Hello there!

I'm back for another chapter!

I am sosososo tired, and I feel like I need a hundred-year nap. I'm taking a nap when I get home, idc what hubbie says.

Relationship dramas ensue and I am honestly trying to keep my eyes open to write this intro. So, reviews.

Dommie, thank you for the treats last time, and I'm glad you like Ivy!

am sleepy, have the chapter

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 V: Ivy of Sabertooth

X—X

"... and maybe put the Elemental magic here," Yukino spoke, and turned to Ivy with a smile. "What do you think?"

"Sure," Ivy replied absentmindedly.

"Okay." Yukino put down her clipboard and crossed her arms. "What is going on?"

"What do you mean?" she frowned, looking at her.

"You've been off since this morning, girl. What is going on? Did something happen?" Yukino sighed. "I know we don't know each other for long, but you can trust me. We're friends."

"I'm sorry, Yukino." Ivy lowered her head "You deserve my whole attention, but today I'm just... distracted."

"Want to talk about it?"

"I don't want to bother you."

"Ivy, you're not a bother." Yukino took her hand. "You're my friend. Talk to me."

"...Minerva came to talk to me yesterday." She admitted. "She said... some not-so-nice things to me. And she mentioned you."

"What about me?" the white-haired woman frowned.

"Minerva told me that my presence here... stifled your relationship." Ivy blushed and looked away. "With Sting."

"Sting?" Yukino let out a giggle. "Oh, dear. Oh, I never thought this day would come."

"What do you mean?"

"Sting and I... are nothing of the sort. He is my boss; my friend. That's all. Yes, there was a time in my life, a while ago, during which I did feel that way towards Sting. But I have moved on."

"Are you sure?" Ivy peered up at her.

"I am, Ivy. I see the way you look at him, and I see the way he looks at you." Yukino smiled. "Don't give this up, Ivy."

"That is also... something." Ivy sighed and leaned against the bookshelf. "Sting is very... flirty. Touchy too, sometimes. He's caring, he's kind, he's sweet."

Yukino snorted. "Yes, sure. So?"

"How do I know if I'm... special? What if he acts this way towards everyone?" she frowned. "What if I'm not the only one?"

"Oh, trust me, you are." Yukino giggled. "Sting is... caring, yes, he cares about everyone here. And yes, I could see him as kind, with the way he acts with Lector. Flirty, sure, if the girl is cute enough."

"I see..."

"But I have never seen Sting act towards anyone the way he acts towards you. He's aloof. He's devil may care. He's I don't care unless it affects me directly. He's 'piss out of my face before I punch you'." Yukino grabbed her chin and smiled. "Sting is a unique, vulnerable, caring self when he's with you. Trust me, Ivy... you're the only one who's ever gotten this side of him."

"What if... what if when a new recruit comes, and Sting starts acting like this towards them too?" Ivy nibbled on her lip.

"I'm gonna let you in on a little secret that I'm sure Sting doesn't want you to know. At least not yet." Yukino grabbed her hands. "The guild is currently going through some... internal reconstruction. Not too long ago, our master was an ill-intended, bad man. But we cut free from him, and Sting was chosen as the new Master. So, we wanted to figure ourselves out before bringing anyone in."

"I didn't know that. Was it that bad?"

"Yes." Yukino frowned. "But we broke free, and that's all that matters. Before you, five other people tried to join Sabertooth. Capable, strong mages, but Sting turned them all down. After the last one, I realized Sting wanted to uplift us before letting someone else join. Then, a week later... you came in. And the second he laid eyes on you, he said yes."

"What does that mean?" There was a flutter in her chest, but Ivy didn't want to hope just yet.

"It means that you're special, Ivy. To us, to Sting. He wouldn't let just about anyone through those doors. You're special to him." Yukino smiled. "So, ignore Minerva. Do what you feel is the right thing."

"...can I tell you something?" she blushed and looked away.

"Anything."

"Last night... I was here, organizing some things when Sting came. We talked for a bit, and then he walked me to my room."

"Did he kiss you?"

"No! We just... flirted? A little bit."

"Oh! I like that development." Yukino grinned. "Did he make a move?"

Ivy nodded. "Is it bad that I was hoping he'd do it? We've known each other for so little!"

"Almost a month is not little time, Ivy. It's enough to start flirting and teasing." The Celestial mage winked. "What did he say?"

"He called me a pet name." the redhead turned pink.

"Oooh..." she smirked. "I like where this is going. No kiss, just flirting and teasing, already in the pet names... You need to keep me informed of this escalation, cutie."

"I will." Ivy nodded. "While we organize this library."

"Deal!"

–X–

"Hey there."

Sting panted as he straightened up and turned. Rogue stood near the backdoor, watching Sting as he trained. The blond took a deep breath, ran a hand through his hair, and frowned. The Shadow Slayer came forward and nodded. Lector was nearby, munching on some snacks, and Frosch was quick to join him.

"Hey, Rogue. What's up?"

"Checking in on you. You've been hard on yourself lately."

"I'm okay. Just... burning some extra energy." he shrugged.

"You sure that has nothing to do with Ivy?" he raised an eyebrow, and Sting had the decency to look embarrassed.

