feral | sting eucliffe

LIV | SB

Episode 54: Starry Balcony!

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SHE DESCENDED THE STEPS and even from a distance, Sting could see the buzz of nervousness that filled her veins. Her hands were slightly shaky and if it weren't for one hand resting on her side and the other holding onto the staircase's railing, it would've been much more visible. She wasn't used to being around this many powerful people.

Nonetheless, her face was more visible as was the rest of her body. In his mind, there was no doubt that she was feeling more exposed and uncomfortable than usual. He approached her as soon as he could, avoiding Rogue's elbow that narrowly missed the blond's chest. Rogue clicked his tongue at the miss, rolling his eyes and looking to the side. "What a lovesick puppy."

He muttered, Frosch cheering from beside him. "Fro thinks so too!" Lector crossed his paws, sitting on a trophy stand. "Sting can't help it if he's such a lady's man." Rogue snorted at that, watching his best friend from afar. "Yeah, right." Sting had extended his hand towards Y/n, the girl quickly taking it as soon as she could.

He guided her to the floor and away from the other people. Her friends seemed to have the same idea, Akane wandering aimlessly until Nikos came by and took her hand as well. The Kyuuseishu and a few others moved to the corner of the room, slightly hiding. "I just entered the party and I'm already sick of it," Akane grumbled.

She looked down at her qipao, a traditional dress that was slightly skin tight. It was a bright purple and covered with pretty white flowers and green leaves. Nikos rolled his eyes, feeling uncomfortable with the tight sleeves of his blazer. "So? You aren't special," He wore a black suit, an expensive red tie tucked into the blazer.

Chase scoffed at their antics. He wore a white tuxedo and a black bow tie. "Just be professional for a few hours, it's not exactly Hell." Akane was swift to retort, her magenta eyes hardening into a powerful glare as she squirmed in the uncomfortable dress. "Not for you," Sting shook his head, grinning slightly. "I think you can leave after you're called up."

Y/n still held onto Sting's hand, using her free hand to pull up the end of her right glove. "Hopefully, this get-up gets uncomfortable quick." He turned his head to meet her eyes, admiring her. He hadn't paused to stare at her earlier, but now that he had, she was absolutely stunning. Not that she wasn't during other events.

Without her white cloak and her hair covering her face, her expressions were seen more clearly and as he watched her bicker with Chase about something minor, he could feel his heart palpitate slightly. Her heels clicked on the floor as she stomped her foot, breaking him out of his trance. Apparently, the argument was pretty stupid and was still going on.

Akane brushed some of her hair over her shoulder, the pigtails undone. "Can you two quit acting like children? We're in the presence of royalty and others." She pointed out. It was more clear that some people had been watching them in pure bewilderment, admiration, or fear. Some people hadn't forgotten or forgiven their actions before and it was obvious.

Attempting to disperse the fight, Sting took Y/n away towards the food section. He handed her some punch, putting up to its nose and smelling it first to make sure it wasn't spiked. "Thank you," She watched his considerate actions, a small smile lacing her lips as she took the expensive glass. He nodded before taking his own glass.

Y/n looked around, still feeling eyes on her. "I-Is there any way to get fresh air?" He looked over at her, seeing the slight panic in her eyes. He looked towards the array of soldiers that were subtly guarding open areas, "I don't think we can head out of the castle, but there must be a balcony somewhere." He muttered the last part under his breath.

Sting walked over to a soldier, talking briefly before the metal armored man pointed in a direction. He swerved past people. Occasionally, she would yelp or nearly trip over someone's dress, the male bringing her closer to prevent that. If he'd pulled her any closer, he would've been carrying her at this point. 

He let go of her after they entered the balcony, her eyes glittering at the sight of the stars. Her heart twisted in slight pain at the memory of her littlest sister, Galena. "The stars are really pretty tonight. It makes sense as to why Galena loves them so much." He chuckled, looking up at the sky as he took a sip of his fruity pink drink.

She glanced at him briefly before her smile broadened at his words. "The most beautiful things in the world are seldom seen. That's what I like to think, at least." She held onto the railing, her other hand holding her drink. Sting smirked, laughing. "Explains why you wear a cloak and tend to hide your face," She gave him a confused look as he smiled.

"You're seldom seen."

Her face flamed a bright red as she quickly looked away, his laughter resounding from her left. The two threw jokes back at each other, occasionally diving into a deeper conversation before resurfacing to a casual banter. "Listen," Sting cut into the brief silence they'd shared. "I wanted to ask you a question. Better yet, I have been wanting to ask you." He muttered.

She blinked at him quizzically, planting one of her hands on his right forearm as her brows twisted in confusion. "You can ask me anything, Sting. You know I'm not going to bite or anything," The girl giggled. He stared at her, shaking his head as his cheeks pinked. "You really don't make this any easier."

His comment made her even more confused, the girl tilting her head. He cleared his throat boldly, his cheeks turning red as he turned his entire body to her. "Will you be my girlfriend?" Her entire body perked up at that question as she opened up her mouth to respond, "Sting, I⁠—" She was swiftly cut off the King of Fiore's announcement.

"⁠—now enter our once vigilantes and now heroes, the Kyuuseishu!"