Sting Eucliffe x Reader

Chapter 1: Letting go

"Hey, c'mon, cheer up, ___(y/n)." You felt a hand gently rest on your shoulder, walking beside your two friends.

"I'm trying. It's gonna take some time, but thank you, Sting-kun, Lector-kun." You gave your blonde friend and his cat partner a tiny smile. Sting and Lector have been taking you out every day this past week, trying to  lift your mood after a very difficult break up with your ex.

"I'm not saying this to make you feel better, but you really are better off without him." Sting hid his hands in his pockets.

"Sting is right! All that jerk ever did was make you cry." Lector agreed while nodding his head to emphasize how right his best friend was. You three found a bench to take a rest on, Sting offering to buy everyone a drink at the shop across the street from where you were. As he left the two of you for a moment, he sighed softly, feeling slightly helpless. He didn't know what else to do to make you feel better. Sting knew time was a big part of your healing process, but he was hoping to make you smile much sooner.

'Then again, part of it is my fault.' He thought, walking closer to the mini shop. You, Sting, and Lector lived in the same apartment building with you across from him. He could hear every argument you had with your ex and how you would cry until you fell asleep from exhaustion. There were so many times the White Dragon wanted to kill him, but he could see how much you valued that relationship. He didn't know why you did, but he needed to respect that.

Well, at least it's over and he could help you back to how you were before you met your ex, Ozu.

He returned with the beverages, opening his carefully then taking a sip. He saw you staring at your can, the object still unopened.

"Did I get the wrong flavor?"

"Huh? Oh, no! You got one of my favorites. Sorry, I was just thinking." You gave him a small smile, thanking him for the drink before finally unsealing it. The three of you left once your drinks were finished, walking back to the apartment building you shared. You listen to Sting and Lector make plans for tomorrow, automatically including you. You were used to them bringing you into town, the boys refusing to leave you alone. Although you did wonder when you'd be able to have time for yourself, you were grateful they didn't stop bothering you.
You walked to the floor you all lived on, each going to your respective rooms. You paused by the door, hand on the knob as the boys glanced at you.

"You all right?"

"I have...no idea. Just got this anxious feeling..." you seemed to answer with uncertainty, but you took out your key pushing it in and unlocking the door. You turned on the lights and your eyes widened, gasping loudly. Sting and Lector heard your sharp inhalation, wondering what captured your breath. Their eyes enlarged at the sight of your chaotic room before following you to see who had done this. In the living area, your furniture was broken or turned over while your kitchen was scattered with pieces of dishes. You went to your room, finding your bed had been ripped through and your clothes decorating the floor. All your drawers were also forced opened, clearly having been searched through.

Albums, pictures, and picture frames were damaged, the person intending to demolish items that were precious to you. You went to check what was missing while Sting and Lector tried to restore things to how they were before. The blonde dragon noticed written profanities on your mirror, Sting immediately using his gloved arm to wipe them away.

"He took it. He took the bracelet that you got me for my birthday last year." Sting turned his head to where you were, __(e/c) eyes quickly filling with tears. You buried your face in your hands, finally breaking down. Although you experienced continuous fights with Ozu, this was your breaking point. You had thought that you could trust him when you both exchanged keys and that he would be mature and return the spare.


You felt so betrayed! So stupid! So angry!

So hurt...

"I don't deserve this!" You cried into your hands, shoulders shaking as Sting quickly enveloped you in his arms. The mess could wait, you needed to be reassured that none of this was your fault.

"You're absolutely right. You don't deserve any of this. We're going-no, I'M going to fix this, okay?" He said softly in your ear, his hand rubbing your back in soothing strokes.

"Sting is right. Leave everything to him. He can handle it." Lector hugged you around your leg, hoping his small gesture could ease your pain somewhat.

"No, you shouldn't have to. It's my problem so I need to take care of it myself." You shook your head, not wanting to burden Sting with your troubles.

"So what if they're your problems? I'm your best friend. You should know how stubborn I am. If I say that I'm going to fix this, I will. And do you really think I can stand by and watch you cry some more? To be honest, I hated that relationship, but the reason I didn't do anything was to respect you. It wasn't my place to force you two to break up. Now, he's taken it too far and I'm drawing a line here. I don't care if you still love him. He's going to pay. I'm not letting you go through this alone."

His words wrapped themselves around your heart, bringing out more tears. You hugged him tighter, face burying itself in his chest as your sniffles were muffled against his body.

