*Chapter Forty-Eight: Welcome to Hargeon- Part Two
(March 7th, 2018, Wednesday Afternoon)
If there was any takeaway from the day Natsu had, it would be to leave all his preconceived notions behind.
Instead of finding a swarm of guards pointing their weapons at them on the other side of the gate, he found two guards leaning against a parked truck, rifles casually hanging by their sides as they spoke.
Natsu looked around, seeing a large stretch of road that would take them to the heart of the base. It was more open without vehicles driving up and down, the base nice and quiet.
"Hey Alpha," Mickey said, speaking into a radio. "We're about to start the tour after stopping by the shack. Two visitors. Over."
"Copy that. See you at the end. Over."
"Are there any screening processes?" Laxus asked as Mickey and Krov grabbed their bikes, ready to start their tour.
"What do you mean?" Mickey asked.
"Every time someone goes outside our walls, they get processed on their way back in to make sure they weren't bit or scratched."
"Huh," Krov started, resting his chin on his fist as he thought. "That would be a good idea. Mickey, you should write that down."
"Already on it," she said, jotting in her notebook. "We're still looking for ways to improve, so if you see something you think could be better, let us know."
"Will do," Laxus mumbled, Natsu noting the tension in his shoulders.
'What's to stop an outbreak from happening in here if they let just anyone in,' he thought, swinging a leg over his bike before getting ready.
He kept his eyes moving as they rode, taking in the scenery while keeping an ear on the conversation, not wanting to miss a single detail.
"There are two main entrances and five smaller entrances. We have three of the side ones blocked off for now while we focus on expanding through the other entrances. We took care of most of the zombies in town. Our smaller goal is to make Hargeon completely undead free by the end of this year. We'll put up a brick wall around the whole town, controlling all entrances so there's no chance the infection can get in."
"That's a small goal?" Laxus asked, Mickey nodding.
"We have a four step plan to fix things," she said as they turned at the first left, heading towards a gas station attached to a convenience store. "Step one, eradicate the dead. Step two, gain self-sustainable living. Step three, expand to other territories. Step four, repopulate the world."
While Natsu raised a brow, Mickey chuckled. "Now, we know we're not going to be the generation that sees the world back to normal, but we're the stepping stones that will help restore mankind to where it once was."
Natsu frowned, not liking the idea of never seeing the world normal again.
"We'll stop for a bite first before starting the tour," Mickey said as she slowed, the rest following suit. After parking their bikes, the four went to the gas station which upon further investigation, looked like a makeshift welcome center.
Krov was the one to knock on a window, causing it to open a moment later. A woman popped her head out, looking over the four before directing her attention to Krov. "Welcome package for two?" she asked.
When he nodded, she looked over at Natsu and Laxus. "Any food allergies we need to know about? Shell food? Peanuts?"
They shook their heads and she disappeared, allowing Mickey to explain. "This is where the guards of this gate get food, but it's also where visitors get fed, but that doesn't happen often. It seems like there's not a lot of people left, but we're thankful we're still finding survivors."
"And what is this meal going to cost us?" Laxus asked, Natsu wondering if he should ask questions too.
"Nothing," Krov said with a smile. "First meal is free, then you have to start earning it."
"And we'll do that how?" Laxus asked, his face blank. He was in control, calculating. Natsu was the opposite, practically drooling at the thought of being fed, wondering what type of fish they had.
'Wait, how are they keeping the fish cool? Or cooking it?'
While Natsu now noticed artificial lights coming from the window, Laxus and others continued discussing their trades.
"By working. Every time you work, you earn points based on how long you did it and what the task was. People like doctors and electricians get the highest pay, then it goes down from there based on skill level and the amount of labor needed to complete a task."
"How much does your leader get paid?"
Mickey shook her head. "We have seven leaders to help balance things. Too much power to one person can be risky. We need checks and balances, but also, they get paid about the same as the bread makers."
'They have bread?' Natsu thought, trying to remember he needed to pay attention instead of think about food. 'I should have eaten before we left the van.'
"Is that a lot?" Laxus asked, causing Krov to shake his head.
"It's still a livable wage, but it's nothing luxurious. They make the same amount as the common people do so the power can't get to their heads. It's a position for the people, and if they don't live like the people they're meant to serve, then they can't make realistic decisions."
"I see," Laxus mumbled as he nodded.
"We all had a chance to elect the people we thought would do the most good. That's all we want, is to help."
