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Pure

Chapter 15 - Risk

Sting caught the ball from Rogue, overtaking Mamura before passing the ball to Rufus. The guys made a high jump and the ball slipped from Konoku's hands, falling into the basket.

"Well done, Rufus." – Sting said, panting. He didn't want to exhaust his team before the game tomorrow, but he couldn't help it.

He admitted that he was kinda worried. Although it was a friendly match, it was sure different from those during the previous years. This year, there was someone from his rival team watching them play. He didn't want his team to look like a bunch of loosers against Fairy Tail.

The sports congress of Fiore took place every year before Fuyu Matsuri – the Winter Festival. It was a playing field for 4 guilds to compete among one another in order to find the strongest guild of all. Of course, Sabertooth and Fairy Tail were the ones that got the upper-hand. Mermaid Heel and Blue Pegasus… Well, physical strength was not their strong point anyway.

"10-minutes break." – Rogue said, also panting. They all gathered in the middle of the court.

"Okay, Natsu is back, so this is gonna be tough. I'll mark him tomorrow while Rufus, you get your eyes on Gray. Rogue, Gajeel is yours. I don't want any mistakes, so you'd better play your best." – They listened carefully and nodded. It was obvious that both guilds didn't consider this match as a simple friendly one.

"Hey, guys. Taking a break?" – They turned around.

"Hey, Yukino. What are you doing here?" – Sting asked politely.

"I came to watch you guys play, and your manager asked me to bring you some snacks and mineral water, you guys need them." – She smiled and handed her friends the bags.

"Oh, thanks." – Sting said and took it. The boys began to share what their manager had brought them.

Yukino glanced at Rogue, but he didn't look at her. They didn't talk much after what had happened in Tenrou Island. Thanks to the trip, Yukino was a little closer to Sting and she knew that Rogue would be annoying if she mentioned Lucy again. Besides, she didn't have many things to talk to him.

Yukino didn't dare to ask Sting about his feelings after he had ignored her on Tenrou. Everything but that.

And then, Lucy's incident happened. Sting was so depressed while the girl was away. He was quiet all the time and easily bursted out when someone commented about her condition. Rogue was calm all the time, so she could hardly see any change in him, although she knew that he was suffering just as much as Sting. Yukino tried to comfort him sometimes, but to no avail.

It was strange to see them every day without a certain joyful girl. She didn't know whether she should be happy about that or not. Lucy was her… friend? No, maybe not, more like acquaintance. She admired that girl for her strong personality, her knowledge, and her intelligence, but to see Lucy as a friend when she was having the man of Yukino's heart wrapped around her finger was almost impossible for her. Anyway, she felt truly sorry for what happened to her. She was Sting's friend anyway, so she asked him to send a card to Lucy, hoping that she would be okay.

When Lucy woke up, she was kinda relieved, because a part of Sting's normal state had come back. She felt bad for thinking that way, but she felt… a little cheerful because of Lucy's amnesia. The blonde became colder and more sassy than before. Perhaps it was a sign from the universe that she finally had a chance with Sting. Maybe, by the time Lucy got back her memories, Sting would have been hers already. She drew up a plan to get closer to Sting like: watching him play more often, talk to him more often, sometimes she would even send him a love letter that remained anonymous, hoping that someday he would find out who it was. (She didn't know that all the letters she sent were in the garbage right after Sting saw it, along with tons of others from some random girls.)

She came to the basketball court again today and offered to help their manager in bringing them some snacks. It was a good chance for her to start a conversation with him.

"So… how is it? Any chance to win?" – She asked, smiling.

"Of course. Plus, Lucy's here this year. I hope she could bring us some luck." – He said with a smug expression. Yukino frowned slightly.

"You think she could bring you guys luck?" – She gave him an incredulous look.

"Yeah, her nickname is Lucky Lucy ever since she was a kid. Her father's career boomed when she was born, so he believed she brought him the luck." – He shrugged.

"Perhaps it was just a coincidence, it didn't mean she could bring luck. And even if she could, how did she do it? She gives you a lucky charm or something?"

Sting thought for a moment before replied. - "I don't know, maybe? A handshake or just simply her presence, her support… Something like that."

"Yeah, you ask her for a handshake and I'll ask her for a kiss. It'll be waaaaaay more effective~" – Rufus said in his sing-song voice. Sting turned to raise a brow at his friend.

