#wwtdp

Rogue rolled his eyes and passed up the crystal ball in favor for the decorations of the fortune tellers cabin they had chosen to explore. All Rogue had wanted was to get a cheap fortune read by a scam artist, but when Sting and him entered the tent there was no one there.

At first Rogue had thought maybe the fortune teller was busy in some back corner of the tent flaps. But upon investigation those tent flaps only lead to a desolate backstage of the halloween themed carnival. So instead of a fortune teller, they had a one room round tent so decorated with swirling patterns, wind chimes, and fairy statues that it was an affront on the eyes. Rogue had to take his time looking around in order to really absorb the different rocks, tarot cards, and books that were displayed everywhere.

He stopped at a book spine that read Communing With Your Dead. Rogue scoffed and grabbed the book–a heavy tome with a leather backing and gold embellishments. If this were a movie, Rogue would be holding the most important book in the world.

“That’s disconcerting,” Rogue said, holding out the book for Sting to see.

Sting chuckled, “I don’t know, it’s kinda comforting how it’s your dead. Not like somebody else’s dead.” Rogue raised his eyebrows to give Sting a look. “Seriously though, Rogue, this place is weird. We should just leave and check out the rest of the scary rides.”

“Afraid of a little silence are we?” Rogue teased.

“Silence is never good in horror movies!” Sting countered. “The moment it turns silent is the moment before they get you.”

Rogue shrugged. “Alright, this was a bust anyway. Guess we’re not getting our doom-ridden fortune told today.”

“The next apocalypse perhaps?” Sting joked, laughing dryly as if he were actually unnerved but didn’t want to show it.

Sting turned to the exit, Rogue followed shortly after, but just before he was about to open the tent to leave, something glowed from behind them. It wasn’t a faint glow either; the entire tent lit up with a red tint, and Rogue swore the tent wasn’t this dark before. Slowly the couple turned back to the fortune teller’s table...on which sat the glowing crystal ball, now the only source of light for them.

Rogue and Sting shared a look. Rogue was more cautious and wary about what was happening whereas Sting’s blue orbs went wide as saucers. Rogue opened his mouth but Sting beat him to it, quickly opening the tent flap again and rushing out with a hurried chorus of “Nope! Nope! Nope!”

Rogue reached out to pull his shoulder back in, but it seemed he didn’t need to because as soon as Sting set one foot outside the threshold of the tent, the flap was forced down by what Rogue thought was a gust of wind. Sting stumbled backwards, Rogue caught him under the arms so he wouldn’t fall.

“Something pushed me!” Sting blurted out and suddenly the tent went completely dark. There hadn’t been a single trace of electricity in it to begin with, only lots of candles and incense, but now it was more like even the sun had dropped off the side of the solar system.

Rogue could barely see Sting in front of him; his partner’s messy blonde hair was a haze of a ghost in the otherwise dark tent. Before either of them could say anything, the crystal ball flashed like lightning.

Rogue caught the sparks in Sting’s blue eye, saw the way it lit up the tip of his nose and the round edge of his cheeks. Lightning flashed like a backdrop, while that red glow returned and swirled in the milky crystal.

“What the h-” Rogue was about to say, knitting his eyebrows together. But in the next moment the entire tent rumbled. The rickety metal beams holding the whole thing together shook like they were experiencing an earthquake. The cloth of the tent trembled. The books and healing rocks on every shelf rattled.

As soon as the tent started shaking a deep, warped voice sounded in the air, like it came from a megaphone. It was deep like rocks rolling underwater but there was an added reverb that echoed in their ears and made every note deeper than the last. The sound of it sent chills up Rogue’s spine.

“The spirits are displeased,” it hissed. The minute the voice spoke, Sting shrieked and jumped closer to Rogue. “Sting Eucliffffeee-” If Sting was scared before now he was positively ghosting with fear.

He gripped onto Rogue tighter, nearly jumping into the other’s arms. His leg twisted over Rogue’s body as he screamed and pushed his head in the crook of Rogue’s neck. Rogue meanwhile rolled his eyes, completely unphased by the racket Sting was making.

