Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Reluctant Companion ❯ Chapter 19

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Reluctant Companion 19

betaed by Skippyscatt.

.

It took them four days to finalize the funeral arrangements. Milliardo had expected everyone to
arrive more or less simultaneously but he was glad that Heero and Duo arrived earlier than
expected. It gave him some time to get one group settled before the next arrived. He avoided Duo
as much as he could. He just couldn't face him, it felt too strange.

On the day of the funeral, Milliardo laid out Wufei's best clothing and helped him get into the
heavy stiff robes. A knock on the door was followed by Duo sticking his head in and starting to
say something. Catching sight of Milliardo on his knees helping Wufei on with his embroidered
slippers made him snort.

"You coming? And why isn't Milliardo dressed? He's supposed to be there too."

Milliardo glanced up at Duo then down at the floor again. "I was sure you wouldn't want me
anywhere near. I was going to spend the day on some correspondence."

Duo shook his head. "Na! You're not getting out of it that easy. I have to suffer, so do you. Get
dressed."

"What should I wear? I don't have any official robes, I'm not even sure I'm entitled anymore. As
to anything else. All I have is a set of garments I wear to civil court. Will that do?"

Duo just gazed a Milliardo, a man he barely recognized as the arrogant, haughty prince he'd once
known. "Well, I'm not sure about civil matters, but as far as I'm concerned, you're still one of
the priesthood. You never broke your vows to the temple, did you?"

Milliardo shook his head, he had broken any number of vows of loyalty, but never his vows to
Anchora. His mumbled, no, not those.' just made Duo nod.

"Well, in light of that, I had robes brought just incase. And I want you to understand that this is
not for you. It's to honor the lady and young lord. The more high ranking officials that attend the
higher the honor shown. Right?"

Milliardo nodded, feeling miserable. "Yes, High General. Where are the robes, please? I need to
hurry if I'm not to be late."

Duo just motioned with one hand and several acolytes entered with robes for Milliardo. Milliardo
recognized them as some of his own obviously saved from his quarters at the temple. Why, he
wasn't sure, but he was glad to see them. He didn't give a rat's tail about the lady or young lord.
He'd never even known they existed until a month ago. He just didn't want to embarrass Wufei.

It only took the acolytes a few moments to drape the robes around his shoulders. They were white
with red and gold trim and gold tassels on the shoulders. As was appropriate for a funeral, all the
priests were bare footed.

The funeral was conducted in a solemn manner, appropriate to such things. The remains were
blessed in the temple, transferred on catafalques to the grave yard. Heero said a few words about
how the mystery of their disappearances had been solved, but the mystery of their murders would
never be solved. Duo stood to sing a prayer joined by Milliardo and the other priests. Wufei
performed a small spell to open the sepulcher, the bones were placed in niches with their names
on them and Wufei sealed the tomb again. Milliardo sang a retreat and they formed up to travel
in grand procession back to the keep. The whole ceremony didn't take more than three hours
total.

Their return was greeted with trays of pies and tankards of ale, beer and goblets of imported
wine. Heero took a tankard of young ale and a meat pie while Duo took some of the beer and pie.
Wufei and Milliardo circulated around, making sure that all the officiants had food and drink.
The men and women gradually drifted away to change clothing, rest, and prepare for the journey
back to the temple or capitol.

Heero and Duo retired to their quarters in the keep and Milliardo and Wufei to theirs in the
apothecary.

.

Heero turned to Duo. "Well, love, what do you think?"

"I think he's going to wallow in guilt until we do something about it. Wufei has done wonders
with him. Too bad he messed up so badly. He'd be an asset to the temple now. I got the whole
story from Cook. You know how she loves to gossip. And she really gave me an ear full."

"Do tell." Heero pulled Duo down onto the couch beside him and settled in for the full story.

When Duo was finished speaking, Heero made one of the few royal decisions he was ever to
make in their relationship.

"Well, there's no hope for it. You'll have to punish him."

