The Prince and the Pauper: Stingue

Shattered Dreams

-Sting-

With my back to the cupboard door, I was crouched in the kitchen, eavesdropping the events that were taking place in the living-room. Freed was sitting on one of the couches next to a blushing Laxus. It seemed as though the two were attempting- failed attempts- at kissing.

The two had assumed I was out however, I had pretended to shut the door behind me and leave the house but in actual fact, I sat behind the kitchen counter- waiting for drama.

"Yo-you lean... L-lean this way!" Freed stuttered as he tilted his head left and Laxus tilted his head in the same direction which of course was wrong. "No... You l-lean left!"

"I don't know how to do this! I haven't ever done this!" Laxus exclaimed.

"Wait... You've never kissed anyone before?" Freed asked between a fit of giggles. With that, Freed leaned in closer, his lips placed firmly on Laxus' and his hand brushed his cheeks. The two flushed scarlet and pulled away quickly. "There, now you've finally had your first kiss, and that's with me!"

'Fraxus was canon'

I stood up from where I was standing and strolled out of the apartment, slamming the door hard behind me. I wanted them to know I saw the whole thing...

****

School.

Sophomore year.

I trudged into Magnolia Academy and shoved my bag- which was empty- into my locker and walked into my home room class. As usual Ms Flare was threatening everyone to give her the money in their wallets. (Great teacher, I know!). Bickslow was attempting to steal back the money only to have his arm twisted.

School was pretty boring. I wanted nothing more than to walk out and go to grandpas hotel and into Rogue's apartment and cuddle with him all day. However, I was certain that, neither my teachers, grandpa and Rogue would like that. So at least I had my afternoon planned out.

I basically slept through every lesson! Until the clock reached 3:00...

****

I sprinted out of the limo Laxus' was driving after a long scolding lesson from him about watching what had happened that morning. The doors opened and I ran to the desk, to greet my dear old grandpa in Grey Summers Hotel.

"Aloha!" Grandpa Natsu looked up with a solemn expression. The usual twinkle in his eyes had dimmed out. His lips didn't twitch into that contagious grin of his. Even the workers noticed he was uneasy. Grey Summers hotels no longer had it's joyous and merry atmosphere, "Grandpa... What's wrong?"

"I suggest you go upstairs to Rogue's room." He passed me the staff key to his room. My eyes glazed upwards at him. He had moved on and was already in deep conversation with a customer.

Tears rimmed my eyes- I didn't even know why. I had only seen my grandpa like that once and that was one the day my parents had divorced. If something had happened to Rogue...

I was at his door before I even realised. My thoughts had possessed me and I provably looked like the walking dead to on goers. Fear ran through my veins as my body shook in terror. I didn't want anything to happen to Rogue. I had already ruined and lost too much. It was as thought the fates enjoyed cursing my life.

I shoved the key into the door only to notice it was unlocked. I barged open the door to find Cobra sitting with his head in his hands on the floor.

As always- I thought the worst.

"Cobra?" His head snapped upwards and he scrambled off from the floor. His eyes were smeared with sadness... And was that guilt? His face was wet and his lips were pursed. And I knew Rogue wasn't home.

"Sting... I'm sorry..."

****