Under the Starry Sky
It didn't happen often.
But sometimes, during missions, they would talk.
As the girls were sleeping and one of them was on guard, the other would stay up.
The first few times it happened, there was a slightly awkward silence between them. There was also the possibility of the girls waking up and that just added to the tense silence.
Still, mission by mission, the silence eased up a little. Until the proper conversations began.
The thing was, they had an image to maintain - which was something no-one really cared about, just the two of them did - and these situations, with them lowering their guards - rare, for the time being - didn't go with said image. They were rivals before being friends, after all!
Or so they tried to sell that idea…
They'd camped for the night, after a mission that had been successful but felt like it had dragged for ages.
They girls had already fallen asleep, Gray having been appointed the first shift. Natsu had, bravely endured and was now sitting beside Gray, by the dying fire. They didn't speak, for the moment, Natsu was looking at the flames, entranced and Gray was looking up, at the dark sky. A faint smile in his lips.
Natsu noticed.
"What's that smile about?" He asked, keeping his eyes on the dancing flames.
"Hm? Smile?" Gray looked down, to his friend. "What're you talking about?"
"You've been sitting there, looking up and smiling like a loon. Don't tell that the closeness to the heat," he pointed at the fire, "has melted your brain?"
"Shut up!" Gray retorted, giving the fire mage a small punch on the arm. "I was just looking at the sky. Is there a problem?"
"No." Natsu shrugged and looked straight at Gray. "But your weird smile was creepy."
"What weird smile?"
"Y'know…" Natsu copied Gray's previous position. "Like this… and your face was…" he paused and thought of a huge, juicy steak, accompanied by a pile of rice and another of fries. His face slackened and a small smile appeared fleetingly on his face. He ruined the whole effect by starting to drool a little.
"Hey! I didn't have drool." Gray said in an offended tone.
"You weren't, yes. I just thought of that steak I ate last week. But," he straightened up, turned to Gray, crossed his legs and leaned forward, "what were you thinking about that had you go all… goo-eyed?"
The corners in Gray's mouth lifted slightly. He shook his head before glancing amusedly at Natsu.
"I was thinking about Ur, if that's what you want to know." He paused for a beat to appreciate the shocked look in Natsu's face. "She used to tell us stories, both about and under the night sky. Her stories were… fun."
"It's kind of strange to hear you talking about that…" Natsu muttered. "I know that I'm always talking about Igneel but there are some things that I just can't…" he choked on his words.
"Anyway." Gray continued, pretending nothing had happened. "I have a lot of great memories. Also, she's everywhere, ever since evaporating to the sky."
Natsu grimaced slightly. Gray noticed.
"No need for that. Also, I still feel that I need to thank you. You were…"
"There's no need for any of that!" Natsu waved the other off. "You're a friend and needed help. That's what we're here for!"
Gray's hand fell on his shoulder. Cold and solid and sure.
"I know. But, thanks." Gray said seriously.
"You owe me, then, ice boy. Now, what kinds of stories did you hear?"
Gray let their previous conversation drop and, leaning back, started explaining the constellations and their stories.
Their conversation went on until the embers in the fire died and the first grey light started to emerge in the horizon.