(A little hint: I used a lot of symbolism in this chapter- even in some of the finest details. Tell me if you notice XD

Btw, I'm going to start doing this:
*italics*= inner monologue;
italics = emphasis )

~•--------------------•~

The sun's tentative rays are easily blocked by the lingering clouds. The chilly breeze, although refreshing, simultaneously gives me the chills...the atmosphere has remained tense since my declaration.

I drum my fingers on the rail and wonder how I shall face all of these guilds. Adrenaline sparks through my fingertips as I imagine even meeting my former teammates again...*how can I even start to explain myself if I'm constantly being monitored?*

The rush of the train practically makes everything appear to be a blur; the indistinct shapes are hard to decipher. I attempt to follow the shapes with my eyes, but quickly stop once my head begins to spin even more badly than before.

The throbbing of my head is as consistent as the throbbing of my heart. Considering this, I loosen my grasp on the rail to bring a hand to my sensitive temples.

*Ugh, I should really stop worrying about everything...what will happen will happen, right? Besides, daydreaming about scenarios for hours on end won't solve anything...it'll just make me more nervous.*

I know I won't intentionally do anything irrational to endanger myself or anyone in Fairy Tail, so why do I feel so unsettled?

The dull *click* of the door informs me that I'm no longer alone with my thoughts.

I don't even turn my head to glance at the interrupter...I already know who it could be. I do not speak as I hear his footsteps approach me and only allow my eyes to wander once he is also haphazardly leaning on the rail.

His tousled blonde hair is radiant even in the diluted light; his cobalt eyes are as brilliant as ever.

I speak the first words that come to mind: "Are you ready?"

Sting's expression hardens: his eyebrows furrow and his eyes narrow considerably. I can tell he seems... almost...uncomfortable...but why?

"Hmm," comes his mindful reply, "Perhaps I am, perhaps I'm not. Well...you know who I have a rivalry with, and I'm not intending to hold back."

"Natsu?" I question after a slight pause, just to be sure. His only reply is a nod.

*Natsu; of course. And
Rogue's is Gajeel, I presume...Tch, I hope Gajeel has been training.*

"Any particular reason why...?" I inquire carefully, knowing that I may be treading in dangerous territory.

"Well, I used to idolize him as a kid. I was so stupid back then, looking up to someone who just casually destroyed mass amounts of property without even learning the consequences. I know I can definitely beat someone as naive as him off. He's old news that's been rediscovered in the great pool of magic-users...that's all he is." Sting replies cockily. A wavering sense of confidence can be detected in his words, leading me to believe that he doesn't believe every word he's saying.

A knowing smile tugs at my lips when I think about the Natsu I knew.

"Yeah, he sure was stupid, but he also had a legitimate purpose. Honestly, I cannot believe some of the things he did..." My gaze has shifted to where the stars usually are; my mind is far away: past the moon and over the sun to the twinkling stars beyond; I cannot help but reminisce about the things I miss. "That time when he almost died to save Erza, or when he kicked everyone's butt in Edolas, or- OO! OO! That time when he-!"

I stop when Sting gives me a strange look. He looks confused, as expected, and may be judging me- no, scratch that, he's definitely judging me.

Okay, I get it, I'm acting a little weird for a person who abandoned Fairy Tail to join a guild that feels more like a prison than a home. But sheesh, I had my reasons, right.........? (A/N: *laughs nervously*)

"So that's how it was...?" Sting whispers to himself, his voice so incredibly quiet that it is just out of reach of even my trained ear.

"What?" I ask, not understanding his indistinct mumbling.

He shakes his head and doesn't respond at first.

"I'm definitely going to reign over him," Sting suddenly says, his determined, incredibly fierce gaze forcing me to look away. "Victory is already within my grasp,"

I am troubled by his words; an unresting conflict rages deep within my soul. It must show on my face, as Sting's expression eases after several long moments.

"I know you've always looked up to him, it's just..." I shut my eyes as my headache intensifies, "Sorry, I..."

