I smiled widely and covered my mouth to stop myself from laughing out loud. I didn't want to give away my position to anyone. I could slowly feel myself growing more scared as he walked back and forth in front of me. But it was no use, even though I covered my mouth tightly with my hand I couldn't help but snort.

Great, he definitely knows where I am now.

Although, instead of him finding me, his footsteps went further away. Did he really not hear me at all? Am I in the clear? So I crawled a bit out and peaked my head out from under the cloth —

"AHHHH!" I screamed with horror as Natsu's head was dangling down from the table I was hiding under. "I found you!" He chuckled before climbing down and laughing right in my face, celebrating his victory. "I won! Come on, if you wanna beat me then you gotta be sneakier."

But I just giggled and stuck my tongue out playfully, "I let you win! Next time we play hide and seek, I'll beat you for sure!"

"Yeah we'll see about that."

Before we could continue, Mom came in and giggled at us, "You guys seem to be having a lot of fun lately."

"Mm, I was just telling Natsu how I was gonna destroy him next time!" I grinned proudly at my hide and seek skills, not even realizing that I just lost to him, again. But he just rolled his eyes and ruffled my hair, "Whatever kid. You really wanna beat me, stop hiding in the same spot."

- Lucy -

I watched in amusement at how great they were getting along together. She's been becoming more open and comfortable with everyone here, especially with Natsu. It wasn't all that surprising though considering he's Luna's —

"Mom! Can I go with Natsu outside?" Luna begged, tugging on my arm. So I grinned and nodded at her before looking up at him, "Actually can you do me a favor today?"

"Huh? Yeah of course. What is it?"

"Well I'm gonna go meet up with someone in town so I was hoping you could ....." I trailed off, motioning over to Luna who was dancing joyfully with Happy and the other exceeds on the other side of the guild.

"Totally! You can trust me with her. Plus we're probably just gonna hang out here till you come back. Nothing exciting."

I smiled widely and thanked him a million times, "You're the best Natsu. I'll see you later." And he just smiled back before waving me off. Though before I left, I told Luna where I was going and kissed her forehead.

"Listen to Natsu, okay? I'll be right back."

"I promise mama! Natsu and I will be waiting for you!" She beamed a happy smile, making my heart ache just at the thought of leaving her. But I knew she was in good hands.

- Sting -

I dropped my pen with exhaustion and groaned out loud, throwing my head back to stare up at the ceiling with thought. It's been a couple of days since Lucy was here but it only feels like yesterday — I said all those things to her and blamed her for everything yet .... she said nothing back to me.

"Sting?"

I bolted up in my chair and glanced over my piles of paperwork and seen Rogue standing by the door. "What is it? I'm kinda busy."

"With what? Your duties as a guild master or staring at the ceiling?"

I rolled my eyes at him and stood up, stretching a bit. This guy was always sarcastic and dramatic but it seems like he's bringing it to a whole new level recently, it's getting on my nerves. "What do you want?"

"Just checking on you. You've been cooped up in here since — you know."

"Well I'm fine. No need to worry anymore."

"I'm not worried about you. I'm worried about Lucy and Luna. Stop thinking about you and your stupid pride."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"You don't think everyone couldn't hear you that night mouthing off to Lucy? I don't care what happened between you two but you don't say that kind of stuff to her."

"Shut up! You have no idea what's going on! So mind your own business!"

He closed his eyes for a brief second and thought to himself, "Lucy told me everything."

"She told you what? How it wasn't her fault? You know what — I don't wanna be talking about this with you."

"You don't wanna talk about it at all. You just yell and point fingers when things get tough. After all these years of being a parent you're still a child."

I groaned with annoyance, tugging at my hair for him to shut up and leave me alone. But he seemed like he wanted to stay and piss me off even more. I don't get why she told him anything, it's none of his business anyways. Our problems should stay between me and her, not the whole world. "Can you just leave? I don't want to get into this right now, especially with you."

"Sting, I'm here for you. The both of you. I hate seeing you guys like this."

"That's enough Rogue. I appreciate the offer but leave this alone. You have no idea what's going on." I muttered, walking past him and out the door for some fresh air.

- Rogue -

I rolled my eyes and sighed out of frustration, there's no way he's serious. He's still the biggest idiot I know. How is it that I know what he's feeling but he doesn't?

But still — I've never heard Sting talk like that, especially to Lucy. I couldn't even tell what she was feeling when she left. She wouldn't even look me in the eyes.

"Rogue? Is everything okay?" Yukino poked her head out with worry from her room. I scratched my head and looked at the time, it was way past midnight. What the hell is all that noise?

"Yeah I'll go check. Just go back in your room Yukino." Reluctantly, she nodded and closed her door quietly, leaving me to investigate. I walked down the hall towards Stings booming voice and tried to listen to what he was saying. But even though I could only make out a few words, it made my blood boil.

Before I could make it to his room, the door bursted open. "Lucy?" I mumbled, reaching out to her. Though she avoided my grasp and walked right passed me with her head hung low. "Lucy!" I called out once more.

"Leave it alone Rogue."

My head turned back and seen Sting at his doorway, his face as dark as ever. I walked closer to him, grabbing a fistful of his shirt and glaring deeply, "What the hell is your problem?" I spat.

"It's not your business."

"It is my business if you make Lucy cry you asshole!"

"Oh? But I did nothing to make her cry. Did you see any tears?"

"Well you did something to her! What the fuck is your problem Sting!" I yelled, shoving him to the ground. For once in my life, I was ashamed of him. So I just shook my head with disgust and walked back to my room.

- Natsu -

I stared up at the bright blue sky, no clouds in sight. But before I could enjoy myself even further, I heard a loud groan right beside me. "Natsuuuuu! I'm bored!"