"You touch her lips and I'll press yours together with super glue." – He deadpanned. Rufus only smirked.

"Well, if that's the case, I can bring you some luck, too." – Yukino said, smiling shyly yet boldly. Rogue heard the girl and he rolled his eyes, she was up to something again. He thought that he had knocked some sense into her head when they had been in Tenrou, but it seemed like she didn't let it wave her determination. Sting looked at her with pure confusion.

"What do you me-" – Before he could finish asking her what did she mean, Yukino quickly rose on her tip-toes and pressed her lips on his. His teammates' jaws dropped, Rogue's ball fell off his hands as he and his friends stiffened. Who would have thought a sheepish girl like her could make such a move.

Sting's eyes widened as he screamed 'GAAAHHHHH' in his head. He gripped her arms to push her away, but she wouldn't let go, her grasp around his neck tightened. Rage began to fill his body at the her stubbornness. He felt nothing but tastelessness of saliva. Yukino, however, felt like she was in heaven. Oh my GOD! I can't believe I'm doing this. He tasted so good and this was too good to be true. She just wanted this moment to last as long as possible so that she could pour her feelings to him as much as she could.

Unfortunately, that was not what Sting wanted. He scowled and shoved Yukino away violently, she would have fallen if Orga failed to catch her.

"WHAT THE FUCK, YUKINO?" – Sting shouted at the top of his lungs and Yukino flinched. Her happiness disappeared, she didn't expect him to be this angry. Had she done something wrong?

"I-I-I told you, I just want to wish you luck before the match tomorrow." – Yukino stammered.

"According to his reaction, I wonder if it means being lucky, or is more of a bad omen." – A voice resounded and the rest of them turned their head to look at the source of the voice. It was Lucy, leaning against the rail of the stand and looking down on them with cold eyes and a straight face.

"What a waste of time." – She sighed.

"Lucy!" - No, no, no, she shouldn't have seen it. Sting thought and quickly ran after her, out of the basketball court. Yukino clenched her fists and her jaw was rigid. She got all his attention the moment she appeared. Why couldn't he just spend a minute to look at her and only her without Lucy in the picture? What does she have and I don't? Yukino thought angrily before she moved her legs to catch up with him, but strong arms prevented her from doing so.

"Leave them alone, you've done enough damage." - Rogue said calmly.

"Let go of me! I won't lose him without a fight." – Yukino replied. Rogue's eyes hardened.

"Lose him? Don't make me laugh, you never had him nor you will ever do. Didn't I say he would never choose you? I knew that you were stupid, but I didn't know you were that foolish and illusion- *smack* *smack*" – Rogue halted when he felt his cheek tingling.

Yukino had slapped him, twice, and she slapped him hard. Once on the left cheek with her right palm and the second time on the right cheek with the back of her hand. Rogue released her arm to touch his right cheek. His father never hit him in his life and this girl had the gut to slap him? She got some strength for such a small chick. His right cheek's bruise was a little more painful than the left one.

Her eyes opened widely as she realized what she had just done. Nobody dared to slap Rogue, no-one. She was about to apologize when she remembered the reason she slapped him. That was when her tantrum came back in a flash.

"I-am-not-stupid, I'm doing you a favor. Unlike you, I was just trying to be honest with my feelings. You can't get what you want unless you fight for it. I don't care if she's his best friend or anything. She's just a stupid bimbo who didn't do anything but keep making him following her around like a pathetic puppy, I won't let him-"

Rogue's hand left his right cheek to grip her neck, hard, but not hard enough to choke her. She winced in slight pain and at the sight of his face. Blood tainted his cheek a bit due to the press of his palm when he touched it, another red liquid drop rolled down from the scratch. The gem on her ring had cut his flesh quite deeply when she slapped him. His eyes were cold and there was no doubt that if he didn't go to jail, he would drain the oxygen out of her lungs with his grasp. His teammates rushed and shouted at him to let her go, but to no avail, his hold only tightened as she gripped and scratched his hand.

