Hi! I'm sorry I have to remove a couple of chapters.

And sorry for the loooooooooooong wait.

Sorry for the crappy chapters I've updated.

I was able to recover the original flow of Opposites Attract and I'm back on track. =))

Plus I just finished my classes so yeah, I'm free and OA is currently on it's way.

Anyways, you could reread the previous chapter (Chapter 16) and that's it.

Nothing really changed though.

Just revived the original plot. HAHAHA

Enjoy!

Chapter 17

THUD

"What was that for? I was comforting you!" Sting said when he fell on the floor as Lucy pushed him.

"You're trying to kiss me! I don't even know why you're hugging me!"

Sting smirked. "Well miss you bumped into me crying.. and I hugged you. You stayed still 'till I think you're ready for my sweet kiss."

"I didn't even know it was you! And I will never kiss you!" Lucy said emphasizing every word.

"Ohh. Let's just see about that." He stood up hovering over Lucy. "After all I'll be your partner in this 'Band Battle' shit."

"I do not consider you as my partner! Never." Her fists were clenched as she spoke with gritted teeth. How dare he call what she's been doing and putting all her efforts into it a shit?

"Well you should, 'cause I'll be your husband soon." Sting said.

"In your dreams!" She said slamming her bedroom's door on Sting's face.

"Woah. Hot headed are we?" Sting said cooly. He sighed. "I can't be like this forever.." Everything he's been doing was all against his will. He doesn't want any of it. In fact he doesn't love Lucy. So why marry her? He walked through the corridors. He doesn't want to go back to his room, he'll just see his father. Sabertooth's HQ is not an option too, Minerva's there so he won't be able to do what he wants. "I wished Rogue was here." He walked and just went wherever his feet led him to. He can't go anywhere so he went back to his room.

It was white everywhere. The room actually looked like a girl's but it has a tinge of brown that made it sort of look manly. His father was on the couches two girls on each of his sides. His arms were around them and he's been drinking. Sting was used to seeing his father like this. "Where have you been?"

"I did what you told me to do."

"So you've scored already?" There was a dark smirk on Jiemma's lips.

"Nope. She pushed me. That girl was a ma –"

Jiemma slammed his fist on the table. The girls were shocked same as Sting. "I told you already you need to be above her. Stronger than her!"

Yes. Sting was carried away with their conversation. He thought it's going to be a normal father and son but it was the normal for the two of them. Now he wished he just lied to him and said he just get Lucy laid. The conversations between him and his father is not a normal one, well not a father son convo, more like a king and slave.. But a heartless king will do.

"I'm so –"

"How could you control her if she's stronger? Smarter? Wise? You should overpower her!" Jiemma scold.

Sting had his head bowed down. His elbows on his thighs and his hands met at the center, clearly he was not okay with this. Who would be? His father was scolding him for not doing those.. things.

"If you don't do what I say you know what will happen to that adopted brother of yours and your friend."

Sting's eyes narrowed. "Don't you dare lay a finger on them." He mumbled soft enough for his father not to hear. He clenched his fists together.

"I expect more from you Sting. I didn't raise you to be a loser. Since the Dragneels are long gone we'll just have to take over their place at the Heartfilia's lives and I'll be getting what was right for me." He smiled.

"Yes.. father." Sting was tightening his grip on his both hands but he relaxed. He will do what his father says, for his brother and friend.

He stood up and walked to his room. Sting was determined to do things his father asked him to do. They deserved a connection with the Heartfilia, his father deserved a part of their power. He's worked so hard for the company all those years, yet Jude Heartfilia chose Igneel Dragneel as his business partner and own the two large companies. His father deserved everything, not just a Board Member but the partner of the owner and owns it like Igneel Dragneel used to. The main partner of the owner. Sting hissed. He remembered how his father was when he was telling him his efforts for the Heartfilia groups. Jiemma was just so angry and was closed to beating him up.

It was all for his father.. if Sting won't do it his father will do something to his brother Rogue and his friend, Yukino. He will never forgive himself if something happens to them.

Sting lay on his bed thinking of things. How could he be able to get that Heartfilia heiress? She's one stubborn girl and there's another problem the pink haired vocalist of F –

Suddenly Sting remembered something; it was Natsu's conversation with Jiemma back then after Fairy Law's performance.

