Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or its characters; that right belongs to Hiro Mashima.

Gray sat at the edge of the camp, his gaze focused upon the endless, sparkling expanse of the sky. Enjoying the quiet while waiting for his companion and girlfriend of 5 months decided to join him. He knew that Lucy was awake in the tent. Just as he knew that this was one of those rare moments they were able to take a mission on their own without the other two members of their team, who oddly had hooked up two months ago. He couldn't deny they were good for each other, even if they were the odd couple.

Leaning back on his hands, closing his eyes, focusing his other senses to the nightlife around him, Gray heard the soft sound of the tent flap moving. It brought a smile to his lips. He had always admired the vivacious, beautiful blond that had become his teammate after Galuna Island. She was smart, funny, had a great sense of justice and loyalty. He was not blind, no, to the fact that with her looks she could have any guy she wanted. And from the first day he had met her he had felt strongly attracted to her. She had a way of making him feel awkward around her. When normally he could make any female swoon. The thing that proved it was when he had tried to talk to her while fighting Natsu that day, he'd asked her for her underwear instead of introducing himself.

"You able to find a way out of the maze of thoughts you are lost in?"

Giving a low chuckle, Gray tilted his head up as he opened his eyes. Enjoying the way her brown ones danced in the dying embers of their campfire.

"Yeah! Just counting the stars, and thanking them."

The wrinkling of her nose as she looked skeptically down at him had Gray doing his best to keep from laughing. And he'd be damned he saw her wiggle her nose at him. Definitely trying to get him to laugh so she could chastise him for kicks. Shaking his head, Gray shifted his arm near her and wrapped it around her knees and pulling her off balance and towards him. Once she toppled he turned his torso towards her, catching her easily and setting her in his lap.

"Ass."

Smiling smugly at her half-hearted insult, Gray leaned in and placed a kiss on her bare shoulder. Holding her tightly to his chest.

"Yeah, we know I am. Thanks for stating it captain obvious."

Her light, trilling laughter echoing in the dark was all he needed to hear. This was their thing and he wouldn't trade it for anything. His soul felt calm with her there, as if it was completed. The nightmares of his childhood and the war for Fiore held at bay when she was with him.

"Hey, Gray...How would you like to make us a more permanent thing? I mean, we've known each other for thirteen plus years... Why wait longer?"

At her question, Gray felt floored. Amazed that she had read his mind like that. He had asked her on this mission to do just what she asked. Grinning like a fool, he leaned in and captured her lips with his, while he let go of her with one arm to rummage in is dark cargo pants for the ring he had bought before they'd left Magnolia.

Once he had it in hand, he broke the kiss, pulling back from her and holding it up. Watching as her eyes went wide at the small gold colored velvet box. Using his thumb he flipped it open to reveal a simple silver band with various shades of sapphires all cute into perfect little stars, representing both of their magics in one go.

"Oh, Gray! You... are the best..."

He was barely able to close the box before he was laying flat on his back, the weight of Lucy pressing him a bit uncomfortably into the hard ground as she kissed him thoroughly.