Lector Ships It! (A Sting x Yukino and Rogue x Minerva Fanfiction)

Prologue: Just a Dream

[Sting]

(About a year after the war with the Alvarez Empire)

Sting opened his eyes, alone in the woods, where Weisslogia had found him. Faint memories sparked as he remembered the place, just as it had been four hundred years ago. It was so beautiful and tranquil, away from the recent scenes of war. He began thinking about Weisslogia. His foster father, who had raised him, cared for him, and taught him, all sacrificed to the feud with Acnologia. He wondered about the time when his memory was altered and he had thought he killed Weisslogia. He had boasted about it being a huge feat and being a true dragon slayer.

If today, even after Sabertooth's and his own change, if he had actually murdered Weisslogia, would he be still be proud of himself? Life back then was completely different in Sabertooth, he chided himself. The old Sabertooth had affected him too. Under Jiemma's rule, the guild was a cold place that disposed of members who valued camaraderie and friendship.

Still, worried thoughts coursed through him, as he looked to the stars. "Do you think I've made Sabertooth into a better place now? Or do you believe that the darkness of Sabertooth's past will never dissipate?"

There was no answer.
Then Sting, arrogant, bright, cocky master of the great Sabertooth, began to cry silently.
There was so much responsibility upon his shoulders now. So many decisions to make, so many affected by them. There were so many who looked up to him, even though he had a past he couldn't quite put behind too.

And of course... he even loved someone now. Someone he had stood by and watched be stripped of her dignity, and done nothing to stop it, even further mocking her to be weak, trash, and a unneeded member of Sabertooth. They had grown closer over these few years, but Sting always felt the wounds never fully healed. The wrong he did could never be reversed. Of course, he acted just like his normal, carefree self around her, but then he would see her smile, a reminder of a time when she never did, because of himself and the people around him...

Lost in deep thoughts, he heard a voice calling his name from far away.

Sting-kun! Stiiiing-kun!!

Sting jolted awake and sat up in his bed. Lector was leaning over him, and waved his paw in Sting's face. "Wake up! It's almost noon. Fro and Rogue left hours ago! Come on!"

"Rogue already left?" Sting asked. They were partners and he never left their apartment without Sting. "Yeah, he said to let you get some extra rest, since you've been stressed lately, not to mention you slept super late last night doing work. He told M'Lady Minerva to be in charge for the time's being." Lector replied.

"Alright, Alright." Sting groaned and rolled over onto his side. "Let me get ready. Have you eaten yet?"

"Yep! I made you some pancakes, too. They're in the kitchen."

"Thanks, buddy." Sting said, fondly ruffling Lector's fur. He got dressed and ate quickly, devouring five pancakes topped with fruit and syrup. Before he forgot, he also grabbed a peace offering in exchange for his life for Minerva, he knew she hated being the substitute master, and she showed that by pure violence.

"Lector! These were great. I'm ready to go if you are." Sting said, as he tried to forget about his doubts and his strange dreams. The guild needs me right now, the last thing they they want is a incompetent , unconfident master.

"Okay then, what are we waiting for?! Let's go!" Lector yelled as they burst out of the front door, ready to face whatever the guild held today.