"She will choose her own fate. Her life is not yours to be dictated and you're not even an authority to her life…"

Sting remembers how Natsu's eyes were just so fierce looking back at his father's. He's never done that. Never did he stared at his father like that and talk back to him directly. Everything was just always on Sting's mind until there was Rogue.

"…being a band member is what I chose to be. Yes I know it won't be a permanent living like what Lucy has but I know that I'm happy with what I'm doing…"

"Yup. He was free." Sting mumbled. He sighed sitting up slouching and looking at the crumpled sheets of his bed.

Own fate. Natsu's voice kept on echoing in his head. He seemed determined. Too much determined. Natsu had his own fate and he was going to save Lucy's from his father. How was Natsu able to have his own, and he doesn't? He didn't want this. Sting wanted to do something else not hurt Lucy, but then again he wanted to help his father achieve his dream and save those people close to him.

Choose.

Yes he could choose. But what? Do what he want? Go to the girl he truly loved be with her, live the way he wanted, to be a band member and express what he wanted to and be free like Natsu. But then again if he does that, he'll just have to bare the pain of seeing Rogue and Yukino suffer from his father's wrath and his father, Sting knew he will be depressed if Sting will go against him. And if he does what his father told him to, will he be happy with Lucy to forever? Will she be happy? It was a matter of happiness, only. For Sting it's a matter of which can he bear, lifetime of unhappiness or a lifetime of guilt?

Whichever he chooses Sting knew there's going to be a consequence to whatever he's going to do, if he does have options.

Hours have passed and there you go, another day that he wasn't able to sleep nice. But last night was rough cause he totally wasn't able to sleep at all. He kept on thinking what he should do? Sting went to the glass doors leading to the small balcony of his room.

He crossed his arms looking at the view of the hotel's garden right in front of him.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

He turned around and walked back into his room to get answer his phone.

"Yeah?"

"Hey Sting! How are you?!"

His eyes twitched. The voice chimed loudly in his ear and he have to move his ear away from his ear and and rub his hurt ears.

"It's too early for you to call and disturb me, Yukino."

The girl on the other line frowned. "What are you talking about? It's not early."

"It's.." He looked outside and his lips went to the side. "..yeah."

"What are you thinking about? You even lost track of time.." Her voice was calm and kind of sad.

Sting let himself fall on the mattress and inhaled heavily, pulling his hair in annoyance of himself. Himself, loosing track of time, something that was just so obvious and he lost track of it. It just got dark and it's not even twilight.

"Don't think too much Sting."

He was surprised by the voice. He forgot Yukino was still there.

"Don't worry too much.."

"I don't. And don't come to conclusions.."

"Why wouldn't I? It's easy to read you."

"Shut up.." He said in a whining voice while whining.

Yukino giggled. "Hahaha See? There's the Sting I know. You know you don't have to follow hi –"

"It's not that easy as you say it is."

"Yes it is." She said firmly. "I don't want you like that, you're always thinking so hard, always not in your usual self. You even lost track of time! You even forget.."

Sting just couldn't say anything. He wouldn't tell her what his deal with his father was. Knowing Yukino and Rogue they would do anything just to have him back and that might endanger them even more. He wouldn't take the risk of those two precious people to him any further. In the first place he was following his father for them, to keep them keep that smile on their face, to keep their peaceful lives and to keep them safe. Even if he himself, wouldn't have what they would have at least he'll see them the way he wanted to see them. Safe.

"Hey Sting you still there?" And he snapped out of his trance.

"Y-Yeah. You just kept talking there and I couldn't even have the chance to say something."

"I-I'm sorry. I just wanted you to realize things the way you should! And are you even listening?"

"I am."

"Then tell me where are we going tomorrow?" She challenged.

"What? We're going somewhere? Is Rogue coming too?" His spirit heightened. He missed them so much. "And bring Lector? Okay?" He added when Yukino doesn't speak yet.

Yukino giggled on the other side of the phone.

"What? It's not all true? Alright. Alright. I'm not listening. Don't kid like that again. You're always putting my hopes up." He said disappointed.

She was smiling at Sting's reaction. She knew he was out of his mind again and that just made both she and Rogue worry about him more. "Actually Sting.. I said Rogue, Lector, Frosch and I were at the airport right now."

