#rokino

A gentle chuckle bubbled from Sting, very nonchalant in his movements. “Lector is so lazy, I have to do everything for him. Leave food out, bathe, and sometimes clothe the little guy.”

“That reminds me of a certain someone one,” a light chortle came from Rogue as he snidely commented, eyeing the blond beside him. Sting was indifferent toward everything except for fighting and the guild. He was surprised at how diligent of a guild master he had become, even if he slacked off on all their paperwork but that was his job. He had spent long hours working next to his best friend, he was better at the eloquence required with writing. When Sting tried his hand at writing it was a big mess of chicken scratch and jumbled ideas; and yet, Rogue was still glad the man tried.

Attending this meeting would hopefully solidify a new guild alliance, they had been trying for one for so many years. Finally there was light at the end of the tunnel since the events of Tartaros, the Magic Council had come around and better than ever. No more corrupt councilman or horrible policies. The guilds held more power than those who sat in their highchairs; those who were totally unaware of the daily activities and trials mages went through.

Sting gave his arm a light punch, his lip poking out in a small pout. “What’s that supposed ta mean?” Oh how oblivious the blond dragon slayer was at times.

Rogue grinned and shook his head, “It was nothing,” dodging the man’s attempt for clarification, “your exceed just reminds me of a certain person sometimes.”

The two came to the bustling platform of the train station, people running to and fro; a colony of bugs trying to escape from the world. Blue-capped and golden starred conductors yelling at those lingering on the side of the platform to move for those exiting the train. Others arguing with places for their bags or the mix up of such personal belongings. The scene brought another small smile to his face, the liveliness of the area moving through him.

Luckily he had bought their tickets beforehand. “Don’t worry about it, Sting. We have barely made it in time. Let’s hope there’s an open cabin.” Ever since his eruption at the guild, he had slowly calmed down on their walk. He couldn't tell if it was because of Frosch or Sting’s company. A peep hadn’t come from Sting about the words he said to Yukino, it made him surprised due to the blond’s nosy tendencies.

Giving the conductor their tickets, the two managed to push their way through the crowded carts to the back. It was rows upon rows of sleazy business men, sticky children and their grumbling mothers, teens who were looking for adventure. Smoke permeating through the first class cabins. Nothing ever seemed to change about them. Rogue was very grateful to be able to afford first class now. The smell of charred tobacco and ashes always tended to aggravate his sense, muddling them up.

Second class was much more normal, a nicer atmosphere than the chaotic cabins before. Still busy but in a much more structured and composed manner. The people were polite and let him and Sting slide through quickly.

Pushing through the last door they stepped through a threshold of absolute tranquility. The last cart was the only third class cabin, he thanked the gods that they were able to make it on time. Taking the roads would have stalled their arrival, but he knew Sting would have liked that much more than taking the train. Down the aisle was the last open cabin, the lush red carpet making his feet sink as he travelled further.

Once they settled in he glanced over Sting. They were on the train but Rogue felt like he was missing something, if only he could grasp it. Now that he thought of it, he slipped his hand into his pocket and thumbed over two hard candies. Melatonin and mint candied supplements; it would help them relax on their way to the conference.

This was the only thing missing for their trip. Pulling them out, he held one of the wrapped candies out to the blond. A small scowl formed on the holy dragon’s face, one that told him eating the candy would mean death. He always did this when he offered him one, Sting never liked the taste of mint. “If you don't take this you're going to regret it. You know you would rather suffer for five minutes than a couple hours.”

Begrudgingly the blond took it, the wrapper crinkling with excitement as it was unveiled from it's hold. Before he popped it into his mouth, Sting spitefully said, “You owe me a round of drinks later.” His face twisted with disgust, the slayer’s lips puckering as he sucked on the candy.

A small sigh escaped from Rogue’s mouth, he always had to act like a child. Why did he always have to throw tantrums over the smallest things. Sometimes Rogue almost expected him to start rolling on the floor bawling like a petulant child. Popping his own hardened sweet into his mouth, he dug through his bag flipping through numerous amounts of papers. This trip would be a good time to catch up on the Sabertooth guild’s paperwork. The piles of receipts, job request applications, and other various paperwork were endless; stacks as high as the ceiling sometimes.

A warm hand wrapped around his wrist asmall tingle of electricity jolted through him. Rogue’s hand froze, turning his attention to the man seated across from him. “Rogue, relax man. This trip is supposed to be like a vacation, not work away from home.”

Sting’s full lips curled into his signature smile, showing his rows of immaculate white teeth. The one he flashed whenever he was interested in someone -he shook his head at the thought. This was not something that he should be thinking about. Deep desires poked at his conscious mind, but he pushed the shadow away and pulled his hand from Sting’s.