“Prepare to be teste-uh-shit Raios!” Before the voice could finish speaking the warped audio cut out and what was once a ghostly wail was reduced to a deep, normal voice. Gruff sounding, and raspy, but normal. Sting didn’t realize it until Rogue was smirking, and swinging a cord around in his free hand but he must have found a plug and cut the voice changer. At the same time the special flashing lights ceased. The normal lights of the tent turned back on and the red glow of the crystal was left looking substantially less intimidating.

Sting knitted his eyebrows together. He looked around and behind Rogue in confusion. “Where did you find that?”

“I accidentally stepped on it when you jumped on me,” Rogue replied with a shrug and tossed the cord to the ground.

Sting pouted and crossed his arms. “I didn’t jump, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Ya jumped like a little fucking girl,” the gruff voice returned to the speaker system, once more startling Sting until he looked around for the source. “Never heard a scream so pathetic in my life.”

Finally the recognition dawned on Sting. He’d heard that voice before. “Gajeel?” he asked, still looking at the ceiling of the tent as if Gajeel were a floating spirit not some disembodied voice.

“Bingo,” the speaker system said again. There was a pause then someone punched the fabric of the tent where Sting was standing. “Right here, ya idiot,” Gajeel said, coming into full view from a break in the tent flaps they hadn’t known was there.

“What the hell was that, asshole?” Sting rounded on him but Rogue held him back with one strong arm over his stomach.

Gajeel laughed in the way that is so unique to him Rogue could never forget it. Sting however only seem more irritated by it. Rogue flashed his brother a look. “C’mon, Gajeel you know easily scared Sting is.”

“Ghihi, that’s exactly why I had to do it. You make it too rewarding, kid.” Sting flashed Gajeel an obscene gesture which only made him laugh some more. “At least now I know how useless you’ll be if you ever meet a real ghost.”

Rogue pinched the bridge of his nose. “Gajeel, ghosts aren’t real.”

Gajeel frowned and gave Rogue a very serious look. “You say that now. But mark my word, Ryos, there’ll be a day you’re stuck with this idiot and it’ll be prime time for a ghost meal.”

Sting scoffed, and Rogue could already tell where this was going. For some reason whenever it came to his his brother and his boyfriend they loved to compete. More often than not Gajeel would tease Sting who then let his pride get the better of him and chaos would ensue.

“I could take a ghost one-handed if I want,” Sting boasted.

Gajeel lifted an eyebrow suspiciously. “Ya can’t fight a ghost, its incorporeal.”

“I don’t even care what that means,” Sting said his voice getting louder now, “Doesn’t mean I can’t kick its ass.”

“Actually yes, that’s exactly what it means. What the fuck are you smoking?” Gajeel said.

Rogue rolled his eyes, “You’re both idiots. Okay, can we get food now or something? Y’know, before you destroy the tent with your roughhousing?”

Rogue may as well have been invisible. Sting and Gajeel stepped closer, nearly butting heads as they bickered back and forth. Rogue let out a sigh and gave up trying to stop them when Gajeel started boasting about how his cat could kick Sting’s cat’s ass.

Slyly Rogue slipped out of the tent, back into the chilly fall breeze. Some golden leaves strayed in the wind down the path of vendors as the halloween fair. As soon as Rogue stepped out a familiar voice called to him.

“Oh, hi Rogue,” she was cheerful and sweet sounding like candy.

“Hey Yukino,” Rogue replied with a lazy wave. Yukino was standing by the aim and shoot prize game, next to Minerva who had a furious grip on her water rifle, trying to shoot down every empty soda can she could.

Minerva was too involved in her game so Yukino walked over to Rogue a stuffed bear already in her arms. It looked like Minerva had been at that game for hours. “How’s the fair going?” Yukino asked as she got closer. Once she was within earshot though she caught wind of Gajeel and Sting’s play fighting. It helped that the two had now taken to roughhousing, which shook the entire fortune teller’s tent. She gave the tent a quirked eyebrow.

Rogue sighed, “Sting and Jeel,” he said. Yukino gave him a look of realization, mouthing the words Ah, that.

Suddenly they could hear Minerva’s angered voice floating to them from the game as the carnie told her that she won second place. “Again?!” Minerva shouted, “C’mon, I clearly hit that top bottle but it didn’t move! This game is rigged.”

