𝙏𝙃𝙐𝙉𝘿𝙀𝙍 // 𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙪𝙚 𝙭 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

𝙖𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙖𝙘𝙠

Once the group returned to the Sabertooth guildhall, Rogue pulled [Y/N] aside before they entered.

Yukino passed by with a frown, nodding at [Y/N] in hopes of all being well. Sting strode after her with Lector in tow.

"So... what is it you wanted to talk about?" [Y/N] shifted on the spot as the heavy boom of the guild doors shutting rang out.

"Erm... I'd prefer if this conversation was totally out of everyone's earshot," Rogue said.
"Alright, we can take a walk, then," [Y/N] nodded.
"No, I mean... everyone," his red eyes flicked down to Kuschel, who stood at her partner's feet.

"What? Really? Whatever you can say in front of me, you can say in front of Kuschel," the Sound Dragon Slayer tilted her head.
"No, not this time," he said, "just— send her inside."

[Y/N] frowned at the tone he had used, but ushered her Exceed into the guildhall anyway, where she made haste to speak to Yukino.

[Y/N] let the door shut and then turned back to her boyfriend, anxiety pulsing off of her body.
"Alright... what is it?"

Rogue started to walk, sparing a quick glance to make sure she was following. She scurried after him. Once she was walking at the same pace alongside him, she offered her arm to him - he chose to not acknowledge it.

"Do you want to go back to Fairy Tail?" he asked.
"What? No!" [Y/N] said, "why would you think that?"

"It just... it just feels like we've been spending less and less time together ever since Fairy Tail reformed itself. You're never at the guildhall anymore because you're always 'doing a job with Natsu!' or 'Fairy Tail needs me!' and I'm tired, [Y/N]," he spoke flatly, "I get that you miss your old friends, but I need you too. And Sting, and Yukino, and Minerva, and the whole guild."

"Rogue..." she frowned.
"I don't want to hear it, not right now," he continued, "it's been almost everyday now, I have to lay awake at night thinking 'I hope [Y/N] comes home alive today!'"

"Now, that's not fair," [Y/N] snapped, "Fairy Tail needs me right now—"

"Exactly! This is what I'm saying, [Y/N]. I can't even talk about it without you mentioning them," he scoffed, "what about me? Did you even stop to think about how I'd feel about you risking your life every other day for some guild you aren't even apart of anymore?"

"I'll always be apart of Fairy Tail," the Sound Dragon Slayer hissed, voice low, "it doesn't matter what guild mark I have or who I affiliate myself with."

"Why don't you go back and join them, then? That way, they can be the ones to deliver over the news when their antiques eventually get you killed!" Rogue argued, "[Y/N], I'm scared, I'm so scared that I'm going to lose you because of what I - future me - said, I don't know what will happen or if you'll even live to see the end of this year. I just— I can't deal with the stress of you constantly going out of your way to put yourself at risk!"

"You don't understand! Anything at all! I have to do this, Rogue, they're my family!" [Y/N] said.
"And so am I, right?! I'm your family, aren't I?" he replied, brows furrowed.
"Of course you are, Rogue— I love you!" she clenched her fists, "more than anything!"
"Well, you sure as hell aren't acting like it!" he shouted.

[Y/N] had never seen Rogue explode like this. It was clear that he was at the end of his tether, that he had been repressing his feelings for a while now, and now it was all coming out in an unbridled, pent mess.

"I just— I can't handle it! Every time, someone has warned you that you could die, and that we don't want you to go, but you never listen! I can't live like this anymore!" he raised his hands to grip his hair.
"What... what are you saying, Rogue?" [Y/N] said, colour leaving her face.