Two weeks later
How to deal with Plagues?
The Magnolia Plague, as someone had named it as a sick joke which then stuck, was spreading rapidly. At first it had been steady, a few here, a few there, but now it was as if something had given it a hard push. People were entering the hospital in groups, and soon the building would run out of room. If the patients didn't die. Unfortunately the first batch of patients had proved that to be a faulty hope a few days ago. Panic was starting to set in.
Drs rushed about joining the nurses in wrapping the open wounds that spread slowly over the patients bodies refusing to heal. Cold compresses where switched hourly, and IVs needed changing frequently. Pockets if infected puss had to be drained and disposed of properly.
And Wendy, Wendy had never felt or been more useless. Her magic did nothing. It had no effect. Suddenly the fact the she was a seventeen year old girl with no medical degree became an issue. The nurses snapped at her to get out of the way, Drs glared as they passed her. Evan the patients started to turn cold towards her. Wendy knew why, though it was never said directly to her face dragon hearing made eavesdropping a simple thing.
Everyone had figured out that the mages weren't being affected. From that information it was easy to believe that the mages had brought this plague. It may not have been a crazy theory considering how much her and the other guild members traveled. But Wendy wished that she couldn't feel the resentment and anger bearing down on her as she walked through the off white halls.
She couldn't take it anymore.
Wendy put down the bandages she had been preparing with a heavy sigh. It was the only job she was given and the giant pile that was stacked next to her would last for a few days. Pushing herself away from the table Wendy grabbed her bag and headed out of the large building. She tried to not let it get to her that no one said anything about her leaving.
More and more areas of Magnolia were being put under quarantine and her path to the guild had become long and winding. Normally she might worry about the areas she had to cut through, but even the less savory parts of town had been affected. Streets where almost completely bare. The few people in them rushed about their business; never stopping to chat. They didn't even make eye contact with anyone. Their only focus was to get home to their loved ones. The only sound was the scuffing of shoes against the paved streets.
A depressive weight was crushing the whole city, and the guild hadn't escaped the weight. As she walked through the large double doors Wendy noted that even with the room being unusually full it was also unusually quiet. Conversations where conducted in whispers, as if no one wanted to resist the oppressive atmosphere. Glancing over at the job board Wendy saw how empty it was. Word about the plague had started to spread along with the accusations of who caused it. The thought of how this would affect everyone's livelihoods crossed Wendy's mind. Another thing to worry about.
But at this moment Wendy didn't want to worry about that. She wanted to find her girlfriend. Mavis, that felt good even if she hadn't said it out loud yet. Wendy made a b-line for the guild library which had been Harley's afternoon hangout for the past couple weeks. This was perfect for Wendy as they could study, and sometimes do other things that made Wendy blush just thinking about, together in her favorite out of the way section.
Wendy wove her way through the shelves to the practically hidden medical and law section. As she turned the last corner she saw Harley exactly where she thought she would be; sprawled over a large stuffed chair reading a thick textbook.
"Still going over Fiorian law?" Wendy asked causing Harley to jump.
"Would you stop doing that!" Harley turned to sit up straight in the chair while opening her arms.
Taking the invitation Wendy sat sideways in Harley's lap while leaning her back against the arm rest. "But it's so easy."
"That doesn't mean you should" Harley grumbled while setting her book on a side table. "So how was the hospital?"
"Um," Wendy rested her head on Harley's shoulder not knowing where to start, but deciding that she didn't want to. "I don't really want to talk about that. Not right now anyway."
"Okay. Well there's something I want to talk about..." Wendy tensed and Harley quickly began rubbing circles against Wendy's back before continuing. "I know you aren't ready to tell anyone about us…"
"You know that's not because of you or…"
"Wendy, I get it." Harley said before giving the bluenette a quick kiss on the cheek. "I more than understand that you're not ready to tell people. Remember that the only person I've ever told is you."
"Thanks for understanding." Wendy laced their fingers together.
"Anyway, I'm going to visit the guys this weekend and I was wondering if I could tell them. If not about us than at least about myself."
Once more Wendy tensed. Was she okay with Harley telling her friends? She should want to tell everyone about her relationship with Harley, but she couldn't. Wendy had tried to. Had opened her mouth to say the words, but they wouldn't come out as it felt like cold fingers squeezed around her throat. She was scared. And after spending some time thinking about it Wendy had realized she didn't want her friends to look at or treat her differently. She had yet to move past it. But these weren't her friends; they were Harley's. "You can tell them. When are you leaving?"