"Heero, I've already punished him. He's a slave and will be for the rest of his life. Wufei will be
good to him but he's still not free."

"No, love, you don't understand. I'll send for Wufei in a moment but ... you have to punish him."

This time Duo caught the difference. "You're sure? Really?" Heero nodded sighing into Duo's
ear. "I'm sure. Really sure. I know you don't like it. But do you really want to leave him to
suffer? He'll never feel forgiven. That's not a good thing."

"I understand. I wondered why he was acting so strange. Wufei must have told him some shit or
other. Send for him." Duo snuggled into Heero's arms with a sad sigh. "I wish Quatre and Trowa
were here. They just couldn't get here in time. When we get back, can we have them for a private
banquet?"

Heero chuckled in Duo's ear. "You know we will. Now calm down. It's up to you to decide on
the punishment, you know."

"I know. But ... I have to do it just right. Enough that he feels punished, but not cruel and then
there's Wufei. He's going to have a piss fit, no matter what."

"I don't know about that. Most of his reports mention that Milliardo goes off from time to time
and comes back looking ... tear stained and sad."

Duo twisted his head to look up at Heero. "He does? We can't have that. He might decide to
punish himself and that never leads to anything good."

"Exactly. So you see¼" A knock on the door cut him off. "Come in!"

Wufei stuck his head in the door. "You wanted me? Milliardo wouldn't come, he's feeling ...
insecure or ... I'm not ... well, anyway, what did you want?"

"Come in, don't hover by the door. Sit down. Here's some tea and Duo wants to speak to you."
Heero managed his civilities in one breath, handed Wufei some tea and settled back on the
couch.

When Duo was through explaining to Wufei, with a great deal of help from Heero, Wufei just
nodded and said, "I was hoping to speak to you about that very thing. He's worried that you're
going to find out that he's happy here and take him away. If he feels that you've forgiven him,
even if it's false, he'll be more secure. I'd like that. I don't like having to deal with him when he
gets in one of his humors. He tries to hide it but he gets quiet and a bit sullen. I don't like that.
Do what you need to do. A scar or two won't matter to me."

Duo opened his mouth then shut it with a decided scowl. Wufei got up, bowed and left.

.

Milliardo paced their quarters while Wufei was gone, positive that something bad was about to
happen. He just knew that his stay here was over. He was well trained now and knew how to take
care of a domain, they'd take him somewhere else to serve a less accomplished master. One who
needed the help.

Wufei walked in to find him nearly hysterical, kneeling by the chair, rocking himself and
moaning.

"Here! What is this? Are you hurt?"

"No. They're sending me away. I know they are. I'll ... please ... I don't want to go. Please."

"You're not going anywhere. I refuse to allow it. And you know that Duo and Heero aren't the
sort to give a present and then take it away. Especially as they know how much I rely on you.
They would never do anything to hurt me and that would hurt more than I could bear. Now, calm
yourself. I do need to talk to you."

Milliardo sighed and tried. He didn't succeed, all he managed was to get himself seated without
squirming.

Wufei explained that Duo was sure that Milliardo wouldn't forgive himself, Milliardo snorted,
exclaiming, "What difference does it make if I forgive myself if he doesn't forgive me. He could
take revenge at anytime ..." Wufei cut him off with a slash of his hand.


"Do you really believe that Duo would be petty enough to punish me just to get at you? I don't
think so. But I can see that nothing I'm going to say to you will ease your mind. So ... Duo is
going to punish you. I'm not sure how, nor am I going to argue. This obsession of yours is
exactly that and it's very bad for you. Once you've been appropriately punished, according to
Duo's desires I do not wish to hear about this again. Do you understand?"

Milliardo just gave Wufei a wide eyed look. He hadn't seen Wufei this upset in a long time.
"Yes, Wufei. I do. I'm just so scared that Duo won't have forgiven me. That he'll ... I'm not sure
what."

"Desist! At once! I will not tolerate you acting like a hysterical girl. You will accept Duo's
punishment, be forgiven and we'll move on. Is that understood?"

