Author Notes:
Warnings: Swearing - Sexual themes/Content.
Genre, in depth: Male/Male Romance, also known as, Yaoi.
Story Cover Art: The Amazing Astrovique.
Beta Reader: The one and only enjoys literature.
Disclaimer: Dear reader, I'm not the owner of Fairy Tail's characters. If they were mine, Gray and Natsu would be boyfriends.
O.o.O Chapter Sixteen O.o.O
Previous Chapter Recap
Hibiki has communicated with Gray, informing him their servers were damaged because of the storms and rain, so he sent him a team of 5 people, out of caution. Laxus finds out about the weapon (Vance) that Gray has been working on, which was initially given to him by Erza Scarlet.
Meanwhile, Natsu has a terrible case of flu. Gray's worried about his friend, research, and... where is this leading?
"Are you licensed for weapon possession?" The major pressed on the pen's head.
Gray had his thumb supporting his chin and his index finger up his cheek.
"Why don't you ask Hibiki Lates? He granted both me and my friend, a certificate with several other documents legalizing firearms and whatnot-possession."
"I assume that happened after the training." Laxus strengthened his tone, "How long was your training?"
"A month and a half. We had several guns, unfortunately because of Sergeant as-Gajeel's jurisdiction, they got confiscated at the date we arrived."
Gray was irritated because A: No one likes interrogation, and B: Being in the same room with Sergeant Gajeel irked him.
"You said you had training. Hard to believe with that injury of yours." This statement's implication stirred Gray's blood. Not only he did he doubt Gray but also, he accused Hibiki Lates of unprofessionalism.
God, the fellow should give it a rest. "I was lucky the shot was in the left shoulder. It was super difficult to use one arm, but there was no other choice, I had to push hard."
"Hmm." He jotted notes down, puncturing Gray with his fierce gaze, "When was the last time you've had a drug test?"
What's the fucking purpose of that fucking question?
"… Around three weeks ago. When we had to practice shooting at the agency."
"We'll take a fresh one after we're done."
"… Am I supposed to nod and agree?"
"When did you get a hold of this weapon?"
"Almost four days ago."
"Do you have a clear idea of what this weapon is capable of?"
"Uh-huh."
"How far have you gone dissecting it?"
"Not far. I know the basics. It's pretty… intricate for me." Gray lied.
"Were you authorized by any of the law enforcement offices to possess heavy weapons? Before all of this mess?"
"No. I have an Electrical Engineering license that needs renewal next year, thank you for reminding me. Also, driving license, heavy vehicles, motorbikes."
"Are you authorized by any of the law enforcement offices to conduct any research on governmental weapons? Or any? At all?"
"That's… no."
"Does anyone have access to this weapon? Your friend?"
"None."
"Your research is gonna be quarantined, and your laptop will be confiscated. If you've got data elsewhere, inform us, otherwise the consequences will be vast. You must show up for another session of questioning in the chamber of justice, under proper conditions."
"Again, am I supposed to nod and agree?"
"This is an official paper that states you relinquish all your research rights to us. Sign here, now."
So what? The time he devoted in studying Vance's complex details, tweaking its functions, inventing solutions to increase its practicality, THOSE precious hours of knowledge and struggle were wasted? Because of what? Because of who?
"I need to… speak to Hibiki Lates."
"You can speak to him after you sign the paper. I can't take any chances."
"Chances of what? Do you realize that you've asked me nothing but stupid questions? Your guys confiscated our guns, so you know we're authorized to hold firearms. You KNOW that I had my blood drug test taken when I joined this program of protection. Why should I turn in another blood test? And my research's intent isn't evil, she told you it wasn't used by the government to begin with so why the bloody fuss?"
"Human intents aren't trustworthy in our field. Sign the paper. Now."
Laxus placed the sheet in front of Gray and tapped his finger on it once, an orange thread flickered in his eyes and battled Gray's frosty stare of resentment. Gray wanted to call Hibiki, but if Major Laxus said he can do that after, then?