“We're behind on paperwork no thanks to you. We won't stop for another 8 hours, I can get what I have with me completed in half that time.” He spoke mildly trying not to incite another fit from his guild master.

Abruptly Sting swiped the pack from Rogue, leaving him dismayed. “Fine, fine. I'll help you with it. We'll get it done so much faster,” the blond chattered quickly, pulling random files from the folder.

The shadow slayer scoffed and took the leather bag from him. Sting doing paperwork, that statement never existed until now. But if he wanted to help, who was he to say no. He couldn't help but poke at the blond, “Since when did you take the duty of being a guild master seriously?”

Light laughter erupted from the blond slayer, “I've always taken the role. Who do you think holds all the guild events? Or closes the guild up every night?” He continued to make rhetorical remarks, boosting his already inflated ego. He held his hand over his chest, exaggeration dripping in his voice,” Moi.”

His small monologue managed to make Rogue chuckle, despite his previous emotions toward the young guild master. The man was never punctual and always forgot dates and their times; he should have expected Sting wouldn't have been ready when the man walked into the guild hall.

“Might as well start on the tax forms then,” Rogue said deadpanned, flipping open the folder he had previously picked from the bag.

“You think I know how to fill out a tax form? No way in hell. I'll just work on damages,” the holy slayer rummaged through the files he had chosen, shoving those he didn't want back in the bag.

Another small chuckle came from the dark haired mage, he hadn't felt so light hearted in a while. Sting always had this effect on him, “I already know you're good at damaging things. Don't worry about the taxes, I'll handle them.”

Now it was the blond’s turn to laugh, Rogue’s chest fluttering. “You are right about that man.”

Rogue nodded and handed the man his favorite ballpoint pen. He never let anyone use it, not even Yukino but Sting insisted on using it always. Just as he, the holy dragon slayer liked the flow when he wrote -not that his writing was the most superb; it was mostly scrawled letters, careless just like Sting.

The duo got into the groove of things, silently filling out the forms. Occasionally having to answer a question inquired by the guild master. He should have already known these things but that was what Rogue was there for.

Propping open a new file mocha ones met his own, unbearably soft and sweet. Yukino’s picture was placed on the front, which was extremely odd. No one’s profile had been placed in any of the folders he had worked on previously.

Yukino was lain scandalously on a picnic blanket, the red squares making her pale skin pop. His girlfriend was clothed in a white bralette and pink mini-skirt which was too short for her own good. Her leg was positioned to show even more of her slender thighs. A golden “SW” logo printed in the corner of the picture so that it wouldn't mess with Yukino’s form. He had seen this before but he couldn't put his finger on it.  

For now he ignored the picture, looking over the papers closely, the paper was finely detailed with splotched of gold and silver -delicately etched into the parchment.Cursive letters looped finely onto the paper, so neatly written he couldn't believe his eyes. Rogue quickly thumbed through the rest of the papers and the one on top was the only one of such delicacy.

Red eyes roved over the paper, finally reading what its magnificence was for. Yet another ball, but for Socerer’s) Weekly. This was extremely odd, they never hosted events such as this but at least it explained the photograph of Yukino. Rogue certainly never expected they would either given their reputation. The agency was all gossiping reporters, haughty models, and mages with inflated egos (sounded like someone he knew). An event like this would turn their reputation around.

Although the letter was in Yukino’s name, she was allowed an entourage. Of course he would be going as her date, but then Sting would insist on coming. Rogue knew it would be something along the lines of “I'm the guild master and blah, blah, blah.” Then the finest lady of Sabertooth, Minerva, would come because such an event would need her presence. Sometimes he thought the two would be good for each other, their personalities matched so well. The only problem is that they were interested in the same sex.

Disaster would be sure to follow, how could they possibly be able to dodge it? Surely he would think of a plan at a better time, now he was focusing on the work at hand. He glanced over the various papers that followed -a long list of rules for the extravagant party. It went on and on, mostly specifying about the items that could be and could not be worn; for the illustrious hosts didn't want any fashion atrocities to be seen.

Not knowing much about the fashion culture itself, this didn't concern him much. All he worried about was the behavior of his guildmates, since they could all be a real pain in the ass.

A series of snaps was rapid fire in the dragon slayer’s ears. All he heard was ringing as he looked up at Sting, damn his ears for being so sensitive. “What do you want?” He was not the least bit of happy, Sting knew Rogue hated it whenever he made snapping noises.

“What are ya lookin at? You haven't worked on it at all since you opened it.” Blond hair shielded his vision when he tried to look back down at the paper.

Rogue swiped the paper away, his girlfriend’s picture falling to the carpet. “Keep your nose out of it, this is for Yukino.”

The blond swiped the picture up, his face scrunching in distaste. Blue eyes looked back and forth between the photograph and Rogue, his face slowly growing into a sneer. Emotions of confusion, envy, and most of all hurt were awash in his blue eyes. A storm of hatred unleashed from the depths of his blue orbs. Rogue didn't know how to feel any more.

