[Inspired by "Talk" by Khalid; let's remember to communicate openly with each other to work out our problems and avoid misunderstandings]

The baby was finally asleep. Exhausted, you flop onto your side of the king-sized bed in your bedroom -- the baby monitor on your nightstand to warn you of any commotion in the baby's room.

You silently prayed there would be no noise for at least another hour.

That's all you needed -- an hour of sleep. God can at least give you that, can't He? People can function off an hour of sleep, right?

Wanting to take advantage of the quietness, you curled up in bed. However, your mind couldn't help but recall the events of this morning now that things were calm.

| Flashback |

You woke up because you felt someone kissing your neck. It's not like you had to think too hard about who it was.

There literally should only be one person that you share a bed with and that should be kissing you at 8 o'clock in the morning.

Your husband Sting Eucliffe, guildmaster of the Sabertooth wizards guild and newly appointed father to your infant daughter.

"You awake?" His deep, groggy voice reached your ears as he spoke in between kisses. His hands were at your waist, gently rubbing circle as to not wake you up too forcefully.

"How can I not be?" You replied, your voice just as tired. You felt your husband's mouth curve into either a smile or a smirk -- you weren't sure. Your gut told you what his actions were leading to and you weren't really in the mood for it. "Not that I don't appreciate the affection," You began, "but if you're looking to take things further, I'm too tired right now, Sting."

His reaction said everything.

While he did cease all modes of affection-giving and murmured a reluctant, "ok," he still made a sound of displeasure as he withdrew.

"Guess I better head to the guild." He changed the subject rather quickly. In the past, he would whine and throw a mini tantrum like a child. He was very needy sometimes.

Was he maturing or just upset?

He rolled out of bed and shuffled around the room to grab a change of clothes before heading to the shower.

"Sting." You called before he closed the door. Lately, you two barely saw each other. He was busy as a guildmaster, completely stacks of paperwork and attending conferences that he had to travel to. And you were busy with a newborn. She practically cried all night long, which resulted in you trying to sleep during the day.

You hadn't been to the guild because of this.

Lector would leave with Sting and hang out with Rogue and his exceed at the guild.

You felt all alone. You knew in your head that Sting was busy -- he wasn't just ditching you with the baby. However, your heart still yearned for him to be by your side. Also, you just wanted to be away from your baby for at least a day.

Just one day without crying or screaming.

To be honest, it felt like you were raising the baby on your own with how often Sting was gone.

Sting grunted in response to let you know he heard you, so you continued, "Do you have to go to the guild today? Can you take the day off, please?"

"I can't do that, (Y/N)." He sighed, exiting the bathroom and moving closer to the bed without getting back in. He ran a hand through his blond hair. "There's still so many documents to sign and look over. If I don't get them done, I'll be behind." He said.

"I understand that, but," You sat up and turned to face him. "I just want some help . . with the baby, that is."

"And I'd like some help with my work too." He grumbled with a scowl on his face, "Guess we're both stuck."

Your facial expression now matched his. There was no reason to be so grumpy and snap at you. "I know you're stressed, Sting, but don't take it out on me." You said.

"I'm just saying," He rambled on, unleashing some pent up frustration. "you're not the only one working their tail off. Stacks of papers that never end. Conferences where I'm constantly on the move and listening to a bunch of old people talk about rules to follow. And dealing with any mistakes the members make, not to mention overseeing the budget. In fact, I'd say that I'm working harder than you!"

"Excuse me?" You replied, triggered by that last statement. "This is not about who's working harder, but helping each other out. Besides, we barely get to see each other and when we do, it's just you trying to sleep with me!"

"YOU'RE MY WIFE!" Sting replied, his voice raised. "I'd think it'd be wonderful that my spouse still wants to sleep with me!"

"THAT'S NOT THE POINT!" You shouted back.

"Whatever," He snapped before you could continue. His voice was back to normal but still held frustration. "I can't with you right now." He walked back to the bathroom and slammed the door shut.

Then you heard the sounds of crying from the baby monitor.

|End of Flashback|

You haven't spoken to him since. To be honest, you weren't sure that you wanted to.

"I can't with you right now."

It wasn't just the words themselves, but how he said them and the look on his face that hurt the most. In that moment, it was like he was irritated by your presence.

You remember crying tears of frustration earlier as you tended to your child.

Is this what your life was going to be like from now on? Constantly fighting and raising your daughter on your own?

If that was going to be the case, you'd rather be a single mother. At least then, you wouldn't have to deal with constant fighting because you wouldn't have a spouse.

You felt a headache trying to emerge, so you thought it'd be best to go to sleep for now. Or, at least, you would have but you heard a door open and close.

Sting was home.

You heard his footsteps get louder as he came closer and closer to the bedroom. He entered the room, gently closing the door behind him.

"(Y/N)?" He called, trying to see if you were asleep since your back was facing him.

". . ."

You remained quiet, not ready to face him. Maybe if he thinks you're sleep, he'll go away.

You heard him shuffle around for a minute before you felt the bed dip. Sting crawled toward your still body and peered over into your face. You weren't expecting that, so you didn't have time to close your eyes.

"(Y/N), can we talk, please?" He said. His face and tone were much softer than this morning.

"I'm tired, Sting." You dismissed, closing your eyes and showing him that you, indeed, intend to go to sleep.

"Look," He shifted his position to sit on the bed with his legs crisscrossed. He stared down into his lap. "I know you're mad." He said, "You have every right to be. I was stressed and frustrated earlier and you were right -- I was taking it out on you. I shouldn't have said what I said. I'm sorry and I'll do whatever I have to, to make it up to you. I know you've been dealing with the baby by yourself all this time and I feel like a crappy Dad. I swear I'll try to help more. I don't want you to be mad at me."

Silence filled the room for what felt like hours (it was only a minute).

"That means a lot, Sting." You finally said, not changing your position. "I hope you know that I wasn't trying to devalue your work. I just . . . . I missed you."

"I know." He replied. "I missed you too and I love you. I love you so much that it drives me crazy sometimes. I never want to leave your side and I want to grow old with you and love you until we die. Please let me make this up to you." He was begging. Sting had officially gone into begging mode.

You turned to face him and when you saw his face, your heart screamed for him. His eyes were filled to the brim with tears that had yet to fall. His cheeks were also pink from all the emotions he was feeling.

"What did you have in mind?" You asked, taking him up on his offer.

Your husband was so happy that he threw himself on top of you, smashing his face into your chest. His tears rolled down his cheeks and stained your shirt as he inhaled your unique scent like he was inhaling a drug.

"Rogue will cover for me at the guild and Yukino and Minerva agreed to watch the baby tonight." He finally said.

"Tonight?" You repeated.

"Yep." He used his arms to hold himself up as he looked down at you. A huge grin was spread across his face. "Let's go out tonight, (Y/N)!"

And thus, tonight was now a date night for you and Sting. This also became a regular thing to avoid arguments like this from happening again. You both were able to take a brief break from your stressors and focus on each other.

It helped you two fall in love with each other all over again.