"Well what do you want to do? Hide and Seek?" I chuckled seeing her frown at my response. "No ... let's do something more fun ...."

"Like what? You sound like you have something in mind."

"Well, the other day Asuka was showing me her gun —"

"Uh-huh —" I nodded my head for her to continue.

"Well why don't we fight? That sounds fun! Come on, let's do it!"

I shook my head vigorously, "No. Your mom told me the rules, rule number one, no magic."

"Aw please? Mom said I have magic. Everyone here has magic, so why can't I use it?"

"Because your mom makes the rules. If it was up to me, I'd let you use it and —" but I stopped talking as soon as those words came out of my mouth. Lunas eyes lit up with excitement and she began jumping up and down, "SWEET! So what are we going to do? Well what can you do? Can you fly? Ooh, invisibility? No wait! You can talk to rocks!"

"Woah woah, slow down. All I said was that if it was up to me I'd let you use magic. But it isn't up to me. Your mom makes the rules and that's final. I'm just the adult that enforces it."

"Fine .... okay, how about I watch you use magic. Mom didn't say anything about that right? I don't have to use it." She smiled widely up at me. But I scratched my head with uncertainty, "I don't know ... your mom would kill me if she found out ...."

"She won't! I promise! Plus, there's no one around to tell her."

I looked down at her pouting face and thought about what Lucy would want but then I thought about how cool it would be to teach my daughter who doesn't know she's my daughter magic and — "Alright!! I'll show you all these cool tricks that I know! Watch and learn!"

- Lucy -

I sipped on my straw and looked around to see if he was here yet. "Jeez ... did he give me the right address ...?" I muttered to myself with annoyance. I was hoping this would be quick so I could hurry back to Luna, leaving her with Natsu is starting to give me anxiety.

"Lucy!"

I turned my head and smiled widely before getting out of my chair and wrapping my arms around him, "Did you get lost on the way here or something? You kept a lady waiting."

"Sorry, Sting was having another bitch fit." Rogue sighed, before taking a seat across of me. "So how have you been Lucy? We didn't get to talk much since I last saw you."

"Yeah sorry about that ... I'm fine. Luna's doing well too."

"That's good. I was hoping you were going to bring her."

"I was but I don't know if she's ready to be around crowds of unfamiliar people. So I left her back at the guild with Natsu."

He cringed at my answer for a second which made me worry even more, "I know. I don't know what I was thinking. But just as long as he doesn't use magic around her or even let her use magic, then she should be fine."

Rogue nodded and scratched his head awkwardly, "Well I was hoping to talk to you about what happened between you and Sting so I can try and understand where all his anger is coming from."

"Mm ... is there something specific you want to know?" I mumbled, sipping some of my tea. He sighed and went straight to the point, "Did you kiss Natsu like Sting thinks you did?"

"Rogue .... I'm going to tell you what I've been telling Sting for these past few months and what I told you the other night. I did not kiss Natsu."

"Okay — I'm not saying I don't believe you but if that's what happened then why is he so mad at you? You told me you didn't kiss him, what's the big deal?"

I stared Rogue in the eyes and contemplated if I should say it. But I took a few breaths before I did, "Because Natsu kissed me .... and I let him ...."

- Natsu -

The air was filled with giggles and laughter every time I breathed fire right out of my mouth. Luna looked up at me and clappped, "Can you teach me how to do that?"

"I don't know .... maybe when your mom says it's okay. Plus our magic is a bit different."

"Then what if I invite my dad to come and play with us? Mom said that his magic is just like mine."

"I don't know about that either ...."

"Why not? Do you not like my dad?"

"That's not it ..... I don't think your dad likes me ...."

She gasped and shook her head, "No way! If he's my dad then he has to be the nicest man in the world! Cause if he wasn't then he doesn't deserve my mom. I'm sure he likes everyone!"

I couldn't help but grin at her optimistic attitude, everything about her is so — me. But I shook my head and ruffled her hair, "Why don't we head back to the guild? Your mom should be heading back soon."

- Lucy -

"I know I know!" I grabbed fistfuls of my hair with frustration.

"— so you can't be blaming Sting either. Both of you should be talking this out like adults." He advised.

"Come on Rogue, it's easier said than done. You know how Sting is with his temper nowadays."

He sighed heavily and pinched the bridge of his nose, "I can't look at you right now Lucy. I've been backing you up this whole time and each time Sting has been telling me that I don't understand the situation. I thought I did because I took your side and thought you were the adult in this mess. But with what you told me, I can't help but think Sting has a right to be pissed with you."

"I know okay? When Sting was yelling at me the other night I didn't say anything because everything he said was true. He told me that I was being unfair and that keeping Luna away from him was me being petty. He said everything that I deserve." I cried out to him.

"If you know you're wrong then why don't you just tell Sting that?"

"But at the same time, I feel like I'm not wrong. Yes, I didn't stop Natsu when he kissed me but I told him it was wrong after he kissed me. Then I went home to Sting and told him immediately because I knew it was wrong. I felt like I did the right thing." I explained.

"Okay — I get it. Sting feels like you were unfaithful because you didn't stop Natsu. You feel like you did nothing wrong because you didn't initiate it and you told Sting what happened. If that's what went down then why is he this angry at you? I know Sting, something else is going on."

"Like what? Everything went downhill that night I told him."

"Then something must've happened that same night."

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YES IM ALIVE. I finally fixed my computer but now my wallet is broken. That repair lady charged me $200 for it. BUT EXPECT MORE UPDATES NOW THAT I HAVE MY COMPUTER BACK AGAIN.

Plus I decided to write an extra long chapter to make up for lost time :)