"Let me get this straight, Yukino-san. Don't you dare make a statement about something if you don't know it well enough. Don't call her bimbo, she hates that. And most importantly, don't drag her IQ down to your level, you and her are on a totally different rank. You're lucky that I'll let your two slaps slip this time. Behave yourself and know your place." – Rogue gritted his teeth before shoving her away, the blood on his hand smeared her neck. The girl regained her balance and coughed violently, her eyes shed tears as she glared at him.

"You're cruel, you know that?" – Yukino almost shouted at his face. She wiped her tears and ran away. Rogue didn't spare her a glance when she passed by. He pulled out his favorite handkerchief to clean up his cheek and hand.

"What was that about?" – Orga asked in bewilderment on behalf of everyone else. What Rogue and Yukino were talking about was a little confusing, but they were sure that together they could figure out what that was all about.

"Are you okay?" – Mamura asked, referring to his small cut. Rogue nodded and surveyed the handkerchief. Gotta wash it carefully. He thought and folded it with attention to tuck it back in his pocket.

"I didn't know that you were that manly, Rogue. Look! He even has a pink handkerchief. Where did you get that?" – Rufus teased to lighten the tense atmosphere, chuckling at the girly material. The other guys just laughed lightly, but they were pretty curious about why Rogue had stuff which look like that. According to their observations, Rogue was like a dark prince or something. Everything he owned was self-colored, and mostly in black like he was literally obsessed with it. The aura around him was usually kinda gloomy and boring. That thing didn't suit him, not-one-bit.

Rogue just 'hump' and put it back where it had been. He didn't want to waste his breath to explain what was the meaning of that handkerchief to these idiots.

"None of your business." – He said monotonously. The laugh died down and Rufus looked at him seriously.

"That's harsh, Rogue. She's a girl after all." - He scolded him slightly. Rogue mentally rolled his eyes before knocked up all water in the bottle. He grabbed his bag and towel, heading to the dressing room.

"Not a single word about what happened to any person outside of this basketball court today, are we clear? If I hear any rumors or mumbling behind my back tomorrow, you'll all have to answer to me." – That was not a requirement, that was an order from the vice-captain, and no one had a problem with it.

"Luce! Luce, wait!" – Sting called out for her, but she didn't stop. Lucy wiped that last drop of her tears from her eyes, quickening her steps.

"Don't call me Luce." - She said loudly without looking back, she didn't want him to see her tears, he would be worried.

"Lucy, you idiot! Could you stop for a second so I could talk to you?" – He said, trying to catch up with her. The tiredness from practicing was getting the best of him, the friendly match was tomorrow, and now he had to deal with this.

"No, I don't want to talk to you right now, just leave me alone." – Lucy was half walking and half running, desperately wanting to get away from him. The kiss scene was flashing repeatedly through her mind, and she needed to make it disappear.

This is so stupid. Isn't this what I want? Something to drag me away from him, from this thing that I call stupid crush?

"Why? Is that because of that kiss? Lucy, it's not-"

"It has nothing to do with that kiss." – Lucy cut in.

"Then why are you running away from me?" – Sting said, extending his hand to grab her arm but it slipped.

"I'm not running away from you!" – She replied and sped up.

"Eh, yes, you're running, Lucy. And it's pretty fast." – Sting grumbled, also picking up speed.

"I'm running, but I'm not running away from you, okay? I didn't write something like a big 'Jerk' on your forehead with blue point pen." – Lucy rolled her eyes.

Sting's eyes narrowed at her reminder and he cursed the universe. Of all the time she could show up, it had to be the moment when Yukino kissed him. He didn't want Lucy to see something like that. He didn't know why, but it felt like he was cheating on her or something. Lucy's façade could be expressionless, but he could see through her. She was upset.

But why is she upset?

Was that because her feelings towards him somehow had progressed and she felt jealous? Or it was just something they called possessiveness when she saw her best friend, the one who exclaimed so many times that she was the only one important to him, kissing another girl? Was that selfishness, or something deeper? But whatever it was, he didn't care because he didn't want her to have any untrue thought about him, even in the slightest.

Lucy had already crossed the intersection when the green light turned on. Sting was half the way to where she was standing. All kinds of vehicles started moving, blocking his path.

"Lucy! Luce-" – Sting sighed when she turned around the corner and disappeared. He quickly walked back to school to grab his stuff. He wouldn't be able to sleep tonight if he didn't deal with this.

