Hello there!

I'm back for another chapter!

I'm done with fillers, I promise!

Dommie, you know I always do.

Bren, yes she is!

Giggly, yeah, been going through some stuff, but I'm coming back!

I hope you like it :)

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Fairy Tail. I do, however, own the rights to this story and OC characters that might appear in the future.

Chapter XXV: The Bosco Job

X—X

"Good morning." The Dragon Slayer sat down at the bar. "Minerva."

"Dipshit."

"Good to see you back on your feet," he smirked.

"Well, it has been two weeks." she pursed her lips. "Where's your girl toy?"

"What do you mean?" he frowned, "She's on a job."

"... the Bosco one?"

"Yeah, why?"

"...I'm not sure." the cautioned look on Minerva's face set him a bit on edge. "Let me look for the information and I'll get back to you."

"...okay. If you need me, I'll be in my office."

The Dragon Slayer shot back the rest of his drink and moved off the stool. He took his time walking back to his office, all the while considering Minerva's pondered words. He heard the prudence in her voice, and while he thanked her for not alarming him immediately without certainty of the information she had, he was clawing on the inside to know.

He had a lot of paperwork to get to, the most recent trip to the Magic Council had taken three days of his time. So, he settled behind the desk and began sorting through everything, knowing that the sooner he was done with it, the more time he could spend with his mate when she returned.

A few hours later, he heard a knock on his door. He welcomed them without looking up, but his nose told him disappointment – it was not Minerva. Instead, he looked up to see a nervous-looking Yukino sitting across from him. He raised an eyebrow at her fidgeting hands and waited for her to speak.

She did not for a while, so Sting took her in. Her short hair was now brushing the top of her shoulders, but he knew she wanted to chop it back to its original length. She knew Rogue liked it short, much unlike Sting, who loved long hair on women. Especially the fire orange locks on his mate's head.

"Sting?"

"Yes, Yuki?"

"I'm worried."

"About what?"

"Rogue." she sighed. "He's been growing distant lately, despite what happened... between us."

"Okay, and?"

"Could you talk to him?"

"You're his girlfriend."

"I am, but he's not talking to me." she pouted. "Please? You're his brother."

"...fine. I'll see to it." he rolled his eyes. "Anything else?"

"Do you know when Ivy is coming back?"

"No." he bit the inside of his cheek. "She's on a job. It's not my responsibility."

"...are you okay?" she tried.

"I'm fine." he raised his head. "I need to get back to work."

"...yes. Thank you." she stood up slowly. "She'll be back soon, Sting."

"I know." he waited until she was out the door to let out the breath he was holding. "I have to be fine."

He chose to dive back into his work to keep himself level-headed and focused on the well-being of the people around him, that depended on him. The guild depended on him; his friends depended on him to keep his focus. He needed to look out for them, and often that meant putting his personal feelings aside. Even though all he wanted at the moment was to go on a rampage and tear apart everything that stood between him and Ivy.

The whole thing was weighing on him. He did not know the specifics of the mission; he only knew it was dangerous. And he had not heard from Lector in two days, so that only made his concern grow. The Exceed had kept in contact with him via Lacrima call, only to ease Sting's heart and behind Ivy's back.

He could not be faulted; it was the most she had spent away from him in a year that had passed since he had marked her. And now that her senses had been changing to become more attuned like his, he could not help but miss her more. The dragon in him begged him to see his mate, but for once, Sting had to be stronger.

"Mind getting your fucking ass in here?"

His door opened and closed, and soon he looked up to see Rogue. The Shadow Slayer appeared dejected; shoulders hunched forward. Sting leaned back on his chair, knowing that he would talk when he felt ready. His ruby eyes darted from side to side, but he knew there was no escaping it. So he took a deep breath and bit his lip.

"Want to tell me what is going on?"

"I'm going to lose her."

"Who told you that?"

"She got hurt."

"She's healthy as a horse."

"I heard it, Sting."

"Ivy manipulated you. She made you hear her voice." Sting took a deep breath. "You're not going to lose her."

"She got hurt. I can't let her get hurt."

"So you fuck her into submission, out of desperation and fear that you could have lost her, that you could have hurt her, and now you're trying to pull away?" he raised an eyebrow.

"H-how-?" Rogue looked up to him red-faced.

"Girls talk." he shrugged. "Why are you acting like this?"