The carnie looked at her and shrugged, offering again the same stuffed bear Yukino was holding. “You still won second prize, lady, do you want it?”

Minerva slammed the rifle down on the counter. “No, I don’t want second prize! My girlfriend deserves first and I would have won it if your game wasn’t rigged.”

As Minerva went off for a bit longer Yukino and Rogue shared a tired look. “I’ve tried telling her I really don’t need it,” Yukino said by way of explanation.

Rogue nodded, “She gets too carried away. Half the time I think Sting just tries to prove himself to my brother, despite me telling him he really doesn’t have to.”

“Do you think one day they’ll learn?” Yukino asked.

Rogue shrugged. “Knowing Gajeel he’ll never stop being competitive. And Sting’s too prideful to let him have the last go.”

Yukino gave a small chuckle. “I s’ppose that’s true. Minerva’s always been too worried about impressing everyone. We’re working on it but now it seems she’s fixated on only impressing me.”

Rogue and Yukino shared a half laugh at how ridiculous they’re significant others were. But it didn’t last long because Minerva’s voice got louder. Looking back at her, Rogue could see she now had a tight grip on the carnies collar and was pulling him over the edge of the counter demanding a refund.

“Oh no,” Yukino said rather blandly before shooting Rogue an apologetic look and going to save the poor man. Rogue’s attention was divided just as quickly as suddenly the frame of the tent was crashed into and the entire thing came toppling down on a screaming Sting and Gajeel.

“Oh, for the love of-” Rogue shouted walking over to the tent where now the two boys weren’t fighting anymore but screeching in fear. “You two are going to end up dead without me one of these days,” Rogue said exasperated into the tangle of fabric as it writhed.

“Ow! Don’t poke it so hard,” Sting said as he sucked in a breath. Rogue rubbed the antibiotic ointment once more on his open wound. It wasn’t the worst cut Sting had gotten fighting Gajeel but it still left his cheek swollen and blue. Gajeel meanwhile had more scraps from the frame of the tent collapsing on him than anything else.

“Stop being a baby,” Rogue reprimanded. “If you two didn’t fight so much this wouldn’t happen.”

Sting and Gajeel looked at each other from across the room. Rogue had forced them both to sit down in dining chairs across the room while he checked them both for injuries and patched them up. Sting stuck his tongue out at Gajeel who sneered at him.

Rogue just grabbed Sting’s cheeks and forced him to look back at him. He winced when Rogue’s grip squeezed his cut a little. “How many times do I have to tell you, you don’t have to bicker so much.”

Gajeel crossed his arms and chuckled. “Relax Ryos, I just gotta make sure my little brother’s being taken care of.”

“By fighting with my boyfriend every chance you get?” Rogue shot him a look to which he grimaced and looked away.

When Rogue looked back at Sting he had a look of restrained pride on. “Don’t you start smirking either,” Rogue said firmly and Sting’s expression changed instantly. “You’re just as bad as he is, you never know when to let things go or not let him get to you.”

Sting pouted but didn’t meet Rogues eye as he finished applying the antibiotic and closing up the cut with a transformers bandaid. Now Megatron protected the open flesh with a fighting ready stance, it’s gun leveled at the outside world.

Once Rogue was done he put his hands on his hips and glared at both of them. Sting rubbed lightly at the new bandaid on his cheek. Still pouting he said, “Sorry, babe. I didn’t want to ruin the fair for you.”

Rogue hated seeing Sting like that, it made his heart melt. “You didn’t ruin it. If anything this will be a great christmas story to tell Dad.” Rogue smirked as Gajeel shot out of his seat and Sting hid his hands in his hands.

“Oh no. No, no, no, no…” Sting muttered at the same time Gajeel shrieked, “Don’t tell Dad!”

Rogue had to keep from laughing as Gajeel continued. “Ryos if you tell the ol’ man I may just have to kill him.”

Rogue spared him no mercy. “Then don’t tell him you’ll stop fighting and disregard your own word.” Gajeel grumbled in response. “Now what did we learn?” Rogue asked like a teacher to his students.