Milliardo nodded and kept his mouth shut. Wufei settled deeper into his chair and refused to
discuss it for the rest of the afternoon. He also refused to speak of it at supper, after supper, or all
evening. Milliardo kept his silence too.

Wufei went into the apothecary once, to set out the medicines and bandages he felt he'd need.
And to see that all his preparations were complete, then he went to bed.

Milliardo followed him around like a child, undemanding, just needing to be close. He crawled
in beside Wufei and pulled him into his arms. "I'm scared."

"Me too. Duo won't take you away, he swore, when he gave you to me that it was for good. He
won't break his word. But, I'm worried about the punishment."

"Duo ... he's a good man. He won't punish me to breaking. He won't cripple me ... I hope."
They finally fell asleep.

.

Duo leaned against Heero. "I really don't want to punish him. He's suffered a lot, and learned a
lot. So, why?"

"Because, now that he's got himself together, he can't forgive himself. And if he doesn't, he's
going to be miserable. He deserves to be, but that would make Wufei miserable too. So, we
punish him enough to convince him that he's forgiven, then we keep an eye on him for the rest of
his life. We really should have executed him. Some faction could try to set him on the throne
still."

Duo shook his head, rolling it back and forth on Heero's shoulder. "No, won't work. He's got the
stigma of being a slave now. That country won't accept anyone who broke vows to the throne,
they'll fear he'd break his royal oath as well. But I think we should keep an eye on him anyway.
For everyone's peace of mind if nothing else. As to a punishment? I'm not sure."

Heero sighed. "We have to. But ... make him swear to be satisfied ... and don't be too harsh on
him, for Wufei's sake, if nothing else."

Duo just pinched Heero, making him snicker. "I won't be too harsh on him. He won't learn
anything if I beat him half to death, even if I wanted to. He's made his peace with himself. I'm
satisfied that he's no longer a danger to the peace of the nations. There's no sense in upsetting
Wufei, or myself. But I'm not sure. I need to think."

"Well think in bed. I'm tired. Come on."

.

Wufei read the note from Heero with a small frown. Milliardo had refused to eat any breakfast,
saying if he didn't have anything in his stomach he couldn't throw it up.

"What? What does it say? Please, I can't stand the suspense." Milliardo was nearly wringing his
hands in fear. Wufei hated to see him so upset.

"Calm yourself. It just says to come to the inner courtyard as soon as I can get you ready."

"Oh." Milliardo blinked at Wufei trying to decide how he felt. He decided that he didn't really
want to know. He knew he was acting the fool but he couldn't help it. He wanted this all over in
the worst way. He hated the suspense more than the punishment.

Wufei stood up. "Come on. I've been given express instructions and the first one is to tell you
that Duo and Heero both swear that you'll stay here as long as I want you. Which is forever, so
stop it."

Milliardo felt light headed, so light headed that he nearly fell. Wufei supported him for a moment
then told him to stay right there, he'd bring down what was needed.

He came back with a set of leather cuffs and a cloak, Milliardo looked for any other sort of
clothing and noticed a strip of fabric dangling from Wufei's hand. He sighed, at least Duo wasn't
going to make him be naked. Somehow that made things a bit better.

Milliardo stood still as Wufei fastened the cuffs around his wrists and ankles. He snickered a bit
when Wufei wrapped the cloth around his waist low on his hips and pulled the ends between his
legs, the cloth had tickled his thighs. Wufei finished fastening the garment, which he called a
fundoshi, and stepped back.

"You'll do. At least you're decent." Wufei draped the cloak around Milliardo's shoulders and led
him out the door.

They walked across the yard into the small back garden. Everyone seemed to know what was
going on and Milliardo got many sympathetic looks. He saw them and appreciated them very
much, although he kept his eyes to the front.

Duo and Heero stood on the patio at the back of the lady garden and waited. Duo paced a bit, but
settled when he saw Milliardo. "Time." Heero rubbed his back and then stepped away. This was
for Duo to do.

