This was a request from an Anon on tumblr with the quote "This is without a doubt the stupidest plan you've ever had. Of course I'm in." with Gratsu/Natray :)

Enjoy!

Gray stared at Natsu incredulously, his gaze moved from Natsu to the raging waterfall below them, then back to Natsu. "Are you mad?" He knew they were both well and truly out of power, leaning on each other for support, it was all they could do to stand.

"It may be," Natsu replied, "but it's the only plan we've got."

As if to back up Natsu's point, the sound of angry yells reached their ears as the dark mages rounded the corner to encircle them where they stood on the edge of the cliff.

"At this rate," Natsu continued, "it's death by evil dude, or death by waterfall…and I know which we're more likely to survive." The Pinkett looked over at Gray's nervous expression. Leaning over Natsu bumped his shoulder to Gray's before offering him an encouraging smile. "You in?"

"This is without a doubt the stupidest plan you've ever had." Gray swallowed thickly, "Of course I'm in!"

With that the pair ran towards the edge of the cliff before leaping into the open air. Their yells were lost in the noise of the waterfall as they hurtled towards the surface of the water.

As soon as Gray felt the cold water rush over his head he knew that they had overestimated their chances in the raging river. Almost instantly he was tugged sideways. Gray clutched to Natsu's hand, but felt panic rise in his chest as Natsu's fingers didn't grip back. As the river pulled them along, Gray lost all concept of direction, concentrating all his efforts on keeping hold of Natsu. Gray couldn't help but gasp as he felt a submerged tree branch catch and cut into his skin somewhere above his hip. Instantly water filled his mouth and in an effort to keep what little air he had left he made a kick towards what he thought was the surface. He managed to lift his head to spin out the water and get a last gulp of air.

At that moment he felt Natsu's fingers grip his back and he could relax a little again. It didn't last long though as they were roughly tugged out into the deeper part of the river. Darkness clawed at the edges of Gray's vision as he felt himself losing more blood. Natsu's grip slackened again, he must be going in and out of consciousness, crap! I need to do something! But what?

As panic flooded his thoughts Gray gripped firmly to Natsu's hand as well as his own consciousness , Gray knew he didn't have long before he himself would also would succumb to the darkness, then they'd both be doomed. It was this thought which formulated a plan, at least this way one of us will survive. I'm sorry, Natsu.

Pulling on the last of his strength Gray let go of Natsu's hand and opened his eyes. Though his vision was blurred, Gray could make out the sunlight shining on the surface of the water. Thumping his right fist to his left palm, he used his dwindling last breath to yell into the darkening water, and direct all his last magic at Natsu. The magic keeping him

"ICE-MAKE: PALM!"

A burst of bright blue light exploded from Gray's hands and a giant hand appeared in the water, palm facing up, it shot towards Natsu, as the giant arm reached the Pinkett, cold fingers closed around his body. With that the arm grew to bring Natsu out of the water, holding him safely over the sandy river bank.

As the last of his strength left him, darkness closed around Gray's vision and he was carried like a rag doll down river. Tossing and tumbling through the surf.

Coughing and spluttering Natsu rose to consciousness, opening his eyes he tried to sit up but found himself encased in something hard and cold. As his vision focused, Natsu realised exactly what was holding him.

Gray.

However the Dragon Slayer couldn't see the darker haired man anywhere close. "Gray?" His voice came out a rasping cough, "Gray!" Natsu yelled louder, pulling his arms free he thumped on the ice. "Dammit Gray! Where the hell are you?" Panic clutched at his chest as he realised exactly where the Ice Mage probably was.

Glancing down, Natsu saw he was relatively close to the ground, and with a loud grunt he managed to slide free of the massive ice fist which had enclosed him. Natsu hit the sandy shore with a thud. His legs, failing to hold his weight, crumbled beneath him letting him crash painfully to the floor. He knelt there panting until he saw a flash of dark blue in the corner of his vision. "Gray? Gray!" Natsu stumbled up and ran shakily towards the water's edge.

As Natsu reached him, he noticed Gray's body had caught on a protruding branch of a fallen tree. In pulling him slowly and painfully out of the water Natsu noticed the deep wound on Gray's hip which was slowly seeping blood. "Shit, Gray!" Natsu muttered, he pulled of his sopping wet shirt, wrung it out and tied it gently round the wound. He then put his ear to Gray's chest, and unable to feel a steady heartbeat he felt his own heartbeat quicken in panic, as if it was trying to beat for the both of them.

"Dammit Gray!" Natsu cried out in anguish as he started compressions on Gray's chest. Wake! Up!Idiot! Natsu held Gray's nose taking a deep breath, pressed his open mouth to Gray's cold lips and released the breath. Natsu did this a second time before starting compressions again. The minutes felt like hours as Natsu worked to get Gray breathing again. Then as Natsu himself was beginning to get a little lightheaded, he heard Gray cough up a lungful of water, which was then followed by ragged breaths.

"Thank goodness!" Natsu breathed out as Gray opened his eyes, "don't scare me like that again you idiot! I thought you'd died!"

"Sorry?" Gray croaked out, he couldn't help the sigh of relief to see Natsu alive. "It worked though, you survived!"

"Yeah!" Natsu snapped back, "but you nearly didn't!"

"We are both alive though!"

"But-"

"Shush!" Gray put a finger to Natsu's lips. "We are both alive."

"Only just!"

"What did I just say?" Gray deadpanned, but couldn't help laugh as he looked at the expression of frustration on Natsu's face.

"It's not funny!" Natsu declared, "you can't save me without saving yourself too idiot! It wouldn't be the same without you!"

"Well same goes for you!" Gray retorted. There was a moment of silence before he carried on. "Pretty selfish of me huh?"

"Yup!" Natsu replied, "But in truth, I'd have done the same for you."

"Hopeless aren't we?" Gray muttered.

"Completely and utterly." Natsu flopped back onto the sand next to Gray and with a small smile he slipped his hand into Gray's. "Completely, and utterly hopeless. I care for you way too much."

"Well luckily for you Natsu," Gray gave Natsu's fingers a loving squeeze, "I feel the same way about you."