Sting mumbled, “No more fighting,” at the same time that Gajeel said, “Don’t kick my brother’s boyfriend’s ass.”

Sting shot Gajeel a hairy eyeball to which he snickered but was shot down quickly with a look from Rogue. Gajeel cleared his throat and corrected himself. “No more fightin’.”

“Good,” Rogue began. “Now we should probably check on Yukino and Minerva. Last I knew Minerva was having a bout with one of the vendors. With any luck they’ll only be kicked out of the fair.”

Their heavy breaths were simultaneous when they finally pulled away from each other. The celestial mage’s lips glistening with her own saliva. Yukino’s cheeks hot as her lithe tongue timidly swiped across them; brown eyes glazed over with lust and something else she couldn't put her finger on.

She grasped the girl’s hands, pulling her down as she fell back onto the plush bed. This night was going to make her whole existence worth all the hardships, aches, and pains she experienced.

The territory mage grimaced as the sliver of a memory skidded through her mind. A deep sigh spilled from her as she looked over the barmaid. If only she had never left -a deep pang of regret filled her stomach.

Rogue walked through the energetic guild, taking a seat at the bar. Her brain went fuzzy as Yukino immediately acknowledged him, her heart instantaneously beginning to beat rapidly when she snuck a small kiss in from the shadow slayer.

A small smile graced those pale lips as she looked upon him. Everyone said that the couple was absolutely perfect, sadly, she couldn’t say the same. She knew their relationship developed in her absence, another needle-like pang ground into her heart.

It didn’t matter, as she and Yukino’s relationship was complicated to say the least. No one knew besides Rogue and Sting. Their stupid noses were always butting into her personal life. Especially Sting, he would always point out when she slept with someone but he knew not to say a thing when she was with Yukino. Some serious punishment would have followed if word got out about their relationship.

Her eyes narrowed as the celestial maiden happily chirped to Rogue, his red eyes glazed over with amusement as he watched her. Her heart beat faster as she stood, her body moving against her own will. What was she doing?

The bar stool felt smooth as she slid onto it, her mouth forming into a simple smirk as she looked between Rogue and Yukino.

Now she knew what she was doing, it seemed like she could never get over playing the villain. It was now the time to play as the homewrecker. The smirk turned into a playful smile as her eyes roamed over Yukino’s prominent breasts.

Soft, that was the only way she could describe the feeling of her skin. Her tanned hands slid under her usual white top, groping Yukino’s breasts through her bra. Minerva pushed her shirt over her head, pulling the petite mage close to her as she unclasped the damned thing. She pulled the taut straps down, the black bra falling to floor. Her milky white mounds seeming to glisten in the wisps of the moonlight as they fell from their entrapment.

Minerva grinned as Yukino gave a soft mewl. The sound made her crave for more, she wanted to make her scream. She pushed her perky breasts together as she pressed her lips across the tops of them. Nipping and suckling her smooth skin, Minerva was disappointed that she could never leave her mark. Her skin was unnervelling soft as she fondled them, pinching her soft pink peaks.

She took one of her dusted pink peaks into her mouth, grazing her teeth across the hardened pebble. “Minerva…” The celestial mage cried out, gripping her dark locks and pulling Minerva against her soft mound.

The maiden was at her mercy, the still soft mewls and moans spilling from her as she playfully teased her. It was always her goal to make the celestial mage plead and beg for her to stop teasing and take her to the end.

Her mind presented the memory perfectly, Minerva licking her lips as she thought of the celestial mage. The girl’s jasmine scent, wafting off of her. “Yukino, could I have a pint? I am really parched.” She grinned as she leaned against the bar. interrupting Yukino and Rogue’s conversation left her feeling somewhat accomplished.

Red eyes met hazel as she the barmaid walked away, they were saturated with annoyance and guilt. Minerva scoffed as she looked at him, the shadow slayer wasn’t worth Yukino’s time, not one bit. His eyes were definitely sizing her up and her grin still remained, he already saw her as competition. Rogue was already making it so easy to tear the both of them apart.

“How have you and Yukino been?” she inquired sardonically.

The shadow slayer seemed to pale at the question, “Fine.” Still a man of small words, she chuckled.