"...I can't lose her, Sting." Rogue hid his face in his hands. "I can't."

"Breathe. You're not going to lose her."

"But-!"

"Rogue, she's been in love with you for the past three years." Sting declared, and the raven-haired man looked up to him. "Yeah, you heard it. Three years. What makes you even fucking think you can pull away from her? That she'd let you?"

"She deserves more than just me."

"She says you deserve more than just her." he rolled his eyes. "I swear to fuck, you two are so fucking alike and you don't even realize it."

"What should I do?"

"Forgive yourself. Leave that pain behind. The only way you're hurting her is when you pull away."

"I... I don't know if I-!"

"It takes time. And patience. But be strong." he smiled. "I believe in you. I believe in the two of you."

"...you've grown wise."

"Ivy helps."

"When are you going to settle down?"

"What do you mean?"

"Your blood is calling for it."

"I have no idea what you're on about."

"Kids, Sting."

The blond froze.

He could not just come out and say that the idea of little blond, baby-blue-eyed babies had been dancing around his head for longer than he would find acceptable. He had brought the subject up exactly once, when the two – well, three with Lector – had gone to Fairy Tail to take part in the baby shower the guild was throwing for Levy and her now-born little girl. He still remembered how that conversation had gone.

Flashback

He watched as she zipped down her skirt and removed her tall boots, sitting on the bed. She looked beautiful, the midnight moon making her look almost goddess-like. His personal penance, for all the wrong he had done in the world. She looked peaceful too, her gentle smile on her pink lips easing his heart. He grabbed a shirt from his bag and gave it to her.

She smiled and put it on immediately, removing her bra afterward. He had no idea how she was still shy about revealing her naked body to him despite them not being strangers to tangles in the sheets. He stripped down to a pair of shorts and lay on the bed. Ivy was quick to follow him, resting her head over his beating heart.

"You looked happy today," he commented. "Dotting all over Levy."

"She deserves to be dotted over. She's with child," she replied.

"Pregnant."

"With child."

"Pregnant."

"With child."

"You really did grow up around old people." he chuckled.

"How would you call it, Mr. Dragon Slayer?"

"Whelped."

"You're an ass." she rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, but you love me."

"Sometimes. Right now, not so much."

"Ivyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy-!" he moaned.

"Quiet, Lector is asleep!" she slapped his shoulder.

He chuckled, but fell back into silence, brushing her hair back. She nuzzled his neck and sighed. "It's beautiful."

"Being pregnant?"

"Yes. Women always look so beautiful." she blushed. "The act of generating, forming a child inside you is so... magical."

"Do you... ever think about it?" he tried.

"What?" Ivy looked up to him.

"...having a baby."

"With... you?"

"Well, who the fuck else?!" he looked away, cheeks bright red.

"Sting... for how long have you been trying to talk to me about this?" she propped herself up on her elbow.

"...ever since we found out Levy was pregnant." he licked his lips.

"Is this... part of the calling?"

"No. But... it got me thinking of the future." he let his hand fall to her back, where he began running circles over. "Our future."

"So?"

"You told me you wanted to get married for real." he looked at her. "I told you I'll make it happen. But... we never talked more beyond that."

"Do you want to have kids?" she gulped.

"It'd be... nice."

"Nice is not enough, Sting."

"Yes. I do want to have kids. With you." he gulped. "Do... you?"

"I've... thought about it." she bit her lip. "I want to be able to give the love I received as a child to someone else."

"But?"

"But I think we're too young, Sting." she cupped his cheek. "I don't think I'm ready."

"Me either. But I want to be on the same page as you. That when it happens..." he kissed her palm. "We both want it."

"I'll admit I wasn't completely unaffected when Mira began talking about blond, baby-blue-eyed babies running around." she giggled. "But... not yet."

"Not yet." he agreed.

Flashback

Yeah.

Blond, baby-blue-eyed babies. In lilac comforters and white onesies.

Fuck, he sounded like Mirajane.

"We've talked about it. We're too young." he swallowed hard.

"But you want it."

"And she doesn't. Not right now." he crossed his arms. "I'm not going to be the one forming, carrying the child for nine months. I'm not going to be the one breastfeeding, singing the brat to sleep, completely wrecked and made anew after the birth. Yes, I want it. But she doesn't. And I'm going to wait for her."

"... you've become wise," Rogue commented.

"Fix this with Yuki." Sting frowned. "Get off your high horse."

