A/N: HEYY FOOLS!! I AM BACKKK! I know it's been a while, and I apologize!! I'm slow as all-around hell, and school has been stressful! No matter how stressful and terrible my life turns, I promise I'll finish both my books! I love you guys too much for that (:

Andddd, I have a certain shout out for my fabulous friend Onii-chan101 ❤❤

They just wrote a Fairy Tail fanfiction called "Forgive and NEVER Forget", and it's about darling Lucy! I suggest you go read because it's so far amazing! And I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

Thank you guys so much for reading! I can't thank you enough for all your support and kindness! You guys make me feel accepted and wanted! And I hope you guys feel welcome here! I notice all of you, and you all make me so happy!

~So I hope you enjoy my lovely strawberry cakes!~ (; ❤❤

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Lucy blinked blearily, her brain muddled from sleep. But when her mind snapped to attention, she wished she had never awoken. Sleep was an escape, a way to avoid the pain she felt when her mind was actually awake. She wished it would just disappear...But, that was only a wish. She doubted this gut-wrenching pain would ever subside or disperse. It would stick to her like glue, for she surmised that the pain of Fairy Tail’s betrayal would never leave her.

It would be there forever, a constant reminder of who she had lost and how foolish she had been. Lucy watched as Pegasus strutted forward, and the villagers who resided in Sabertooth’s city were curiously gazing at her. Children cooed and pointed at the majestic being,

Normally, Lucy would find it adorable. But not today; she didn’t think she’d find something adorable again. Her heart was in turmoil, and she didn’t find joy in anything anymore.

She laid her head down against Pegasus’s soft supple white coat, her mind comforted by the steady warmth that was emitted. She just needed five more minutes. Five more minutes of peace before everything would be amuck again. Her eyes drearily fluttered, and she fell into a light slumber.

All too soon, a hand was shaking her awake, whispering soothing encouragements. Lucy sniffed and tried to pretend she was still asleep. It was Loke prodding her, and the last thing she wanted to do was talk. Loke would gaze at her with pity-glazed eyes and a sad sympathetic frown. She adored her spirits...including Loke, but...she didn’t want to see anyone. Despite Virgo’s advice to join Sabertooth, Lucy was hesitant. Would they just end up the same? Would everyone there pretend to like her, but truly despise her? Would they all betray her in the end?

Lucy finally caved and faced Loke, and the lion spirit nearly ran back to Fairy Tail in an angry fit to beat up the members. She looked so broken...so lost. Loke’s heart reached out for her. Despite what she believed, he had a good feeling about Sabertooth. He had a pleasant feeling about Sting. He didn’t think he’d hurt her. That boy deserved a shot, and Loke had an inkling that he would cure Lucy’s, broken heart.

And that’s all he wanted for Lucy. Even if he had to forcefully carry her through the Sabertooth doors, he would help her mend her heart. If he wasn’t enough to do that, then he knew they’d have to make her go to Sting. The alternative option wasn’t better; in fact, it was a lot worse. She’d probably turn cold...like so many wizards before her. And that was the last thing he wanted. She was too kind-hearted for that. He had to protect that innocence, that sweet-nature. And so far, he had done a really shitty job. He had failed her.               
“Lucy…” Loke whispered cautiously, his eyes begging for her to open up to him. Lucy was afraid. Afraid because she wanted to open up; she wanted to be held in his arms until all the pain leached away. But...she couldn’t. And it killed her inside. She couldn’t forget what happened, what trusting people had done to her.

“Please...Lu...I know it hurts...I get it. But please...don’t close us out. I know they hurt you. Hell, they destroyed you. But, we would never do that to you! We’re with you until the end!” Loke exclaimed, his eyes somber and his voice offended.

“Please don’t think we’re suddenly going to betray you...like I’m going to betray you. Cause I would never!” Loke grips her hand.

Lucy’s eyes lighten, and despite her best efforts, she engulfs him in a hug.

“Oh, Loke!” She cried. “What would I do without you…”

“I’m sorry I’ve been so...distant...I’ve just been trying to cope…” She glances up at him with a sad smile. “Why does it have to hurt so much Loke? Why...why can’t I ever seem to be happy?”

Loke clutched her tighter, his larger body doing its best to comfort her trembling form.

“I don’t know Lucy...I just don’t know…” He rubbed her back. “But what I do know, is that you deserve happiness...and we’re going to make everything better again. No matter how long it takes. And, the first step to that is for you to see Sting.”

Lucy sighed but didn’t argue. She instead snuggled her head into his black jacket and wished everything was just a dream. That she’d wake up in Laxus’s arms and all her friends would be at the guild, waiting for her. But...that was only a dream. Something that seemed impossible now. Her reality was much crueler.

When Loke suddenly pulled away, Lucy tried to cling to him. She wasn’t ready. She didn’t want to face reality.

He shot her a stern glance.

“Lucy…” He said in a warning voice. She chuckled nervously, her voice shaky.

“You have to do this...” And before she could protest, Loke disappeared in a golden light. She almost fell over. And before she could ask Pegasus to fly her somewhere, he vanished as well.

“Damn pushy spirits…” Lucy grumbled. She sighed, her gaze dragging over to the colossal Sabertooth building. The sleek cherry wood doors were intimidating, standing twice as tall as her.

She swallowed thickly, pushing courage into her limbs. A courage that didn’t exist. But, courage was something she desperately needed. She meekly pushed the large heavy-set doors open. And when she stepped inside, it was almost astonishing how quickly Sting noticed her presence. Even though he was guild master, he was sitting with Rogue at the bar. Lucy imagined he was avoiding paperwork. And when her scent wafted through the room, first Sting’s head swung in her direction, and then Rogue’s.

