Chapter Text
Trying to rebuild Sabertooth and regain its old reputation as a strong guild was difficult because the strength had come from being an army and this is not what they wanted to be again. Receiving their power from friendship? Too soon. They weren't Fairy Tail. Yet they were still working together. Or trying to figure out how they work together the best. It was a bit weird to think out of the usual combinations, who could make a good pair with who.
Rufus had less trouble to go on quests with different people, not just because of his type of magic but the way he thought. Quick, changing, adapting. It got even better after his loss against Gray who showed him his weakness, the points he had to work on. He was always trying to improve.
Sabertooth didn't hunger for power any more but improvement.
But nothing compared to Rogue and Sting fighting side by side. Even before dating it had been obvious how well their teamwork was. Now that it was more or less official and their guildmates looked closer at their actions, they saw that they were even more powerful than they had assumed.
“If it weren't for you", one member mentioned offhandedly once, looking at Sting and Rogue, "I don't think we'd have enough strength as a guild."
"That's stupid", Sting had replied in an instant, throwing them off guard, "you guys are pretty strong yourself."
Nobody opposed to this, but even if they had planned to, Sting didn't give them a chance. As if he had waited for his, he slowly started with listing the strength of the strongest five until he mentions others, how powerful they are - not that this is necessary, he reminded them, there were different types of strength. Honestly, it was a surprise for them, how sincere he sounded.
For Sting it had been difficult to remember each name and magic at the beginning, but he doubted that Jiemma had, so it made him feel less guilty. He was trying. It was easier now and he talked passionately about how much power each of them had in their own way. The guild hall became quiet, though it took Sting a moment to realise that all of them were starring at him, not just the small group he had been talking to. Clearing his throat, he hoped it was not obvious how embarrassed he was.
"Ah well, as I was saying, we're all strong”, he ended his monologue and mumbled an 'excuse me', quickly leaving before anyone else could say something.
The others were too dumbfounded to stop him or say anything. Rogue laughed lightly, though even he was slightly embarrassed when those who weren't used to this look at him. He was more open nowadays, but some of them still saw him as Sting's shadow or a brooding, too serious sort of guy first and foremost.
"I'm... looking after Sting", he excused himself, heading to the office upstairs.
"Idiots", Minerva said, but with such a fondness that the rest couldn't help but to agree; they resume what they had done before, though most did with the reassurance that their guildmaster counted on them.
*
When Rogue closed the door after himself and turned to his partner, Sting buried his face in his chest.
"Why did you allow me to ramble?"
"You were cute", is all he said before loosely wrapping his arms around Sting.
"Ah, yes. I forgot, your only weakness."
It's something they had talked about before. How vulnerable they were now. Of course even before dating would they have done anything to fight for the other one. But now the others knew as well. Somehow, relatives and lovers had more worth to their enemies than best friends.
"And my strength. Don't forget that."
Sting moved to bury his face in the crook of his neck, smiling and pressing his lips against Rogue’s skin.
"Never."