Gray had man pride and lots of ego, promise. The one person who made him swallow all of it down, was Erza Scarlet. She stood with a stiff spine and Gray didn't wish to put her in further trouble. She was nice (and stupid) enough to give him the time of his life the past four days with the artistic piece; it was time he paid her back.
She restrained his arms and jailed his objection capability. He had no other options.
"Good. Sergeant, please take a blood sample and let's drop it today for results."
If Erza wasn't standing there, reminding him of how deeply in shit she was, he would've screwed up the interrogation then ended up in the detention camp because of resisting Sergeant Gajeel's touch for a blood sample and sandwiching his face.
They closed the study room and sealed it with a red tape, and no access to the laptop or the research. Gray wasn't wild or riled up always (that's Natsu).
But when things came down to his research, his efforts…
Erza Scarlet's issue was troublesome. Yet, his brain was consumed on how to retrieve the research, the hours, the days of work. Could he break into the study room, get it, and run into one of the SUVs? No, he wouldn't get too far with all the checkpoints and other hurdles. Plus, he'd abandon Natsu one more time. Heck, he'd abandon his mom and live as a refugee.
Calm down… there must be a way to do it other than ending up being a criminal living in the outskirts.
As Gajeel pricked his vein for blood, Gray grew a swollen thirst for vengeance while his glare clashed with Laxus's. The man's rigid posture, his commanding tone, the demeaning looks—he was the worst, hands down.
There was an unspoken promise, that if Gray ever got out of that mess, the Major won't know what hit him.
"I'll give you a piece of advice." Laxus said, "You need at least thousands of years before you could make me your opponent."
Gray chuckled with darkness clouding his vision. His toes itched to move, but he pressed them to his seat.
"So where are the dogs? There could be drugs you never know." Staring at the rainy sky from the six-paned window, Gray asked no one in particular as he stood, hands in his pockets, "Fucker."
He jerked his head backwards when a hand patted his shoulder.
"You did good back there." Erza said, her shoulders slumped because she couldn't provide help.
"Could you—maybe… I have an injury here-"
"—so sorry."
"-It's okay. That guy. Oh man, that guy." He snorted.
"Gray, I know where he's coming from. Put yourself in his shoes. At least if Hibiki had known about it, he would've reacted differently. Your problem is me. In the past, I had power, but now I'm being looked down upon until I earn their trust back."
"And now, I've screwed you big time."
"I'm not bothered." She smiled, "I gave it to you because… I felt I could trust you. I have no regrets. None."
Erza's warmth mitigated Gray's homicidal mood and restored rationale.
"I'm sorry, I know this is selfish, but this is an experiment I've started, and, I can't put into words how that bastard is-"
"-I know. As much as this irritates the hell out of me, Hibiki is your solution."
He held the bridge of his nose and exhaled staring at the water cascading on the glass.
Their little talk stopped when Gray spotted Natsu on the stairs, coughing all the way down. The boy was in black jeans and smoke white t-shirt, with a tissue in his hand, and weary eyes. He coughed and his lips had lost their healthy color.
"Good morning." Natsu bowed to Erza, "Can I… have my friend for a second?"
Natsu's condition was worsening because his voice was shittier than last night and he may have ridden himself the fever, but as he introduced himself, Gray verified that his friend needed medical attention.
"Dude, it's okay."
"Uhm, we need to talk, really." Natsu fumbled with the tissue.
"It's okay. I know what you wanna ask." Gray explained, "Hibiki called this morning, said they had issues with their servers and until it's fixed, Gajeel is gonna be staying with us… along with the others here. This is Erza Scarlet."
"Seems we disturbed your sleep." Erza said.
"Well, I was trying to understand-"
"-you got plenty of time. Excuse me, I have to go."
'Ok?' That was cold and awkward. Was she not comfortable around Natsu?
"I have a problem." Natsu sniffed as looked at the glass, avoiding Gray's eyes, "I can't find my phone, and dude, I'm in a shitty mood, so if you think it's funny-"
"You've got a lot of catching up to do."