And Sting’s face...Lucy swore his expression made a part of her broken heart flutter. He stared over at her, his face lighting up like it was Christmas morning. His face had a wide grin spread across his features, a sweet boyish grin that made her feel like happiness could exist again. His stunning blue eyes were filled with adoration and love- though, Lucy didn’t see it.

Sting rushed towards her, and Lucy barely had time to think before she was in his arms, being twirled in a circle. Without even having to fake it, a smile appeared on her features. She giggled without even trying, the sound being coaxed out of her merely by the silly smile on his face and his cute actions.

“Blondie!” He exclaimed happily, and Lucy almost forgot everything about Fairy Tail. There was just something intoxicating about him, something so deep about his blue eyes that made her just want to drown in their depths.

But then, she saw Laxus. Sting's messy unkempt hair slowly faded into cropped blonde hair, and his gorgeous bluebell eyes slowly changed into Laxus's sharp and intelligent azure irises. Laxus..a man who she had loved as she had never loved before. Before him, she hadn’t known she could love someone that much. Sting noticed the shift of her expression.

“Bl-Lucy?” He asked more seriously, setting her down. Lucy couldn’t take it anymore. He was so kind...so warm. Like actual light, he was inviting. He fought back the darkness, and when he looked at her so sincerely, so tenderly, she couldn’t take it anymore. She broke down.

And when tears began to bud in her eyes, Sting froze.

“S-Sting…” She whispered. “It happened again…” And with that, her tears advanced, brimming her eyes like the beginnings of a rainstorm.

He looked at her for a moment, before he scooped her up into his arms, and she didn’t protest. Now he knew for sure that something was wrong. The Lucy he loved would have whacked him and told him to set her down.

Everyone watched as their guild master rushed up to his office, the famously strong blonde from Fairy Tail clutched in his arms.

When they reached his office, he carefully placed her on a plush loveseat, before sitting next to her. He faced her with a worried expression. Watching tears trail down her face like miniature waterfalls was a painful sight. He gingerly reached out, his fingers brushing the tears that littered her face away.

“Luce...what happened?” He questioned earnestly, his eyes begging for her to let him in. As if the reminder of what happened was too much, Lucy began to sob harder. He decided he had to do something; anything.

He hugged her to his chest, her golden hair splayed out, framing her face. He didn’t push for answers and just held her. He knew that was what she needed. She needed someone to hold her and tell her things were going to be alright.

“S-Sting…” She croaked out. He listened carefully, stopping his soothing reassurances.

“It...It was Fairy Tail...they...they didn’t...didn’t want me anymore...” Lucy whimpered out, her voice a shallow, broken whisper.

Sting froze. They couldn’t have...they wouldn’t do that to her again...would they? Break an already fragile heart? How could they? Sting felt blinding, white-hot rage fill him from head to toe.

“What...what did they do?” He inquired in a suddenly angry and cold tone. His grip on her tightened, and he buried his face into the crook of her neck. He inhaled her sweet fragrance if only to remind himself to stay calm.

“They…” She swallowed. “They told me they never wanted me there...that it was all an act. Laxus...he-he…” She shudders in fear of the memory.

“He made out with Mira in front of me, and told me he’d never love someone as weak and worthless as me…”

“Lucy…” Sting was speechless. How could they be so cruel? How could they do that to someone as kind as Lucy? All she had ever done was be nice to them, and this is what she got in return? Sting was so enraged, he nearly gave in to his urges and went to Fairy Tail to murder them all.

“Everyone...everyone I thought were my friends...they called me names. Like a bitch, a slut, a whore, useless, weak, annoying, a waste of space...someone even told me to go kill myself since no one wants me…” She chuckled darkly, and Sting did not like the way her face turned malevolent. He ran his fingers through her silky hair and watched as Lucy’s expression cleared and she smiled tenderly up at him.

“Nothing they said is true…” Sting pulled away to gaze into her eyes. She avoided his glance, but he grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him.

“I hope you know that, Lucy...I have never met a more sweet, brave, or intelligent person. You made me a better person. And I don’t care what any of those Fairies said.”

Lucy still stared sullenly at him.

“But...Sting...what did I do wrong? Why did I make them so angry?” She whispered, a sob threatening to wrack her body again.

He pulled her into a hug once more, wrapping his arms around her.

“You did nothing wrong, princess...and I promise, we’ll get them back, okay? I let them off the hook the first time since you forgave them...but this time…”

“I’m going to give them hell. They’re going to wish they never messed with you, Lucy. Because if they mess with you, then they’re messing with me too.” Sting sounded so angry, so upset on her behalf, that Lucy couldn't help but ask; why did he care? Why did he stay with her when everyone else was gone? Why was he so sweet to her?

Lucy suddenly leaned away from him, a curious expression on her face.

“Why do you care so much?” She whispered, her voice threatening to crack. He didn’t answer at first.

“Why, Sting? Why are you so kind to me? Even when we’re just friends, you’re willing to do so much for me….” Lucy mumbled, her eyes downcast. She remembered Virgo's words.

'That boy has been in love with you for like forever!'

Sting smiled at her abruptly, the sad, small smile appearing on his face truthful and sincere.

“It’s because I love you, Lucy. I’ve loved you from the day you walked into my life. You and your sassy attitude, that made me second guess myself. You’re the person who inspired me to try to be a better person.”