"What happened?" Sting and Lector heard Rogue say as him and his partner entered your room. Since Rogue was your neighbor, he heard you weeping when he returned from town.

"Is anyone hurt?" Rogue frowned at how Sting protectively sheltered you.

"We're fine. We found everything like this when we came in."

Rogue could not only see but feel how angry Sting was. He knew who the culprit was and wasn't planning on letting Sting seek revenge alone. Frosch walked over to your free leg, embracing you as she wished there was something more she could do to cure your sadness instantaneously. Rogue began to help clean your apartment room, surprised at how far your ex went. [1]

Eventually, you had to tear yourself away from Sting, not wanting Rogue to be the only person tidying up. There was not much left once you five were finished and the situation concerned the twin dragons.


"I think you should stay with Sting." Rogue spoke first after the long silence. "It's not only impractical for you to stay here, but also unsafe, especially if Ozu has your key."

"Fro agrees too!" You looked down at the green exceed.

"Yeah, I think it's better that way. After I take care of Ozu, we can help you move back and fix everything. And I ain't taking no for an answer either." Sting made the choice for you, worried at the possibility of Ozu returning.

--

You weren't able to get much sleep last night due to the cluttered thoughts that kept you awake. You saw Lector and Sting dressed to go out for the day, surprised that they weren't telling you to get ready yourself. Every day this week they have been bringing you out, so you were expecting them to continue with the routine.

"Hey, you sleep all right?" Sting knew you didn't have a good rest from your sobbing last night, but he still felt the need to ask.

"Yes, I did. Thank you for letting me stay." You smiled slightly as you went to help prepare them breakfast.

"Don't worry about it. This is your second home so feel free to do whatever." He thanked you for the plate of food you set in front of him, Lector doing the same before both boys devoured their breakfast.

"By the way, I'm going to see Ozu today, but when I'm done, we can go into town again."

"Yea! And I'm gonna be here with you so while he's out, we can plan our afternoon." Lector was going to stay behind to keep you company.

"Wait, I want to go with you." you told Sting, standing up to indicate that you would get ready soon.

"No way. You should stay here. Didn't I tell you I'd take care of it myself? You shouldn't have to do anything but to trust me." Sting frowned, not knowing what could happen if you and Ozu met again. He was clearly a danger to you, seeing how he vandalized your home.

"Please, Sting. This is what I want to do. I need to do this. I do trust you, but this is my relationship and I need to confront him."

Sting frowned, obviously disapproving of your request, but you also weren't wrong. This was between you and Ozu and if you wished to say something, then you had every right.

"Fine, but I'm not going to leave you alone with him. If he makes one wrong move, I'm sorry __(y/n), I'm not going to hold back anymore."

You nodded, agreeing to his terms also as you went to change. You three walked to his apartment building, your heart pounding with anxiousness. You were mentally trying to recite what you wanted to say to your ex while also predicting what he might say back. You needed to be prepared for anything. Sting and Lector were leaning against the wall a few feet away from you, giving you enough space for privacy but also to be able to react quickly should something happen. Sting made you promise to not go inside Ozu's apartment alone, instead, requesting that you talk to him in the hallway. He wasn't going to risk your safety. Sting glanced at you, hearing the door open after you knocked a few times.

"Huh? It's you. The hell you want?" Ozu looked down at you as if you were just an annoyance to him.

"Why? Why did you destroy my room?" You were desperately trying to find a reason as to why you deserved this.

"Because that's what you are. You're trash so you live like one, too." Sting heard Ozu reply and his arm twitched at his response, his muscle ready to attack. "I can't believe I stuck with you for all this time. Should've just left you way back!"

"Then why the hell didn't you, you bastard!?" You snapped, angry at his answer and how he believed that he was too good for you. He was making you think that you were below him and that you could never be equal with him. As you exchanged heated glares, you can evidently see the ugly monster in disguise.

"I only did it because I felt sorry! You were so pathetic! And don't you scream at me! You-"

"Don't talk to me like that!" You hated how he would shout at you like you were one of his guy friends. You took it all before, but now you were going to stand firmly against him. "I am sick and tired of you shouting at me and treating me as if my feelings don't matter! I didn't deserve anything that you did to me! I have done NOTHING wrong to you! I never cheated on you! I never lied to you! I never-"

"Oh right! You NEVER did, huh? Then what about that stupid guy, Sting?!"