"I can always count on you to be gentle as a fork."

"You're welcome."

Rogue stood up and walked to the door. "Thank you."

Sting simply waved him off and returned to his paperwork. He sighed and picked his pen back up, ready to start zipping past the documents that only required his signature. He knew it was dangerous to do a mechanical task after the conversation he just had with Rogue, but he was no longer in the right mind to think.

There was a knock on the door, and he exhaled loudly before telling whoever it was to come in. What was this, bother-Sting-day?! When he looked up and saw Dobengal, he sat up straighter. The young man walked inside and closed the door, taking a seat in front of him. Sting eyed him carefully, noticing the redness of his ears and the decision in his eyes. Sensing the worst, he steeled his jaw.

"Master."

"Dobengal."

"I need to talk to you."

"I'm listening."

"I don't know if you noticed, but I've been a bit more absent in the guild as of late."

"I did. Want to explain to me why?"

"I... met a young woman about four months ago." he gulped. "She is a civilian. A healer, no guild affiliation. And... when I got hurt in one of my last missions, I wound up in her care. And... we hit it off."

"You are free to connect with whoever you want, Dobengal."

"She comes from a tight-knit community. She has no parents, and grew up with the elders of her village," he explained. "And... we started talking and getting to know each other."

"As much as a great love story that may be, I need you to get to the point, Dobengal."

"She's pregnant." he declared, and Sting raised an eyebrow. "It's mine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." he nodded.

"Why are you here then? Do you want my blessing?" Sting licked his lips.

"I want to be a father. This child's father. I want to make right by her. I want to marry her." Dobengal took a deep breath. "And that means I have to leave."

"You're welcome anytime, Dobengal."

"I know. But... if I'm to dedicate myself to my future wife and my family... I can't be on the payroll anymore."

"You want to leave Sabertooth?"

"I have to. I'm sorry, Master."

"...Sting." he smiled. "Do you want to keep your mark?"

"I can't... can I?"

"You can keep it. I'll take you off the active members' list." the dragon slayer smiled. "I know how much Sabertooth means to you."

"Thank you, Sting. It has been an honor to fight alongside you." Dobengal stood up and reached out a hand. "Thank you for everything."

"Thank you for all that you've done for this guild, Dobengal." Sting took it and shook his hand. "You won't leave without saying goodbye, will you?"

"I have already, you were the last one." he smiled.

"And Ivy?"

"... could you say goodbye to her for me?" he gulped.

Sting watched him and nodded. "I will. Will you let me walk you out?"

"I'd be honored."

The two walked out of his office and climbed down the stairs, talking quietly about the young woman who had captured Dobengal's heart. When they got to the common room, shouts and cries were heard as the guild gathered to say their final goodbyes to their speedster. Dobengal was granted hugs, kisses on the cheek, and slaps on the back.

"You have to come by sometime to introduce your baby mama and your brat!" Orga sniffed.

"Ah, we're gonna miss you so much!"

"I'm gonna miss you too guys."

After a few more moments of the party, Sabertooth was at the doors waving Dobengal goodbye. Sting was sad to see him go, their relationship had improved after he had marked Ivy. But he could tell this was what he wanted, this was his path. And he was happy for him.

"Sting. We need to talk." he turned to see Minerva nervously pacing.

"What's going on?"

"The job. Bosco's job." she gulped. "It was updated."

"What do you mean, it was updated?" he frowned.

"...it became an S-Class job." she gasped. "I had no idea, I-!"

Sting's heart stopped, but his instincts kicked in when he heard a whimper and the velocity of a body free-falling from the sky. He moved and caught the body in his arms, falling with one knee on the ground. When he finally pulled away, his heart dropped to the ground.

Bloody, battered, and bruised, Lector lay in his arms. One of his eyes was swollen shut, his wings were ruffled and dirty with dust and leaves, and one of his legs was twisted at an odd angle. Blood trickled down the corner of his mouth, and he wheezed for air. His vest was gone. But he peered one eye open, bloodshot and hazy.

"L-Lector?"

"S-Sting-!" The Exceed croaked out. "I..."

"What happened?! Where's Ivy?!"

"I...vy..." his eyes fluttered shut. "...gone."

A/N: Hope you like it!

...I'm sorry?

Let me know your thoughts on this new story!

Lots of love from this weirdo,

LoneeWolf :)