"Huh?"
"You said it was freaking porn." Natsu coughed, "What…? You fucking kidding me? You nuts? You were toying with a lethal weapon all along? Forget that it's a secret bla-bla-bla, what about blowing the house with ME in it?"
Gray shot him a careless look.
"Look, she gave It!"
"Seriously?! That's what you're gonna give me?!"
"Congratulations, you just provided the same answer that asshole gave an hour ago."
"… What?"
"—Ok, forget what I just said—actually no. What was I supposed to do if she gave it to me like it was candy?"
"You wanted to fry us both? Even I wouldn't have done that knowing that you're with me in the same unit! That thing could have toxic radiations that SHE isn't aware of, and this isn't a goddamn laboratory—GOD-IS YOUR BRAIN ON HOLIDAY?"
"Oh my god... are you Natsu?"
"Dip-shit Mother—did you forget I was working in the mines? Hello HSE 101? Hello Fire life and safety and security inductions? Hello training-"
"—Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah."
"Say it four times and you're an idiot."
"Shut up."
"Unbelievable… I was living with a bomb… I touched that thing, shit." Natsu slapped his hip.
"Think about it. It's perfect. We both die together and… together forever, right? If you don't die with me, then who are you gonna die with? Friends for life and death dude."
"And I was the reckless one…" The tissue in Natsu's hand blocked the countless number of coughs when his chest got so irritated from Gray's bullshit.
"You know what? You need something strong for that."
"Duh-" Natsu said in between coughs.
He intended to talk to someone about it, mainly Erza, but refrained from it when he saw her conversing with the Major. His other option was to kick himself in his jealous ass and talk to Loke. How he hated himself! Sadly, Loke was the guy who had a crush on his friend, so his help was ensured. He approached Loke with heavy steps and forced himself to be civil while asking.
"I see. What happened there?"
"He's sensitive to cold." It wasn't a lie.
"Let me see what I can do." Loke headed over to Laxus.
So not only protection was forced on them but also they couldn't go out as they pleased, interesting. Gray's contempt levels aroused to a new level.
Loke walked back and shook his head, "… sorry."
"Sorry?" Gray repeated.
"The major won't allow him to walk out."
"Bullshit!"
Gray stomped towards Major Laxus Dreyar and screw it.
"Major."
"Yes?"
"My friend needs medical attention, now."
Laxus didn't take his eyes off the screen of his giant laptop, then asked, "Is he severely injured?"
"No, it's not-"
"Is he having a seizure?"
"… No."
"Is he having a violent allergic reaction?"
Gray paused before answering with 'motherfucker' as his speech's opening sentence, "He has a bad cold. Last night he had fever and-"
"-his condition isn't critical on my criticality bar, thus, he's prohibited to exit this place. And so are you."
Gray's patience-to-explosion bar was awfully close to hazardous detonation. His eyes were narrow and hateful and he couldn't keep it from showing to the Major of assholes.
"I need to talk to Hibiki Lates."
"Your-"
"-Now. I need to talk to him now. Under your surveillance or whatever shit, I don't care."
A staring battle took place in the living room between strict yellows and raging blues. It has ended when Laxus handed Gray a phone to call Hibiki Lates and hasn't made objections when Gray walked off to speak in private.
"Hello-"
"Don't 'Hello' me."
"Laxus sure is making a good impression…"
"Listen. He took our phones, he searched our place, he quarantined my research, and I said nothing, cool? Now, I tell him Natsu is freaking sick, and he says he can't go for medical attention, what kind of bullshit is that? YOU tell me what to do?"
"-you have to-"
"-are we the villains here? This is house arrest, and it's not funny. You better explain what's going on before I go postal! He is pushing me to explode, and you won't like it if I do, I promise."
"…" Hibiki sighed, then said, "How bad is Natsu's condition?"
"You—I told you to explain what's going on! Did you listen to what I-"
"-Yes, I listened. How bad is Natsu's condition?"
