Lemme just say thanks really quick. I'm no where near done with this story and it's already number one under the tag 'sting'? Holy shit😂 it amazes me. <33333
Sabertooth had made it to Crocus, the Capitol, very early in the morning. At least, early for you. In reality, it was about ten in the morning. Which, someone people could argue is early, but to Sabertooth... it's questionable sometimes.
However, it gave you time to explore the city. The city was filled with flowers and hustle and bustle of everything. There was an extreme amount of excitement due to the Grand Magic Games that would be starting the next day.
The Capitol was filled with many wizards from all over Fiore, but it didn't matter to you, Sting, or Rogue. You all were incredibly confident. You ended up seeing some wizards who had participated the year prior, and once they saw your guild marks, they went running. You weren't entirely sure how to feel about it. But a part of you felt a sort of excitement knowing that they were afraid of you- or rather, the guild.
"Wow! It smells so good!" Lola gushed, her paws in her cheeks.
"I know, right? The flowers look so beautiful too." You smiled, but then sneezed right after. Sting let out a soft chuckle, and you playfully hit his chest, since you thought he was laughing at you.
"Ooh, look Y/n! Flower crowns!" Lola pointed, and then looked up at you. "We should get one!"
"I don't know if I'll get one, Lola. The flowers are making my allergies flare up." You sniffed a bit. "But we can get you one!"
"I think you should get one, Y/n." Sting smiled, placing a hand on your shoulder. He had been doing that more recently, but you weren't complaining. The blue fabric of his gloves were soft on your shoulders whenever he touched them. "I think it'll suit you."
"You think so?"
"Yeah, totally." He said, walking over to the flower crown stand and grabbing two. One was made with all white flowers that he got for Lola, and the other one was f/c. He knew that you'd love that one, since Lola had told him your favorite color a few months ago.
"Thank you, Sting." You wanted to take the crown from him to place it on your head, but he ended up taking the initiative to place it himself. You blushed a little bit, but didn't really show any other emotion. You were trying really hard not to smile and get all flustered. Sting wouldn't have minded if you did, though. Honestly, he would have killed to have you jump into his arms saying a million thank yous. However, he knew it would have to wait. Just until the Games were over.
"It's no problem." He waved it off, and you all continued walking, you and Lola smiling with the flowers on your head.
This time, you led the group. You were in front in the middle while Sting and Rogue were following you. "I bet it's hard for you." Rogue whispered over to Sting.
"Let's not do this now." Sting rolled his eyes.
"I'm just stating what I see, Sting."
"Then maybe you should get your eyes checked."
"I'm sure it's hard for her too."
"Huh?"
"Did you see her blush when you placed the flowers in her head?"
"Did she really?"
"Yeah."
Sting hummed to himself, watching you walk ahead of him. You had stopped and kneeled down to the height of a child giving away flower necklaces. The child slid it over your head, being mindful of the crown already on it, and placed it around your neck. The smile you wore was infectious. And he was glad that you finally wore it for Sabertooth. It was nice to see you happy after all of those years.
Sting was taken out of his thoughts when he saw you kiss the top of the child's head. He was a big jealousy. The child smiled happily, waving to you as you walked off, Sting and Rogue following closely behind. Rogue just smirked, knowing that his friend was jealous of a little kid. Sting just kept pushing his mind forward, knowing that soon your lips would be on his. It wasn't the first time he thought about something like that, and it certainly wouldn't be the last either.
"Ooo! Lemonade!" You shouted excitedly, looking back at the boys. "Do you guys want some? I'll buy!"
"You don't have to pay, Y/n." Sting shook his head. "If you want some, I'll-"
"Nope!" You shouted, sticking a finger up to his face. "I'll get it! Do you guys want some?"
"No, I'm okay." Sting answered.
"You, Rogue?"
"I'm also okay."
"Lola?"
"Yes please!"
"Lector? Frosch?"
"Yeah I'll take some!"
"Me too!"
**
After a few hours of walking around the city, you, Sting, Rogue and the cat companions all sat down at a fountain located in the middle of the Capital. You all were just talking, going over possible strategies for the Grand Magic Games. It was all going fine until a man, maybe a few years older than you all approached.
"Hey, aren't you guys from Sabertooth!?" The man gawked.
"Yeah, and what of it?" Sting shot at him.
"Nothing! I'm a big fan of you guys, the Dragon Slayer Trio."