Rogue took a first-aid bandage and put in on his cheek to cover the cut. Taking both his and Sting's bag, he headed back home.

I wonder if she's okay. He thought. Sometimes, Rogue didn't know what would happen to Sting if he didn't stand by that idiot's side. The blonde was like a magnet that attracted everything called trouble and drama.

Anyway, he would call Lucy tonight to check up on her. Rogue knew her feelings pretty well although she tried to hide it. Sometimes, it was fun to be the one who stood between those two and watch them interact with each other in some silly way, trying to find out what their hearts wanted. He couldn't interfere, because only when they went through all kind of trouble, desperation, happiness, and sorrow, did their bond grow stronger. He admitted that he felt jealous, not only once, but so many times before and, sometimes, he also doubted the chance he had with her. But, they were both important to him. One was family and one was the love of his life, he couldn't lose them, so he would be the one who was taking the risk. It killed him to say this, but he believed that Sting could make this right for both of them.

"Hey, Rogue. Thanks for taking my bag." – Sting said, jogging near him. Rogue handed him the bag.

"What happened to your face?" – Sting asked, frowning. Rogue slightly shook his head.

"Nothing, it's just some scratch, don't worry. Have you talked to her yet?"

Sting sighed and pulled out his phone. – "No, she went home, I couldn't catch up with her. I'm calling her."

"She won't pick up." – He murmured. Lucy was always like that, she wouldn't pick up the phone from anybody when she was upset.

"I know, but I'll try. I'll go to her house later."

Rogue nodded. – "Don't go home when she's still mad at you." – He deadpanned. Sting raised a brow.

"Seriously? How come it was my fault?"

"Everything was your fault when it comes to Lucy." – Rogue said casually. Sting groaned, he swore Lucy would be the death of him someday.

Gemi and Mini quickly opened the gate when they saw Lucy's figure appeared. She walked in without missing a beat.

"If Sting's here, don't let him come in, okay?" – She said to the boys and they nodded.

"Hai, Lucy-sama."

She ran to her room. Seriously, why did dad have to build this freaking big house, anyway? She panted slightly when she went upstairs, Virgo quickly followed behind. Seemed like her lady wasn't in a very good mood, she could see that. Layla was cooking dinner when she saw Lucy walked pass the dining room. Something's wrong with her?Layla thought worriedly.

Lucy slammed the door close and kicked off her shoes. She wiped the tears that just kept falling from her eyes. Such a drama queen. Why do I have to cry? Her phone wouldn't stop ringing. Probably Sting. She thought. Lucy grabbed her phone to check who was calling. Yep, that's him. She glared at the innocent object before turning it off and tossing it in her drawer. She didn't want to talk to him, not in her current state.

"Hime-sama? Hime-sama? Are you all right?" – Virgo knocked on the door, asking her lady.

"I'm fine, Virgo. Just leave me alone, please." – Lucy said. Virgo frowned, but she complied anyway.

"Hai, but if you're not feeling well, please, call me, Hime. I'll bring you some tea." – She said and left when she didn't hear any response. She wondered what happened this time.

Lucy went to the bathroom to take a shower. It could refresh her mind, she needed to calm down before she had any murderous intentions. The water was cold, but she didn't mind. She almost threw a tantrum like a kid when the image came back in her mind. LEAVE ME ALONE! She screamed in her head. Lucy turned off the faucet and took a big towel with her.

After drying her body, she put on a creamy sweater dress and black knees socks. It was cold outside. Who was that girl? Lucy heard her name was Yukino, but she couldn't remember anything. Whoever she was, Lucy hoped that the girl would freeze to death in some accident. Her eyes widened.

No, no, no, NO! I'm becoming mean. I don't want that. It was not her fault, she likes him so she wanted to kiss him. That's normal. She... she was just like me.

She shook her head to clear her thoughts.

"Lucy, are you okay?" – Her mom called when she was drying her hair. She opened the door to find Layla standing at the doorway, holding a cup of tea. She told Virgo that she would bring it to Lucy herself.

"I-I'm fine, mom." – She said, taking the cup and thanking Layla.

"Are you feeling unwell? Tell me if something's wrong, okay?" – She said gently and patted Lucy's cheek. Lucy smiled.

"Hai." – Layla nodded and was about to leave when Lucy spoke up.

