Exhilarate || Sting Eucliffe x Reader

See What's Become of Me

It's been a while, huh?
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Beckoned by the inordinate bustle of the crowd, who became stirred at the notion of an unsolicited fight, and by the watchful eyes of his guild master, Sting arrives center stage of the arena to Minerva's aid. He doesn't let his reluctance show as he shifts into an offensive stance, ready to defend against the agitated members of Fairy Tail, if need be. He knows he shouldn't be here.

He should be by (Y/n)'s side, cradling her in his arms, on their way to the nearest hospital wing. He should have run to her and caught her long before that bastard, Gray, had the chance. But, his loyalties rooted him in place, withdrew the breath from his lungs as she, unconscious- a picture of fragility, nearly shattered against the ground of the unforgiving stadium by the will of a merciless Minerva. He stands protectively beside (Y/n)'s attacker, now.

"Y-You coward... You and everyone else in Sabertooth, you're all cowards...!"

"Why can't you... just do what feels right to you?"

A sense of betrayal (ironic, yes, he is fully aware) draws his fists into a tight close, agitation shaping thin crescents along his palms. He glares ahead, meeting the contemptuous gaze of Natsu, who kneels beside a bruised and beaten Lucy.

Natsu stalked forward, vengeful intent weighing his steps and posture, but a hand on his chest stops him from coming any closer.

"I don't care if you're the strongest or number one in Fiore." Erza starts; though the sensible one, her tone drips with vexation, all the same. "I will only say one thing. You will regret making an enemy out of Fairy Tail."

That conversation, his vitriol that he feels against Minerva and her father, and the imminent possibility that (Y/n) could be seriously injured inspired a burning in him. In an unplanned spur, Sting lets his impulses lead the way towards Fairy Tail's infirmary wing.

Hands clenched and pocketed, Sting thinks he's created a perfect illusion of nonchalance for passersby, but anyone can guess otherwise from his subconscious, hurried steps. However, their minding, odd looks and whispers are lost in him. He has only a single prodding focus: to see if she's okay.

After being hallways, twists, and turns away, he had arrived behind the closed door. He stood only an arm's length away, a knock away from fate. And, yet, as eager as he was to get there, his hand remained ghosted over the doorknob. He is at the mercy of a phantom fire in his chest, one that draws a cold sweat, divulges the sound of his heart.

But, before regret emerges from his hesitance, he hears the sound of approaching footsteps- they stop, abruptly, just meters away.

Shit.

"You lookin' to pick a fight here or something?" Comes a voice, suspicious and low, but Sting keeps his eyes trained ahead at an opportunity missed.

He scowls, hand retreating to the depths of his pocket, "Went for a walk. Got lost."

His company lets out a scoff of his own as Sting takes his leave. "Better find your way back, soon. Wouldn't want to risk a forfeit."

Sting, with narrowed eyes, finds a jacket-less Gray, who had a rather unimpressed look on his face and a familiar bag slung over his shoulder- it's hers, he recognizes. The sight of him is a jab at Sting's pride, an incitement of bitterness.

"Forfeit," He repeats, tersely, "that's the only way you Fairies will win against me."

Gray only responds a breathy noise, slight with amusement. There's no way Natsu will get his ass handed to him to the likes of Sting, he thinks.