Exhilarate || Sting Eucliffe x Reader

held hostage.

surpriseeee! it's been two years, and i'm back c:
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Sting kept his head low, fixated at linoleum carpeting; its patterned figures rivaled the swirling thoughts - the shame that rooted him in place, knelt before Jiemma. He knew he was on thin ice with the Sabertooth Master. Being situated here painted a familiar hue of humiliation, but it was different this time. Indignation is vibrant, colored with shades of anger along the canvas of his conscious.

He resented himself most for being unable to face (Y/n).

She had visited him; unafraid, bearing herself wholeheartedly against the better judgement of her own guild mates and his company. And he? He had been a coward, just as she said.

And despite that, she stayed by his side - him, who gave up on her so easily; him, who simply obeys in spite of himself.

He truly didn't deserve her.

Jiemma aims yet another obscenity at him and Rogue, and yet, Sting is barely listening. He doesn't care to hide his inattention, even as Jiemma throws him into the concrete wall. The surface cracks under the force of his weight, but it means nothing. It doesn't even hurt, if he's honest.

It's only Lector's voice grounds him to reality, and suddenly, the flooring is a lot less interesting, "M-Master Jiemma," he begins with optimism, but his tremors tell a different story, "I think Sting-kun and Rogue-kun really tried their best out there. A-and you know, I believe the best lessons can be learned through failure... Sting-kun's full of mistakes and is still figuring himself out, e-especially with that Fairy Tail girl... (Y/n), I've never seen him like this before, and we all gotta deal with him being a little dopey, b-but he's happier than ever. She makes him strong - passionate, even."

Lector...

Regardless of how unbothered Sting is, Lector will come to Sting's defense. The unbridled admiration sets a heavy fire at the base of Sting's throat, spreading until his mouth goes dry and his vision clouds. Sting doesn't know what he did to earn Lector's faith. Lector wants people to see Sting as he does, explaining himself at length to people who don't care to listen - like Jiemma.

"I'm proud of Sting-kun, and I know he can make you proud too."

Sting's at a loss of what to do; he is helpless once again. It bewilders him how often he was reminded that day that he can be loved - despite his fear, despite his weaknesses.

But the moving sentiments stop.

Jiemma bellows at Lector, cursing him that a mere cat was let into the likes of Sabertooth. Sting doesn't have time to think as Jiemma extends a merciless palm towards Lector and emits a powerful blast. In a second later, Lector is gone; a darkened mark on the carpet taking his place.

"What did you do?" Sting reels, his shock lifting him to stand on unstable feet, "What the fuck did you just do?"

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The stadium above teems with exhilaration as Sabertooth is announced. Sting follows the rest of his teammates in with a solemn look on his face, still spiteful of yesterday's events.

M'lady had entrusted him with Sabertooth's win in exchange for Lector's return. He'd win - he had to, for Lector. Even through all the boisterousness, Sting still thinks he can hear him - like he's rooting for him, wherever he may be.

(Y/n) enters the arena, bracing the world's judgement with a ready smile, as she tried not to lag behind her team. Fairy Tail had rearranged their priorities last night, after learning about the upcoming Dragon Festival, in which 10,000 dragons will attack and decimate Fiore as she knew it, and Lucy's kidnapping. She knew that she could rely on her brother and the rest of them to sort out the politics of it all.

(Y/n) would handle the forefront, alongside Erza, Laxus, Gray, and Gajeel - a formidable team, but the mutterings of the crowd voiced otherwise.

"The man who single handedly defeated the Twin Dragons of Sabertooth have been replaced... by his injured sister!?"

She thought she hid her injury well, but isn't entirely impressed that they had noticed. Her foot had not been completely healed from Minerva's spell. She was slower than usual, but far from incapacitated.

Among the noise, and with a moment of hesitation, (Y/n) looks toward Sabertooth. Sting meets her gaze for a second, before narrowing his eyes at the grains of sand staining his boots. He doesn't even want to know why she's here instead of Natsu, or why anyone with sense would allow her to fight when she's handicapped.

Then again, Sting doesn't put obstinacy past her. He had no doubt in his mind that she was adamant on being included in Fairy Tail's final roster.

Idiot...

Sting shoves his hands in his pockets, balling them without minding the lint collects on the dampness of his skin. He thinks, at least he'd be able to see Lector faster.

(Y/n) nearly shivers, as she counts the steps between her and Sting. The distance is cold, and neither of them make moves to make anything out of the desolation.

It complicates her to no end to see his complacency - like she is nothing but trouble for him, like she wasn't worth the fight. She watches him, searching for any wisp of the warmth he used to carry, but he stoned himself away like ice and she can't help but feel numb.

Cold air rises in her throat as she tears her gaze away from Sting - it's too painful to think about.

A hand lands on her shoulder, "Come on, kid. Let's get focused." Gray says, he is met with the lukewarm reception of a short nod.

"Yeah."

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hello, it's two years later, and i've rediscovered my love for writing, so expect some updates c:

idk who's reading this, but i love you and thank you for your support.

more to come, bye bye <3