While the words seemed fine, the hair on the back of Natsu's neck raised as a bad feeling settled in his gut. They seemed to spend a lot of time convincing them they were doing good work, but as soon as Natsu caught a whiff of food, his worries were tossed.
"Order up," the woman said after opening the door, sliding out two trays.
"Thank you," Krov said as he grabbed one, handing it to Natsu before doing the same for Laxus.
"You can eat over there," Mickey said, nodding at a nearby picnic table before going up to the window herself. "Can I get a pop? Magic blast?" she asked, pulling out a plastic card before handing it to the lady.
Natsu saw it looked more like an ID badge and not like a credit card, the lady behind the window writing something down before handing the card back. "Sign here."
When Mickey signed, she was handed a soda. She looked back at Natsu and Laxus, noticing they hadn't moved. Upon realizing their confusion, she explained. "All members get a badge with their info on it. This helps keep track of points you've spent. At the end of each week, the accountants gather up the invoices and subtract your points while the job officers report who worked and how many hours so you gain points. You use points to buy food and stuff."
Natsu took a deep breath, his head wrapping around their protocols. At Fairy Tail, all someone had to do was show up for work when they were scheduled and they received the basics: A weekly shower, breakfast and dinner every day, and toiletries and clothes.
He didn't know which he preferred, putting those thoughts aside as he looked down, admiring the food on his plate.
A peanut butter and jelly sandwich sat next to grilled fish with a few pieces of shrimp to the side. He swallowed just in case he had drool resting in his mouth, anxiously waiting for them to get to the picnic table before he could devour his food.
However, as soon as they sat down, Laxus put his arm against Natsu's chest, halting him.
"I'm sure you'll understand our skepticism," Laxus said, sliding his tray across the table, waiting until Natsu begrudgingly did the same. "Just making sure it's not poisoned."
"You wouldn't be the first to think that," Krov said, happily grabbing a piece of Natsu's shrimp while Mickey used Laxus' fork to get a bite of fish. Before either could ask why they were avoiding the sandwich, Krov snatched Natsu's, the man's face falling as Krov took a sizable bite before setting it down. "See? All safe."
Natsu resisted the urge to pout as he pulled his tray back, reminding himself not to be upset at Laxus for his caution. That was one of the things they rehearsed on the way there, demanding the food be tested so they weren't poisoned.
Of course, the waters provided could have been contaminated, but Natsu said nothing as he gulped his down, not wanting to share more germs with their tour guides.
Despite being upset he didn't get all his food, Natsu's tongue practically exploded with the wide rage of flavors of his meal when he finally started eating. The fish was tender and flaky, just the way he liked it. The sandwich tasted fresh and more natural than the ones made with store-bought ingredients, those loaded with preservatives.
The bread itself was amazing. It was heavy without being too dense, a golden-brown crust that made Natsu hold in a moan. He couldn't remember the last time he ate something so perfect, mind refusing to compare his meal to anything else.
If they were offering food like that, Natsu was willing to put in some hard work for another round.
Their meal didn't last long, Natsu and Laxus scarfing up every last bite as if someone might take it away. Only the shells from the shrimp were left behind, Natsu unable to break the habit of licking his plate clean when he was finished.
With full bellies, the two dropped off their trays at the window, giving a multitude of appreciation to the lady who prepared their meal.
When up close, Natsu noticed an indoor grill that appeared plugged into a wall, eyes widening when he remembered his question from earlier.
He waited until they were all back at the bikes, curiosity strong as he asked, "You guys have electricity?"
Krov nodded. "We're extremely fortunate that the base had solar panels set up. With fifty-five thousand photovoltaic panels at the facility, we can produce enough electricity to power about two thousand residential homes. However, since we run most of the power to the hospital and kitchens, the rest of the buildings get the leftovers, but we're installing more panels every day to increase our energy."
Laxus remained quiet for a moment before saying, "We have some solar energy, but we could definitely use more. You mentioned trading earlier. Any chance solar panels would be something you'd consider trading?"
"Absolutely," Mickey said with a nod. "If I'm not mistaken though, your friend Gildarts is already doing that?"
"What?" Laxus asked while Natsu's eyes widened.
"He is?"
She nodded. "I don't know the whole story. There's way too many people in here for me to keep up with, but yeah. I believe Gildarts came here, what?" She turned to Krov. "Months ago and started working here to get solar panels for his settlement. I think he said he was from Magnolia, but I could be mistaken."
Natsu's stomach dropped, struggling to keep a single train of thought. His mind kept pulling him in opposite directions. Celebrating the fact that it was definitely their Gildarts there, but also worried about how much he told them about Fairy Tail. Why didn't she mention she thought they were from Magnolia earlier? Was it a clever, calculated decision, or did it just slip her mind?
