Author's Note: This is my collection of stories about Auel and Sting for my claim at endless(underscore)future on Livejournal, the Gundam Seed 50 themes community.

Title: Beyond the Storms
Claim: Auel & Sting friendship
Theme: Set #2, Theme #9- Bad weather
Genres: Drama/General
Word Count: 702
Rating: PG
Summary: He couldn't remember why Sting didn't like storms, but Auel still wanted to do something about it.
"Sting?"

Auel peered cautiously into the room, hesitant to enter right away. He'd never seen Sting like this, his green-haired friend with his eyes wide and his body tense. That wasn't like him, Auel thought to himself, no- Sting was the composed one. This wasn't like him at all.

Neo had said something about getting Stellar a pet from the ocean, just like she loved, so they were gone into town for the evening. And asking the scientists or the crew for help would only result in punishment. With a frown, Auel realized he had no other choice but to try and help Sting on his own.

"Sting? You okay?"

"Au-Auel?"

The usually calm voice was audibly shaken; and trying his hardest to remember the times Sting had talked to Stellar or himself when they were upset, Auel entered the room.

"What's wrong? It's not…"

There was a fuzz of static in his mind at the thought, a dull roar keeping him from recalling certain memories. Auel clenched his fist and sat down hastily besides Sting.

"It's not your block word, is it?"

"No. It's just…" A loud crash of thunder sounded outside and Sting flinched.

"…the storm?" Auel prompted.

Sting nodded, diverting his eyes away, "It just- unsettles me."

Frowning, the blue-haired youth once again tried to remember if there was anything that could have caused this.

"Sting…bad weather…is there something that he doesn't like about it? Why?"

A vague ghost of a memory seemed to prick at his senses, but he couldn't grasp it before the static in his mind washed it away.

"Neo said," Sting spoke up, pausing as he thought back over what the masked man had told him, "He said it was something I should have forgotten, but it made too deep an imprint."

Auel nodded and the room fell silent. There were always things the three of them just couldn't remember- it had become a part of life. But this time, he really wished he could recall what it was about bad weather that Sting didn't like.

Moments later, another crash of thunder resounded throughout the building. Sting winced, his hand grasping beside him and clutching the fabric between his fingers.

Blinking, Auel looked down at Sting's hand clutching his jacket.

"What's the matter, Sting? You want me to hold your hand?" He joked.

Golden eyes opened and glared.

"Damnit Auel, It's not funny!"

"Something bad happened. Left alone…Sting…stormy night…"

It was something Neo had told them once, said to be careful out in the storm with Sting when they were on a mission; but that's all Auel could recall.

But that was all he needed to know, his hand quickly clasping Sting's wrist when the green-haired man tried to angrily pull it away.

"You always try and help me and Stellar when stuff happens, right?"

"Auel…" Sting paused, caught up in the determination that surfaced in Auel's teal eyes.

Trying to act cool about it, the blue-haired boy leaned up against Sting's side; allowing himself a small smile when he noticed the surprise on his friend's face.

"I guess it won't put me out too much to stay here with you until it's over. Not like I have anything better to do…"

Sting smiled at that, pleased to know that Auel was looking out for him even if he'd never admit it. A head of blue hair rested against Sting's shoulder, as the young man sighed.

"Sheesh. Who would've thought you'd be the type to hate thunderstorms, Sting."

"I know, it's stupid."

"Stupid? It's lame, Sting. L-A-M-E, lame."

Another clap of thunder echoed across the landscape, but this time Sting found it wasn't so bad. Looking down, he noticed that Auel was reluctantly holding his hand.

"Thanks, Auel."

"Don't mention it," He paused, glancing at the bed across the room, "But if anyone asks, I had nothing to do with this, got that?"

Sting laughed, "All right, Auel. It's just between you and me then."

"Just between us."

They continued that way for a few hours, conversing casually and sitting side by side as they weathered the storm together. And before they knew it, the rain had stopped; leaving nothing but a clear, night sky.