Relationship with: Auel Neider
Sting and Auel are close, maybe even best, friends. Off the battlefield, Sting interacts with Auel more than he does with anyone else aboard the ship. They talk comfortably with each other and are always together, one way or another. Sometimes, they are seen playing cards with one another or just lazing about. While on Earth, they also play each other in basketball. Both are serious cheaters though xD Well, Sting started it by going under instead of left or right, but Auel used him as a step-ladder. Not to mention that Auel also lectured Sting on the rules beforehand. So who's worse? *laughs* (Look at the Suit 7 Mini Drama: Yuujou no Basketball's translation for details ~.^)
A key to their friendship is how well they balance each other out. While Auel is rather cocky and stubborn at times, Sting is calm and admits when he's wrong or when a situation is hopeless, no matter how much he does not like it. Sting doesn't hesitate to yell at Auel when he's being an idiot or being too conceited, keeping him in check on the battlefield so he doesn't get himself killed. In return, Auel keeps Sting from being too serious and always gets him to lighten up a little. They taunt and tease each other on an almost daily basis; Auel's nicknames include 'idiot' in Sting's book. Nevertheless, it's obvious Sting does care about Auel and wants to look out for him.
On the battlefield, the two usually fight side-by-side and cover for each other when attacking, keeping an eye out for enemies in each other's blind spots, like how Sting warns Auel of enemies from behind during their fight in the hangar. In their mobile suits, a similar strategy is used, moving in-synch to keep their movements and attacks hidden from the enemy. For example, Abyss will be in front of Chaos, hiding it from view, and will seamlessly move out of the way when Chaos fires, distracting the enemy long enough to be hit by Chaos's attack. They make a perfect team, putting aside Auel's occasional snide comments about the way things are run, but those are a part of their normal interaction as well. Nevertheless, Auel holds a certain amount of respect and trust for Sting while on the battlefield, usually agreeing to his orders without question, even retreating from a fight despite his stubbornness. (Why is it that he'll listen to Sting and not to their commander?) When together, they make sure that the other gets back in one piece and fight beautifully.
One can also ponder over a romantic relationship between the two. Mostly if you're a rabid fangirl/boy, like me xD Although the series obviously features them as simple friends, pictures prove otherwise. In most of the pictures featuring the two, Sting has his arm around Auel and on some occasions, wears a look on his face that CLEARLY states, "Touch him and DIE. He's MINE." Possessive much? xD The only times Sting ever laughs or even smiles are the times that he is with Auel, as well. It's clear that having Auel around means a lot to Sting, even if they are not involved romantically. But honestly, considering all of the yummy bishounen in this anime and all the various pairings that have resulted, Auel x Sting is not any less probable ~.^
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