Natsu couldn't help but think back to October, when he was trying to convince Lucy Fairy Tail was a safe place. She must have had the same concerns, worried she was walking right into a trap.
'It worked out well for her,' Natsu thought, a small shred of hope still present that they hadn't made a mistake. Hargeon could be a blessing, but something just didn't sit right with him.
"When can we see Gildarts?" Laxus asked, causing Mickey to get on her bike.
"After the tour. It shouldn't take long. I'll radio in for him to meet us at the hospital."
"Why there?" Laxus asked, unable to keep the caution from his tone.
"You said your friend needs help, right? The girl? You'll have to see if the doctors are willing to look at her, then we can talk negotiations."
"Negotiations? What's there to negotiate?" Laxus asked, the man's patience running thin.
Natsu tightened his grip on his handles, thankful Laxus was there to represent Fairy Tail. It took a lot of pressure off him knowing someone else was able to make the decisions, even if Laxus cared about his team's input.
Mickey frowned. "Look, I get that you want results now, but we're all going to have to be patient and have realistic expectations. There's a chance your friend is past the point of saving, and if she's not, it's going to take resources to help her, and those aren't free."
She paused, but not long enough for Laxus to interrupt. "Nothing here is free except that first meal. They might ask for some labor to pay for her medical expenses, or they might want something in trade? We won't know until you get to those negotiations, if, they think she can be saved."
Natsu swore he heard Laxus' teeth grinding before the man grunted. "Then let's get this tour started," he said, getting on his bike.
After a moment of hesitation to see if Laxus was going to say anything else, the tour commenced. They got back on the main road, passing by a deserted area that once held little shops and restaurants, all of which seemed unneeded in the new world.
"And that's the church. And over there is the school, but by now it's over. Elementary through middle school get seven hours of class while the older kids get five hours. After that, they go to work."
"What kind of work do they do?" Natsu struggled to ask, seeing as Laxus had gone quiet. Natsu was out of breath, his body aching, everything finally catching up with him.
'I need a freaking nap. Fuck, my legs hurt.'
"Most kids get fish duty. It's where they cut and clean the fish for food. It's a nasty job, but someone has to do it, and it doesn't require much skill."
"Gross," Natsu mumbled, causing Mickey to chuckle.
"Well, I have bad news for you then. If you want to eat again while you're here, you have to earn it. And guess what job we always need more hands for?"
Natsu bit back a cringe at the thought of touching fish guts. "Super gross."
The rest of the tour took approximately two hours, most of which was riding around from place to place. Natsu's legs felt like they were going to fall off by the time they got to the hospital, but it beat the hell out of walking.
While on their tour, they visited the leaders who brought order over the base. He pretended to be interested while they spoke about the history of Hargeon post-outbreak, wishing it would end so they could continue.
They saw the kitchen where staff worked tirelessly to boil water for drinking and cooking. There was a place for laundry right next to it, but instead of a stream like Fairy Tail used, they had small pools of water and soap and some pools with just water for rinsing. While Fairy Tail relied on clotheslines for drying their clothes, Hargeon had an advantage with their electricity by using dryers.
Out of all the stops they took, Natsu had to say watching bread being made was his favorite. A guy with wild orange hair was in charge of it, the man cocky, but still friendly. They had wood burning ovens, real ovens, and cardboard ovens, a contraption that allowed them to cook food like it was in an oven but with charcoal.
If fresh bread was available at Fairy Tail, Natsu knew it would be a top food on base.
And lucky for him, he mentioned his interest in it, causing Mickey to give him some good news. "We want to teach others more ways to survive and create, so if you stick around for a bit, I'm sure Loke here could teach you how to make bread so you can make it back at your settlement."
Every task seemed nonstop, like they were never catching up, which made sense when Natsu finally asked, "How many people live here?"
"Right now, we're just shy of eighteen hundred." She parked by the emergency room entrance, the others doing the same.
The number racked Natsu's mind, struggling to comprehend that many bodies. Fairy Tail was a little over one hundred last time he checked, his eyes wide as he got off his bike. "That's insane." He started smiling, relieved there were that many other survivors. The world didn't feel as hopeless now seeing as humans still had a fighting chance.
Things were looking great, until Krov opened his mouth and added, "We're over eighteen hundred if you count the prisoners too."
That caught Natsu and Laxus' attention, Laxus finally speaking as he asked, "You have prisoners?"
