A/N: Hey guys. I'm not receiving any reviews for this story and to be honest, I'm sad because I have a whole line of adventure and romance for the two of them. Anyways, don't worry because I appreciate to those who followed this story so I will update this story until the end.

Chapter 3

I kept yawning as I made my way to the grand magic palace. I didn't expect myself to stay up so late last night. After I invited Sting over, I made drinks for us as we sat on the couch at my living room. Yeah, I was now able to afford an apartment with walls separating the bedroom, living and kitchen area.

We talked all night. We even played a game that allowed us take turns to ask each other questions. I got to know more about him and he got to know more about me too. The only rule was to keep anything about Fairy Tail out of the picture and gladly, he agreed to it. We were so into our conversation that we didn't realized it was super late already.

I found Jason at the same spot that we stood yesterday. He greeted me before he started to go around the arena and take pictures, leaving me there alone. I sighed before I leaned against the railings. I used my palm to rest my cheek on it as I started to daydream. I was about to close my eyes to rest them for a while when someone hit something warm against my shoulder. Do I smell coffee?

I turned my gaze towards the source and I was met with the familiar pair of blue eyes. "Oh hey Sting." I greeted him before I straightened myself, only to still look up at him since he was much taller than me. A coffee in his hand as he held it out to me.

"Here, I figured we might need these today. I gotten ourselves double expresso shots. Hope it helps."

"Oh thank you Sting." I grabbed the coffee from his hand and brought it up to my lips. The caffeine in the liquid melted in my mouth immediately. "This is perfect. I forgot to buy them on my way here."

"Maybe it was fate for me to buy it for you."

"Ha ha very funny." I said with sarcasm before turning back to face the arena and leaned against the railings. Sting followed in pursuit. "What are you doing here anyways? Aren't you supposed to be with your guild?"

"Nah, they don't need me. They can handled it on their own. Win or lose, it doesn't matter to me as long they enjoyed themselves."

"Oh? Is it? Weren't you just saying that Sabertooth was going to take first place this year yesterday?"

"We are but if we didn't, it's alright." I couldn't help but to smile at his kindness for his guild mates. His thoughts and actions really made me remembered about Fairy Tail.

"That's nice of you. These qualities are what make you a good guild master."

The commentators started speaking and that was what made us focus onto the lacrima vision that sprawled high up above the battlefield. The guilds were chosen at random to face each other. First it was going to be the two guilds that I haven't heard of facing each other, Diamond Hearts and Tigers Claw. Second, it was going to be Twilight Orge against Quatro Cerberus. Third, it was going to be Mermaid Heel versus Blue Pegasus and lastly, Sabertooth were going to go up against Lamia Scale.

"But first in order to let the guilds earned some more points, we will have a round before the battle as always. We've setup a maze so whoever is left standing, gets 10 points followed by 8 and 6. For the rest, sorry but no points will be given to you."

"Wow, this round consists of using your brains and not brawns." I said that out loud which I've forgotten that Sting was beside me as I wrote the necessary points down.

"Why so?" I raised my pen up as I answered him.

"Look, the commentator was saying whoever is the last one standing wins and since this is a maze, as long you know how to hide, you're at a good advantage here." Sting just stared at me before he chuckled.

"What?"

"Nothing, I think you just look very cute." And it earned my cheeks to be covered in red.

The representative from each guild started walking out towards the battlefield as the maze started to appear. Once all eight members were present from every guild, they were transported into the maze which we were forced to watch the game through the lacrima vision.

The match soon ended and not to my surprise, Sabertooth won followed by Lamia Scale and then Tigers Claw. I guess Rufus knew how to float above the maze, which he didn't need much effort to hide. As for Lamia Scale, Lyon used his brawns instead his brains and I have to say, he gotten a lot stronger that maybe he could be on par with Gray now. Lastly, the guy called Raphael from Tigers Claw were using both brains and brawn.

I stretched my arms as Sting and I walked out of the grand magic palace. They were taking a break before the battle began between Tigers Claw and Diamond Hearts.

"Man, and I'm beat or what." I announced loudly.

"Tell me about it, I just wished to head back to the hotel and snooze."

"And remind me again on whose fault is that?"

"If I recalled, it was both of us." Sting answered with his arms behind his head. Sting soon stopped walking causing me to halt as well. "Why don't we go somewhere?"

"What? You know I can't. I have work. I need to watch everyone's battle."

"Which those two guilds aren't worth watching."

"Really?"

"Yes, if you want I can tell you all about them." I hesitated a moment before giving in.