"-Hibiki-"
"-How bad?"
Gray looked at the ceiling then lightly slammed the wall with his fist.
"Gray?"
"He-" Gray decided that attacking Hibiki won't help, he needed to focus on getting his friend medical attention, "He had a bad fever last night. And a cough. The fever is gone now, but the cough is terrible, he can't speak without it."
"That's karma for you."
"What?"
"I'll allow you to leave with one of the team members to get medicine from the military's infirmary. You describe the situation of your friend accurately to the nurse, and they should help."
Gray was hung up on Hibiki's earlier comment as he responded, "Why? We can move together and-"
"Natsu is prohibited from stepping out. Either you do that, or he gets nothing. Your choice."
"This is vague. Why is this vague?"
"There're certain things that I can't always share with you. It's part of my job. So? Take my offer or leave it, up to you."
Hibiki's tone said 'I'm too busy for this.'
"Fine."
"Give me the major."
'I can't believe it… why this womanizer asshole…'
Gray handed Laxus the phone. Both talked for a while before Laxus called him in.
"Sergeant Loke will escort you to the military's medical unit and wherever else you need to go."
Hell no. HELL NO.
"I believe Erza-"
"Sergeant Loke. It has already been discussed with the general. If you need to complain again, please take the phone and be my guest. We can do this all day and your friend stays in his condition or worse."
His jaw clenched so hard it hurt. Internally, he put extensive efforts into figuring out ways to escape this disturbing lock on their lives.
"Gray?" Natsu came out of the bathroom with a runny nose, "What's going on?"
He wore his shoes and put on his black jacket as he looked at his sick friend. That guy… fuck. If Natsu knew how much Gray gave up for him. What is pride? It's nothing if Natsu was involved.
"You sit tight and wait for me, okay?"
"I'll come with you." Natsu stepped closer.
"No. You need to rest. I need to get something from outside and they won't allow me to go alone."
"I have a bad feeling about this."
"Don't we all? Relax. Will be back quick."
"But-"
"-Natsu." Gray dragged his friend towards the sofa and sat him down, "It's not my call. This is above me and you."
They shared an understanding look, then Gray was gone.
He slammed Loke's tactical light vehicle's door shut, yanked the seat-belt and shoved it in its host, resting his elbow on the narrow window. Sergeant four-eyes chuckled and sat as slow as possible.
"Wow, it's pouring hard."
Gray's ice couldn't be melted, and there was no signal showing that he was interested in a stupid conversation about the weather. In fact, being with this guy in the same car, added fuel to his hatred and contempt.
"And you thought Gajeel Redfox was bad, huh?"
"No shit. I think assholism is a quality most of your superiors have, and with abundance."
Oh why did he bother to respond?
"Yeah? Me too. This time it's all Hibiki though. Put the blame on him. That and Freed isn't here."
Gray didn't respond thinking about Loke's words.
"Freed is Laxus's right hand. Sting's replacing him that's why his mood's tetchy."
Why would Gray wanna know that? He watched the windshield of the vehicle wiping the glass and stayed silent.
"I was wrong when I told you to blame Hibiki Lates. You should blame none other than Natsu."
"That's karma for you."
Gray's eyes widened and jerked his head to the left.
"… What does that mean?"
"Oh?" Loke gave Gray a brief look from the corner of his eyes, "So you don't know?"
"…" Was there something that he was supposed to know? Was there?
'Don't give this fucker attention.'
"When we're back, you can always ask your friend."
Gray focused on the slippery road and tried to connect the puzzle. Problem is, he didn't have enough pieces, and he was horrified that Natsu might have/or certainly has sufficient information to solve it for him.
They have made a stop at the military's market to get enough food for the squad occupying the house and headed to the medical unit next where Gray has done his best explaining the symptoms of cold and flu to the local nurse.