Natsu's stomach churned, his concern from earlier returning at full force. He jumped to the worse scenario, him and Laxus enslaved for making a small mistake. What qualified a person for prison time? And was time involved? Was it a life sentence no matter what? Or could a person repay for their crime?
'Is there a death penalty?'
Before Natsu could dwell on it, he had to remind himself of the rules at Fairy Tail. If someone committed a great enough offense, they were exiled. Considering the shape of the world, it was pretty much a death penalty.
"Don't worry," Mickey said, seeing the tension in the two men. "It's all fair. We have jail for non-serious offenses, like vandalism or stealing, usually a few weeks or a month depending on the crime. Only violent crimes get sentenced to prison, or those who were already in prison when this whole thing started."
"What constitutes a violent crime?" Laxus asked, voice heavy and stern.
"Mostly rape and murder," Krov answered, keeping his tone steady. "Every once in a while you'll get a domestic violence case, but those are handled individually and usually they get out after a month or so. That gives the person who was abused time to relocate or get their stuff in order. It all depends, but rape and murder aren't tolerated here."
"What do you do with them?" Natsu asked, afraid of the answer. He didn't know if he should have been worried or relieved that Mickey shook her head.
"That's a conversation for another day. Right now, let's get you inside so you can see your friend."
Natsu swallowed, his chest heavy. He stole a peek at Laxus, unable to read his face for clues on how he felt. Instead of pushing for more answers, Laxus walked towards the hospital, prompting Natsu to do the same.
Despite knowing they had electricity, Natsu's mind was blown when the doors automatically opened. His jaw almost dropped before his eyes widened, feeling heat coming from within the building. It was a little chilly outside, but inside the temperature felt just right.
"Laxus! Natsu!"
As soon as Natsu turned to the right to see who called them, they were both being tackled into a bear hug, Natsu gasping for air as an arm squeezed around him.
'This is where it ends!'
However, instead of death, Natsu was met with a large grin as Gildarts stepped away, allowing the two to breathe. "It's been forever! How ya been?!"
Neither answered the question, Natsu stunned to see Gildarts alive and well. His facial hair had gotten out of control, and he needed a trim up top, but overall he looked fine.
Laxus went straight to the point, grabbing at the man's tattered coat that he always wore before pulling it back, eyes wide at the prosthetic arm where his left one used to be. "What happened?!"
Gildarts shuffled out of Laxus' grasp, allowing the coat to cover his arm once again. He looked upset, brows drawn in as he glanced at the ground. "I shouldn't have been so cocky. I was helping build a wall around the back gate. I told the others I had it covered, that they could work on another part. Told them I could handle it. Well, one of those undead fuckers came up out of nowhere and bit the fuck out of my hand. I didn't have time to stop it, didn't hear it coming with all the noise I was making."
A grimace surfaced on Gildarts face as he sighed. "The docs did the best they could, but there weren't a lot of options. I tied my arm up so the blood couldn't circulate, but they didn't know how to fix it without cutting off my arm, so..."
They just took it clean off?" Natsu asked, eyes fixed on where Gildarts' arm should have been.
He nodded. "They put me under, thankfully. No one was sure if I'd even survive or if it was too late. They amputated, then kept me locked up for a week to make sure I wasn't going to turn. I guess I caught it in time, because as you can see, I'm still me."
"That sucks," Natsu said, shoulders falling. "I'm sorry."
He shook his head. "It was my fault. If the others had been there, I wouldn't have gotten hurt. Someone woulda seen it coming up." Gildarts took a deep breath. "Which, I guess it could be worse. I could be dead, and since the job officer allowed them to leave me alone, I only had to pay for half my medical procedure."
"Is your debt repaid yet?"
When Gildarts nodded, Laxus furrowed his brows, eyes glancing to the side to see how closely Mickey and Krov were listening before asking, "Are you still working to pay off solar panels then?"
Gildarts shook his head. "Nope! I explained to the electrician the size of the school, and with skipping a few meals every week and putting in extra hours, I earned enough to bring back to Fairy Tail. Just finished paying 'em off two weeks ago!"
Natsu's throat felt tight, wondering how much information Gildarts gave them about Fairy Tail. There was no point being secretive now, seeing as they knew to look out for a high school in Magnolia with that very specific name.
Instead of berating Gildarts for his loose lips, Laxus asked, "Then why are you still here? If you paid for your medical expenses and you have enough panels, then why the fuck haven't you returned yet? You know you have people who were worried about you. Hell, most of us thought you were dead!"