"Friday morning, back on Sunday." Harley pulled Wendy a little closer. "What do you want to do now?"
A purr rumbled through Wendy that didn't quite belong to her at the closer contact. Her dragon hadn't shut up since Harley came into her life and had been growing louder and more demanding since there first kiss. The urges pushed into her whenever they were close had been somewhat intimidating at first, but she had grown used to the adrenaline and enjoyed the confidence it gave her as she pressed her lips against Harley's neck.
Harley let out a soft sigh but there was still a bit of sarcasm that came through as she spoke, "Oh this is what we're doing."
Wendy's only response was to bite Harley causing the blonde to shut up with a moan. This spurred Wendy on even more and she moved around until she was straddling Harley's lap. Once adjusted, letting the bottom of her dress ride halfway up her butt, she began kissing the other girl.
Since the festival they had been taking things slow. Working on kissing. Learning how Harley liked her lips pulled, or that less tongue is better for both of them. Hands kept above clothing never going near more private areas. Wendy loved every minute, but now she wanted a little more. To feel and only think about Harley.
Taking her hand away from were she had wrapped them around Harley's neck Wendy slid it down the other girls arm. She felt how Harley tensed and almost jerked away when she reached the scars on her forearm. Wendy nipped Harley's lip causing the other girl to gasp before sitting back slightly. While holding Harley's confused half lidded gaze she lifted the arm and began pressing her lips against the ridges and dips in the skin.
The soft sighs that slipped from Harley's mouth had her dragons growling and purrs rumbling loudly in Wendy's ears. Once she reached the tips of those long fingers Wendy let herself take a moment to appreciate Harley's blushing face and softened grey eyes staring at Wendy like she was the only thing in the world. As she leaned forward to bring their lips back together Wendy started to guide Harley's hand to her chest before the blonde stopped her.
"Wait, are you sure?" Harley asked a bit breathlessly.
"Yes. Just stay over the clothes, right?"
"Of course." Harley agreed before pressing there mouths back together effectively swallowing the moan that escaped Wendy's lips as she moved her hand those finally few inches to message Wendy breast.
Upstairs Laxus sat in his Grandfather's creepily organized office. He couldn't remember a time before now that he was able to see the entire top of the desk.
Makarov watched Laxus look around the room, knowing exactly what his grandson was thinking. "Strange isn't it. Harley could make a living organizing offices if she wants to."
"I don't think that's what she wants." Laxus said.
"Than what?"
"She's mentioned going to college. I don't remember the name but I think she wants to study science and math."
"How is she liking it here?"
Laxus studied his grandfather unsure why the old man had called a meeting with him just to talk about Harley, but he knew that Makarov would get around to whatever he wanted to talk about eventually. "She's happier than I've seen her since she's been here. Spends most of her time with Wendy. Cobra has stopped working with her says she just needs to keep practicing, and that she has gained control."
After he finished what felt like a report the two men fell into silence, until Makarov pulled out two whisky glasses and a half empty bottle.
"Is that necessary?" Laxus asked while his grandfather began pouring.
"Unfortunately I believe it is," Makarov took a drink before continuing. "I fear before to long Fairy Tail may have to disband."
In slight shock, but not as surprised as he would have been several years ago Laxus took a pull of his drink before speaking. "Because of the loss of jobs. Which causes the guild to lose money."
I'm glad you're paying attention, but it's not the guild that I'm worried about. It's the members the need jobs to make a living. There so stubborn that they would stay here even if it meant losing their homes. And that's not the only problem."
"Mages aren't being affected by this plague." Laxus said not sure what other problems there could be.
"No, but most of the population aren't mages and the non magical people who haven't gotten sick could be a problem themselves."
"What do you mean?"
"First comes fear and panic. Then they look for someone to blame. Next comes anger which is turned toward the blamed."
"Us"
"Yes" Makarov's eyes had become dark as if he was seeing a terrible memory.
Laxus finished his drink unable to think of a way to prevent the worst possible outcome that suddenly seemed very likely. "I'm hoping you have a plan."
"I've requested assistance from the magic council. They'll be sending a representative next week."
"They never do anything quick." Laxus growled.
Makarov let out a long sigh and poured them both another glass. "We've never had the best relationship with them. Even more so now that Warrod has passed, but with Wendy and Porlyusica stumped..."
"I see your point.'
After that they finished their drinks in silence.
I've been debating on how much nsfw content I should add between Harley and Wendy. Do you enjoy how I'm portraying there awkward young love? Let me know what you think!