"Don't talk about my best friend like that! Sting is a great guy, he-"

"Oh so what now? You're screwing him now? Is that it?! You think he's gonna care for you like I did? You were just a burden! Whatever he's doing for you, he's doing it out of pity! He'll never love you! If you think he'll ever could, you're stupid for believing it!" Ozu dug into his pocket, pulling out one of the two items you were about to demand him to return. He dangled the bracelet Sting gave you on your last birthday, a smirk forming on his lips, "I was thinking about selling it, but then I remembered it was from that weird dragon trash. Now I'm starting to realize that it's just a worthless piece of crap!"

Your eyes widened as he forcibly broke the gift in front of you, wincing slightly as he threw the fragments to your face.

"Y-y-yamete...." you said in a low voice, your words cracking as you tried to hold back a sob. Sting and Lector shared the same stunned expression, but as soon as Sting heard you whimper to stop, he no longer hesitated. Before Ozu could continue with his verbal abuse, Sting grabbed his face, standing in between you and your ex. Sting squeezed tightly at his head, lifting him a few inches from the ground.

"That's some mouth you got there. I don't care what you say about me, but I am not going to let you get away with hurting __(y/n)." The Sabertooth mage threw him down the hallway, watching his body break the concrete wall. Sting appeared before him, punching him repeatedly in the stomach. He grabbed him again, propelling Ozu to the floor as he squats over his chest. Ozu's eyes were kept wide with fear, pleading the White Dragon to stop.

"Did you ever stop when __(y/n) asked you to stop screaming at her? Did you ever stop when you hurt her? Did you stop when she would be up all night crying over your pathetic ass? I don't think so, so what makes you think I'll listen to you?" Sting drew his arm back far enough before lunging it swiftly and hard at his face. He hit various places on his face, making sure to leave no spot unwounded. For every tear that left your eye, Sting was going to return that pain ten times more.

--

You were staring at the parts of your bracelet given to you by Sting, quiet tears dripping from your eyes. Lector walks in front of you, gently saying your name as his paws are placed on your knees. As you continue to gaze sadly at the ground, you could almost see pieces of yourself falling to the floor.

"__(y/n). Oi, __(y/n)." Lector gently pats his right paw, snapping you away from your slight daze. "I've got the spare key so let's not waste any more time here. We've got better stuff to do."

The little cat was trying to change the environment to something less, well, a place without Ozu. You could see Sting still focused on Ozu, his eyes sharp with fury and detestation. He began to lift him again by the neck, Sting ready to deliver more blows. This wasn't right. Not that you cared for Ozu's well being, but Sting shouldn't have to be dealing with your problem. You walked behind him, hugging him tightly as you sniffled into his back.

"I want to go home. Please?" His dragon ears picked up your quiet plea, feeling all the rage slowly leave his body. He chucks Ozu to another wall, Sting turning to see you. His breathing stops at how unhappy you look and he lifts you in his arms, almost as if he was trying to salvage you from falling apart even more.

--

Ozu watches you and Sting leave, scoffing as he's against a wall.

"That's right! You better run! I'll make sure you pay for all the damage you've done! You're an idiot for doing this all for that chick's sake!" Your ex yelled into an empty hallway, too much of a coward to say it to Sting's face.

"I'm tired of hearing your voice." Ozu looked to the side to find a maroon colored cat. The exceed suddenly jumped at his face, clawing at him continuously as Ozu attempted to swipe him away.

"Sting is the strongest in Sabertooth! You're lucky he was holding back." Lector said as he is now floating with his wings exposed. "But if you think it's over for today, just wait till tonight. You've messed with the wrong people."

Lector flew quickly towards the exit, trying to catch up with you and his best partner. He knew that by nightfall, Rogue would want to participate in Ozu's punishment.

--

You were gently placed on your feet after Sting opened his apartment door, Lector having caught up halfway.

"Do you still want to go out __(y/n)? Maybe get some air?" Lector asked, trying to break the silence. You shook your head as you walked to the bathroom, claiming it for yourself. You turned on the faucet, a hand on your mouth as you tried to suppress your cry. It didn't work, but you tried to convince yourself that the others couldn't hear you.

You leaned against the bathroom wall, bringing your knees to your chest. You sobbed loudly, the pain in your heart aching even more as you pondered on every thought that bombarded your mind.

Every single time!

