, finally looking down at me. "And I know my boobs are big. They are beautiful so ha."

And before I can even think about how romantically shitty it would sound, I say it.

"Like you." Yeah...we both gasp. But she recovers first, and rolls her eyes.

"Just go to sleep, cock ass. Make sure you don't throw up on me too, or I will personally punch you in your balls," she warns. I smile, despite myself, and before I can protest, I realize I'm doing exactly as she says, and before I know it, I'm sleeping.

(Lucy's POV)

Well geez...that line, I think to myself, blushing madly. I'm glad that Sting finally fell asleep so he can't see how large my grin is. I just feel so...elated.

"Ahhh!" Lector's loud and sudden scream breaks me from my reverie.

"Lector?" I whisper frantically, trying not to wake Sting who fell asleep literally like five minutes ago. Lector's on the ground and he's licking his paw...awww.

"I fell off the bed..." he finally said, before climbing himself back into Sting's lap, and after settling himself down, he looks expectantly up at me. Wait... for what?

"Uh hi?" I finally mutter, running my hands through Sting's annoying hair.

"You love Sting-kun, right?" he asks.

Oh.

I am now as red as a tomato probably.

"Uhm..." I trail off, not ever wanting to really admit that. But this is Lector and Lector loves Sting like how Happy loves Natsu, so of course he should be concerned. I bite my lip and quickly mutter out my "yes". I watch as Lector takes that in for a second and puts his head down, closing his eyes. I almost think he won't respond before I can hear his soft response.

"Good. He loves you too."

And then he's sleeping just like the jackass.

I sigh softly to myself, suddenly thinking about what's going to happen when we get back. I glance down at Sting and his sleeping, calm face and wonder briefly how in the hell I fell in love with such a man.

He's done some fucked up shit before...and I still fell for him...utterly and completely. Like how does that even make sense? I close my eyes, and lean my head back against the train seat. I open them again, and stare up at the ceiling, studying every crack, but also noticing how the ceiling also looked very nice, compared to other ceilings I've seen before.

Maybe that's how most people are? They have all of these cracks in them, but they are still somewhat beautiful? I wasn't quite sure how the hell that metaphor even made sense, but I wanted it to so it did. Sting was just so...complicated. And the baggage between Sabertooth and Fairy Tail was pretty complicated as well, so what would happen now?

No one at my guild especially liked Sabertooth, much less Sting...and I still wasn't sure of the damn relationship between Sting and Natsu now...what happened in my apartment still confuses me.

But what about the others? I mean, what if they hated him? Would I still date him if they did hate them? Can I deal with them hating the person that I was utterly and hopelessly in love with? How does that work out? At least I don't have to worry about bringing him home to my parents...now I'm going to really depressing thoughts? Agh...what happens now?

Could I leave him? I glance down at Sting once more and decide that yes, I could leave him.

But I would probably return.

I've already learned that we both have the knack of always finding each other again whether we like it or not. We meet at some pretty weird places too. I run my hands through his hair again and I smile down at him when I see his intake of breath. I know he is actually sleeping, but it's like he responds to my touch even while sleeping and that makes undoubtedly happy.

Damn. Is this what it's like after we finally get together?

"I hate you," I mutter down at him. I study his face and I study his mouth. It's all because of what's come out of the mouth why I love him. He's just such a...jackass, but like a sweet one. Why is that so? Why him? Why me? I shook my head when it suddenly hit me that it didn't matter. I love him because I love him. That's all there is to it. I smile again, happy with my epiphany.

"I love you," I say, finishing my confession. But then again, he already knew that. I lean back once more and close my eyes. I need to catch some sleep too. It's sure going to be exhausting explaining this to my family.

Fairy Tail.

...

"So you're sure that you love him?" Cana asks, setting down her beer as she stares at me.

"Yes," I sigh. This has been literally the sixteenth time she has asked me this.

"Is he a man?!" Elfman exclaims.

"Yes," I sigh once more.

"But I thought he was a jackass," Gray stated.

"Well...yes," I say.

They just stare at me.

"So just to clarify you do love him, right?" Cana asks me, again.

"Yes, Cana," I grit out.

"Wasn't he the blonde one?" Lisanna finally asks, breaking the control of her curiosity.

"Mm hm," I say, nodding.