Natsu wasn't sure if Laxus knew he had started yelling, the fury in his eyes making Natsu stand down. He didn't want to intervene, gladly stepping back to let them hash it out.
"Things got complicated," Gildarts tried, but Laxus wasn't having it.
"Then uncomplicate them. You had people worried! Cana especially! She may not act like it, but I know it bothers her not knowing where her dad is?!"
Instead of responding in anger, Gildarts' face softened. "How's she doing?"
Laxus gaped before growing. "Terrible! Your daughter spends most of her days getting hammered or fucked by people she has no business fucking, but I guess it's not all that bizarre seeing how her father is!"
That had Gildarts riled up, his eyes narrowed as he asked, "What did you say about my Cana?"
Natsu couldn't blame him, angry at the comment about his friend. He knew Laxus was trying to get a rise out of Gildarts, but he didn't have to drag his friend's name through the mud to do it.
Laxus didn't seem to care about sparing Gildarts' feelings, not backing down. "Do you you even care about Fairy Tail anymore? A group of us are away from our home just to find you! Millianna was injured! And that never would have happened if you had just come back and reported what you found instead of sticking around! Even after agreeing to work for solar panels, you could have come back to explain yourself instead of letting people think you died!
After a short breath, Laxus finished with, "Cana needs you there! We need you there! But instead you're happy letting us all worry about you! And for what?!"
Gildarts tightened his hand into a fist. "I may only have one working arm but I'll still kick your ass if you don't watch your mouth, boy."
"Why don't you make me?" Laxus growled, stepping up.
Before anything could happen, Mickey clapped her hands, snapping them out of their heated glares. "Alright, settle down. Pissing match is over."
She moved towards them, waving her hands until they reluctantly complied, giving each other space. "Now clearly I don't know the whole story," she started, watching Laxus first before turning to Gildarts, "But maybe you should have led with the fact that you're about to be a father... again."
"What?" Natsu and Laxus asked while Gildarts reached into his pocket, pulling out a photo.
Natsu took a few steps closer, eyes blown wide when he saw it was an ultrasound picture. "You... you got someone pregnant?"
"Are you freaking kidding me?" Laxus asked, not ready to let Gildarts off the hook.
"I want to come back," Gildarts said, giving a sad smile to the picture before putting it away. "I do, but now's not good. When you find love, you don't let it go, and I haven't loved someone like this since Cana's mother, and I don't want to lose her, but I know I'm needed at Fairy Tail."
Gildarts sighed before running his hand through his hair, leaving it on his head for a few seconds before relaxing. "I was going to wait until it warmed up a bit, bring her and the solar panels back with me. I'm still not completely repaid. While I have the tech, I don't know how to install it, and I doubt anyone at Fairy Tail does either."
"You're having a baby," Laxus started, seeming to grasp the concept late, but instead he understood quite well. "Even I know that's expensive. You're just going to rack up more medical costs, and you'll never get to leave this place."
"Actually," Krov interrupted, gaining their attention. "Anything having to do with reproduction is taken care of. Like we said earlier, procreation is our ultimate goal, so we'll do whatever we can to keep the baby healthy."
Laxus furrowed his brows as his forehead wrinkled. "So what's your plan?" he asked Gildarts, crossing his arms over his chest, "Now that we're here? Are you still staying?"
"For now, yes. I still need to pay for the labor the electrician will do, and pay for his food and drinks while on the road. It's going to take a while just to get back to Magnolia with all those cars blocking the road, and—"
"We cleared the cars," Natsu said, everyone but Laxus surprised.
"You did?" Mickey asked, pulling out her notepad to write something down. "That's amazing! We might get to Clover Town even sooner than expected!"
Natsu almost rolled his eyes. To him, that wasn't important. What was important was getting home since they completed their mission. Gildarts was alive, and mostly in one piece. They needed to go home, a deep ache setting into Natsu's heart at the people he left behind.
He missed his friends, missed Happy, and missed Lucy. He missed seeing her everyday, watching movies and just hanging out when they had free time. He would give anything to watch her read her book or play with Happy, but it was just wishful thinking.
There was too much distance between them, and it wasn't closing fast enough.
'I just want to go home.'
"Okay," Gildarts said with a nod. "Well, that's good. Hmm, Diana isn't due for another four months. She's on board with leaving as long as she can bring her mom. I still owe like, eight hundred-something points for the electrician and his travels, which will probably take me a month to make, but that's if I don't buy a single thing in that time."
