A/N: This story is slightly connected to my other fic, Waltz.

New Year's kiss

The night sky was clear, the glossy almost-black inkiness of it was sprinkled by the familiar small white patterns. Their light was only obfuscated by the waning moon's shine.

Gray was sitting at one of the stone benches on one of the small gardens that were further away from the mansion.

The small fountain at the centre of the square space had water flowing, falling from the elaborate sculpture of a flower vase. The water sparked with the fairy lights that made the whole place glow in a cloud of warm yellow. The watery noises overpowered completely the sound of the music that, no doubt, was being played indoors.

It was cold outside.

Yet…

Yet, it seemed like more people had decided to venture out to explore the maze of gardens.

So Gray had retreated further, further deeper into the maze. Where he wouldn't be found. Most likely, at least.

He sighed.

Partly, because he was finally alone – how did he still get roped into this? It was always the same old story… - and partly because he wondered. For, once it could be by mere chance but twice? Twice showed meaning.

But time had passed.

Not only of him taking his time – for hiding, to scope the area, to grab himself a glass of champagne. And Gray had waited. And wondered. Then wondered and waited some more.

He got to look up at the sky, and noticed the familiar constellations. He leaned back, hands gripping at the edge of the bench and started to think the names he remembered, all to himself.

He thought of Ur, who had taught him these things. A soft smile reached Gray's lips.

"There you are."

Those words brought Gray back from his distracted musings.

"You're here too." Gray said, straightening himself up. He stood up, a short smirk fluttering on his lips as he asked, "got dragged here once more?"

Natsu let out a surprised laugh. "Why, yes," he raised his own glass up before making to bring it to his lips but he didn't drink yet, "among other things…"

There was a moment where they both looked intensely at the other.

The moment broke.

"It's good to see you here." Gray raised his glass at the other, pausing to look at its contents. He frowned. "Hm, looks like you took too long though?"

"Huh?" Natsu took the few steps that separated them and looked inquiringly at Gray. "What do you mean?"

"My wine is flat." Gray replied as he pouted slightly, he nearly shoved the glass into the other's chest – narrowly avoiding dropping any of the champagne on the other's bespoke suit.

"You're such a whiner, Gray. Almost like a proper princess…" Natsu teased.

"Hey! I told you to stop with that." Gray poked at Natsu's chest heatedly. "It's not like you can talk much. Your hair makes you look more like a princess than me!"

"My hair? What's up with my hair?" Natsu almost raised a hand to check but caught himself – it would not end well with both hands occupied. So he just threw a glare at Gray for the moment.

"Nothing." Gray replied in a sing-song voice.

Natsu opened his mouth to retort but suddenly fireworks erupted into the sky. Painting the world with colours.

The duo shared a look of surprise.

"It's already midnight?"

"Let's toast, then."

"Cheers," both said, the tips of their glasses touching for a moment and the musical clink that came from it, strangely, was heard during a very short lull in the fireworks. And then they drank.

"Ack! You gave me back the flat wine!" Gray complained, spitting exaggeratedly.

Natsu only laughed at that. He grabbed both glasses and placed them on the bench Gray had been sitting on.

"Fine, fine," he replied in a light tone. "For that, let's dance?" he extended his hand and half-bowed.

"Ah!" Gray couldn't help but be amused. "Fine." He placed his hand in Natsu's. "But this time I'll start by leading."

"Yeah, yeah." Natsu agreed with a shrug and a squeeze of his hand. "But I will lead the next one!"

"It's always the same with you!" Gray scoffed.

"I wonder why…" Natsu snorted lightly. "You're too stubborn."

"Me? Ah!" Gray shouted in his surprise. "Even when the year changes you're still the same." Gray shook his head in disbelief. "You're the most stubborn person I ever met."

"Shut up and let's dance." And with that Natsu gave a small tug that had the two stand closer, chest to chest.

At that moment music seemed to fill the air, among the loud cracks of the fireworks.

They danced. Bathed in the various colours of red, green, white, blue and purple of the fireworks.

"You've gotten better at this," Natsu commented, at the same time that he laced his fingers behind Gray's neck.

"You're not that good, yourself," Gray quipped.

"What can I say…" Natsu gave a small shrug. "Oh, I almost forgot." And with that, Natsu pressed his lips firmly against Gray's. At the other's surprised spluttering, he took the chance to slip his tongue inside.

Gray quickly caught on with the program and started kissing back, lips and tongue moving languorously between them.

By that point, they had stopped moving.

A loud bang noise had them breaking apart, both to catch their breath but also because there was finality to that firework.

"Happy New Year." They said, distance growing between them but they ended up standing and their hands interlocked in the space between them. They stood in silence for a while further, the soft music filling the air.

"Guess we should go inside." Gray said at last.

"Yeah. I'm sure someone's already waiting…" Natsu said with a sigh, letting go of Gray's hands. he turned and went to grab the two glasses.

"C'mon." Gray took one of the glasses from Natsu and started walking towards the path that led to the mansion. Only to be stopped, by his jacket sleeve being gripped. He looked back at the other.

"But after that, we will have that chat. No escaping, yeah?" Natsu asserted, seriously.

Gray snorted.

"You're such a dumbass," he said warmly, a fond look on his face. "But yes. Now, lead the way, o knowledgeable one."

"Are you seriously going to bring that up now? I'm so going to punch you…"

"Ah, but to do so," Gray started to say, a sly smile on his face, "you'll have to catch me first!" he finished with a laugh before sprinting away.

"Hey!"

Was all he heard before Natsu gave chase.