"So are you two gonna have blonde babies, or something?" Cana shoves me suggestively. I redden.

"Cana!" I exclaim. Suddenly, Gray is back in my face.

"Wait! Lucy! Natsu isn't here yet. He took a mission with Erza...shit Erza!" His eyes suddenly got very wide and the horror on his face is to die for. "What are you going to tell them Luce?!"

"The truth of course...and I think Natsu already knows...or maybe he does...I mean he knows about Sting...but I'm not sure what he thinks about it...so...yeah," I trail off, unsure about everything including my own life. "Why is it such a big deal?"

"It's ERZA," Gray practically screams at me, as if that explains everything. "She'll go crazy about the fact that she didn't know about this sooner and the fact that he's from Sabertooth and that he's Sting Eucliffe and aren't you scared at all? Wait! Where the hell is your new boyfriend anyways?!" Gray shouts at me. I glare at him. Damn! He's going to break my damn eardrums!

"Calm down, Gray. Geesh. And he's sleeping. He didn't get to sleep much on the way here...he has motion sickness too," I explain, snickering at the memory.

"Okay. Your funeral Lucy. Hey have you seen Juvia lately?" Gray asks me. I frown. What?

"Juvia? Uhm no? I just got here...I think she was here when I made the announcement about me and Sting though...wait, why?" Ohhhhhhh...has he finally realized that he actually cares about Juvia?

"Uhm no reason. I just realized that she hasn't been stalking me the past few days and I haven't really seen her so I was worried...one guildmate to another of course and—"

"Okay okay," I cut him off. "I don't actually care right now. Hey, have you seen Levy? And do you know when Erza and Natsu will be back?"

"Hi Lucy. I'm right here. Sorry, I was training with Gajeel. And I heard that they finished their mission...so they should be back soon, I suspect," Levy said, coming into the picture.

"Levy!" I exclaim, wrapping my arms around my best friend.

"Lucy!" she exclaims as well, laughing.

"So you have a boyfriend now?" she asks, pulling away from our embrace. "And Sting Eucliffe no less? Hm...well can't say I don't understand because..." she leans in closely and whispers, "I have a crush on Gajeel. Shocker, right?" I laugh as she pulls away once again.

"Nope," I mouth to her and her eyes widen.

"Whaaaa?! Really?!"

"Hate to burst your bubble, but yes really. Practically the whole guild knows the two of you are in love," I say.

"I'm sure they don—"

"Talking about Gajeel?" Cana asks slyly, grinning from ear to ear.

"Oh what have the two of you finally confessed?" Macao calls from across the room.

"That can't be true!" Jet and Droy call out together, perfectly in unison. We watch as they share a glance and as their faces both fall. "But of course it is...we've known for a while..." they sighed. Levy is positively embarrassed.

"It's not true, I swear and—"

"Hey bookworm...are you okay?" We all turn to face Gajeel who's standing in the door, looking concerned. I smirk.

"Oh look who it is!" Cana exclaims. "We were just talking about you! In fact it appears that Levy here needs to—"

"No!" Levy screams. "Don't listen to her Gajeel!" And then she's running, and running fast, out of the guild towards who knows where. "DON'T LISTEN TO THEIR LIES!" We hear her scream out again. We all stare at her retreating form in the distance, and Cana just laughs, drinking down her current bottle.

"What was wrong with her?" Gajeel asks, wide-eyed. I smile fondly at him.

"Don't worry about it," I say.

"So it's true that you're now dating the blonde dragon slayer that I completely crushed?" Gajeel asks, quickly.

"Oh really? You beat him up? Because if I remember correctly you weren't even on the battlefield when him, Rogue, and Natsu fought," I smirk.

"Yeah yeah," he mutters, suddenly interested in the wall. I smile again, not saying anything else. It was good like this...at home with friends who just accepted it.

But even though I denied it to Gray, I was a little worried about Erza and I honestly had no idea what Natsu would think. I used to have a crush on him for such a long time, but of course I didn't anymore. I just looked at him like a good friend...and I was worried about what was going to happen, honestly.

What if they both hated Sting? And where was Sting anyways?

There can be no way that he is still sleeping...right? I groaned out loud when I realized that yes, in fact, he could still sleeping.

"Oh my gosh," Mira suddenly whispers, staring straight ahead. I also note the fact how the guild got very, very silent. I turn, curious as to what was w—oh.

