Thank you to everybody who reviewed this story

_________________________________________________________ _________________________________

A Small Piece of Heaven - Part 16

"Your fencing skills have improved a great deal," Treize remarked, as the two men ended their match by bowing at each other. "I'm impressed."
The duke put away his weapon and reached for one of the towels that Evans had laid out for them, to wipe some sweat from his forehead. "I'm also exhausted," he admitted.

"I did have a lot of time to practice of late," Milliardo replied. "It tends to get boring around here while you are gone."

One of Treize's eyebrows rose in a mixture of surprise and amusement, as he turned to face his sparring partner.
"Are you trying to make me feel guilty for leaving you at home?"
"Is it working?" Milliardo inquired innocently.

The ex-colonel embraced the younger man in his arms as he assured him: "I would stay much rather right here with you than be anywhere else without you."
"Then why don't you?"
Treize didn't answer. Instead he dipped his head to capture the young man's lips in a kiss, while his hands wandered deeper till they came to a stop at Milliardo's rump, cupping the firm flesh the found there as he pulled the young slave closer. To his surprise the blond turned his head.
"You are trying to avoid an answer."
The duke sighed wistfully. "Milliardo, we have talked about this before...in length. I do have a business to tend to that requires that I travel sometimes."

What am I doing? I'm explaining myself to my slave? He has me wrapped around his little finger, doesn't he?

"I'm sorry for not taking you with me, but I don't dare leaving Wufei alone at home quite yet. I promise I'll make it up to you."

"How?" Milliardo demanded to know.
"To begin with, the two of us will be going out tonight. I made dinner reservations at the Royal Crown Restaurant" his master replied.
"The Royal Crown Restaurant? You really must be feeling guilty," the blond teased.
Treize chuckled. "I assure you, my fair-haired angel, it has nothing to do with guilt, but everything with the special occasion."
"Special occasion?" the younger man echoed.
"You don't know what day today is?" Treize asked.
Milliardo's brows narrowed in concentration as thought about it for a long moment, then he shook his head. "I'm sure it's not your birthday, and I know for a fact that it is not my birthday either…I'm afraid I have not the slightest idea."

"I see," the ex-colonel replied tersely as he pulled away from the blond slave and turned to leave. "I made dinner reservations for seven o'clock. We should probably get ready; unless of course, you would rather have dinner at home."

Milliardo blinked in surprise. What just happened? "What? What did I do?"

His master halted. There was a moment of silence before he answered. "A year ago today was when I bought you and brought you here. I had assumed that it meant enough to you to at least remember that day." Treize didn't try to keep his disappointment and hurt out of his voice. "Apparently I was wrong."
That stung. Milliardo swallowed hard. "Please don't say that," he objected, voice barely above a whisper. "It means more to me than you possibly can imagine. I'm sorry I don't remember the date you bought me. Time had become meaningless to me while I was at the S.A.U. station and I simply had lost track of it. But I'll never forget that day. You didn't just change my life, master. You saved it. I was ready to die that day, and I probably would have if you wouldn't have interfered."

The ex-colonel's expression softened instantly. "I'm sorry, Milliardo, I didn't…" he began, but was cut off as the blond kissed him tenderly.
"I don't think we need to go on apologizing to each other, do we?"

"You are right," Treize agreed. "And I believe we do need to get ready if we don't want to be late for dinner."
"I suppose we'll have to dress up. Jeans and T-shirt won't do?" the younger man asked.
"I'm afraid it won't. Anything less but proper evening attire would be frowned upon at the Royal Crown."

Milliardo let out a short bark of laughter. "I would like to see the person who would dare to frown upon you, Master."

*****

Treize was sitting in the living room when Milliardo came downstairs. The cream colored tux the blond slave was wearing looked marvelous with his pale blond hair, and seemed to amplify the icy blue color of his eyes.

"You look stunning," the ex-colonel complimented, as he rose from the chair he had been sitting in. "Shall we go?"

The younger man nodded. "I'm ready if you are."

The limousine was already waiting for them. It was a rather short ride, which they spent mostly in small talk. The Royal Crown was one of the most exquisite and without doubt most expensive restaurants in the country. Treize had reserved one of the semi private booths in the back of the dining room, where he and Milliardo would be relatively undisturbed.

The headwaiter showed them to their table. He handed the duke a menu before he retreated, never even acknowledging Milliardo's presence. The blond was used to this kind of treatment, but Treize was not.