Now that Sting realized it he could hear the announcements of time and flight at the background. "Where are you going?"

She giggled again. "To you.." Sting's eyes widen. "We just got off the plane and we're heading to that famous hotel you were currently at. So –"

"NO! Don't come here!" He immediately sat on his bed with shocked eyes.

"What? But Rogue already called for reservations. It's pretty hard to get one because I heard there's a Band Battle going on there. I'm so excited!"

"No! Cancel it! He'll see – Just. You can't come here!"

"Why?! We crossed the whole world from England to go to Fiore and meet you but –"

"Just-just, check-in to another hotel. I'll meet you there!"

Yukino whined. "I want to meet the famous Fairy Law. I'm sick of The Sabers. They're the only band I've ever seen."

"You can meet them. But not now! Tell Rogue to switch hotel reservation to a hotel in Oshibana."

"But that's a 3 hour drive from the airport! Heartfilia hotel was just a 10 minute drive from here!"

"I don't care. I'll meet you at Oshibana. Don't go any closer to Heartfilia hotel!" He said in a firm voice while putting on long-sleeved top and loose pants.

Yukino pouted. "But –"

"No buts. I'll meet you there. Tell Rogue what I said or.." He can't think of something. "..or you won't see me!"

"Why you?!" Her voice was angry but she sighed. "Fine."

Sting smiled. "Good. I'll be there in less than 2 hours." He grabbed his keys and stormed out his room running to his car.

"HEY! DON'T DRIVE SO FAST! BE CAREFUL!" Yukino shouted from the other line.

He put it away from his ear and put it back thinking her rages was done. Sting chuckled. "Yeah. Yeah. I'll see you soon. I miss you." That was his last words before he put his phone back to his pocket and starts the engine of his white and gold Trans-Am. He didn't even realize he's said it. He sat there for a moment until his phone vibrated. It was a message from Rogue.

'What have you done to Yukino?'

Sting just smiled and drove. He passed by the back and waited for the guards to remove the bar. Just when the bar was lifted he saw Natsu walking lazily, hands behind his head with a small man so familiar to Sting. Natsu seemed to be having an embarrassing time with him, it looked like they were father and son or so that's what Sting thought.

"Makarov?" He stared at the small bald man and watches him jump just to hit Natsu's head.

Honk. Honk.

He snapped back when a car behind him beeped loud. How long was he watching them? Sting held on to the wheel and drove, thinking of what was that he just saw. He shrugged it off as they disappeared from his side mirror.

"If you want to marry me off to her that badly, why don't you just tell her the –OWW! What was that for?!" Natsu asked irritatedly. Makarov has been hitting him nonchalantly ever since they entered the Lucy topic. He knew that.. she's something more than what he called his toys were. It's just he doesn't know how to call her as a part of her life. He doesn't know what she is to him, yet. But he knew she's more than what he call his toys were.

"That is for still treating her like some whore you loved to suck mouths with!"

"For an old man like you that is not a very nice language."

"And for a young, supposed to be fine, boy like you, your actions are far worst for your age. You seemed to be worse than a douche bag." Makarov said, crossing his arms across his chest.

"I'm not!"

"But that's not what your actions are telling. Male whore!"

Natsu raised one of his eyebrows. Was he really having this kind of conversation with this old man? Sure he raised Natsu and they talked with some arguments and he always reprimands Natsu about things but about girls and sucking their mouths and his relationship with them.. was he really talking to him with a topic like this? Natsu just can't believe this was happening. Never did he thought they Makarov would talk to him about his personal life plus those language. It just.. disturbs him. A lot.

"I'm not a male whore." Natsu said irritably.

Makarov stopped right in front of Natsu which made Natsu stop and look down at him. Seems like their conversations going to a whole new level of seriousness. He stared into Makarov's eyes waiting for him to speak and expecting his words of wisdom to come out of that wise mouth of his.

"Yeah you are. Unless you realize Lucy's part in your life you'll always be a male whore in my eyes Natsu." And he walked off.

Natsu was left hanging. Male whore? Is there such thing as male whore? He knew he's a jerk but a male whore? He turned around not wanting to be seen with Makarov any further as they walk back to the hotel. His relationship with Makarov should be kept a secret, because if the wrong people would get a hold of their connection they would be in big trouble and worst, Lucy will be affected.