"What about Ivy?" Lector frowned. "She's a nice one. Glad you let her stay."

"Ivy is the best!" Frosch gushed. "She sings really pretty!"

"Yeah, she does." Lector agreed. "She always seems to do that when she's doing something alone."

"How come?"

"Well, last night, Ivy was cleaning up the bar when I came down to get Frosch. And she was just... singing. I asked her if that was a common occurrence, and she served me a drink and we talked for a bit." Lector scratched his ear. "She has a very smart mind. Quick-witted too."

"Would you guys be okay with it if she joined us on a job?" Sting proposed.

"Of course. It will be good to see how her magic handles itself in a fighting situation." the red Exceed nodded.

"Yes, please!" Frosch exclaimed. "Frosch would love that!"

"Rogue?"

"...why not? Let's see how she handles herself in a fight." The Shadow Slayer nodded.

"Great! I'll go ask her then." Sting rolled his shoulders and grinned. "I'll see you guys tomorrow!"

The blond took off to the guild, leaving the two Exceeds and one Dragon Slayer to share a look. He climbed the stairs, said goodnight to the few guild members that he found along the way, and soon found himself in front of her bedroom door. He knocked but there was no answer. He knocked again but was met with silence. So, he pushed the door open and frowned.

The room was rather small, but Ivy had managed with what she had been given. The bed was pushed against the wall, made with blue sheets and a green comforter. Two pillows were propped up against the headboard, and a small plushie sat against them. On the other corner of the room, Ivy had set up her closet, a wooden structure with no doors, and a simple metal bar as a hanger. And on the small desk was a wooden box with a pretty butterfly-shaped lock.

Sting closed the door behind himself and sat on the bed. The room was coated with her scent, every kind of variation of it, and the slayer felt at ease. He smiled and grabbed the doll. It was a simple knitted fox with big ears, large doe eyes, and a fluffy tail. The toy looked spent. It was clearly hand-knitted, and it had some years and use to it. He wondered who had spent the time and the patience to make such a sweet gesture for Ivy.

He let himself fall back on the bed and closed his eyes. The toy stayed over his chest as he took a deep breath and smiled.

Sting opened his eyes when he heard the door open. He sat up when a quiet gasp echoed through his ears and turned red.

Ivy stood in front of him in a tight white top with thin straps, a pair of peach orange booty shorts, and a long-sleeved short undone cotton lavender kimono with navy flower details. Sting eyed her up and down, watching as her breasts strained against the fabric, her waist dipped and her round hips gave way to a pair of legs that went on for miles. She pressed the purse she was carrying against her chest, straining the fabric further, and her cheeks turned a blazing red.

"Ivy." the male swallowed hard.

"What are you doing here?" she asked in a whisper.

"I, hum... I knocked, but you didn't answer, so I came inside. And you weren't here, so I figured you wouldn't mind if I waited, and-!"

"Sting." She closed the door behind herself and shook her head. "It's fine."

"S-sorry." he grabbed the toy that had fallen to the ground.

She giggled and Sting felt the bed dip next to him. "What can I help you with?"

"I, hum..." he swallowed hard, watching her from the corner of his eye. "Rogue and I are going on a job, and we were wondering if you'd like to come with us."

"Tomorrow?" she asked.

"Hm, yes."

"I'd love to." she nodded. "It'll be fun."

"Yeah." he nodded. "Tomorrow morning, downstairs."

"Perfect."

But he didn't move away. It felt oddly exciting, being in her territory for once. A place of vulnerability, the place where she let her guard down, and she had welcomed him in it. He fidgeted with the toy, unsure of what to do. She crossed her ankles and gathered her hair pushing it to one side. The scent that oozed off her skin was intoxicating, and Sting found himself taking a deep breath of it.

"That's Fennex." She let out, and Sting looked at her. "The toy."

Ivy reached out a hand and took it. "My grandma made this for me. Mother got upset when she saw it. Why couldn't it be a doll, she asked. But I loved it. It has seen me through some rough times."

"It's a very sweet fox." He commented, and she smiled brightly.

Sting watched her carefully. The look in her eyes was distant, and her smile turned nostalgic. Goosebumps raised in her arms and he watched her bodily reaction to the cold. He blushed and looked away. She shuffled closer to him, no doubt searching for his body heat, and the dragon slayer opened his arms.

Ivy immediately took advantage of the offer. She wrapped her arms around his torso and snuggled against his collarbone. The little sigh she let out created a fluttering in his chest. He pulled her closer and noticed how she was rubbing her thighs together. He leaned down, grabbed the back of her knees, and pulled her legs over his lap.

She gasped but didn't fight it. Instead, she snuggled closer and hid against the crook of his neck, nose pressed to the base of it. Her hold was firm, whereas Sting's was gentle, careful even. It was due to that the dragon slayer knew immediately when she fell asleep in his arms. Her breathing slowed and deepened, and her arms relaxed, even lost their grip.

He pulled the covers down and, with a little shuffling, put her to bed. She was beautiful when she slept, hair splayed around her like tendrils of fire. Sting pressed a kiss to her forehead and smiled.

"Goodnight, little phoenix."

A/N: I really like Ivy.

Let me know your thoughts on this new story!

Lots of love from this weirdo,

LoneeWolf :)