"I'm sorry about that night, mom. I know you didn't mean it, and you were just worried about me." – She said quietly. She couldn't stay mad at her mom any longer. It was her fault, if only she could have just listened to her, she was her mother and she cared about her. Layla looked at her and smiled.

"It's okay, honey. It was my fault, I shouldn't have said that." – She stroked her daughter's hair and kissed her forehead. She knew Lucy was upset because of something, and she really wanted to ask her what happened. But this time, she wouldn't force her to talk about stuff she didn't want to. Her daughter would share her worries with her if she wanted to.

Lucy hugged her mom and kissed her cheek, murmuring a small 'thank you' as her apology and gratitude. Layla's smile never left her face.

"Now rest, darling. Do your homework, then come downstairs for dinner, okay?" – Lucy nodded.

When her mother left, Lucy threw herself on the bed, recalling the scene she saw at the basketball court with Yukino fiercely kissing Sting.

Damn it! She cursed, then punched the pillow in front of her, imagining they were Sting's face. How could he let her take advantage of him like that? He didn't like her, that was for sure. Stupid Sting. She thought, glaring at the ceiling and sighed. Lucy knew that she had feelings for him, but she didn't expect her rage would be this huge when she saw him with another girl. Was it just a stupid crush like she had thought?

That could be his first kiss. She blushed slightly and scoffed. Who am I kidding? A guy likes him must have kissed tons of girls before. Another rage formed inside her at the thought, but she told herself to calm down. She unconsciously touched her lips when she thought about his. I really want them on mine… How will it taste? Salty? Sweet? Tasteless? She sighed. I'm hopeless. She turned around, face down on the pillow.

"Okay… Just be cool. He doesn't like her, it's just a stupid kiss. Yes, just a stupid kiss, I don't care…" – She murmured, her voice was muffed in the fluffy material. – "I don't care, I don't care, I don't care, I-do-not-CARE." – She suddenly lifted her head and cried out the last word.

"Care about what?" – She squeaked in surprise and spun around to see Sting standing at the door. She narrowed her eyes.

"How long have you been standing there? How did you get here? Who let you in? What are you doing in my house?" – She asked back, ignoring his question. Sting raised his hands in defensive way and frowned.

"Easy there. I've just got in and well, I want to talk to someone, but apparently someone just decided to run off, never answered my phone, and even told Gemi not let me in." – He narrowed his eyes.

"Well, someone's phone is turned off because his owner didn't want to talk to someone... How did someone get in, if someone had told Gemi not to let someone in?" – She asked mockingly but this time her voice was full of true curiosity. Sting chuckled before putting back his serious face.

"I called your mom." – He replied nonchalantly. Lucy glared at him again and rolled her eyes. Of course.

"Whatever, go away. I don't want to talk to you."

"Why?" – Sting scowled. – "You showed up at the basketball court, then just ran away like that. Is that because of that kiss?"

"It had nothing to do with that kiss." – Lucy grunted. He couldn't drop it, could he? That's it, Lucy. Just be cool. She thought.

"Then why?" – Sting insisted. Lucy recognized the frustration in his voice, she looked back at him over her shoulder. She got out of bed, folding her arms, then walked near him.

"Well, you asked me to come to watch you play, but instead of seeing how wonderful your team was, I got to see a super ridiculous soap opera of you and that girl. That's why." – Lucy stuck her tongue out at him and he raised an eyebrow.

"She kissed me, not the other way around. And we're just friends." – Sting shrugged.

"I said it had nothing to do with that kiss. Did I ask what was going on between you and her? I want nothing to do with her." - Sting frowned at her cold tone.

"That's harsh. You guys are friends, too."

"We're not friends, she didn't even show up when I was in the hospital and I recalled nothing when I saw her." – Lucy sat on the edge of her bed, legs crossing and arms spreading as props. Sting moved to lean against a dressing table beside her bed.

"She sent you a card when you were still in coma. You had read it, but probably didn't remember." – Sting tried to defend Yukino, after all, she was his classmate. Lucy rolled her eyes.

"That was just common courtesy, it didn't count. Let me tell you something, if you lose the game tomorrow, that's your fault for letting her take you off guard." – Lucy glared.

