𝙏𝙃𝙐𝙉𝘿𝙀𝙍 // 𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙪𝙚 𝙭 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

𝙖 𝙗𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙩

The next day at the guildhall was pretty quiet, which was what you expected since majority of the guild was hungover from the previous night. There were even a few members of other guilds littered across the floor that had yet to peel themselves up and go home.

Yukino, however, was among the rare few who weren't hungover, and was plastered to your side instead. Novalee was on your other side with a happy smile as always.

"How was your party, m— [Y/N]?" she asked.
"Weren't you there?" you blinked.
"No," she shook her head, "Auntie Minerva made Uncle Rufus took me home when it got too late."
"Oh, good old Minnie, so reliable," you sighed.

"Don't call me that," Minerva appeared in front of you, though it wasn't in a hostile tone.
"Alright, alright," you chuckled, "Minnie."

"I'd not push it," Rogue strolled over from the request board, Sting at his side. The latter was wearing the sunglasses of shame.

"Yeah, yeah," you laughed, "you alright?"
"Better than ever," he nodded, "I can't say the same for him."
"My skull is breaking," Sting groaned, leaning against Rogue's shoulder.

"Why don't you three go on a refreshing walk instead?" Yukino wondered, "I hear the weather will be nice today."

"That's an idea," you turned to Sting and Rogue, "how about it?"
"I'm down," Sting said, "Rogue?"
"Alright," he nodded, "erm, about Frosch—"

"I'll look after him. You won't be gone for too long anyway," Yukino said cheerily, "I think he and Lector are pretty entertained, anyway!"

She gestured over, to where the Exceeds were listening to Kuschel loudly read a book. You grinned at the sight, but then cursed.

"What is it?" Yukino frowned, but Rogue snorted under his breath.

"Lector," you hissed.
"Watch it," Sting said in a warning tone, very evidently protective of his near-lifelong partner, "what's up with Lector?"

"Kuschel. She has a thing for him," you gritted your teeth. Sting hooted at that.
"Really?!" he grinned. You irked and swung your elbow into the centre of his forehead. He choked and stumbled back.

"It's not funny, you ass! He's gonna corrupt my poor Kuschel with- with- I dunno!" you said.
"Lector's fine!" Sting retorted.
"It's what you've been letting him lap up is what I'm worried about..." you gripped your sides.

"I'm sure Kuschel will be fine," Minerva reassured, "if anything unsavoury were to happen to her, I would rain hell down upon the culprit."
"Please don't hurt Lector," Sting said meekly, to which Minerva let out a witchy cackle.

"I only jest, Sting. I wouldn't dream of harming a strand of fur on your Exceed's head," she said.
"Good..." Sting seemed relieved at that.

"We'll keep an eye on them. And Novalee, too," Yukino said.
"Thanks," you nodded, "c'mon guys, while the weather's still nice."

You left the guildhall with Sting and Rogue in tow.
"It's so dark out here. Autumn came really quickly, huh?" Sting sighed.
"Yeah... wait, no! You're wearing sunglasses," Rogue said. You slowed your pace to match with them and you strolled together along the outskirts of the city.

"It feels like it's been ages since we've been able to just walk and talk like this," you said, "y'know, without getting attacked or something."
"Don't jinx it," Rogue warned, but chuckled, "yeah. I missed this."
"Me too," Sting nodded, "it's really nice."

There was a sudden rumble in the sky above that drew you all from your conversation. You looked up warily to see dark clouds overhead.

"Oh," is all you said.
"Don't tell me it's going to rain," Rogue sighed, but his question was answered as light droplets started to spatter down.
"Looks like a storm's brewing," Sting agreed, "man, Yukino was totally wrong with the weather... 'nice out' my ass!"