Walking back through the guildhall was embarrassing,  to say the least, after Laxus very public outburst. Sting was fuming, whereas you were in the middle of a complete breakdown. Laxus had never been this mad at you before and it was honestly the worst feeling in the world. Then on top of that, your grandfather was so disappointed he couldn't even fake his typically optimistic attitude. Not to sound like a brat, but you didn't even think it was possible to push Laxus to this point. Sure he got irritated with you at times, but nothing like this.

A few people looked as if they were going to try to console you, but that was the last thing you wanted right now. Sting could tell how you were feeling, despite feeling his boiling rage, so he kept a strong grip on your hand as he pulled you towards the exit. He made no hesitation to continue forward, even when you two heard the heavy wooden doors open again behind you.

"WAIT!" The very familiar voice of your best friend yelled out. Sting slowed, glancing at you to gauge your reaction. A slight nod was all it took for him to let go of your hand, allowing you the opportunity to turn towards Cana. "I know you need some space right now, but I just needed to say something before you go." She says, walking down the stairs towards you. "Laxus was an ass. He usually is. I hope you know that no one inside that guild feels that way. I doubt Laxus himself even does. So don't be embarrassed, or feel weird in any way. We're all here for you in any way, especially me." Her arms brought you into a tight embrace that let you know her words were genuine.

"Thanks, Cana." Letting go of her as you look back at Sting, who was trying to pretend as if he was not to be listening. "I just want some time to chill out for a bit. Think things over. I'll text you soon. One favor though?" Cana nodded and you continued, "If you see Laxus will you-"

"-tell every detail right away." She finished your thought. "I was already planning on it." One last look was shared between the two of you before she turned and headed back towards the guild doors. Stopping at the doors she turned around one more time, yelling out and causing Sting to do the same. "I hope you know what you're doing Loverboy."

"Me too." He yelled out. "Me too.."

The two of you made your way to a small empty park on the outskirts of town. Sitting down by the fountain, hoping it could provide a little relaxation while you collect your thoughts, you began to replay the events of the day in your head. Sting appeared to be doing the same for a while. Although you sat comfortably against Sting's chest, you were having a hard time enjoying it. After about half an hour, he spoke up snapping you out of your thoughts.

"Are you ok?" He asked, unsure if he wanted to know the real answer to that.

"I don't know." You scoffed at the situation, playing with his fingers that were intertwined with your own. "I feel like I don't know anything anymore." Sting took in a sharp breath that you were able to feel. Turning your head slightly to see his face, his expression was unreadable and he was staring intently at the ground beside him.

"Do you regret it?" He asked suddenly, not turning to look at you as he did.

"What?! No." You blurted our leaning up to look at him better. His eyes closed, but he didn't turn to look at your shocked reaction. "Why would you ask me that? Do... Do you? Do you regret it?" You asked, voice beginning to crack as you feel yourself starting to panic.

"Of course I don't." He quickly looked at you as he answered, but dropped eye contact as he finished. "Maybe it's possible that you do though. I have had longer to think about it than you did. Maybe I rushed you into it. Maybe this time Electro-Ass Hat is right."

"You sound like you regret it." you mumbled out, playing with your still intertwined hands.

"YOU SOUND LIKE YOU REGRET IT." he yelled out in immediate response.

"What? I do not!" you yell back.

"You have barely spoken a word until now. Then the first thing out of your mouth was 'I don't know about anything anymore' so what am I supposed to think?" Sting voices his frustration.

That entire time you were lost in your thoughts you didn't think once about how Sting felt. The thoughts consuming you were selfish. Why is this happening to me? It's been one day and so far you're proving to be a horrible mate. Realizing this hurt just as much, if not more than what happened back at the guild. Instantly tears start to fall, and you cling to Sting. "I am so sorry Sting. I'm a horrible mate. I didn't realize I was coming off that way."

"It's ok. Really." he cooed, hugging you back and running a hand through your hair. "I wasn't asking you because of that. I was asking to make sure you still want this as bad as I do. There's no going back anyway, I can't remove the mark, but at the same time I refuse to force you into anything."

"Sting, I promise you, this mark that is a part of you, is the only thing I am happy about in my life right now. I wouldn't change anything between us. Now now, not ever." you assure him.

"Good. I don't know if I could have handled letting you go." he says as he leaned down and connected your lips. The kiss made your heart flutter and your mark begin to tingle. Intoxicating as it was, it left you craving more, but you weren't up for a repeat of earlier just yet. As if Sting could feel it as well, he pulled away, holding you in his arms like he did at the start of the conversation.

"Look, I know you're upset because of your family, but there's some good in this after all. Cheer up. I don't want to spend the last of my time here watching you look so sad." he says trying to lighten the mood a little.

"Easy for you to say. You're going home! No tension, no drama. Meanwhile, I will be here with all eyes on me, ALONE." you scoff out. 

"Come with me." Sting replied as if it was the most obvious answer in the world.

"W-What?" you ask looking at him like he's crazy.

"Come to Sabertooth with me." he repeated, with his goofy signature grin plastered on his face.

"I'm a member of another guild. I can't just come crash at your guild," you reply back seriously. "It's rude."

"I'm the Guild Master. I'll allow it." he smirked back.

"Well, yeah, but that doesn't make it more acceptable to everyone else in your guild." you reply.

"You have stayed with me before," he began to question, "so what's so different now?"

"I was worried about it then too!" you laugh out a little. "But this time it's not exactly a quick, carefully planned out visit. They wouldn't even have a heads up."

"It's fine." he said, leaning in for a quick kiss again, almost causing you to lose your train of thought. "I'm the Guild Master. I wouldn't do something to harm them in any way, and they know and trust that. They're my family, therefore in a way, they're yours too."

"Sting, I don't know..." you reply nervously.

"You can leave whenever you are ready., but stay as long as you truly wish to. Don't worry about anyone but you. Please, as your mate, I'm asking you to trust me."