There he is, trying to stand proudly, but I know he's somewhat freaking out. I see his eyes glance around frantically looking for him and I smirk. I wonder what he would have done if he wasn't here?

"Hey jackass!" I call out, catching his attention. His head snaps to me and I can see the brief relief in his eyes. My smirk only grows wider by the second. He saunters over to me and I roll my eyes at his usual cocky grace.

"Hey Lucy," he says when he reaches me.

"Hi," I say back.

"Did you tell them?" he asks.

"Obviously. Or they would be asking lots of questions," I explain, still smirking at him.

"I feel like I'm gong to get asked a lot of questions anyways or is that just me?" he asks, looking around. I try to ignore all the stares. Geez. I already told them this so why are they acting so damn surprised?

"Oh trust me pretty boy, we have tons of questions," Cane breaks in, finally breaking off the awkward silence. I smile when Sting practically challenges her to it. I'm glad this was how it turned out...geez I worried for nothing.

(Sting's POV)

I have been talking for hours and frankly I was still wondering over the fact that I haven't left already.

"Don't you dare," Lucy warned, frowning at me during one of our small breaks from endless questions.

"What?" I ask innocently.

"Don't even try to leave me alone with them and their questions. You had it easier. I've been here all day while you were sleeping for half of it!" I smirk slyly and lean towards her so that my lips are pressed against her ear.

"We could always leave together," I whisper, softly. My intended effect does it's magic and I get to watch the marvelous blush creep up on to Lucy's cheeks. What I didn't expect was her answer.

"Maybe we could," she teases. My mouth nearly drops open, but before I can respond, she is walking off and I am bombarded with another round of questions from Cana the Drunk and Mira the Lover of Love.

Then...the doors are practically ripped open.

"I'm so hungry!" I turn around and see Natsu and the scary red headed lady from the tournament. What was her name again? Ezra or something? Oh yeah...Erza. Natsu looks around and I see him spot me. I tense up expecting some fight like last time, but instead he grins.

What the hell?

However, Erza doesn't look all too happy. They walk towards me, but I stay rooted. Where the hell did Lucy go? I don't know how to talk to her friends in the correct way! I really do not want to deal with any hatred from her friends.

"Sting! Do you know where Luce is?" Natsu asks, way too happily. I see his own Exceed following him, which reminds me of Lector who is still sleeping at Lucy's apartment.

"Yes, where is Lucy?" Erza asks, eyeing me.

"Don't know," I say.

"I'm right here guys," Lucy calls out, walking into the scene. Well where did she come from?!

"Lucy!" Natsu exclaims, pulling her into a hug.

"Hey Natsu. I haven't seen you around lately. I've missed you," Lucy states, hugging him back. I control the stupid jealously that flames deep within me. Lucy's told me how she feels about Natsu so I needed to stop being such a goddamn fucking jealous idiot.

"I need to talk to you Luce," Natsu says as the hug, and I note that his tone sounds kind of serious...huh. Wonder what the hell that's about. He better not be confessing his love or something because I won't let go of her.

She hugs Erza after letting go of Natsu and before Erza can even open her mouth, Lucy cuts in.

"We can talk about it later, Erza. I promise. I need to talk to Natsu," Lucy says. Erza only nods and introduces herself to me, politely. I'm not really listening though since I'm watching as Natsu and Lucy walk towards the door with a serious tone about the two of them. I wonder what he's going to say.

I try to force myself not to care as I am once again asked many, many questions...this time by someone who scares me even though she is eating strawberry cake.

(Lucy's POV)

Natsu and I walk for a while and finally, we're at a tree.

"Hey Lucy," he starts to say seriously. I cut in before he can say anymore.

"About Sting—I love him Natsu," I say. He stares at me and smiles.

"I'm glad. I like him too so that's cool. No it's not about Sting though..." he says. I stare at him, confused.

"Then what do you want to talk about?"

"I found out who my real parents are, Luce," he says. The news hits me with the force of a ram.

"W-what?!" I manage to gasp out. "Is...is that a good thing?" I ask finally, wondering what he's thinking about it. Natsu looks down at his shoes, studying the ground.