“So you took a break to jack-off to your girlfriend?” He snarled, lifting the photo up for Rogue to view. Sting’s fingers were quivering with barely suppressed repulsion, clenching the photo as if it would grant him some release..

Rogue was taken back by his statement, Sting was crude but he never said anything so drastic. In the calmest voice possible the shadow slayer began to explain, “This folder was Yukino’s. I didn't realize until I opened it up and don't ask me why the photograph was in there. I have absolutely no clue.” He slowly slid the folder back into the black bag.

Sting crumpled the picture up, and  Rogue’s heart ached to see Yukino treated so poorly. “So what? Why do you have to take care of her shit? Yukino is a grown adult for fuck's sake. And a Sabertooth wizard, she should be setting a good example of herself.”  Throwing the photo down, the pathetic ball rolling close to the door. He sat back and with a harsh flick of his wrist brushed the papers from the seat carelessly; scattering them all over the impeccable red carpet. Rogue flinched at the suddenness of it, Sting, however, smiled smugly as if he had won.

Enough was enough.

“My girlfriend has nothing to do with this. Get over yourself Sting, whatever convoluted daydream you have going on in your head isn't going to happen. Why can't you just be happy for me?” He never tripped or fumbled over one word, though Rogue didn't feel as if what he said was true. His heart was split between the two people who mattered most in his life. Two people who had fought for multiple times and had cared for emotionally. Their battle was tearing him apart.

“Get over her,” Sting growled out, his jaw clenching. The blond’s arms were held taut over his frame as to not become more nauseous than he already was.

Not backing down the shadow dragon slayer sat up, his eyes never wavering from Sting’s piercing blue ones. “I love her, and that’s final.” This whole day was just one aggravating conversation after another and, personally, he didn’t know if he could handle it much longer.

A strained silence sat in the small compartment, neither of the two backing down from their previous statements, red and blue orbs continuously clashing as the stubborn mages stood their ground.

The young guild master cleared his throat, a glint of spite dashing through his cerulean orbs. “If you really loved her, wouldn’t you have stayed with her today? It is you guy’s anniversary after all.” Sting shot a bullet straight through his heart, shattering his thought complex. Doubt singed the fringes of Rogue’s mind.

“I really don’t care what others think of your relationship,” his tone held at a higher standing than his own, Sting knew that he had the shadow dragon slayer’s attention now. “Just give it up Rogue, I’m tired of waiting.” It was his comrade’s turn to break, his walls come crashing down

Shortly after the events of the GMGs and the Eclipse he picked up all of Yukino's when no one else did. He certainly never expected it to go this far, but he wasn’t exactly sure if he did so gladly either. Shame clutched his heart in a vice grip, squeezing whenever the imaginings of breaking up with the dear celestial mage passed by his mind. Rogue couldn’t comprehend the process of going from one relationship to the next so smoothly, but then again, life was never the simplest for those inhabiting Sabertooth.

The esteemed lady coming back was never the turn of events he could think of. Minerva and Yukino’s relationship was not a secret to the Twin Slayers. Damn him and his nose, but he wasn’t oblivious to the looks the two girls traded. If Yukino wouldn’t submit to temptation then neither would he; Rogue knew he was better than that but Sting was too hard to resist sometimes. Especially with this weekend alone, how could he torture himself so like this?

Sting’s gaze grew more and more tense as he waited for his counterpart’s answer. There really was no correct or good one to give, instead he just pushed it off. “There really is no reason for you to question my feelings.” Pushing the holy dragon slayer a bit, “I never said anything about your relationship with Natsu.”

Now the blond sat back in his seat, grimacing. Rogue definitely pulled a low blow, but so did Sting. Their argument was petty to begin with, but he understood why it was brought up in the first place. He couldn’t deny the feelings he had for the man sitting across from him, so much that maybe if the circumstances were different, then he would give in and lay with him.

An edge was taken to Sting’s voice, drumming his fingers against his tanned bicep, “Natsu has nothing to do with this. You know I’m over him now, he’s with Lisanna.” He bit the fairy’s name out with venom, clearly not over his tragic breakup. Averting his eyes from Rogue’s, he began to look out the window; the scenery passing by a sea of blurred greens.

The dark-haired man sighed, rubbing his temples. As a friend, he dearly loved Sting but sometimes he was the start to all of his headaches. The premise of taking the train was already aggravating enough and Sting not letting the topic fall was making him infuriated. He had already given his answer multiple times, the blond needed to let him go. His feelings for Sting were tucked away into the farthest recesses of his heart, though he was slowly beginning to pervade the space for Yukino.

