Your desks changed again and quite honestly the classroom couldn't get any better.

You sat in the back by the window again and this time Sting sat to your right. That meant if you ever needed to share a book or do a group project, he'd be right there. Rogue sat on the other side of Sting and Dobengal sat behind you in that loner desk. Rufus and Orga were near the front while Yukino and Minerva sat on the other side of the room.

You knew you'd have to talk to them soon but you were putting it off.

Everything was fine other than the mishap with Dobengal again. Having him sit behind you was awkward but you weren't gonna let him get to you. In fact, because of his burst of popularity at the stands, some girl in your class confessed to him. You overheard people saying something about him not giving an answer yet, but you thought he should. He deserved a little happiness just like everyone else.

You and Sting were still fine.

You also needed to talk to Mard, he deserved an explanation and your answer. You couldn't see being with him, especially after finally mending things with Sting. Sting was too precious in your life to give up.

If you were being completely honest, you couldn't see your life without Sting. You may have been separated for a while but you obviously thought about him every day. Him not being there with you was unimaginable.

Now that you were okay, you wanted to make sure he was fine with you talking to Mard after school. When you told Sting, he was pretty antsy about the situation, but he trusted you.

"Meet me at the gate," He said. You could tell he was holding in his anxiety. "We'll go see a movie when you're done."

You only had one class left until you had to go chit-chat. Sting's leg was bouncing up and down while his pencil hit the desk repeatedly. You looked over at him and gave him a smile. He returned your smile with another and faced back towards the front.

You didn't want him to keep feeling this way. The sooner you told Mard, the better.

The bell finally went off and the surrounding students began packing their things and heading out. Rufus and Orga came over to Sting and Rogue, already they had a plan for getting something to eat after class. Sting had to let them down easy, telling them the only plans he had today were with you.

You blushed and continued packing your things. Everything Sting did was sweet and adorable. You two being back together felt too good to be true.

"Oh come on (Y/N)! Why are you trying to steal our friend?" Orga throws his head back dramatically. He must've been really looking forward to a guy's night.

You drop your shoulders and shake your head. "Sorry Orga, but he's all mine tonight."

If men could have a default sound, it would be them in a group going, 'OHHH!'

Orga made that exact sound and gripped his uniform over his heart as if he got shot. "Shots fired!"

Rufus smirked, "Where did this (Y/N) come from?"

Sting rolled his eyes and shoved Orga. "Lay off." He joked.

You checked the clock and began walking out. "Meet you down there?"

Sting nodded. "Yeah, I'll see you in a bit."

You pulled your bag onto your shoulder and headed out. You decided to go to Mard's class first. You hoped he'd still be there. He shouldn't be too far, the bell had only rung a few minutes ago after all.

The third years were intimidating (in his class at least). There were a few pushing each other around right next to the door. It made getting to him feel awkward.

You decided to just ask the two rude boys at the door instead of getting around them. "Excuse me," You said. The two stopped messing around long enough to listen. "Is Mard Geer here?"

The two looked at each other before one of them smirked. The smirker had light brown hair (almost sandy) and had sharper teeth than you thought necessary. The other was tan AF and didn't argue as much as the furry over there.

"You're (Y/N)?" It came out more as a statement than a question. "Hey Mard! Your (Y/N) is here!" He called into the classroom.

The few students still left in there stared at you awkwardly standing in the doorway. You were simply waiting for Mard to pop up.

He was sitting on a desk with a circle of people surrounding him. He was like a king and the people around him were just beggars. Each and every one of them gave you some kind of dirty look.

You took a step back but the smirking boy put his arm around your shoulders and forced you inside. "Don't be so scared, come on in!" He cackled.

He took you over to Mard who was giving you the most loving smile you'd ever seen on a person. "(Y/N), I'm so glad you're here. Have you thought about what I said?"

You stared down at your hands, avoiding the looks from everyone else around you. "Yeah... can we talk in private?"

A few huffs sounded throughout the group but Mard ignored them. "Of course," Without looking at anyone but you, he spoke to the group, "If you all wouldn't mind," He waited for each and every one of them to leave the room until it was just the two of you and those two boys at the door.

The classroom was deadly quiet. The only sounds comforting you were the noises the students made in the halls. Thank god people were still leaving.

"What is your answer?" Mard asked with a smirk that made him look so sure of himself.

You tore your stare away from your hands and looked him directly in those intimidating eyes. "I'm really sorry, Mard. Sting and I are back together. I mean, we always were together, but we made up. I can't go out with you."

Mard stood from his spot on the desk. You got scared and stepped back against the desk behind you. You were distracted for a millisecond from running into the desk that it gave him enough time to trap you between him and it.

"Are you really happy with someone like him (Y/N)?" He whispered. His nose was barely an inch away from yours. "Someone who can't even get away from his own ex-girlfriend? Someone who doesn't even trust you? I can give you everything -- love, trust, and then some. Sting Eucliffe is just a child. You, my dear (Y/N), deserve a man."

All you could think about that moment was Sting. Your body was frozen and not a single word could escape your lips. You needed to say something because Mard was moving in fast. He was moments away from stealing your lips and you were this close to crying.