"I don't know...I didn't mean to find out who they were. It's just on my mission...there was this lady and she said I looked like someone she used to know and I don't know...so I asked around and...it's true. I found out who they were. Well who my father was and who my mother is. My mother is is still alive somewhere and my father died from some disease or something. I don't know," he sighs. A long silence draws out between us.

"So what are you going to do?" I finally ask.

"I don't know..." He sits down against the tree and I follow suit. My best friend needs me right now so damnit I will be here for him.

"What do you want to do?" I ask, settling myself comfortably against the tree.

"I want to know who she is...but I don't," he tries to explain.

"Oh," I say.

"Yeah," he agrees.

"So what now?" I ask. Natsu brings his gaze up to me and I stare at him. He looks really afraid and I can already see his answer.

"I don't want to meet her, Lucy," he whispers, as tears start to spring into his eyes. "Am I bad person for that?" he asks, as he tries to control his crying. I shake my head.

"No, you're not. Natsu, it's okay if you don't want to meet her now or ever. If you do one day then...you do. But if you don't want to at the very moment then don't. It's fine. I'm here for you. You are my best friend, okay?"

He nods, smiling a bit.

"I'm glad you're happy Lucy," he states. I know he's talking about Sting now. I nod, agreeing with him.

"Yeah, me too." We both smile together and he stands up, wiping away his quick tears. He pulls me up and I hug him, just to reassure him once more that I am his best friend and will always be here for him.

"Thanks," he says.

"Thanks back," I whisper. He laughs softly and kisses my forehead.

"Come on. I'm hungry and I bet your boyfriend it getting kind of uncomfortable now with all the questions that Erza's probably asking him. I feel for him. I really do," he says. I laugh.

"He's a prick...but I love him."

...

When we arrive back inside, it is proved that Natsu was right with his assumptions. I watch as Sting is practically squirming in his seat with irritation as Erza interrogates him. I grin and run up to him.

"Hey," I greet him, kissing him quickly, surprising everybody, including me.

"You left me you little brat," he complained.

"But I came back, right?" I reason.

"Yeah, yeah." But he doesn't say anymore as he stands up and kisses me again, biting softly on my lower lip. Damnit Sting! Not here! I pull back, reluctantly and glare at him and his offending lips. He smirks down at me.

"Jackass," I hiss.

"Princess," he retorts.

"Get a room!" Cana yells, so drunk she falls from her seat. We both laugh and I look up at Sting, knowing what he is.

He's an asshole and a cocky jackass. He is such a smart-ass who thinks he can get everything. He thinks he can beat everyone and he hates people who think they're stronger than him. He loves Lector and has awful motion sickness.

He can be a fucking idiot at times...well at a lot of times and he's actually pretty jealous when shit happens. He's stubborn and annoying and a god awful person, but he's also sweet and funny. He makes me laugh a lot and always keeps me alert and alive.

Plus, he loves me so that's got to count for something, right? I mean how bad can a future with him really be?

Not so bad...right? I mean I hate him. I really do.

But...I love him too. And he loves me too. I know he also hates me, but that's just us, right?

Here we are, the pair of us, and I'm pretty certain that we'll always be caught up in this dumb hate/love relationship of ours, right?

I sure hope so.

*Oh my god. I finally finished. Oh my god. I feel so happy and done with this story. Oh my god. I started this story over a year ago and here it is guys. Thanks for all of those who've been reading this since the beginning and for all of those who read this along the way. It truly does mean a lot.

Now about an epilogue. So I may or may not post one. And if I decide to, then I can do it whenever I want. Maybe on a day when I'm writing in other stories, I'll get inspiration to write the epilogue just because I want to write some Lucy and Sting in this story to it. I don't know. I'm putting it as complete but I recommend you don't unfollow it if you are waiting for the epilogue that I'll most likely put up so yeah.

Anyways, some of you might be wondering why I put that long Natsu/Lucy friendship moment in here. I did it because I wanted to resolve that and adding more angst makes it more worthwhile, don't you think? Haha...well...

I love all of you and please tell you wouldn't mind leaving a review. Please? Please? Please? Especially if you want an epilogue. So PLEASE. I LOVE YOUR REVIEWS BECAUSE IT MAKES ME THINK THAT YOU GUYS ACTUALLY SOMEWHAT ENJOY MY STORY SO YEAH HAHA.

Bai guys.

-DiAnna44 :D

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