Milliardo walked up and knelt before Duo. Duo looked down at him and then said, "This is my
revenge for what you did to me. I will give you my punishment and my forgiveness. Do you
agree to this?"

Milliardo shuddered once. "Yes, High General, I submit to your judgement and agree to accept
any punishment you mete out."

"And you'll be satisfied?"

Milliardo nodded, "Yes, High General, I'll be satisfied. No matter what you do. This I swear."

Duo nodded once. "Rise."

Milliardo stood up and waited as Wufei took off his cloak. Duo pointed to a strange looking
arrangement of rope and a wooden rod suspended over another rod attached to a ring in the
pavement.

Milliardo stepped over the ring and waited while a guard fastened the cuffs around his ankles to
the ends of the pole attached to the ring. Then his wrists were fastened to the ends of the upper
pole. The guardsman pulled on the rope until Milliardo's arms were stretched over his head, tied
it off, saluted and faded back into the background. Milliardo bowed his head and waited.

Duo examined the arrangement and nodded his head. He went to Milliardo's side and tossed his
braid over his shoulder. "Ready?"

"No."

"Man after my own heart, so to speak."

"High General?"

"Yes?"

Milliardo licked suddenly dry lips. "Please ... I ..."

Duo touched Milliardo on the back. "Don't be afraid."

Milliardo shook his head. "I'm not afraid. I just ... I have to work, you know."

"Don't worry. I'll have my revenge and that's all. I've already forgiven you. You just don't
believe it. Stand firm."

Duo returned to where Heero and Wufei were standing and picked up his whip. He snapped it
several times to get his distance.

Heero nudged Wufei. "Great back."

"It is, isn't it? Hate to see him scarred but he needs this.

Heero gave Wufei a disgusted look. "You think Duo would be that careless? Or that you can't
heal it?"

Wufei relaxed. "Wondered if I would be allowed is all."

Duo ignored the byplay and laid a lash across Milliardo's back. He flinched slightly but stilled
himself immediately. Duo lashed Milliardo again then coiled his whip.

"I'm satisfied. It is done."

Wufei started for Milliardo at once. Milliardo nearly collapsed, his knees buckled and he had to
pull himself back to his feet by the strength of his still bound arms. Wufei put one arm around
Milliardo and reached for the cuffs with the other, Duo told him, "Hold him up, I'll untie the
rope." Heero moved to help Wufei. Between them they got Milliardo unshackled and into a chair.


Wufei touched his shoulder and they were all surprised when Milliardo burst into tears. "I'm
sorry, I'm so sorry. Please."

Duo touched him on the other shoulder. "I know. I forgive you. Please stop, you'll make yourself
ill."

Milliardo tried but couldn't stop the racking sobs that tortured his body. Wufei, Duo and Heero
surrounded his shuddering body with a warm wall of flesh, hugging him while he wept. Wufei
finally picked up a sealed bottle from the table nearby. He broke the seal and pulled the cork,
using the little string he'd attached to the cork to do so.

"Here, drink this. It'll help you calm down. You are going to be sick soon."

Milliardo obediently took the bottle and gulped it in two swallows. He made a small sound of
distaste. It was very bitter.

"I'm sorry. I ..." he stopped speaking as his breath hitched unpleasantly in his chest.

"Don't worry. Come on." Duo pulled at Milliardo's arm gently. "Wufei will take you home,
salve your back and whatever else is needed." he passed Milliardo off to Wufei, who tugged him
into motion. He followed, still silently weeping.

It didn't take long for Wufei to get Milliardo back home and on their bed. He fussed and salved,
hugged and cuddled. Milliardo finally cried himself out and fell asleep. Wufei lay awake for a
while longer, thinking about everything.











German beer brewing laws.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinheitsgebot
Description of rope pump
http://www.demotech.org/d-design/designA.html?d=43
Flash video of pump in use
http://www.demotech.org/d-index.php
Thanks to Demotech for the links