Stalking his way through the brick and mortar halls of Domus Flau, a dark haired dragon slayer tensed and untensed his jaw repeatedly, trying and failing to work up the courage to go to the infirmary where he knew you were staying.

He shouldn’t care, he knew he shouldn’t, couldn’t, but he couldn’t really help it. How could anyone not feel bad after the four minutes and fifty one seconds of pure torture you’d gone through, broadcasted with disturbing detail for thousands of people to see. The worst part…people cheered. Of course he could tell most were horrified, or at least uncomfortable, but some were cheering…too caught up in the games to realize the real damage that was being done to someone who didn’t deserve it. The real damage that was being done to you.

He could remember what you’d said to him, that night when you two ran into each other in the city square. It had just been the two of you and you’d gotten to talking...

”You see your guild as a means of putting food on the table and a roof over your head…but for many of us, for me, Fairy Tail has been the only home we’ve ever known. Its doors are always open to anyone in need.”

Home…

That word was ringing in his mind. Of course, he wasn’t actually considering leaving Sabertooth, he’d have to be absolutely brain dead, but that word stuck with him. Home.

Sighing, he held Frosch in his arms, the poor thing was sleeping fitfully, despite his attempts to calm the green furred exceed. Frosch just couldn’t understand why Minerva had done that to you, someone who’s been nothing but kind. He couldn’t really understand it either, well, he knew the reason, protecting Sabertooth’s pride. After Natsu had bust in after they had kidnapped his own exceed and destroyed the courtyard of the hotel they were staying in, roughed up a few of their strongest mages and made a fool of their Master in front of their entire guild, an example needed to be made. And unfortunately, Minerva had noticed how Natsu seemed to care for you, more so than others.

He passed up and down the hallway, still trying to gather the nerve to enter the infirmary. He didn’t have a right to see you, and he was sure if he got caught even anywhere near you your guild would rain hellfire down on him, and maybe he deserved it. He’d seen the way your guild mates looked at them when Minerva finally had finished with you, the pure hatred and contempt in their eyes, and the worst part, his Guild had just smiled back. Of course he hadn’t, in fact he’d had to look away in disgust, but he doubted they would care about that very easily looked over fact. He was part of the guild that had hurt one of their own so horribly. They’d want to get even.

“Gh-“ His teeth clenched, he didn’t have time to waste out here, in an hour he had to be in the tag battle with Sting against Natsu and Gajeel. He couldn’t waste his time on one person he’d spoken to all of one time. But he just couldn’t get the way you looked out of his head, the way your body went limp, the way you dropped from the water sphere and Natsu and Gray had jumped all the way down from their viewing area to catch you so you didn’t hit the sandy ground. The way your entire guild stormed the arena and an all out brawl almost broke out between Fairy Tail and Sabertooth, only prevented by the fact you needed immediate medical attention.

Just being here would make his master angry, make him furious, actually…

No way you would even want to see him!

He was such an idiot for doing this…

He groaned and after taking a breath slowly opened the infirmary door, peaking in to try and get a look at you to gauge your condition.