Fighting Oblivion

Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

The look on Sting's face when I said that...I shuddered. It looked like I had just pulled out his heart with my bare hands. When he said that he wasn't trying to use me...my worst fear was coming true. I was going to have to break a treasured friend's heart. I hadn't known him long, and we didn't get off to the best start. But I knew Sting was a genuinely good guy. I knew he would always be there for his friends, I knew he'd fight his heart out for the things that mattered. Just look at what he's done for Sabertooth so far. That's why he was here after all. So just because I couldn't give him what he wanted, didn't mean it didn't hurt to have to put him through this. But the sooner the better, fast and painless, or less painful, like a bandaid.

"Huh," was all he said.
"When you held me like that on the ship, when you touched our foreheads...it sounds so stupid b-b-but, Natsu, he used to do that all the time, to...comfort me. It was just too much, that's why I left."

"Uh...and the night in the courtyard, when you were crying?"

"You're um..you're–uh–heat," I was blushing hard now. Gods this was so embarrassing. This was the right thing to do, Lucy. That just didn't make it any easier.

"Oh, so you...were thinking about him...while we were–"

"No," I rushed to reassure him. "When we uh–were kissing, I-I wasn't thinking anything except...how–umm, how good it felt." Gods my cheeks could not get any redder, was my whole face pink now?

"Just...after. When I held you." I nodded. "And earlier, when I called you that."

"He was the only one in the guild that ever called me that, even on the team."

I was hoping he'd understand. I always thought that Natsu and I were gonna end up together. He was just too dense to realize it, but he would one day. I could feel it in my gut. I watched the emotions playing out across his face, confusion, sadness, jealousy, anger...and finally a little smile lit up his features. He was...happy? I wasn't expecting that but I guess it was the perfect outcome. I was definitely not expecting his gloved fingers to brush my face, hand cupping my cheek. He used his thumb to lightly brush my bottom lip, I closed my eyes at the sensation of the smooth fabric on my skin.

"Hey," he waited til I was looking into his eyes. "Don't worry about it, I know you and Natsu got history. I get it. Better than you think," now he was smirking. I bit my lip, worrying it between my teeth. He pulled down on my chin, forcing me to let go.

"Don't go bloodying up that beautiful lip." Then he leaned down and kissed me sweetly, like he was making it all better. Ok, this wasn't going the way I had planned. "Stin–"

"It's ok," he gave me another quick peck. "Just had to steal one for the road. But I'm not going anywhere. I like you, Lucy Heartfilia, you're one strong chick. I'm not gonna make you do anything you don't want to do right now. Probably couldn't even if I wanted to. You'd kick my ass for sure." I blushed at the exaggeration.

"So what–"

"I'm gonna follow through, I gave you my word I'd help you get your friend back. I always keep my promises. I'm not gonna let you ignore me either. But, I promise, no pressure...we can be friends, for now."

For now?

"Better get some sleep, Blondie. Gonna be a long day."

And he just slipped inside his tent. He was getting good at that dramatic exit, then again, so was I. I hoped I looked as good as he did doing it.

The next morning Sting had already gotten breakfast going before any of us had even made it out of our tents. He'd set out bowls for all of us and was already washing up. He was wearing his white pants again, and literally nothing else. The light from the morning sun looked good on his bare chest, he looked even more defined, all his muscles lined in deep shadows. I gulped. I tried to stop staring but he was splashing water on his face and the water trickling down his chest was gulp a little distracting to say the least.