"Thanks."
"Though... you guys don't look as strong as people say you are."
"What?" Sting's eyes narrowed, and you almost choked on your own saliva due to the unknown man's audacity.
"Yeah, I mean... look at you all. You're not as big and bad a people say. Though, the girl is definitely as beautiful as they say." He winked at you, and then gave you his full attention. "You're name is Y/n L/n, right?"
"Uh.." you were dumbfounded.
"Don't talk to her." Sting shot at him, standing up from the fountain. Rogue followed his movements, but you stayed seated. "If you wish to address her, you talk to me. Not her."
"Oh? Her knight in armor?" The man mocked, laughing a bit. "I'm sure she doesn't mind me making simply conversation with her. Do you?"
"What did I say?!" Sting yelled, taking a step closer, making the man take a step back. "You don't get to address her!"
You decided that now would be a good time to play into the act that you have grown to love.
"Now now, Sting. Play nice." You giggled a bit. "You know that no man could ever come close to you."
Hearing that, Sting smirked. He loved the act just as much as you did. "It's not that, babe. No man deserves the privilege to even see you, let alone talk to you."
"What the hell..?" The man looked at all of you in confusion. "The two of you are a thing?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?" You smirked, your head cocked up.
"Well, how about a bet, then?" The man suggested. "Do you guys liked to gamble?"
"Depends on what we're doing." Rogue answered for the group. "What's the bet?"
"If I can beat the two of you in a fight, I get to take Miss Y/n out on a date." He said proudly. Sting looked over at Rogue, trying his best not to laugh. Rogue did the same. Sting then looked over to you.
"Well, someone's ballsy." Sting smirked. "What do you say, Miss Y/n?"
"Well, I don't really want to go on a date with this... guy." You scrunched your face up. "So Id appreciate if you boys protected me from that."
"Hear you loud and clear." Sting cracked his knuckles, and so did Rogue. With one punch, the man was down. Then, more people started to gather around, offering the same wager that the man did: if they won, they took you out. You were just so incredibly lucky to have two strong guys protecting you.
Another man had fallen to Sting and Rogue, people coming from all around. "You enjoying the show, babe?" Sting smirked, looking over your way.
"Of course I am." You smirked back, Lola sitting in your lap. Lector and Frosch were cheering the boys on from in front of you.
"Yeah Sting! You're number one!"
"Fro thinks so too! Go Rogue!"
"Too bad for them." You pouted playfully, talking about the pile of men that Sting and Rogue defeated. "Maybe you boys need to take it a bit easier. You know these guys can't even touch you."
"But then where's the fun in that, babe?"
"Well, there—"
"Move outta the way!" A voice interrupted you. You swore it sounded familiar. It sparked a light feeling in your stomach. A few seconds later, a man fell in front of Sting and Rogue, down at their feet, on his knees. When he looked up at them, that's when you got a good look at his face.
"N...Natsu?" Your eyes widened, your face in genuine shock. Sting's eyes filled with worry and then anger.
Natsu looked over to you when he heard his name, and stood up. "Yeah, that's my name." He said, and then soon you saw Lucy and Happy make their way through the crowd of people. Lucy saw you, and squinted a bit before talking.
"Y/n? Is that you?" She asked, her face hopeful.
"Lucy? Happy?" Your mouth started to curl into a smile.
"Y/n! Lola!" Happy cheered.
"Y/n? Wow, you look so different from the last time I saw you!" Natsu smiled wide, showing his teeth.
You smiled big, the biggest you have in years. Your eyes started to water, and you stood up from your spot on the fountain to try and hug them, at the very least greet them. "You're okay!"
Before you could do anything, Sting and Rogue stood in your way. You felt heartbroken. You were so close, yet the two boys that you had grown to trust stood in your way.
"Y/n!" Lucy called out.
"Hey, move out of the way!" Natsu yelled at Sting and Rogue. "Who even are you guys?!"
"We are Sting and Rogue." Sting said, his voice flat but harsh.
"The three of us make up the Dragon Slayer Trio of Sabertooth." Rogue added on.
"Sabertooth!? Y/n, you joined these jerks!?" Natsu shouted.
"I—"
"Don't address her." Sting said, crossing his arms. "You can talk to me and Rogue."
"Sting, it's—" You tried to place a hand on Sting's shoulder, but he shrugged it off, and glared at you.
"No. Don't say anything more."