Why did you always get screwed over in the end of a relationship?! You shed tears into your knees, your shaking hands being buried in __(hair color) colored locks.

--

It hurt. It hurt Sting to know that you were in so much pain and there wasn't a remedy he could give you for it. He sat against the wall next to the bathroom door, waiting for you to come out. He knew he should've gone alone! Why wasn't he adamant with his decision from before?

'Because I just can't say no to her.' Sting sighed, arms resting on his knees as he wondered if he could have done anything differently to change this. But maybe, this was for the better. As much as Sting didn't want you to be in this situation, this was the only way for you to truly understand that Ozu was not meant for you.

It had been hours since you locked yourself in the bathroom, Sting worried about his best friend. He knocked on the door a few times, receiving nothing but the sound of quiet sniffling.

"C'mon, __(y/n). You've been there for hours. Don't you want to eat or drink a little something?" It has been hours since your last meal and Sting was afraid of the potential consequences of you not properly eating, especially since you haven't had a decent meal after your break up with Ozu

"No. I'm not hungry."

"Don't do this, __(y/n). I know it's really hard to forget about him, but you can't be cooped up in there forever." Sting had given you enough time to grieve alone. You didn't give him a response, Sting letting out another sigh as he was determined to wait there for you.

--

You were beginning to feel guilty for worrying Sting, finally opening the door then peeking your head out. You didn't find him in front of you, widening the door as your eyes scanned to your left and right. You looked down to see him against the wall, surprised to see him on the floor.

"How long were you there for?"

"Since we came home."

He waited for you for that long? You knelt before the dragon slayer, separating his hands that were clasped together on his knees then placed yourself against his chest. You laid your head on his shoulder, circling your arms around his torso. Sting was surprised by your gesture, but he didn't hesitate to return the embrace.

"I'm sorry." You began as the blonde looked down at you. "I'm being such a burden and you're sacrificing your time just to help me."

"Stop it." You lifted your head up at his reply. "Stop apologizing because you aren't a burden. Whatever that jerk said to before, it wasn't true. I need you to know that, okay? I am not helping you because I pity you. It's because I care for you. You should know that I do. If I didn't, I wouldn't be doing anything for you. That guy was just trying to get to you. Don't let him. You're part of Sabertooth, you're stronger than that."

You nodded, quietly thanking him as your hold on him became slightly tighter. A wave of silence settles in the room, but it didn't feel as lonely now that you were in the arms of Sting.

"He broke the bracelet you gave me." You said softly almost as if you didn't want to disturb the quietness.

"I'll get you a new one."

"But I liked it."

"I'll buy you an even better bracelet." He whispers, acting as if the two of you weren't allowed to raise your voices.

"That one was special since it came from you." You cherished anything that was given to you by Sting, which made it difficult for him to buy you presents. You liked everything and it was hard for him to distinguish what you didn't like.

"As much as I didn't want him doing that in front of you, he can't break what we have. He can say whatever, but we're still going to be best friends, right?"

"Hm. You're right."

Sting was glad that you were opening yourself to him, meaning that you were now comfortable with letting him handle your pain.

"Ne, __(y/n)?"

"Yeah?"

"Why did you stay with Ozu?"

You paused at his question, thinking over it carefully and you found yourself stumped. Why did you stay with him?

"I guess because I felt that I could change him for the better. He was a nice person the first few months we went out, but then he began to change. He was also very good at making me feel guilty that I'm the reason why our relationship was breaking apart. Like it was my fault, that I was doing something wrong to make it go that way."

Sting frowned at what you said, his chest aching at what you had been through. "I'm sorry. I didn't do anything sooner. You were suffering for that long and I didn't do anything."

"That's because I didn't let you. It's not your fault. I'm just glad that you've been there for me when I needed you and you're still here."

"Of course. I'll always be here for you." He rested his chin on the top of your head. "You don't believe all of what he said, do you?"

"I don't know." you whispered gently gripping his shirt.

"I've watched you try and try for that guy. It was his fault things went so wrong and he took advantage of your feelings. I won't let anyone try that again."

"Arigato, Sting. Thank you so much."

--

A couple weeks have gone by since the Ozu incident. You haven't heard from him, but you did find out that a certain pair of twin dragons and cats took care of him. You would forever be grateful to those four, especially to Sting. It would only be a few more days until you could return to your room. You had to order a lot of furniture and dinnerware to replace the ones Ozu had destroyed. Rogue, Sting, Lector, and Frosch have been a great help to you, making the moving in process less difficult.