He sighed. "Look, I know I've been gone too long. And I miss everyone, but I'm trying my best here. I didn't expect to make a deal for electricity, I didn't expect to lose my arm, and I certainly didn't expect to fall in love again, but things happen."
The sincerity in his eyes had Natsu convinced he was telling the truth, but Laxus' hard stare suggested he wasn't as easily swayed.
"I always knew I was going back to Fairy Tail, I just didn't know when."
After a stretch of silence, Gildarts said, "I need to get back to work. It was great seeing you two, truly. Find me tonight and we can catch up. I'd love for you to meet Diana and see the house."
Laxus didn't budge, so Gildarts softly added, "Please?"
With eyes falling, Laxus released his breath. "Fine."
"Thank you." Gildarts relaxed, his smile returning. "I promise you won't regret it. Diana's making fish and chips. It's incredible!"
"We'll see you later," Laxus said, not caring to comment on anything else said.
Natsu frowned, hating how back and forth he had been lately. He wanted to be mad at Gildarts too, but the man was trying to help Fairy Tail by getting them renewable energy. That would go a long way when it came to health, hygiene, and overall quality of life. Gildarts should have come back and told the people of Fairy Tail what he was up to, but seeing as everything that had happened to him, he could understand how reporting back could be put on the back burner.
"Well, I'll see you later." Gildarts looked at Natsu, giving him a nod. "Looking sharp, kid."
Natsu almost snorted, knowing he looked like a mess. "Thanks. You look less shabby than normal."
Gildarts chuckled, enjoying the light humor. "See ya."
With that, he moved, leaving the hospital and the others behind. Speaking of the hospital, Natsu hadn't gotten a chance to look around, distracted by Gildarts' presence.
He glanced in every direction, finding it eerily empty. "Where is everyone?"
Mickey put her notepad away before taking off her jacket to get comfortable. "Probably in class. There are thirty-one students wanting to be doctors, so they alternate teaching lessons when they can. Normally the tour doesn't include going into the hospital, but since you need to talk about your friend, we arranged a visit. Dr. Fisher is available. She's waiting for us in her office."
"Then let's go," Laxus said, tone indifferent as he waited for someone to lead the way.
As they walked, Krov felt it necessary to talk about the hospital as if they were still on their tour. "This building is new. It was built about five years ago and stands six stories tall. Some of the rooms have been converted so the doctors and a few nurses can live here, that way they're always on call."
"How many doctors do you have again?" Natsu asked, noting the lighting in the hall was significantly dimmed, probably to conserve energy.
'No waste,' he thought, wondering what it would be like to have electricity at Fairy Tail. Despite going to school there, he couldn't fathom simple things like turning on a light for a whole room without lighting a few candles. It had been eight months since he made Fairy Tail his home, but it felt like a lifetime ago.
In a sense, it was, his new life starting over the day the world ended.
'Can they really restore mankind?' Natsu thought, mind alert when he saw a shadow on the wall before a girl turned a corner, coming down the hall towards them. Her hand clenched at her shirt, which was already stretched due to the roundness of her belly.
Natsu knew he shouldn't assume, but he would bet she was pregnant.
The four parted to give her space seeing as she kept her head down, faint sobs coming from her as she passed. "Are you okay?" Natsu asked, but she didn't stop, didn't bother acknowledging their presence. She kept walking until even her footsteps were out of earshot, Natsu's skin crawling at the strange occurrence.
"What's wrong with her?" Laxus asked, causing Krov to shrug.
"She probably got some bad news from the doctor," Mickey said, moving again.
Laxus didn't stick around to find out about the girl's problems, Natsu's stomach twisting as he turned his head, willfully ignoring someone in pain for the sake of seeing a doctor. Millianna was in a critical condition, and time was of the essence.
After entering more halls and going past a few double doors, they arrived at their destination. "And here we are," Mickey said as she knocked on the door, waiting for someone to reply before opening it. "Dr. Fisher! The guests we told you about are here."
A petite woman with curly blonde hair looked up from her desk, eyes widening when she spotted Laxus first. "Hot damn."
While Natsu barely held in a snort, Laxus raised a brow. "Excuse me?"
"Sorry," she said, clearing her throat before standing. She adjusted her coat as she stepped forward, eyes unwavering from Laxus. "Has anyone told you you have strong features?"
"Uhh?"
"Do you have any health conditions?" she asked, everyone else moving aside so she could walk around him, eyes flickering all over his body.
"I... get motion sick?" he offered, visibly uncomfortable from her stares.
