R e c a p

As the (f/c) Mermaid Heel stamp was placed on your (b/p), you couldn't help but smile.

So this is my new family?

------------------------------

It's been a good three months since you joined Mermaid Heel. You made friends with everyone, your closest friends being Milliana and Beth. You were a happy camper... Kind of. Sting was persistent, coming over with Lector, and even Rogue and Frosch. You absolutely refused to talk to them, making petty excuses to Milliana or Beth when they told you to speak to him. You kept in touch with your closer friends, like Levy, Lucy, Erza, Mira and Yukino. Whenever they brought up the Sting subject, you either changed the subject or excused yourself from the conversation.

BZZT!

BZZT!

"Hold on, I'll be right back." You excused yourself from the conversation with Beth and Risley, going over to the communication lacrima.

"(Y/N)-Chan!" The familiar white haired girl from Sabertooth greets you, a smile on her face.

"Hey, Yukino!" You greet back, "So, is it possible to set up a get together sometime with the others? I've kind of got my hands full at the moment."

"Hm? Sure!" She hesitates, "Uh.. How about we meet at the 8-Island Cafe later? Maybe.. 1:30-ish?"

You nod, "Thanks, see you then!"

"Bye!"

You walk back over to the tent you shared with your team. You were out on a job, and you were heading back to the nearby town to claim your reward.

-elsewhere-

"(Y/N)-Chan doesn't wanna see you!!" The cat-girl tries shutting the door on the blond dragon slayer as he forces it to stay open. "Besides, she's on a job with Risley and Beth!!"

"Sting-Kun, you should probably stop, it's been a few months now." Lector comments sadly, looking down.

-later-

Yukino had become good friends with Erza, Lucy, Levy and Mirajane after you left, since you regularly gathered together every week or so. At this moment in time, she was heading over to Fairy Tail to tell them that they'd arranged a meeting—a girls' day out of sorts.

As the group sat in a random table, the redhead speaks. "Maybe we should invite Sting."

"What?" The busty blond (yes, I called her busty. Sue me.) asks, shocked. "But (Y/N--"

"Lu-Chan, it's been three months. She needs to talk to him at some point," the bluenette comments, perking up from her book.

"I know, but how would we do that?" Lucy asks again.

"I'll arrange it!" The white haired she-devil proclaims. "Anything to sail my ship!"

"We can do this," The celestial Mage of Sabertooth inquires. "For (Y/N)!"

They cheered in response, gaining strange looks from the rest of the guild.

-back to you and yo' squad-

"We're home~!" You shout, opening the doors to your beloved guild.

"(N/N)-Chan!" Milliana squeals, "I've been wanting some special cookies all day!"

Her eyes sparkle as she fantasizes of your homemade treats.

"Sorry, but you can only have a bit. I'm meeting with the girls later today." You smile sympathetically.

"But it still means I can have some?" She asks, grinning. You nod, and her sparkling eyes remain sparkling nonetheless. (Grammar..?)

-later-

"Milli-Chan!" You hand the said girl the plate of cookies and a milkshake. "Here you go, I have to leave now- bye!"

"Arigato, (N/N)-Chan! Say hi to Er-Chan for me!" She waves, taking a bite of the cookie.

"And for me as well!" Kagura adds from somewhere to your left.

-yes, another time skip-

"I've got fire for a heart, I'm not scared of the dark, you've never seen it look so easy," you sing softly, smiling. (SHOUT OUT TO WHOEVER GUESSES THE SONG!) "I've got a river for a soul, and baby you're a boat, baby you're my only reason~!"

You stop, spotting the cafe in the distance. Levy waves at you, and you grin, running over.

"Hey guys!" Your voice is slightly drowned out by the numerous other conversations, but they hear you nonetheless.

"Table for seven, please." Mira flashes her signature grin as she talks to the server. You walk to the table and sit down.. Then it hits you.

"Aren't there only six of us?" You ask. You see Levy mumble something. "Wh-what?" You stammer, looking at their strange expressions.

"Hey, guys." That voice. It's him. Sting.

"No." You glance at his face, locking your (e/c) orbs with his dark blue ones for a moment. "No, guys, we talked about this." You state quickly. You try to get up, but there's a barrier around the table. You glance at Levy, who gives you an apologetic look.

"Sit down, Sting." Erza states kindly. He does so and she gestures to you. "You too, (Y/N)."

As the feeling of being near him constricts your heart slowly, you try to breathe, ignoring his glances while you look out the window.

"Hey guys, what would you li- Oh.." At one word, you recognize Evergreen's voice. "(Y/N), are you okay...?"

"M'fine. I'd like the usual please, Ever." You mumble loud enough for her to hear.

"You." points Evergreen. "Hurt her again, and you'll regret it." She taps Sting's forehead with her pen before using it to scribble down your order. "Now, are you guys gonna eat for real or do you want popcorn for this?" She gestures to you and Sting.

Levy, Lucy and Yukino sweat drop before ordering, while Erza and Mirajane say in unison, "I'll take popcorn."

There's a few minutes of silence, the noise of dishes clattering and soft voiced conversations being the only audible thing.

"(Y/N), I was under a spell." Sting states blatantly. "That day, I-"

"I'm glad you figured it out." You say, taking a deep breath. There was a soft gasp or two.

"You knew..?" Sting asks softly. "Then.. Why? Why did you shut me out..?"

You keep your gaze out the window, watching couples walk around, their hands locked, while families play in the park. Your heart ached, a panting feeling in your chest as it got harder and harder to breathe. You were having trouble seeing, with the tears in your eyes. You try to breathe normally, letting a few tears slip out.

"I know you still love him, (Y/N)." Levy whispers, her gaze on your broken-hearted form.

"I... I can't get that scene out of my head..." you murmur, turning. You face him, your tear filled eyes meeting his sad, desperate ones. "I'm trying..."

Sting whispers your name, pained by your current state.

"I'm trying, but I can't.." You break down as Sting instinctively wraps his arms around you. You try pushing him away, but you're weakened while your tears continue to pour. He holds you tighter as you continue to murmur, "I'm trying my hardest, Sting.."

A/N - I murdered myself when I wrote that..

Apparently listening to Nightcore versions of love songs helps when you write..?

Also, I'm a bit behind. I stay up until at least 1am, writing, because I spend a lot of time on wattpad, but I went to a friend's party, and I stayed there until like, 11:50-ish and when I got home, I just... Flopped onto the bed. I immediately fell asleep. (Which is rare) so, I'm a bit behind on my stories and if you read them, the updates'll be a bit late. Sorry!

~Em