Is that the reason? Sting smirked inwardly. Lucy was smart but she couldn't hide her emotions very well. He was one of two people who could read her like an open book. It was fun to see her get jealous over another girl, he could tell it was cropping up so painfully obviously through her voice. He rarely saw that. Choosing to play ignorant for a while, he rubbed his chin.

"Right… Although it's just a friendly match, I don't want to lose to them. Any advice?"

"Yes, win it or I'll castrate you. That's my advice." – Lucy deadpanned. Sting arched an eyebrow, his smirk now appeared.

"That's not an advice, it's a threat. And are you sure you want to do that, though? How are we supposed to have kids if you castrate me?" – He innocently cocked his head aside. Lucy stared at him with narrowed eyes, her blush deepened.

"Who wants to have kids with you?" – She grumbled and looked away from his face, on which his smirk had just widened to a grin.

"C'mon, just think about it. Our kids are gonna have blond hair, the girl will have blue eyes like me and the boy will have brown eyes like you. Our boy is gonna be badass like his dad while our princess is gonna be sweet like her mother. One big, happy family, isn't that great?" – Sting beamed, then sighed dreamily.

Lucy's face was getting redder and redder with every sentence he spoke. Her heart was dancing wildly and she felt like it could explode from her chest any minute, but she was gonna play cool. She wouldn't let him get the best of her again.

"If we have kids, my children will have all my good genes, especially the boy, your genes are a disaster. I don't want my little prince to become a playboy and a jerk like his dad when he grows up. " – Lucy said calmly. Sting laughed lightly.

"So you do want to have kids with me?" – He asked suggestively, his grin never left his face.

"I didn't say I wanted to, I said if." – She corrected with annoying tone.

"So you do consider the possibility of us being together as a family." - Sting stated with a nod of approval.

"Shut up!" – She cried out in embarrassment while he cackled. She didn't even deny it. He thought. Lucy grabbed a pillow and threw it at his face, Sting swiftly caught it before tossing it back to her bed. He saw the fury in her eyes, so he decided to give her a break…

"Alright, maybe not. But please, reconsider your advice. I need it, oh, and you need it too. We both need it… To do that if you really consider the possibility of us having kids" – Or maybe not, it was fun to tease her. Sting said calmly and Lucy frowned in confusion.

"Huh?" - It? What was he talking about?

He grinned widely. Realization started to sink in and Lucy cried.

"Oh my GOD!" – She face-palmed before covering her ripped-like-a-tomato face with her hands – "I can't believe you just said that, PERVERT!" – She yelled in her palm, Sting was laughing like crazy again. Her blushing was too adorable to let go. Lucy grabbed a slipper and aimed at him. This time, she was successful, the slipper hit its target right at its chest.

"Ow, that hurts." – Sting complained.

"That's your punishment for not shutting up." – Lucy glared. Her lips then dragged a cute pout. That eased his scowl and he chuckled before he moved to stand in front of her, arms folding. He whispered in a mysterious tone, like he was telling her a secret. - "But really, I don't to want to lose to them, maybe you could help me erase her bad omen?"

"How?" – Lucy raised her brows and gave him an incredulous look. He grinned and pointed at his lips.

"By kissing where she had kissed, it could bring me luck, you know?" – He blurted out frankly. Lucy stared at him with a bored look before shoved him aside and got up from her bed.

"Oh hell no! Don't you dare to use those lips kissed by her to kiss me." – Lucy moved to stand beside the windows, gazing down her backyard and spotting an unfamiliar Chevrolet. Sting gave her a quizzically look.

"Huh? Why?"

"She kissed you, you kiss me. It'll be like I kiss her and that's gross." – Lucy huffed. Sting chuckled.

"You're jealous." – He stated as a matter of fact. It was time to use his ace.

"I'm not." – She replied firmly, still looking out of the windows and he smirked. Ignoring her denial, Sting approached her. Lucy turned to look back at him when she didn't hear any response and almost gasped when she saw him standing so close to her. She looked at the ground, avoiding his eyes.

"I'm sorry." - He said quietly and seriously.

Lucy looked back at him, she tilted her head cutely. - "Why?"

"Because you had to see it and got upset." - She stared into his eyes, searching for deceit, but found none. Now she thought about it again more carefully, the whole incident was no one's fault. All you could blame in this situation was the emotion, and emotion couldn't do anything wrong. Emotion spoke what one's heart desired and despited.