"Excuse me!"

"Sir?" The waiter returned with a polite smile on his face.
"Do you have problems with your eyesight, Sir?" Treize wanted to know.
"Not that I know off." The man replied, confused.
"Oh good, I just wondered, because you didn't seem to noticed that there are two people sitting at this table. So if you don't mind, we would like a second menu."
The waiter turned bright red, as he stammered an apology. "Forgive me, your Excellency, my mistake." He handed another menu to Milliardo.
"Thanks." The blond gave his master a ghost of a smile once they were alone again.
"Think nothing of it. You are here as my guest and he had no right to treat you like anything but…"
"…a slave?"

"A paying customer," Treize corrected.

Only moments later the wine steward appeared with a bottle of Bollinger Cuveè champagne.

The duke gave the man a surprised look. "I don't seem to remember ordering anything yet."
"The bottle is on the house, your Excellency," the sommelier explained, "a small token of appreciation from Mister Dillaggio to his regular guests."
"Well, thank you. Please give my regards to Mister Dillaggio."
"That will be my pleasure." The man bowed and retreated.

When waiter returned to check to take their order the ex-colonel rose from his seat. "Please excuse me; I shall be back in a moment."

"Don't you want to order first, Master?"

"Why don't you order for the two of us, Milliardo? I'm sure whatever you choose will be delicious. Now if you will excuse me."
Giving the blond a curt nod the ex-colonel walked away toward the bathrooms.

The waiter managed to keep an overly polite smile on his face, but had a look in his eyes that clearly indicated how he felt about having to take orders from a slave, as he asked the blond. "May I make some suggestions?"
"You may, if you must," Milliardo replied stiffly. "But I have already made my decision."

"Very well then."

"We will start out with your Herbed Caviar Roulades. What kind of soups do you have?"

Milliardo waited until the man had recited the names of at least a dozen or so soups before he shrugged. "Come to think of it, I don't really like soup. So, I guess we will have the winter salad with walnut and as main course the roasted lamb with mustard cream sauce. Just make sure the lamb is not overcooked, his Excellency likes it just a tad on the rare side."
"I'll make sure to mention it to the cook," the waiter assured him with a glare. "Anything else?"

"Yes, his Excellency will probably have a Châteauneuf-du-Pape and me you can bring an iced tea. And I think that will be it."
As the man turned on his heel and stalked off, Treize returned to the table.
"Thank you, Master."

The duke smirked. "My pleasure. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself."
"I wish you could have seen his face." Milliardo laughed, but the he grew serious before he continued. "I noticed Evans was packing your suitcase earlier today. You are leaving again?"
Treize nodded in confirmation. "I have to pick up two mares in Saudi Arabia. I should not be gone for more than two days, three days max. And this will be the last trip I have planned till the end of the year. But now, let not talk anymore about it." He picked up his glass to toast the younger man. "This evening should be about the time we spend together."

*****

Wufei had been somewhat surprised when he had learned that Treize was taking Milliardo out for dinner. Until now he had never been left alone. Usually the blond slave was keeping an eye on him, on their master's orders as Wufei expected. As much as the Chinese boy valued Milliardo's company, the young man's constant presence could be a little tiring at times. So he gladly took advantage of the unexpected opportunity to spend some time by himself.
As soon as the ex-colonel and Milliardo had left, Wufei headed down to the lake, one of his favorite places on the estate. He settled down beneath one of the large weeping willows, with his back against the tree trunk, and picked up one of the books he had brought along. The youth made use of the remaining daylight and spent about an hour reading before he returned to the mansion for dinner.
After he had eaten Wufei retreated to his room. Just as he did every evening he lit some candles and incense sticks on a small makeshift shrine he had created. It didn't take long until the small room was filled with the heavy, sweet and spicy aroma of the incense. Treize had given him the burner and candles a few days after he had learned about the fate of his clan. Although it was only a small gift, it still had surprised the boy that his master seemed to care enough about him to make him a gift at all. But still he wondered if the man had some kind of ulterior motive.

Wufei opened the window and settled down on the sill. From there he watched as the sky turned slowly from gray to black, then light up with hundreds of stars. The black-haired lad sighed, as he stared into the night sky and wondered if the spirits of his clan member were roaming somewhere up there, between all of those sparkling lights.