"Natsu.."

He looked back and saw that Makarov was standing a few meters away from him. "What?" He asked irritably.

"I'm going to see Jude Heartfilia."

Natsu raised one eyebrow. "What's it with me then?"

"Don't do anything reckless or showy. And protect Lucy. Always."

"Why do I need to do that?!" He's been protecting himself for the past few years and now Lucy was his responsibility? Though he actually felt responsible for her.

"Then ask the idiot guy in front of the mirror."

He glared at Makarov a little but then he already left. Natsu sighed and walked off. His mind was clouded with thoughts of the past and Lucy.

As he went back to their HQ he saw a note on the door.

"Natsu,

we'll be continuing our drinking session at High Life. Jellal said he needs to finish some works there so Erza, Jellal and I would be there in case you went back after your TALK with the love of your life. Don't make too much noise if she agreed to make out with you or something next to that, which I don't really think she'll agree to either even if you force yourself to her.. Oh! And I forgot, Gajeel and Levy said they'll be at the library. So this room is yours or you'll be with Lucy or you'll go with us. Either way I don't like your existence. Go to hell.

Hate,

Gray."

The effect of alcohol on Natsu has long been gone and he had the urge to punch Gray right now but he doesn't want to go to High Life. He's just too emotionally stressed out. Natsu grabbed the note on the door hoping no one has seen it before him and then crumpled it as he opened the door and went inside.

"Damn you Gray." He mumbled as he went to the kitchen and grabbed some more of the beer the three had left before they went to High Life.

Natsu's mind was clouded with so many things. He doesn't even know where to start. His life was a mess ever since Makarov informed him of his true identity. Well, it's not that Makarov hid his identity from him, it's just that the moment Makarov told him the truth he was devastated. He can still remember the day he woke up with nothing on his mind just blurred images of red hairs with smiling faces, but he can't recognize them. And the thing that his mind shows him were brown eyes and that perfect smile, his hands always linked with the other person's but that's it. For 5 years after the accident he will always wake up screaming. He's been traumatized and Makarov was forced to bring him to another country just to unwind his mind. Natsu was 8 when his parents died in the accident. It's been 10 years since the day he's should've died with his parents, still he can't remember a thing from his past.

He hit the glass of beer on the table hard after drinking a straight shot. He's just too frustrated. Makarov did everything that he can do to help Natsu, but none was effective. Yes he knew the past, he knew the happy stories in it, but he can't feel it. They're just stories from Makarov not the things he stored in his mind, not the feelings he stored with that memory. His grip on the glass tightened.

"It's all that persons fault." He hissed through his gritted teeth. Sure they don't have a permanent lead regarding the case so he couldn't help but put all his anger to Layla. She gave them the gift of a cruise. It was her fault. But at the same time he couldn't fully blame her. Makarov cleared it to him that Layla died due to depression from the Dragneel accident. But still, he doesn't know where he'll put that hidden anger and sadness. He doesn't know to whom he'll be mad at for ruining his family's life, for ruining his life.

And above all that, it was Lucy who's always been unconsciously involved in his life. Natsu doesn't want to hurt her or just anything bad happen to her. She's just too fragile for those kinds of things and he can't even think about it, or maybe he just can't think of it. His mind has calmed. Natsu would never notice it but everytime his mind was clouded with that bitter past he went through, the moment Lucy came to his mind she would never fail to calm him down. He's never met Lucy before the High Life incident but now that he had, it had been more effective than just imagining brown eyes staring back at him.

Suddenly a beeping sound noting there was a very important announcement for the bands was going to be announced. His mind was blurry though but he hoped he'll remember this. "Attention Band Battle Royale participants, we were here to inform you that another competition will be held tomorrow so just be ready and have a good night sleep. Good luck." And it ended. Natsu glared at the speakers and looked back at the glass on his hand.

It was half full. His life is incomplete without his past. He needed it, to be happy. Natsu laid his head on his arm on the table still staring at the glass. Lucy is in his past, she's still in his present so maybe she'll complete his future.

"Maybe.. she's special to me. Yep. She is." He mumbled and he dozed off to sleep. His mind was still running though but his eyes were closed.

First thing to do tomorrow: go to Lucy's room and tell her things I just realized