"It's not your fault." - She mumbled. He took one more step, Sting was now merely an inch from her.

"There was nothing between me and her." - He reassured her.

"I know." - She gulped before she said softly. Her cheeks reddened again at their proximity, her pulse quickened, and she shrunk back against the wall, suddenly feeling so small. Sting used his fingers to lift a small curl of hair and bring it to his nose, smelling her shampoo. He presented her a mischievous smirk when she looked back at him sheepishly. Her mind was empty again when his warmth started to invade her inside out.

"You're jealous…" – He remarked again and Lucy shot him a glare of annoyance.

"But you don't have to…" - He cut her short when she was about to retort. His palm let go off her hair, his fingers brushed them against her cheek.

"All I ask of you to remember is…" – They trailed down to touch her virgin lips, lingering there. Lucy's eyes softened.

"You're the only girl who matters to me. Ever." – His left arm snaked around her waist, bringing her closer. There he was again, exclaiming the most obvious thing. Although it seemed like no matter how many times he said that, she usually forgot it. But that was okay, he could repeat it countless times without a problem, just to remind her.

"If you want a kiss, I'll give you a kiss. If you wonder how it'll be like to be kissed, I'll show you. All you have to do… Is ask." – He kissed her cheek tenderly and her eyes lidded.

"You're my girl and I'll give you so much more than a kiss." – She caught the double meaning behind the sentence and reopened her eyes to glare at him. He passed her a devilish smile.

"I'm not your girl, I'm my parents' girl." – She mumbled and gave him a smirk of her own. Lucy thought maybe he was just fooling around again like usual, although her heart's beat increased ten time when she heard those words. He snickered.

"You know what I'm talking about…" – He held her unwounded arm and put it around his neck.

"You want it too, right? Two words: 'Kiss me', say it and I'll comply." – He breathed in her lips, sending shivers down her spine. She looked into his eyes, biting her lips and contemplating her answer. Both of his hands were now clasped tightly around her waist as he stared at her rosy pink lips. She noticed this, so she lifted her other arm from her sides, gently hook them around his neck and stood on her tip-toes, bringing his face down, nearer to her own. Sting nearly closed his eyes and their noses touched slightly…

"Nope." – Lucy said nonchalantly and wriggled out of his hold. Sting eyes opened fully to frown at her.

"Kissing could pass 200 million bacteria from one mouth to another, you know. 200 are enough, I'm not gonna receive 200 more from hers." – Lucy flipped a lock of her hair behind her ear and started to walk to the door.

Sting blinked before he shook his head. Such a lady. He chuckled in amusement and quickly grabbed her arms, preventing her from going any further. She spun around and her front hit his chest. Being trapped in his arms, she barely had time to process what was going on before he pressed his lips firmly on hers.

Her eyes widened in shock and she struggled against his hold. He quickly released her lips and smirked when he saw her face reddened to the tips of her ears, arms dragging her closer if it was possible. She couldn't run away from him, not this time.

The image at the basketball court popped in her head, her rage started to rise again and his smirk was not helping at all, it was like he was mocking her or something. She yanked the collar of his shirt, bringing his face down to her level and started kissing him aggressively, possessively, hungrily, and angrily. A voice at the back of her head was screaming at her, asking what the hell she was doing, saying that she was ruining their friendship – something that was so beautiful and that she wouldn't be able to fix it if things didn't work out between two of them. But… At this moment, she didn't care. She was willing to take this risk, he was worth it.

The kiss was tasteless at first, but when her emotion began to bloom, she could feel the ecstasy and sweetness that he was pouring to her heart.

So… good…

It was honeyed, it was gentle and mesmerizing, the kiss was just like he imagined. Was that because of her, or was that because his emotion made him feel like this? There was no doubt that she was everything he ever wanted. He was getting over his past, his scares, trying to gather his strength and courage to make her his. He didn't know where they would go from this point, but he was willing to take the risk. She was worth it.