It was only shortly after 9 p.m. and Wufei didn't feel tired yet. For a moment he considered if he should watch a vid or read some more. But then he decided to go back outside. He crossed the rose garden until he reached a part of the garden that was barely visited by anybody but him. Wufei had been coming here when he wanted to meditate. Somehow it seemed like a good night for meditation, and to ask his ancestors for some advice.

*****

As the waiter cleared the table, Treize refilled the champagne glasses.
"So, what's next, Master?" Milliardo wanted to know. "It's still early and knowing you, this evening isn't over yet."
The duke smiled. "You know me well. I thought that we should have dessert and share another bottle of champagne before we head back home and test the new hot tub in the rose garden."
"I didn't even know the tub was finished yet," the blond remarked in surprise.
His master nodded. "It was completed yesterday. I had Evans fill it earlier today."
When Treize looked up he noticed a slight smirk on his slave's face. "What are you thinking, Angel?"

The smirk turned into a suggestive smile, as Milliardo leaned toward him and in a hushed voice whispered: "Wouldn't you agree that dessert is highly overrated? Why don't we skip it, take the next bottle of champagne to go and head straight for the hot tub."
The older man was barely able to suppress a gasp. A slim hand trailed up his thigh and fondled his manhood teasingly through the fabric of his trousers.
"Did I ever tell you that I love the way your brain works," he admitted, as he gestured the waiter to bring the check.

*****

Treize moaned in delight, as he slowly slipped under the water surface until he was immersed all the way to his neck. The night air was crisp and cool and the water felt comfortable warm. The scene was illuminated only by the soft glow of the moon and some candlelight.

Milliardo put down some towels and set a tray with 2 glasses and a bottle of champagne on the rim of the hot tub before he too slipped out of the robe he was wearing and climbed into the warm water. When the duke extended his hand, the blond slave took it and allowed himself to be pulled into his master's lap. Nestled against the older man's chest Milliardo closed his eyes and relaxed, a soft smile curving his lips.
"Care telling me what you are thinking right now?" Treize asked.

Milliardo turned his head just enough to face his master. Their eyes locked for a moment; blue meeting blue.
"At first when I got here it all seemed so unreal. I wasn't quite sure if I was only dreaming or if I had actually died and gone to heaven."
Returning the smile, Treize lowered his head to nuzzle the nape of the blond's neck. "If this is heaven, then it is just the right place for an angel like you," he breathed.

Milliardo moaned in delight. He drew his head back and exposed more of the soft skin at his neck to his master, in an unspoken invitation. In response the duke placed a trail of soft kisses down his throat and along his jawbone. He stopped to take a playful nip at his earlobe, before he covered Milliardo's mouth with his own. For a long moment he suckled on the young man's lower lip. Milliardo put his arms around his master's neck and buried his hands in the soft, ginger-blond hair. Without breaking their kiss the younger man shifted his body so that he was facing the ex-colonel. Strong, yet soft hands moved up and down his back. The blond groaned softly.

Both men were panting when lack of air finally forced them to break their kiss.

"Watch out for the bottle," Treize warned, as Milliardo shifted again in his arms. "Maybe you should put it somewhere safe."

"But then I'd have to get out of the tub," the blond complained.
"Spoiled little slave," the ex-colonel admonished teasingly.
Milliardo snorted playfully. "Whose fault is that?"

*****

The sound of breaking glass and metal ripped Wufei from his state of meditation. Alarmed, the boy jumped up and listened for any other noises. The sound had come from the rose garden. Wufei decided to check it out.

He looked around and found a wooden stick about two feed in length. The boy picked it up. It could come in handy in case he ran into some kind of trouble.

Wufei tightened his grip on his makeshift weapon as he turned the corner. He expected to see a wild animal or maybe even to surprise a burglar. But he wasn't prepared to find his master and Milliardo together in the hot tub, naked and in…lets call it an advanced state of foreplay.
The boy stopped like he had run into an invisible wall, and dropped the stick he was holding. For a moment he just stood there, staring at the two men in the tub. Milliardo and Treize stared back at him. The two men appeared to be as dumbfounded as he was. On the pavement in front of the tub lay what seemed to be the broken remains of a wine bottle and a tray, obviously the source of the noise he had heard.
"I…I'm sorry!"

Wufei could feel his face burn in embarrassment, as he turned on his heel and fled.

"Wufei!" Treize rose as the Chinese youth stormed off, but was stopped by Milliardo hand on his shoulder.

"Master, you are not going to run after him like this, are you? That would really scare the hell out of him."