"You don't have to be anyone's second choice, (Y/N). You'll always be my first choice. I'll put you above everyone and everything."

He actually scared you. He terrified you. It wasn't flirty or loving, it was downright possession.

"Mard!" The sound of Sting's harsh tone resonated throughout the room.

You took the moment to slip away from Mard and sprint over to Sting. You slammed into him and your shaking arms squeezed tight around his waist. You weren't letting go even if he asked you to.

"How annoying," Mard said, sitting back on the desk behind him.

Sting had one arm around you and another at his side with a fist made ready to knock out Mard. "What do you think you're doing, Mard?" He seethed.

Mard shrugged. "Nothing that concerns the likes of you, Eucliffe."

If it wasn't for you clinging to him hopelessly you knew Sting would've started some fight. He already pushed through the boys at the door. The two looked more ready for a fight than Sting did. By now, anything Sting did might have been asking for a fight.

Sting squeezed your shoulder and turned you two to leave. "Stay away from her, Mard." That was the last thing he told Mard before the two of you left.

The two at the door stood back like they were waiting for orders to attack Sting, but Mard was as cool as a cucumber. His level of relaxation worried you. Before you left for good he gave you his signature smirk and a short wave goodbye. It was a simple gesture yet it sent chills down your spine.

Sting kept you glued to him until you got down to the shoe lockers. There were only a handful of students left and the few of them noticed how close you and Sting walked together -- closer than usual.

He gave dirty looks to everyone who stared at the two of you and kept an arm around your waist, even after you changed shoes and left the school.

He was silent and you didn't say a word. You just kept an arm around him too and leaned into him. He was warm. His breathing was still harsh and you could tell he was still trying to calm down.

"Sting," You broke the silence. His face changed when he looked down at you. His tough exterior was torn down instantly and replaced with a forced soft smile.

"Yeah?"

You placed your free hand on his cheek and brought his face down so you could kiss his other cheek. "How about we skip the movie?"

He let out a long breath and nodded. He was starting to relax with your help. It was thanks to him you were okay so the least you could've done was ease his worries.

He kissed the top of your head. "Sounds good."

~~~

You went to your place instead of the movies. He sat at the table with his homework sitting in front of him and his tired eyes staring right down at it. He seemed stressed. Today was not a good day that was for sure. Your relationship was still healing and an event like that didn't help the process one bit.

You were waiting for the tea kettle to whistle. To pass the time you kept peeking over at Sting. He was so focused that you actually counted the times he's blinked, which weren't many.

He groaned and let his head fall on the papers. "This is the worst! I can't focus at all! All I can think about is that stupid Mard," Sting clenched his fist and set his chin on it. He growled, "I'm gonna punch his face in the next time I see him."

The kettle began to whistle. You sigh and take the kettle off the stove. You made him some green tea and prepared your favorite flavor for yourself. You set the tea down and sat to the right of him. You grabbed the wrist of his clenched fist and kissed his hand.

He blushed, making you blush back and smile. "Try not to okay? If you get suspended then I'm gonna be left all alone in that horrible, horrible place."

He groaned and fell back on the table. He still hasn't removed his hand from your grip. "Okay." Was all he said.

The two of you sat there silent as you messed with each other's hands. He let you explore every inch of his palm before taking your left hand and squeezing it. He moved his fingers slowly and rubbed your ring finger.

"I mean it you know..." He said quietly.

You placed your head down on the table with him. You used your right arm as a headrest. "Yeah." You knew what he meant.

"I want to marry you when we get out of high school." He said it so easily like it wasn't a life-changing decision. He made it sound like he was picking out food from the grocery store.

You laughed, "What about college? And our family. My dad is nice now but I don't think he's going to go for a marriage so fast."

Sting let out a breath and nodded. "Yeah, I guess my dad wouldn't agree to a marriage like that so fast either." He was outlining the creases of your hand now with his thumb. "We could always elope."

"And college?"

"We'll go to the same college. We'll live together and get part-time jobs."

It sounded nice. You still weren't sure about what to do after school. Your dad was taking you under his wing but what school were you gonna go to to get the diploma you needed? What was Sting going to do in college?

"What do you want to study?" You asked him.

He shrugged. "My dad wants me to do what he does. He also wants me to study away from home, international and stuff."

You needed to talk to your father soon. You may have had a year but it was never too early to plan for after high school.

"You?"

"I'm not sure. My father's been taking me under his wing so he may want me to be in the same business as him. I'm just not sure though."

Sting kissed your fingers. "If it means being with you, I'll go anywhere and do anything."

You giggle and give him a peck on the nose. "That's a recipe for disaster you know."

"I know. I've just-- I've missed you so much (Y/N). I want to make up for all the time we've missed,"

"Yeah."

"And I don't want anyone to come between us anymore. Not Yukino, Mard, our family,"

"Mhhm."

"And I want there to be a future for us."

You move over and quiet those rambling lips. He was so warm. He was the sunlight you needed with such grey skies. He was everything you've been missing.

"There will be."