"Fine." And upon hearing my approval, Sting grabbed my hand and started running.

"Where are we going?!" I shouted as I tried to pick up my pace to meet his.

"You'll see!"

We came to a stop once we were at a river that was a bit out of Crocus. I grab hold of the tree as I used it for support while I tried to catch my breath.

"That was fun." Sting announced loudly.

"Not for me!" I commented before looking up. "Anyways where are we?" Once my breathing was back to its normal pace, I took a good look around the place. It was beautiful, no, it was magnificent. I look down at the river and it was clear as blue. The sight beyond the river was so calming too. If I closed my eyes, I am able to listen to the soothing winds that passed through trees.

"A place I found recently."

"How did you come across this place?"

"Says the lady who lived here." I gawked at him exaggeratedly.

"Well excuse me to the guild master who ran off during the grand magic games. I take my work very seriously for your information."

"And you're right here with me now." Sting smiled at me upon saying that. I couldn't help but to blush and look away. I didn't have any words to argue back because honestly, he was right. I do take my work very seriously but when Sting invited out, it was very attempting for the taking.

"Anyways I was walking around town and then one day I found the trail that we run through earlier which leaded to this place. After that day, I decided that this spot was going to be my space. A place that I can come to relax and be in my thoughts. Hell, not even Lector knows about this place." Sting chuckled at the end.

"Well, you don't have to worry about me because I promise I won't invade your space." Sting looked at me after I said that.

"No, Lucy. I showed you this place because I want you to make this as a place that you can come too." I blinked at him in confusion.

"Why?"

"I feel that you have a lot of thoughts in your mind as well. Being cooped up in your apartment and thinking about it, I mean it will just kill you." Sting said as he looked straight ahead. I was shocked upon hearing those words that left his mouth. I mean, I didn't know he could be so thoughtful. Just replaying those words in my mind was making my heart all warm and fuzzy.

"Thanks." And I also decided to take in the view straight ahead. I could feel Sting glanced at me from the corner of his eyes.

"No problem. Besides, I would feel awfully depressed if Sabertooth just disbanded like that. I didn't mean to pry last night but it would be great if you talk about it with me you know."

"And then what? Cry and pretended that that this was just a bad dream."

"Yes." I turned my head to look at him upon hearing his determined voice. Sting was looking straight at me in the eyes, one hand in his pocket. "If it makes you feel better, I would do anything." And then my heart beat like there was no tomorrow. I just laughed it off as I combed through my hair.

"What are you talking about Sting? You don't have to do such thing for me."

"But I want to." And I didn't dare to look at him in the eyes but I felt strong arms grabbed the side of my arms. "Lucy, look at me." But I didn't. "Do you believe in love at first sight?" I immediately swirled my head back so that I could face him again, my eyes widen in disbelieve at what I just heard. What is Sting getting at?

"What are you trying to say Sting?"

"Lucy, I -" Sting was interrupted by the flock of birds that flew above us. He let go of me as we both looked up. "That's weird."

"Why?"

"I smell something." Sting carried on sniffing as he turned around side to side as if finding the source of the smell and then he looked up and I saw his eyes widened. "Look out!" Sting shouted as he jumped and pushed me out of the way, along with him. I couldn't help but to scream in surprise. We landed a few inches away from the crash.

"What the hell?!" I looked ahead at where the crash lied, forgetting that Sting was on top of me. I realized he was there when I heard him groan. I couldn't help but to blush when I noticed the position we were in but I decided not to make a big issue of it at the moment because we had bigger fish to worry now.

"Ow…" He got up slowly before he used his hand to hold the side of his head. "Are you alright?" He asked as he looked down at me. I just nodded briefly, afraid that the blush on my cheeks would spread and be more noticeable. I think he realized because he moved away. "Sorry."

"It's okay. Thanks for saving me though." We both then looked at the crash again. "Do you think it's an accident?"

"I doubt it. It looked like we supposed to be under the crash." I couldn't help but to gasp upon hearing what Sting said. "Come on, let's go."

"W-what? How can we leave the situation as it is? We need to find out who did this."

"Not now, sugar cheeks. We gotta head back before Jason realized you went missing." I blushed again when I heard his name calling at me. He stood up first before he put his hand out which I gladly accepted it as he pulled me up.

We started to walk back and I was ahead of Sting that I didn't realized he stopped and turned as if he heard or saw something before he continued to follow me from behind.

A/N: And that's it for this chapter folks. How was it? It seems like there's going to be some action soon. Anyways, do please leave a review before you go. I always love to read my readers' thoughts. Hoping to receive them!