“No details? I’m not satiated with just fine.” Her voice came out in a respectful manner, she tried her best not to sneer at him. Nothing could be started, not yet at least.

They were comrades after all, the territory mage would try her best not to hurt him in the process.

He shifted uncomfortably, she had him right where she wanted him. “Well-”

“Here you are, Minerva.” A smile still plastered on Yukino’s face as she put the glass of beer down in front of the territory mage. Soft brown eyes looking between the two of them, completely oblivious to what had just occurred.

She was glad that they didn’t refer to her as “milady” anymore, she was far from it at this point. It was time she finally realized it, innate demonic nature was nowhere near that of a lady now. Could she really destroy Yukino and Rogue’s relationship? As she about it her thoughts were in turmoil, both sides of the argument battling one another.

Minerva took a lengthy sip of her drink, her eyes still wandering over Yukino, wondering if she missed her as much as she did. Racing thoughts of the current situation burned through her mind and she put her drink down.

“Thank you, Yukino. Just put it on my tab, I’ll pay it later.” She said cooly, her thumb wiping over the condensation on her drink.

“Of course,” the celestial mage chirped, “Anything else I can get for you?”

Minerva shook her head, “I just needed a drink.” Yukino always looked after her well-being, even when she was not the nicest to her. Even if Sabertooth forgave her for her wrong doings, she wished they didn’t. Her being was meant to live in the darkness.

She drawled on this confliction, Rogue drawing her attention back. “I know this wasn’t planned, but I’m going out to accompany Sting. He asked me to attend the guild master’s meeting with him.” This was her chance. “We’ll be out for a couple more days, and then I will be all yours.” Minerva had made him tense with her presence, but now that Yukino was back his features softened.

His girlfriend’s features dulled, “We were supposed to go out tomorrow.” Her hazel eyes looked over Yukino, she knew that she wasn’t okay with this in the slightest. Her brown eyes practically pleading for the shadow slayer to stay.

Minerva picked up on this, but Rogue didn’t notice. “I know, but this is important. He needs someone to consort with him, especially since it’s his first time attending.” His argument was solid, there was no way Yukino could argue.

The barmaiden looked utterly crushed, wiping her emotions into the counter. “I guess if you have to. You better be a good ambassador, I’ll make sure to ask Sting about your performance,” she teased. Pain still resonated in her mannerisms as she looked at Rogue, her eyes dimming with the light they previously emitted.

Minerva spoke up, “We can go on our own mission. I think it’s about time you got out from behind the counter.” Now her on-the-fly plan would be set in motion.

“Really?” The celestial mage’s face lit up, excitement fluttering through her voice. She dropped her towel, looking at Minerva. “It’s been ages since we have gone out together.” Her phrasing made the territory mage cringe a bit, it really had been in both senses.

Minerva nodded as she took another swig of her drink. “I think it’s a great idea since Rogue,”she put more emphasis on his name as she put her drink down, “is leaving for the week. We should go on a mission during that period, just to distract you for a bit. It would also be a good amount of time for us to catch up.” Her demon prowess ignited, egging the territory mage on.

Alabaster hands wrapped around Minerva’s own, squeezing them. Yukino had no idea what Minerva was about to try -it was good that she was left in the dark. The innocent maiden would have never agreed otherwise.

The Sabertooth mage dropped her hands as she spoke. “That sounds like a terrific idea! I think it would be a good idea for us to go on a mission. You can go pick one out if you’d like. I really don’t care what type it is.” On the inside Minerva grinned -she already had one in mind. Its requirements were easy and simple, and would afford them much time together in the upcoming week.

The dark-haired mage nodded and downed the rest of her drink before standing. “I will go look at the request board right now. Have a nice time together, love birds.”  Rogue’s mouth was agape as she began to saunter away, her eyes trailing Yukino’s behind as she stepped back into the kitchen.

Moonlight filtered through the grand window, the only light source filling the room. Minerva knew that her lover hated the light, her cheeks still the same color as they were earlier that evening. Yukino’s bashfulness about their activities only made her crave the sweet girl more.