*Dammit (Y/N), you're showing him you're weak again. You mustn't, you mustn't, you mustn't! You've already revealed too much, you idiotic (f/i/t/b)... that's what you get for being open. Dammit; damn it all!*

"I know," he reassures me, "I know."

I reopen my eyes, surprised...even the four words he just uttered aid my horrendous head ache.

A calm silence overcomes us while the sun starts beginning to break through the dismal clouds.

*Bravery is about having the courage to do something when you're scared, right?......oh dear, am I always a coward or always brave, then? Whatever; what must be said must be said...*

"Sting, you...you don't have to defeat him to overcome whatever you feel you need to get over. There are other ways. I once knew Natsu...all I can say is that he is definitely not one to let anyone, including himself, down. He will won't give up as long as he's alive."

A contorted expression crosses Sting's face, and his eyes warn me not to discourage him.

"I will do anything to defeat Natsu, so that's irrelevant. It seems that I've mimicked some of his habits...including the will to never give up," Sting bites back, bitterness lacing his tone.

"Besides..." He adds with a friendlier tone, "I promised someone that I would beat him, and I'm not planning to let them down."

*Promised someone? It must be someone important to him...Rogue, perhaps?*

And then, miraculously, I finally understand...I understand what he's going through and why he seems so defensive about it. Sting, like myself, has burdened himself to keep another's hopes up...However, unlike myself, he could let this person down at any time without major consequences; yet, he has decided not to let this person down. Why? I don't really know...although I speculate that he's upholding this oath of his to keep another happy, and also perhaps of personal pride...*so, who's happiness is he so determined to protect??*

*Whoever it is, they are lucky...very lucky indeed. I...am I...jea- no, I will deny that till the moment I die. Nevertheless, I now understand more...*

"Please don't misunderstand. I'm just warning you of his capabilities, not discouraging you. Now that I've trained with you for a while, I can tell that you're going to be a great competitor. Scratch that; you're going to be one of the greatest competitors that Natsu has ever faced. I can tell that you've been working very hard to reach this moment in time..."

Now, I feel funny: my heart is seeming to swell, and an irresistible warmth flows through my body. When I glance at him, I cannot resist a slight smile.

"Now that I think about it...I...I truly believe that you can claim victory, I really do." I tell him, still smiling sweetly, although my heart is ripping at the seams...*if this will help lift this bitterness he seems to contain, then I shall support him! Not even my fealty to Fairy Tail, or even Sabertooth, could possibly contain this...eagerness to help; no, I am an insufferable romantic who will try and fix everything I can about the world...that is the way I am.*

"However, I would still be proud of you even if you didn't win. Having the courage to face something in your life is far more important than the outcome of the occurrence." I continue, hoping that my words will reach his heart...*please, they have to!*

Sting's eyes light up in recognition of the empathy I have supplied, and he looks as if he was struck by a falling star- he is awestruck.

Even so, he bites his lip, clearly still a teensy bit unconvinced...which is natural. After all, life is a process, not an event.

I place my hand reassuringly on his shoulder and look directly into those gorgeous eyes of his.

"I hope that I've helped." *I hope that you know that I care.*

My heart is beating rapidly; I do not want to let go.

To avoid creeping him out too much, however, I remove my hand after the fleeting tender moment.

Then, I start to walk away, with emotions going back to being guarded and my mouth having a filter.

"(Y/N)?" Sting stops me.

I halt.

"Yes?"

"You're an idiot. You know that, right? A real idiot."

And I cannot help but to laugh.

"Yeah, I know...I know."

~•-----------------------------•~

Hey!!!!!! I wrote over 1500 words; I'm so happy!!

I hoped you enjoyed this chapter (I did lol).

Thanks for all the nice comments and stuff :)) Oh, and for 48k reads!! Agahsjdkdkkdqkkw wHEN'D THAT HAPPEN :O

~Ari ❤️