You had finished everything for today, now relaxing in your temporary room with Sting. While you were pondering on a decision for the past couple of weeks, your blonde friend was bouncing a small ball against the wall.

"Ne, Sting?" you called to him, looking at him from where he was seated on the bed.

"Yeah?"

"Can I tell you something?" Sting heard you ask as he caught his ball, putting it to the side to display his full attention. You move a bit closer to Sting, gently taking both of his hands.

"I've been thinking a lot about what happened these past few weeks. And I'm tired. So, so tired of getting my heart broken and crying all the time. I decided that I'm gonna give up. Give up on love. Yes, you can call me a coward or stupid, but I can't go through that pain again. It's just not worth it. Or maybe I'm not worth it. That thing with Ozu, it hurt so much and if I didn't have you, I wouldn't know what I'd do. But thank you, for everything and being there. Now you won't have to listen to me complain about my guy problems." You laughed a bit at the last sentence, trying not to be so serious.

"Wait, __(y/n)-" Sting frowned, maneuvering his body so he was facing more towards you.

"I've had such horrible experiences with love. Maybe it's a sign that I'm gonna be single for the rest of my life." You sighed loudly before glancing up at him.

"But, before I give up, I want to," you moved closer to Sting, gripping his hands a bit more, "I want to give my final kiss to you because you hold a very special place in my heart. You're a great person and I want to have my last kiss memorable with a man whose heart is filled with only good intentions. So, I hope you won't yell at me after." you whispered quietly then softly placed your lips against his. Sting's eyes widen by not only the kiss, but seeing a sad tear leave your right eye. Your hands let go of his then settling themselves on his cheeks.

--

Sting's heart pounded painfully against his ribcage at your final choice of not wanting to love again. This wasn't how it was suppose to go! He was suppose to heal you and help you find happiness again. In truth, he was hoping you could find that happiness with him. He had developed these feelings last year, but never acted upon them, thinking it was only a short term crush. He had this plan of helping you fully recover from your break up and show you that if given the chance, he would take care of your heart properly. You start to pull away, but Sting carefully grabs the back of your head to press you closer to him as if to prevent you from slipping through his arms.

The kiss begins to intensify through Sting's strong feelings. His feelings of fear, protectiveness, determination, and love. Fear came from the possibility of losing that chance of being with you. The protectiveness to guard your heart from any pain. Determination for proving that love is not worth giving up. And as for love, it was obvious that you were the only one he trusted his heart with.

You respond just as intensely, the both of your feelings clashing back and forth until you laid on the bed. His tongue peeks from his lips to touch yours, adjusting himself so he wasn't crushing your small body. As you attempt to taste his lips, his sneaky appendage raids the inside of your mouth. His tongue sways against yours, bumping into every crevice before inviting you to explore his. Your hands had let go when you fell onto the bed, but you begin to feel his free hand glide up from your hip, side, and over your arm. It slowly makes its way to your palm, his touch sending a trail of goosebumps from where it brushed. When it reaches to the end of your arm, his hand finally rejoins with yours, fingers lacing with one another.

He is the first to break the kiss, not wanting you to believe he was trying to take advantage of you giving him the privilege of stealing your last kiss. He stares down at the woman underneath him, unable to say his response to your decision as your beauty mesmerizes him slightly.

"Don't. Don't do this. I know you don't want to go through any more heartaches, but I know you'll find someone who'll make you truly happy. No, forget that. Someone is looking for you to give their heart to." Sting didn't want you to regret this later on, "As much as I am against this, ultimately, it is your decision."

He gave you a small smile and a peck on the cheek before pushing himself off you. Sting was going to need a moment for himself and to give you time to really think on your choice. He makes it to his room, shutting the door quietly as he lays on his bed, arms folded behind his cranium.

Sting wasn't going to let you do this. He was going to prove to you that love is not all about pain, but he was going to neglect to tell you what he plans to do. It would be better if you didn't expect anything. It wasn't that Sting thought you needed a man to live, but he hated how you believed you weren't worthy of being loved. He didn't want you believing what your idiotic ex drilled into your brain about you not deserving of anything good.

He was determined to make you happy again, even if you couldn't find that fairy tale ending with him.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

[1] Since Fro's gender is still unclear, I'm just putting 'she'. If anyone found out Fro's real gender, please let me know!