-Sting-

How did he notice, notice so easily?

For once... Since... Since so long...

I thought my mask hid me well. Yet effortlessly did he see how my true self was veiled by a pretence that I was...

Fine.

I began to reorder my mental state and bring it back into a pitiful semblance of positivity.

I hadn't known Rogue long. Yet I felt like I knew him from somewhere. My mind seemed to be blocking out a simple piece of information that I couldn't quite grasp.

'Sting-chan'.

He kept calling me that. Annoying as it was, someone else once called me that. Other than all those annoying 'fake aunts' from my childhood- I remembered them trying to be friends with me so they could buy themselves into my family later- no, it was someone who changed me for the better. Someone who healed me, even if it was the tiniest amount.

Ryos

The name flashed through my mind instantaneously.

Who was Ryos?

****

Freed flew through the air, slicing anything in his path with his two trusty kitchen knives. Those weird noises that were failed imitations of ninjas escaped his lips. He landed on the counter, with a plate of perfectly cut sushi in his hand.

It all happened so quickly. The second I opened my apartment door, I saw Freed doing his usual routine of 'flying'.

"Yo, Freed, whatcha doing?" I said impersonating Isabella. (A/N: Hope you get the reference).

"Well hello there, Cupcake. It's good to see you again. I haven't seen you in..." He tapped his chin with his index finger as he clambered down from the counter. "A few hours." He said finally.

"So who's the sushi-" I was stopped immediately as I looked towards the kitchen door to see Laxus walking in. My hand clasped my mouth as I made unsuccessful attempts to hide my giggles. So unmanly. "Of course. How didn't I guess straight away."

The two flushed red.

"It's... It's n-not... W-what y-you... T-Think... Th-this is... F-For...."

"Oh. I'm sorry. I'll leave you two love birds to enjoy your.... 'Date'" I put emphasis on the last word causing the two fools to be rendered utterly speechless.

I walked towards my room, to find my door open slightly. I always closed my door. Never left it open. So it spooked me out when the door was just swinging, slightly ajar.

I walked in to find Lucy, sitting at the edge of my bed.

So the sushi was for her, not Laxus. And here I was hoping my OTP was having moments ;-;

"Lu-Lucy?" I stuttered as I walked in. Her eyes glazed over to my direction and she beamed up at me.

"Hello Sting. Sorry for intruding. Freed let me in. He told me you'd be home soon and I really wanted to visit you. I should of told you I was coming. Sorry, again."

"Erm... No... It's fine." I trudged over and plopped myself right next to her and grabbed her hand. "What's up, Luce?" I asked as my other hand caressed her cheek. Her cheek for some unknown reason didn't feel like Rogue's.

Well of course it wouldn't. She's Lucy. They're two different people. Get your head straight Sting Eucliffe!
(A/N: sting, straight? *scoffs*)

"Nothing. I just wanted to see you again. And I wanted to check something. Anyways, when you looked at me right now, why did you look happy then confused then pissed off and then happy." She winked at me. I often had those moments where my facial expressions would change many times in the spam of a few seconds.

"It's nothing. And what did you wanna check?" I removed my hand from her cheek and held both her hands.

"I saw Rogue this morning-"

"You saw Rogue?" I asked bewildered. Rogue was supposed to be at my dads meeting this morning. How did he meet Lucy? I guessed he left early and bumped into her.

"That's not the point. I asked him something. And now I know..."

What the hell was she talking about?What could she possibly ask Rogue?

"Sting, do you truly love me?"

Well I'll be damned. Of all the questions, why this one?! Obviously Rogue wouldn't say something to make her question our relationship... Right?

"Yeah." I replied simply.

"So would you spend the eternity with me?" She asked again. Not once did her facial expression change. She had a small smile plastered onto her lips. Her eyes had the usual twinkle to them. However if I knew Lucy, I knew there was something off.

"Are you proposing?" I said jokingly. I punched her arm lightly and grinned at her. But her face didn't change. "Hey Luce, are ya alright?"

"Yes."

"Luce, you can tell me anything, ya know. You don't need to hide anything from me. You can tell me the truth." I whispered into her ear as my arms wrapped around her. She didn't smell like Rogue either. Rogue had more of an additive and aromatic scent whilst her one was sweet and the smell didn't linger long.

Why was I seriously thinking about Rogue at a time like this.

She pulled away from me and looked me straight in the eyes.

"Take your own advice! Sting Eucliffe. I've known you forever. I've seen you get hurt so many times. I see you pretend to be something you're not. You always do stupid things thinking that I don't notice. Well guess what? I do notice-"

"Lucy what are you talking about. I'm perfectly fine. I don't want you worrying for me. Jeez Lucy, I don't pretend to be awesome. I own it." I laughed nervously. My eyes darted all around the room, never glancing at Lucy.

"Sting Eucliffe. You are also the biggest lier I've ever met."

That stopped me. My head snapped back and looked at her once again. My jaw dropping as I tried to regain myself.

I could easily get out of this. I always did. I could do it. Just another lie. Just another lie... One more couldn't hurt anyone... It hasn't hurt anyone up till now. Another one...Just another lie...

"Sting Eucliffe, if you care about me even an ounce. I'm asking, no, I'm begging you. Tell me the truth. Just this once. Do you even love me?"

For once... Since... Since so long...

I was honest.

"I love you Lucy. Just not enough that I would spend eternity with you."

I don't know why, but tears streamed down my face as the words left my lips. What if I had hurt her? I could of lied just a little longer to keep her happy.

All the truth ever did was hurt people.

"H-Have you ever loved anyone?" She whispered this question. My lips trembled as I saw her hold in all the pain. I didn't want her to be like me. Lucy deserved so much better. She didn't need a monster like me.

Another lie... That's all I had to do. But I didn't.

"I... I d-don't know... Long ago maybe."

"Who?" She asked as she pressed her lips together.

"I don't know. It was someone. Someone who changed me. I don't know their name. Who they are. I can't remember." I muttered as another tear slithered down my face.

Lucy caught the tear and wiped it away. I gasped as I looked up. She smiled. She was crying.

"Don't you hate me?" I mumbled as I bit my lip. The tears wouldn't stop.

"Why would I hate you. You were honest with me. I hope you remember who that person was. Goodbye Sting. I hope we can be friends at least."

She got up and left, closing the door behind her.

Who was this Ryos person? Although I couldn't think about that now.

Another lie... Why couldn't I lie again. Now she's hurt and she broke up with me.

It never ceases to amaze me. My knack of hurting people without doing nearly nothing.

Another lie. I'll keep lying till it all goes away.

****

A/N: I hope y'all know who Ryos is. If ya don't, look it up!

Good thing StiCy finally ended. They broke up. Sure it was sad. But at least now I have room to write more stingue. Yay!

Sayonara my fellow stingue lovers and StiCy haters.

*sigh* maybe I should kill rogue...

Wait, what? I didn't say anything...

;)