"Hmm, besides that?" She grabbed his arm, lifting it up to inspect before doing the same with the other. "Any heart problems run in the family? And cancers I need to know about?"
Natsu wondered if she was starting an exam, which must have been Laxus' idea as well. He shook her off, voice firm as he said, "I'm not gonna be a patient. I'm healthy."
"Good, good." She nodded before looking at Natsu. He gave her an uneasy smile, but she was already looking back at Laxus seconds later. "So, what can I help you with? I hear your friend is injured?"
Dr. Fisher listened as Laxus described the incident involving the bear and the aftermath. He went into detail about the condition of her wounds and what they had done so far to treat it. By the time Laxus finished, the doctor was frowning.
"Honestly, I'm not sure if we can help. It may be too late for your friend. Without inspecting her myself though, I can't make any proper judgement. I'm sorry."
"Please," Laxus said, his voice soft and pleading, a tone that chased away any hope Natsu had left. "I'm responsible for her. I can't let her die. She needs to survive. Please."
As Dr. Fisher hesitated, Laxus repeated, "We'll work it off."
She took a deep breath before pinching the bridge of her nose. "Let me think for a moment."
Laxus practically held his breath, allowing her all the time in the world to reach her decision. Natsu found the wait frustrating. It seemed simple to him. They had the ability to help, but their ideals about only using resources on people who were guaranteed to survive made that decision harder.
"I," Dr. Fisher started before sighing. She pulled out a radio from her coat. "Can you wait outside in the hall for a moment. I need to consult with someone first."
"Absolutely."
When they reached the hall, Natsu thought they were going to wait for Dr. Fisher to speak to another doctor. However, five minutes later, a woman in heels and pearls came down the hallway, giving a long look over Laxus before entering the room.
She didn't look like a doctor, but Natsu didn't want to judge. "Is she one of the med students?" Natsu asked, causing Krov to shake his head.
"That's Mrs. Fisher, Dr. Fisher's wife."
Natsu blinked, trying to let that sink in, but it only confused him. Why did the doctor need to consult with her wife? What did that have to do with Millianna's health?
Laxus seemed equally confused. "What's going on?"
"I'm not sure," Mickey said while Krov shrugged.
Natsu looked at Laxus, but his eyes were glued to that door. If the others weren't around, Natsu would have tried to eavesdrop, but as soon as he had that thought, the door swung open. Mrs. Fisher gave everyone a smile before walking away.
Dr. Fisher opened her door again, gesturing for Laxus to enter the room. He hesitated before following, leaving Natsu and the others behind. The wait after that was excruciating.
Natsu wondered if it was all a trap to get them alone, but that didn't make sense. They could have easily shot them, poisoned them, or gutted them in the halls of the hospital, but aside from some slight attitudes here or there on their tour, everyone had treated them kindly.
'Maybe they want to use us as slaves? Keep us for labor?' That was the most logical idea, but that thought disappeared when Laxus emerged from the doctor's office, his face flustered while he tried keeping a serious expression.
"She'll help Millianna," Laxus said, unable to meet anyone's eyes.
"Really?!" Natsu grinned, nothing but relief flooding his system. "That's great!"
He nodded, a look of confliction crossing his face. Natsu's excitement faltered, a trickle of concern making itself known. Before he could ask, Laxus looked at Mickey and Krov. "I'd like to talk to Natsu alone, if that's alright?"
"Sure." The two stepped out of the hall to the waiting room outside, giving Natsu and Laxus some privacy.
"What's up?" Natsu asked, wondering why Laxus didn't look thrilled.
"They're going to do everything they can to help Millianna, but... I had to make a deal with them."
'Slave labor. Forced to stay here forever. A debt we can never repay. We're never going home.' Natsu played through some worst-case scenarios, never in a million years guessing what the doctor actually asked of him.
"She... wants to have a baby."
Natsu almost choked on his spit, eyes bugging as he asked, "Wait, what?!"
"Her and her wife want a kid, and she said she wants me to be the father."
"But, you have a boyfriend," Natsu said, as if Laxus didn't know that.
"We're not going to have sex," Laxus said, barely holding back a cringe. "I'm going to make daily... deposits, in a cup."
Natsu didn't bother holding back a grimace. "So, this is gonna be like a turkey baster situation?"
"Looks like it." Laxus sighed before dragging a hand over his face.
"You don't want to do it," Natsu guessed, earning a nod.
"But I don't have much of a choice. I can't let Millianna die, and it's not a sacr..." Laxus frowned. "Actually, it does feel like a sacrifice. If her wife does get pregnant, then I'll have a kid just out there, out of my reach. That's... It's, unsettling."