The duke grinned sheepishly, as he settled back into the tub. "I suppose you are right. I will talk to him tomorrow morning."
"Good idea," the blond agreed, and with a suggestive smile he added. "So, where did we leave off?"

*****

When Wufei came downstairs for breakfast he found Treize alone in the dinning room. The boy slowed down in hesitation, but he realized that it would look rather awkward if he would turn around now.

"I'll go tell Milliardo that breakfast is ready," he volunteered quickly, but before her could retreat the duke stopped him.

"Milliardo will be here shortly. I would like to talk to you, Wufei. Please have a seat."

"If this is about last night…" the boy spoke, as he sat down at his usual place at the table. "I'm sorry about it but I don't know what else to say other then that it won't happen again. I'll be more careful from now on."
Treize shook his head. "I'm the one who should be sorry, Wufei. We certainly didn't mean to scare you."
The boy snorted. "You didn't scare me. Please! It's not like I have never seen somebody naked before." Indeed it wasn't as much the sight, but rather the reaction of his own body to it, that had shocked him last night. He wasn't sure what had happened. "If it didn't bother you…"

The ginger-blond man smiled softly. "I'm not ashamed of my body, Wufei. And neither am I ashamed of showing my affection for Milliardo. There is however something I would like to know. What were you doing out there in the first place?"

Wufei could feel himself blush. "I was meditation when I heard a noise." He explained. "I thought that it might be a burglar or somebody else who wasn't supposed to be on the grounds, I went to check it out."
Treize started at him surprised. "You were going to take on a burglar armed with only a stick?"
The color in the boy's intensified as he stared at the empty plate before him. "You probably think that it sounds like a pretty foolish thing to do, don't you?"
"Actually," his master disagreed. "I think it sounds like a very brave thing to do."
Before Wufei could reply anything Milliardo walked into the dinning room. "Good morning, Master. Good morning Wufei."
"Good morning, Angel. How are you this morning?" Treize asked.
"No hangover, if that's what you mean." The blond grinned. "But I'm starving."
He seated himself next to Wufei and reached for the breadbasket. "Why didn't you wake me in time for our morning ride?"
"I slept in myself." The ex-colonel explained. "I thought we can take our ride after breakfast."
"Sounds great." Milliardo agreed.
The rest of the breakfast was spent with small talk and playful raillery between the blond slave and his master. Both of them seemed in exceptional good mood this morning.

As Wufei and Milliardo left the dinning room together after the meal, the blond suggested: "You should accompany us on the ride, Wufei."
The youth shook his head. "I don't think so."
"Come on, you are riding very well now. I'll make sure that you get a horse you can handle."
"That's not it," Wufei replied, as he started to walk away. "The two of you don't need a chaperon. You probably have much more fun without me being around."

*****

Treize looked up from his desk, as the door to his study opened and Milliardo stuck his head in. "I need to talk to you, Master, may I come in?"
"Only if it isn't about my trip to Saudi Arabia," the duke replied in a tone that made it clear that he did not discuss that subject.
"Well, in a way it is, but please let me explain." The blond gave him a pleading puppy-eye look. He knew his master wouldn't be able to withstand that look.

"Fine," Treize agreed.

"Master, I think you and Wufei need to spend some time together; only the two of you." The younger man explained, as he stepped fully into the room.

The ginger-blond man frowned a little but didn't say a word and Milliardo continued.

"After you bought me, you and I were together most of the time, which I think made it easy for me to bond with you. However you have been so busy lately that Wufei never had that same chance. And I have to admit that when you at home, I have pretty selfishly occupied most of your time. No wonder that he thinks he is the fifth wheel."
Treize's frown deepened. "Is that what he said?"
"No of course not, but I know he feels that way."

"Then what do you suggest I should do?" the ex-colonel asked. Something told him that his blond angel had some kind of plan already.

"Let Martin and me fly to Saudi Arabia. You said yourself that you have already chosen the horses you are going to buy, and you've got to admit that Martin is more than qualified and check them out and make sure that everything is okay. I would be out of your hair for a few days, which would give you an opportunity to spend some time with Wufei alone. "
The older man smiled softly as he shook his head in surprise. "You never cease to amaze me, Milliardo."
"Then it is done?" the blond slave asked hopefully.
"I'll think about it," his master promised. "And I'll talk to Martin."

_______________________________________________________________________ ___________________

T.B.C.

Author's Note:

Feedback is greatly appreciated, constructive criticism is welcome :-)