And Loke was next to him checking the condoms. Gray doubted himself. Even if Natsu's health was at stake… how could he agree to go with that guy—and why did he flirt with the nurse? He ended up dragging the Sergeant out of the infirmary with force, urging him to go back to give Natsu the necessary dosages of the medicine.
"She's cool, right? Damn hot."
"…" Gray maintained his patience.
"She's not your type?"
"You know…" Patience screwed, he was riled up, "I don't care."
"You gay?"
"That's—Please don't project yourself on me."
"I'm gay?"
"No. You touch and date my friend 'cause you're straight."
The vehicle bounced on the street with Loke's chortles and Gray couldn't help but to scowl. He wasn't being funny to earn the sniggering.
"You think I'm gay? Gosh, if Hibiki Lates hears you… oh god."
Loke remained in hysterics for about three minutes, then wiped the tears and tried to speak.
"I'm glad you judge so, but I'm not. Swear to god."
"You throw confessions in the air then?"
"Hahaha." Loke stammered, "He told you about that?"
"He's my friend, he tells me everything."
"Wooh." He paused, "That's—ok. You jealous?"
"…" Gray glared. "Could you hurry?"
"That's a yes." Loke smiled, and it was vexing, "Otherwise you won't freeze me with that stare."
"Huh? Why are we even talking about this? No offense, but I don't have to explain myself to you."
"Natsu thinks I'm gay for him, but I'm not. It was Hibiki's idea. I played a role and monitored his unpredictable actions. Don't be jealous."
Hibiki? Did what? How-what?
"And it's good that Hibiki didn't trust him. He's a trouble maker, but I feel you're different. You're a trouble magnet."
"I can't understand what you mean. What the hell is happening?"
Gray's whole body jerked forward when the car halted.
"What the…?!-"
"-you might think we came today because of the rain—servers or other bullshit, but that's a cover up. The idiot has used one of our phones to communicate with his boyfriend, day before yesterday—from our station—does he know the consequences of his actions? He doesn't, because he's an idiot."
The resonance of the light shower thudding swept Gray.
"He doesn't know that he's jeopardizing none other than you two… and us. Criminal raids take lives. He's made a big, big, big mistake. Hibiki wanted to tell you, but he made sure we're there first so you won't be reckless."
To Be Continued...
Next Chapter Preview:
"You jerk!" Natsu's palms pushed Gray's chest with all the power he could master, "What's wrong with you?!"
"I'm paranoid." Gray tripped back a step, and yelled, "Guess whose fault that is!"
"I told you there's nothing!"
"Oh, I believe you."
"I don't have to prove anything to you!" Natsu's shoulders quacked.
"Should I go tell the Major about this? I'm sure you'll be questioned thoroughly and nicely. And in the end he'll make you sign on relinquishing all your rights as a human being."
Natsu attempted to speak, but Gray gave him a look that says, 'Don't. fucking. Mess. With. me.'
"Don't." Gray threatened, "Not today."
"You're threatening me? First, you say that monster is innocent, and now you're threatening me? Why don't you shoot me?!"
"I would. They confiscated our weapons." Confidence dripped with each word that made Natsu speechless for seconds.
"Guys. ENOUGH. Are you reenacting high school days or something?"
Next Chapter Release: TBD. My (expectation) is 20 days, subject to change. GUYS, so sorry I've uploaded this late. Blame my hectic working environment. It HAS BEEN CRAZY LATELY, LIKE SO SO SOOOOOOOO CRAZY! I've added this preview as an apology, forgive me!
Special thanks to: deboome (Laxus is even more terrifying here i believe hehe), JO (You seem shocked!), Arsenic4tea (Hey there! Thanks for the comment. You're absolutely correct about the name, Gray in this case is reminiscing about the cartoon, so he can't remember the name correct, sorry if i conveyed that wrongly. Let me know if you have other inquiries and thanks for the time you invested in reading this!). Guys, you're all my babies. Thanks!
Thank you ALL for reading. Feel free to share any comment, inquiry, or advice. I'd love that.
Alright, till next time!
Looooooove,
Flame-Belt