"Think we can make it back to Magnolia?" Natsu asked, ready to drive the whole way there if necessary.
"I don't think Millianna can take it. She can't even sit up by herself. She... she needs medical attention now. The doc said she'll give Millianna treatment for every day I do a... deposit, which means we can get her the best care for virtually free."
"It'll just cost you emotionally," Natsu said, not needing Laxus to answer to know he was right. "Sorry I can't help you."
That had Laxus snorting, the smallest smile quirking his lip up. "Actually, I asked if she'd be interested in you instead, but she said she doesn't want a kid with pink hair."
Natsu made a sound of annoyance, but it didn't bother him. Besides, he didn't know if he could make such a sacrifice. He wasn't sure he would have kids. If he did, he imagined they would be adopted since he didn't want to get involved with someone.
There was a lot of uncertainty, but what he did know was he didn't want to have a child out there without him. The idea didn't sit right with him, so he knew Laxus was struggling with the decision as well.
"Is Freed gonna be mad?" Natsu asked, watching as Laxus thought it over.
He stared off in a daze before biting his lower lip, slowly giving a few nods. "At first, yeah. But he'll understand."
Natsu was quiet for a moment before squinting his eyes, his voice strained as he gave an unsavory suggestion. "Or, you could just not tell him?"
Laxus shook his head, dismissing that idea without another thought. "That's not an option. It'd be worse if I kept it a secret." He looked Natsu in the eye, knowing the man himself had never been in a relationship. He had heard the lighthearted teasing when they were off base, so he knew Natsu didn't understand where he was coming from, but he hoped he heard him for future reference.
"If you love and respect someone, you don't keep those kinds of secrets, ever."
While Natsu knew Laxus was being serious, he couldn't help but joke. "Does that mean some secrets are acceptable?"
Laxus turned his head, making Natsu think he was ending the conversation. However, after a pause, Laxus said, "Say, their eyes light up every time you eat their cookies, and they look like they've never been happier..."
His voice grew flat, eyes dim "But they always add too much sugar, like, a ridiculous amount of sugar. It makes the cookies too sweet to enjoy, but you don't have the heart to tell them, because you love seeing that smile."
Natsu let the silence surround them for a full thirty seconds before asking, "Does Freed suck at baking?"
"Absolutely," he answered without missing a beat. "But I never said that." Laxus turned, sending Natsu a death glare that made his skin crawl. He didn't need a verbal threat to get his point across.
"Aye Sir!"
Laxus took a deep breath before groaning, rubbing at his face in frustration. "Alright, I'm ready to get this over with, but it's not even close to being done with."
He looked at Natsu, listing the steps they needed to take. "We have to go back to the van, get the others here, get Millianna treated, get that girl pregnant, and figure out what the fuck to do about Gildarts."
While it looked discouraging, Natsu couldn't help but smile. "But after it's all over, we get to go home."
Laxus stared at the wall before managing a small smile as well. "Yeah. That'll be nice. Really nice."
Natsu nodded, resting his hands on his hips before stretching, preparing himself for the many steps ahead.
First they had to convince the others it was safe, but after seeing them return unharmed and fed, they didn't think it was going to be a challenge.
.
.
.
Research I did for this chapter:
Cardboard ovens. I want to test them out personally, but for now my research was done with Youtube videos.
Homemade peanut butter and strawberry jam. From what I saw on Youtube it seems easy to make and grow, so kudos for anyone who's doing that.
Hargeon's solar panels are based off Camp Lejeune's solar panels, but also some extra google searches to learn more.
Alright, did that feel like an information dump? Lots going on this chapter, some new characters, some will play bigger roles than others. Anyone wanna guess what's coming next? Anyone have any opinions about Hargeon or Laxus' deal? What about Gildarts' situation?
Thank you for all your support, favorites, follows, and feedback! Shout out to those who reviewed last time: VicariousLady89(x2), theunicorn22, Doginshoe, stranger1999, CodenameMise, Raquenzel, deboome, annegirl13, Screeney, Jazminee18, shootingstarssel, valerioux, CathJorda, Xfangirl123X, XxxNaxxxx, Dezez, iaga. isabella, Guest, sakshishetty3003, Kitty9453, dareaderreads, Sam, abauers14, Ryu of Konoha, HollyNinetales, Duchixx, ElementalMiko12, biscoiju, and guesttt!
Up next, Chapter Forty-Nine: Ready