His feelings for Sting were tucked away into the darkest recesses of his heart, though he was slowly beginning to pervade the vacancy Yukino had been leaving. Was he in the wrong for denying his feelings so vehemently; putting his walls up because of the shame of wanting a man while with a woman? Just as he was struggling to keep up with the celestial mage, his lost interest was found in his opposite. The love in her small glances never made him gush as they did before, their fire living on the last of its embers. Nothing was left to fuel their passion, but he was still very willing to try. But whenever his eyes met Sting’s, he was sucked into a chasm of possibility.

The silence grew louder with each passing second, how much longer did they have until their stop? Era shouldn’t be too far away by now.

A sigh spilled from Sting’s lips, “Sorry, you know I love Yukino too.” The question was who didn’t love her, everyone was after the celestial maiden at this point -even Minerva. His partner’s words began to become shaky, “It’s just hard to wait-”

Rogue cut him off, apathy ringing true in his voice, ”Then don’t.”

His sharpened teeth were bared when he leaned forward, snarling at his guild master. Sting beating around the bush wasn’t making him any more patient with this conversation, it only made him conflicted.

Matching Rogue’s stance, Sting leaned in extremely close to the shadow slayer. His hot breath fanned out over the raven-haired man’s lips, another growl bubbling from his throat. “I thought you wanted honesty, you hypocrite. All I ever do is what you have explicitly asked for, nothing seems to please your brooding ass. Am I just not good enough?” Sting’s statement shot an arrow through his heart, making him regret his previous choices.

The dark-haired man was at a complete stand still. The holy dragon slayer was far from wrong, making the arrow sink in deeper as he contemplated his words. Rogue felt the crumbling walls of his heart -his feelings in overdrive.

At his failure to speak, Sting continued, “If you need time, I understand but,” Rogue could only stare at his moving lips, “I need an answer soon.” With every word, the distance between the two widened even with their close proximity.

Temptation latched onto him, strangling him in its hold, every logical thought disappearing as Sting’s simple plea dug under his skin. Giving in to his emotions, Rogue closed the gap between the two of them. His lips molding into Sting’s so perfectly.

Only the blond’s lips were empty, his mouth pulled away so quickly he could never register the taste of his lips. All he could feel was sin as the blue eyes looked at him with a burning fire. Gritting his teeth, Sting ground out, “What the hell are you thinking?”

The shadow mage wiped his mouth, so utterly confused, “Wasn’t this what you wanted?” Sitting back he felt destroyed, nothing would be the same once they got off this train.

“You have a girlfriend,” he exclaimed, throwing his hands up, “I just wanted some reassurance…” Fisting his hand through his hair, he looked Rogue over with a critical eye. All of his emotions were mixed, the signals they were sending back and forth were tangled with varied expectations.

“That’s exactly what I gave you, what else would you have wanted?” Rogue was emotionally drained and bitter. Just as Sting never knew how to please him, it seemed he could never do them same.

The man hung his head in defeat, strands of gold hanging in front of his face. Sting was struggling for words much like Rogue was, how had they come to an end like this? “I… I don't know. You make me so confused at times. I never know what to do any more. One moment I'm begging for another man’s attention and then there you are… standing in my way. Not that it's your fault or nothin’, everything just leads to you.” He rubbed his hands over his pants shakily, Sting’s voice crumbling as he spoke.

What could Rogue possibly say, he wasn't the best at comforting others. It was rare for him to be in moments such as this but these were always the ones that mattered most. The shadow slayer held his hand out, his hand twitching for contact. “Give me your hand,“ he almost regretted those words.

No questions asked, Sting’s warm fingers filled the palm of his hand. Rogue wrapped his digits tightly around his own, hoping the comfort would flow between them. Using his other hand, he rubbed the top of Sting’s hand and spoke softly, “I apologize. I was frantic and didn't know what to say, you of all people made me at a loss for words and I didn't know how to relay my emotions. I just want you to know that my feelings for you are the same but I do love Yukino. I want to be able to end things with her in the most respectful manner possible but right now, and I don't feel like it's the right time.”

With each passing word Sting’s head was lifted and it didn't stop until their eyes met one another's. Red and blue were polar opposites such as themselves but their face off was far from over. Rogue moved the bag next to him on the floor, patting the now vacant cushion next to him.

“Now come here Sting. You're looking fairly lonely on that bench over there.” A small smile piqued on Rogue’s face, while he shifted so there would be more room for the holy dragon slayer.

No words were said as the two got adjusted to one another. Rogue held Sting, laying with him on the red cushioned bench. The Twin Dragons rested for the rest of the train ride, Sting wishing they could stay like this forever and Rogue wallowing in guilt for his conflicted emotions.

Just before they came to their stop, they picked up the knocked over paperwork; somewhat organizing it before it was placed back into the old leather bag. They left the train as if nothing happened, not another word said about their argument or the love they felt for one another.