Lucy didn't know how Yukino felt when she kissed him. She wanted to wipe that girl's taste off his lips and replace with hers. She bit his bottom lips, a little hard, but not enough to draw blood, and placed her arms around his neck to pull him down closer. Sting moaned at the rough treatment before pushed her lower back more to his chest, leaving no gap between them. They were running out of oxygen but none of them could give a damn, too drunk in each other's taste to even care. They just wanted more and more and…

"Lucy-sama, your father wants to- OH MY GOD!" – Aries squeaked in surprise and dropped the empty tea-tray with a loud clang on the floor. The two love birds snapped out of their ecstasy and released each other immediately.

"A-Aries! Don't you know how to knock?" – Lucy scolded her maid, covering her embarrassment for being caught kissing Sting.

"I'm so sorry, Lucy-sama, I thought you were alone. I didn't expect to…see…Sting-sama…" – Aries apologized profusely and her voice trailed off the last part. Her face also blushed slightly.

Sting coughed, clearing his throat and smoothed the crinkle of his shirt. Lucy stood there awkwardly, scratching her hair. She suddenly found the carpet of her room very interesting. Aries sneaked a peek at her lady and Sting, both were blushing furiously. She covered her mouth to refrain herself from giggling, Lucy would be mad at her for making the situation worse.

"An-Anyway… What do you need?" – Lucy said after regaining her composure.

"Jude-sama want to see you, Lucy-sama. Loke-sama is waiting for you." – Aries bowed and said.

Lucy crunched her face in concentration, trying to remember who he was. She shot a look to Sting who also had frowned, silently asking if he knew him. He blinked at her and shrugged, Lucy then stared at his lips and blushed again. He smirked, she was so adorable. Lucy's eyes quickly darted to Aries, who gave her a knowing look and a small smile. She cleared her throat.

"Okay, thank you." – And walked out of her room, refusing to glance back at Sting.

Sting chuckled, eyes glued to her back until her figure disappeared behind the door.

"Sting-sama, Layla-sama asked you to stay for dinner." – Aries said politely.

"Drop the 'sama' please, it makes me uncomfortable. Where is she?" – Sting asked, hands in his pockets.

"Layla-sama is in the kitchen, Sting-sam- I mean, Sting-san." – Aries replied.

"Okay, thanks." – He said and walked out, still feeling so freaking good. He was also curious at who was her guest although the name felt painfully familiar, but he would ask her later. He hummed a new song he heard on the radio yesterday night.

Lucy touched her lips slightly as she smiled a sheepish smile. I finally kissed him. She recalled the feeling and her face was getting hot again. She cupped her cheeks in her palms to calm herself down. It feels… kinda weird. She giggled foolishly to herself.

Wait, does that mean we are… No, I have to talk to him first before I make any assumption. She thought.

Her feet brought her to the living room, where her father and her guest were waiting. She wondered who he was and what was that he had to do with her.

"Dad?" – She called and her father turned to look at her. He smiled.

"Ah, Lucy. Come, sit. Loke came to see you." – He said and she took the seat next to him.

"Lucy, are you feeling well?" – Loke asked. He had gone to the hospital to visit her when she was in coma, but didn't get the chance to visit her again until now because he was too busy. The manager wouldn't let him take a break for even a day. When he heard that she had an amnesia, he felt really disappointed. He just met her again after 7 years, she couldn't remember him once and that was bad enough, but twice? He sighed. Anyway, he was relieved that she was okay.

"I-I'm fine." – Lucy said, trying to remember who he was. Was he one of her friend? Probably, because he knew her name, right?

"Lucy, Loke is a friend of yours. He couldn't visit you more often because he was busy, but he was taking a break so you two could spend some time together." – Jude said. He had asked them to keep the whole engagement in secret for a while. They would talk about it again when her state got better.

"Really? Well, nice to meet you again, Loke." – Lucy smiled widely and extended her hand, expecting a handshake. Her smile made him speechless and all he could do was staring at her like an idiot, just like 7 years ago when he first met her. Jude had to cough to snap him out of his daydream. He cleared his throat and smirked.

"Same here, Lucy." – He took her hand, but instead of shaking it, he kissed it. She laughed lightly. Well, she was in a good mood so she would let him fool around. He was her friend anyway, right? Her father seemed friendly towards them, unlike Sting and Rogue. I wonder why? They must be close to her family and her. Oh well, better get to know him again.

End of chapter 15.

Done! This one is my most favorite chapter so far XD I hope the kiss scene fits your taste :P Tell me what you think!

Thank your for reading and until next time!