So apologetic xD That's what I picture Sting when he asks..well, you'll know when you continue reading!

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~Jessie's P.O.V.~

I was woken up by the sun's warm rays. I yawned, and tried to lift my arms to rub the sleep off of my eyes, but I felt my arms wrapped around something warm and...muscular? I stiffened as I remembered what happened yesterday. I slowly opened my eyes to see Sting softly snoring. It was then that I realized that I was leaning on him.

        Why did I lean on him? The reasoning escaped me, but for some reason, I'm glad I did it. He looks so cute sleeping..wait, what?! Get yourself together Jessie! I scolded myself. I slowly took my arms off of him, as to not wake him up. He slightly stirred and muttered something sleepily, but was still asleep. Once I was sure that I was in the clear, I stood up and stretched. Might as well go find something to eat before he wakes up.. I thought to myself. I went deeper into the forest in search of some food.

        As I walked, my mind went back to what happened yesterday. I remembered telling him something while I was leaning on him. At first I couldn't remember what it was, but then recollection hit me and I groaned out loud. Why did I tell him that? It's not like he cares....right? I shook my head and continued searching for some food.

        It wasn't long until I found some bushes that had edible berries on them. I carefully picked one of the red berries and popped one into my mouth. T-these are incredibly sweet! I was quite surprised at the sudden invasion of the sugary taste bursting in my mouth. I picked more for me and Sting and returned to the "campsite."  When I returned, Sting was still sleeping peacefully. I set the berries next to the burned pile of woods. As I popped some in my mouth, I saw Sting slowly wake up. "Finally awake Sleepyhead?" I smirked as he rubbed his eyes.

~Sting's P.O.V.~

When I woke up, the first thing I saw was Jessie popping some red berries into her mouth. She still had the hair clip I gave her on, my mind noticed right off the bat. "Morning Sleepyhead," she greeted me when she noticed I was awake.

"Morning," I muttered. She tossed me a red berry.

"It's really sweet, you should try it," she said as she popped another one in her mouth. I squinted my eyes and scrutinized every detail about the smooth red berry, but soon I shrugged and threw it in the air and caught it in my mouth.

"Wow, this is unbelievably sweet!" I exclaimed as sweetness bursted in my mouth. "What kind of berry is it?" Jessie shrugged.

"I don't know, but I know for sure it's edible," she replied. I walked up to her and sat by her side, taking a handful of the red berries. As I ate the berries with her, I was gathering courage to ask her.

        What are you so worried about? Just ask her! I thought in my mind. "Um, why're looking at me like that?" Jessie tilted her head at me and frowned, making me snap back to reality. I then realized that I had been staring at her.

"I-I um..." I stuttered. "I n-need to, ask you something.."

"Yes??"

"D-do you, um, f-forgive me?" I asked, looking down, "for what I had done..?"  Her eyes widened, and she dropped the red berry she was about to eat. "Y-you don't have to say you do but..." I added hastily.

        Suddenly, out of nowhere, Jessie wrapped her arms around me. "What're you—?!" I sputtered out of shock, but no other words would come out as a warm feeling spread throughout my body through the embrace. S-so warm... I thought to myself, slowly burying my face into Jessie's intoxicating scent.

"I don't know why you did what you did Sting.." Jessie whispered, "but knowing that you regret what you did is enough for me...to forgive you." I could feel tears dripping down my face as I heard her say her forgiveness.

"I'm sorry.." I blurted out without thinking as the tears started streaming down my cheeks. "I'm sorry!"

"I know you are," she murmured soothingly, "and I forgive you." 

        For a couple minutes, we stayed in that position, and she let me cry all the tears I had been holding back. I had to admit, it felt good to do that. However, knowing that she forgave me, despite of all the things I did, felt better than anything I could imagine, almost like a huge weight has lifted off of my shoulders. When I cried all the tears that were never shed from over the years, we slowly walked to Fairy Tail. We took some of the red berries too.

        When we arrived at the guild, Jessie slowly opened the doors. "We're back!" she said cheerfully, but her greeting wasn't heard by many as there wasn't a lot of people in the guild. The only people in the guild I saw were Mira-san, Lexi, Rogue, Frosch, and Lector.

"Welcome back!" greeted Mira with a bright smile. Lexi and Lector almost immediately flew to us when they saw us.

"I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD!!" Lexi cried, who was already sobbing. She slammed right into Jessie, who smiled and picked her Exceed up in her arms and stroked her head.

"You know it takes more than that to get rid of me," Jessie chuckled.

"I'm sorry I couldn't help you Sting-kun!" sobbed Lector. I crouched down and petted his brown head.

"Don't worry about it," I grinned. "I rather you be safe." Rogue came up to me and Jessie.

"So I take it you two beat the old man?" grinned Rogue.

"Nah, it was mostly Jessie," I corrected. I looked at Jessie and frowned. A flash of sadness swept through her aqua blue eyes. "Something wrong?" I asked, suddenly worried. She smiled and shook her head.

"Nope, you're right, you made me do all the work," she mockingly pouted, making me smile. Rogue smiled at me.

"So I'm guessing something good happened last night?" He whispered in to my ear, making me slightly blush.

"M-maybe," I whispered back, hoping he did not see the slight tint of pink on my cheeks, but, being my partner, he did.

"Hey, what's that in your hand?" asked Mira, who I hadn't noticed was right in front of me, examining the red berries in my hand.

"O-oh, just berries me and Jessie ate for breakfast," I answered. "Want some? They're incredibly sweet." A sly smile creeped onto Mira's lips.

"No thanks," she said. I gulped, knowing something was up.

"Hey Mira, do you know what berries these are?" asked Jessie curiously, noticing Mira's expression.

"Mm, maybe I do," she answered.

"Here, may I try one?" asked Lector. I nodded and gave him one of the berries. He popped one in to his mouth, and his lips puckered.

"S-so sour!" he exclaimed. I looked at him quizzically. Sour? I popped one in to my mouth, and it still tasted like the most sweetest thing I have ever tried.

"What're you talking about? It's very sweet!" I insisted. Did I give him a sour one?

"Here, I'll try one," said Rogue as he took one from my hand and ate it. "It's sort of sour, but a little bit sweet."

"What're you talking about? It's totally sour!" whined Lector. I looked at Mira, who still had that sly smile on.

"Do you know something about this?" I asked suspiciously.

"I don't know anything," she said innocently, but everyone did not believe her.

"Hey, Sting, we have to go back to the guild now," said Rogue as he looked at a clock hanging on the guild walls. "Don't forget your the guild master." I nervously glanced at Jessie.

"What're you looking at me for Master Sting?" she giggled, and I slightly relaxed.

"You know, if you want...you could come back to Sabertooth and be the right Master," I suggested. She grinned and shook her head.

"No, I think you're a better Master than I'll ever be," she said with a broad smile. "Besides, I think it would be too awkward to rejoin Sabertooth. Just say hi to all the old members for me." I nodded and gave her one last hug.

"Might be late to say it, but happy birthday," I said before leaving. Jessie smiled and waved goodbye, and we waved back.

"Well, that was one heck of a trip," I said, still smiling.

"No kidding," chuckled Rogue.