Minerva flipped the poor girl over, her blue-silver hair flayed across the dark sheets. The girl’s chest heaved, her doe eyes looking up at her with pure enjoyment and excitement. She knew Yukino was exhausted but the tigress was almost, almost done with the girl that laid beneath her. Just one more time, and then they could both rest for the night.

Greedy, that's all she was. She couldn't help the fact that their sexual endeavors were far and few. But when she was finally able to be with the celestial mage, she relished in it. Her glory was something that was absolutely unattainable to her, her soft and gentle nature something she could never procure.

Hazel eyes roved over her body, much as she did the whole night. Kneeling in her presence made Minerva feel like a peasant worshipping a god, but she knew Yukino saw them as equals no matter their difference in power or personalities. The celestial mage loved her, Minerva didn't know if she could admit her love.

She leaned down and softly pressed her lips against the beautiful girl, Minerva’s thin lips catching Yukino’s in the softest manner. Maybe the girl would understand her feeling with her actions. Sure she loved to be rough with Yukino, but she could be gentle on the young mage. Surely, surely she would realize how she felt.

Would the doe-eyed mage feel the love in how she was touching her right now? Maybe even realize what she truly wanted from Yukino was a relationship? Her insides crawled with deprivation of what she longed to have -a loving relationship.

Her hand lightly squeezed her breast before roaming down her taut stomach. Smooth and soft skin, before her hand rubbed against the short patch of hair above her most sacred region.

The celestial mage whimpered faintly, giving Minerva the opportunity to slip her lithe tongue into her mouth. She still tasted sweet from their previous activities, the tigress cupping her hand over Yukino’s snatch. Two slim fingers rubbed between her pink folds, lightly pressing her thumb against her pearl.

The younger mage pulled away from Minerva’s mouth, letting out a soft moan of pleasure. The tigress grinned, cooing at the silver haired girl, “Let me hear you, my dear.”

She had barely touched her and Yukino was already at her mercy. “M-Minerva…” the younger mage huskily breathed out, “please…”

Minerva grinned, pressing the tips of her fingers against her already wet arousal. The pads of her digits grew warmer as she prodded at Yukino’s tight hole. Another soft sigh came from Yukino. “Please what?” Minerva’svoice rapsed as she pushed the tips of her fingers into Yukino’s entrance, leaving them there as she looked down into Yukino’s lust glazed eyes.

The celestial maiden bit her lip, stuttering as she gave her answer. “I w-want you to screw me w-with your fingers… again.” Minerva didn’t know that the girl’s face could turn a darker shade of red than it was previously.  

Even if her answer wasn’t spoken with much confidence, the tigress complied. An overwhelming urge of fierceness consumed her as she thrust her digits deep inside of Yukino’s pussy. Her fingers were enveloped with Yukino’s juices as she slid them into her warm cavern, grinning wildly as she pulled them back. All thoughts of going easy on her were thrown out the window.

Minerva could tell that Yukino was trying her best to keep her voice down, but that wasn’t enough as she curled her finger deep inside her snatch. Yukino practically squealed in pleasure as Minerva's nails scraped against her inner walls, pulling them back only to thrust them back inside of her. Neither of them needed a man to give them this much bliss and excitement.

Yukino writhed under the territory mage’s pumping; the latter shifting down the silver-haired beauty’s body to get a closer view of her of her nether lips. Slowly, Minerva slipped her tongue out over her pink folds, humming as she tasted the sweet nectar dripping from it.

She pulled Yukino’s soft and plump thighs over her shoulders, scooting closer to the prize in front of her eyes. Tanned hands wrapped around Yukino’s underside, groping her large cheeks and pulling the girl closer to her mouth. Minerva swiped her tongue over Yukino’s folds once more, teasing her small bud by lapping over it. The girl’s hands automatically fisted themselves into the territory mage’s hair. Minerva groaned as much as Yukino moaned from the sensations filling her body.

Minerva kept running her tongue over the younger mage’s most private area, feeling that she was soon to be close to her end.  Much like her fingers, the territory mage slipped her slender tongue into Yukino’s pussy; taking her hand to press her thumb against the maiden’s soft bundle.

Minerva’s name was tensely elicited from Yukino’s mouth. Her soft thighs wrapped around Minerva's head tightly, the celestial maiden’s heavenly juices spilling from her. It was liquid ambrosia, a gift sent by the gods themselves. Surely Yukino could feel how much the tigress loved her.

The girl sighed, her body still trembling as Minerva came to rest beside her. Their lips met again and they laid on the soft silken sheets of the territory mage’s bed. Is this what love was supposed to feel like?

When they were done, their legs were tangled in the blankets, Yukino held in Minerva’s embrace. She had caught her prey and for the time being she would never let go.

A silver head perked up, the celestial mage’s chin propped up on Minerva’s chest. “You want to know something?” Yukino spoke timidly but with an underlying joy, her eyes lighting up with the smallest twinklings of hope.  

Minerva hummed in acknowledgment, roving her hand through the girl’s short tasseled hair. So soft even after their night of sweet loving. “I want to know anything you would be willing to give me.” The tigress smiled softly, working the knots out of the Yukino’s hair.

Yukino’s deep brown eyes looked into her own, three horrifying words coming from her mouth. “I love you…” Her voice was the softest and full of elation, as if she had discovered something new.

The tigress went stiff, removing her hand from the younger girl’s hair. This is what she wanted to hear all along, how come she couldn't say anything back? Those same words were stuck deep at the bottom of her throat.

No matter how hard she tried she couldn't reciprocate those three little words. She felt a mixture of shame and fear, this was all because of her father. He would never approve of her feelings for the girl, he saw Yukino as weak. He believed that love was only for those who never wanted to prolong their prosperity of power.This was ingrained into Minerva even if she craved for it so strongly.

With every passing second, Yukino’s eyes became more and more despaired, her whole world falling much as Minerva’s was.

Her silver-blue hair a complete mess as she quickly got up from the bed, grabbing her clothes that were strewn across the room. Not once did she look back at the territory mage, her sobs resounding through the room. Both of their hearts were so full of love, only Yukino’s was being drained.

The doors to Minerva's room slammed shut, any and all reminders of Yukino gone with it. She laid there, staring off into nothingness. Her night had turned from one of the best nights of her existence to one of the worst.

This was the last time she saw her was when the celestial mage was banished from the guild. The celestial maiden rid of her clothes and scornfully thrown from the only semblance of friends and love. Jiemma snidely commenting at her attempts of wooing Minerva for a higher standing in the guild.

Minerva was aghast, she thought their relationship was a secret but her father knew all along. He was punishing her but for what? The idea of love was never allowed in Sabertooth whether it was platonic or romantic. She should have seen this coming.

Neither of them showed looked at one another as Yukino shamefully walked from the hotel’s doors.

Tears pooled in Minerva’s eyes while she looked for the request paper on the board. It was nice to see that it was always full, even when the missions were ripped from the brown cork board. She balled her fists, clenching them as the memory still haunted her. Whenever an object reminded her of Yukino or even a simple phrase, that memory ripped through her. It left guilt and pain in its wake. If only she had said something - anything would have been good.

Once her eyes settled on the request, she hastily ripped it from the board. She looked over its requirements once more just to make sure it would take a week.

It was simple enough to require little work, but the task just felt odd in general. It required a group of two to four, just to protect a giant mansion for the week. No other information was given besides the address. She knocked the feeling aside, walking back to the bar. The red bar stools called her name as she geared toward them.

Once again she sat on the cool seat, sliding the piece of paper on the dark table top. From the corner of her eye, she could see red rubies glazing over the paper, the white hand flipping it around to get a better look. Rogue cleared his throat. “Nice choice, Minerva. The difficulty seems a bit low for the two of you.”

“I never said we were going to go all out. We’re still going to relax and take a break.” Once again, Minerva replied coolly. A man could never stand in the way of her goal.

Acknowledging her statement, his dark bun bounced when he nodded. “It's not far either. You two could walk instead of taking the train.”

It was a good idea, but she didn't want to let him feel good about the comment. “I'm still taking the train. I don't want to run into any trouble on the way there.”

Yukino came and plucked the paper from Rogue’s hands. Her eyes quickly flitted over it, a small smile forming on her face. “I don't mind if we travel by foot,” the barmaid spoke to Minerva, “but this mission is perfect. I've never heard of the mansion, it's name is peculiar. The pay is extremely good too. So it's worth the amount of work.”

Rogue interjected, “From what it looks like, you guys are only guarding a house. Doesn’t seem like there would be much work involved.”

Yukino tilted her head at him, lifting a finger to her lips. “True. Although someone could try to raid the home.”

Minerva cut her off with a sarcastic remark. “I wonder why they sent a request in then.”

“To protect the house, Min-Min.” The statement really flew over Yukino’s head, but the nickname made the tigress’ stomach flutter. Even if Yukino was oblivious, she made up for it in other ways; more specifically in her own little nuances. But Minerva loved her for the whole entirety of her being, the smallest things the celestial maiden did poked a hole in her each one making her ooze with affection; she was surprised she wasn’t at her wits end.

“Yukino, she knew that already,” Rogue chuckled, shaking his head. His hand effortlessly laid on top of Yukino’s, rubbing his thumb over it. Hazel eyes looked over this small movement, Minerva’s stomach boiling.

The girl grew flustered, “O-Oh… Sorry Minerva.” She pulled her hand away from Rogue’s, continuing to wipe her hand over the dark counter.

Before the territory mage could answer, a hand clapped down on the dark cloak Rogue was wearing. “Hey guys, having fun without me?” Their guild master intervened, settling himself into the barstool next to his polar opposite.

His opposite shook his head, “Just having a small conversation about the upcoming week. Speaking of which, have you finished packing your stuff? We have to leave in a couple minutes.”

The blond burst into a fit of laughter, everyone looking at him as some tears formed in his crystalline eyes. “I thought we left in a hour, man!”

Simultaneously, they all rolled their eyes at his idiocy. Minerva wondered how he fell into the position of leading this guild. She truly did love her guildmates, and if not love, she tolerated them. But she was constantly bouncing back and forth between adoring Sting and having the urge to wring his neck. The blond really did know how to grind her gears.

“You’re not serious, are you?” Rogue drawled, eyeing Sting. “The trip is eight hours by train, and you pull this right now?” His face began to draw back in annoyance, not noticing Yukino’s disapproval of him.

The barmaid chided, “You never told me you were leaving so soon, Rogue.” Yukino’s face was hard, looking down at him as he sat in the bar.

The shadow mage shook his head, tutting at his girlfriend. “I’m sorry, I can’t help it when I have important business to take care of.” His response was surprising to the group, their eyes widening with shock as his brooding statement.

“Yes you do, you could have told me. You didn’t even mention it to me until today. How come you’ve been so forgetful lately?” Her voice was filled with disappointment, this seemed to provoke Rogue even more.

Red eyes sharply turned toward Yukino in frustration. “Do I need your permission to do anything? No, I do not. I’m sorry that we had to miss our dinner tonight, but there will be other times to do that.” He stood, placing both of his hands on the countertop, towering over Yukino now. Minerva’s teeth gritted as she watched him - she could take him on but it wasn’t her place to intervene at the moment. Time felt like it was moving unimaginably slow as their small quarrel took place. ”This is more important right now and that is final.” Insolent, Minerva thought. How could he say such a thing to her?

One the other hand, Yukino looked like a kicked puppy left on the side of a muddy road. Not one word came out of her mouth - instead she looked down, her brown eyes not daring to meet her lover’s. Her pink lips quivered, those same eyes tearing up.

Rogue didn’t look over her or reassure the celestial mage, rather he turned to Sting, frustration pent up in his voice, “Let’s go, now.” He grabbed his bag, throwing it over his shoulder as he walked out of the guild. Sting got up, not sure of what to do; he patted Yukino’s hand reassuringly and followed his counterpart out. Minerva hoped that he would deal with Rogue in the best manner possible.

The tigress’ hazel eyes turned back to Yukino, fine crystals falling down her pale face. Minerva was frightened at the thought of consoling her. She had pretty much did the same thing to Yukino… How could she help?

Gently, she put her olive toned hand over the younger mage’s, boldly intertwining their fingers. Brown eyes flicked up with contentment and Minerva put on the softest smile.