Captivity Part 3
A month passed after that without incident. The doctor was called upon again and he reported that Duo was moving quickly along the road to recovery, though not quite there yet. After complimenting Milliardo on his excellent care of his slaves, though not understanding why he was being so kind, the doctor collected his large sum of money and left. Though not before he recommended shooting Duo again, this time saying that the boy would get used to being pampered and become lazy.
The doctor didn't notice the entire family glaring at him with anger as he left.
So everything would be fine with Duo and he was finally able to get out of that bed, which was basically driving him up the wall. Still, his strength wasn't back to full and he still slept for most of the day and night, spending his waking hours eating with a silent Heero sitting by his side. Occasionally he'd get out of the bed and stumble down the halls on his own, trying to get used to walking again, but never strayed far from his room just in case.
Strangely he saw less and less of his brother, Trowa.
While Duo was healing and re-teaching himself how to walk after being in bed so long Trowa let himself became completely consumed by his thoughts. Since there were no complaints he spent hours on end just wandering around the house pondering their current situation. He was still trying to decide if it was wise to stay now that Duo was almost back to normal. When Duo completely healed would Milliardo's and Quatre's reactions to the two boys change? Would they change their minds about Duo and Trowa being their slaves? He didn't want to believe that either would do such a thing but he couldn't dismiss the possibility.
Despite his doubts about Milliardo's sincerity he'd pretty much stopped doubting Quatre. It wasn't just wishful thinking that made him come to trust the boy, though he was sure that had made a significant difference, it was also many of the things that had happened over the last month. After the incident with Quatre crying in Trowa's arms Trowa felt a small need to protect the boy from the people outside the house. He didn't want anyone to mistreat the blond half-breed.
Quatre had also opened up to him more. They'd spent many a night sitting in Quatre's room after the sunset just talking about nothing in particular. Trowa figured it was mostly Quatre trying to make him feel more comfortable about talking but the conversations also played another role. Slowly, Quatre revealed most of the things that had happened in his life.
He explained how his mother had originally been a birthday gift to his father, a personal slave for Milliardo when he turned 18 and became a man. Milliardo had detested the gift but soon found himself falling in love with the slave women. Apparently the two became lovers and hid the fact from their family. The hiding and secrecy was fine until many years later, after Quatre and Heero had been born, that a relative was staying over night. The relative had accidentally come upon Milliardo and his slave-wife sleeping together and freaked.
Within a day Quatre's mother had been accused of forcing herself upon Milliardo, despite all protests. In the end she'd begged Milliardo to let her be taken away, in order to keep her sons a secret from the world and keep them safe. The last time Quatre and Heero saw her they were standing in a window, their hands clenched together in fear, as she was pulled out of the house, chained and tossed into the back of a wagon.
Aside from the nighttime talks and memories the two boys spent little time together. They often passed each other in the hallway where Quatre would smile brightly at Trowa and Trowa couldn't help but flash a small smile back. He didn't understand it at all. He couldn't remember the last time he'd smiled, not since his own mother had been alive.
Trowa paused in his thoughts and in the hallway, leaning back against the wall. He was so unsure now as to what he should do. He knew that Duo would be well soon and would want to leave. But he wondered if it actually wouldn't just be safer for them to stay here? It was safe in this house, and perhaps one of the best places they could find to hide. If they stayed they certainly wouldn't need to run anymore would they? But in order to stay here he had to find out if he could trust Milliardo and his family. He trusted Quatre, but the others? He just wasn't sure.
"There's no way we can avoid it this time, is there?"
Trowa's ears perked up as he heard Quatre's voice from the room on the other side of the wall. Making sure he was standing out of sight he continued to listen to the conversation taking place.
"Not this time. Treize was very insistent that I've put him off long enough. We're going to have to invite him over for dinner, along with his daughter. And you know what will happen if we set and serve the table." Milliardo sighed. "I wish I knew a way around this, but I can think of none."
Trowa stepped around the wall, into the room where they could see him. Quatre looked up almost immediately and blinked at him. Taking a deep breath Trowa steadied himself for what he was about to agree to do. It scared him that he actually considered it, yet at the same time it also showed just how much he wanted to trust them.
"You need a servant for the meal, don't you?" He asked softly, his eyes fixed on the carpet. He may be able to meet Quatre's eyes every once in a while but he still couldn't bring himself to make eye contact with Milliardo, least not yet.
Quatre jumped up from his seat in anger. "Absolutely not! I will not let you feed Treize's fantasies about our family being as disgusting as his!"
"Quatre," Milliardo spoke shortly, almost in a scolding tone. Quatre sighed and dropped back into his seat, calming down. Meanwhile his father looked back at Trowa. "You know what you're offering?"
Trowa nodded. "I'll wear a collar for the night and act as your slave," he paused to steady his voice once more, he could tell it was close to shaking. "When?"
"Tonight."
Trowa swallowed hard, gathering his courage and determination. Yes, he could do this. A shiver ran over his body but he forced himself to look up. He made eye contact with both men, and forced himself not to look away. "I'll do it. For one night."
"Trowa..." Quatre whispered softly.
Milliardo nodded and stood up. Walking over to Trowa he placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Thank you, I know how hard this is for you." From his pocket he pulled out a collar made of dark green leather, with metal studs decorating the edges.
Taking a deep breath once more Trowa nodded. He moved his hand timidly and finally wrapped it around the collar, which Milliardo held out. Taking the collar from the tall blond man, Trowa fastened it around his own neck with surprisingly steady hands. Closing his eyes he looked away from Milliardo, knowing that since he was playing the part he had to play it fully. He couldn't meet their eyes now.
"Thank you," Milliardo said once more. Then he turned and left the room, heading away down the hall.
Quatre stood up and approached Trowa as he stood there, his head tilted down in a submissive pose. "I'm sorry," the blond boy said.
Trowa shook his head, but didn't look up. He was trying to get himself used to being a slave once more. "Don't be. I can do this, for one night."
Quatre stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Trowa tightly. "Thank you," he whispered softly into Trowa's ear. But Trowa forced himself not to raise his arms around Quatre, to embrace him back. Instead he took a step back and pulled out of Quatre's embrace. The blond boy looked scared for a moment, scared he'd lost all the ground the two had covered in the last month, but that fear soon disappeared.
"I understand," he murmured. "If you're going to do this you have to play the part fully, right?"
Trowa nodded.
"Ok, then I'll do my best in this act too... for tonight."
Trowa glanced up for a second and they two flashed grateful smiles in each other's directions.
~*~
Duo sighed and sat up in bed, his stomach growling. He was hungry. Swinging his feet around in bed he pulled a robe around his body, tying it off over the loose pair of pants he'd been wearing. Walking slow steps and staying near the wall, in case a wave of dizziness hit him since he wasn't completely healed, he headed for the door.
From down the hallway he could hear voices, talking back and forth about unimportant things. He frowned when he realized those voices were in the direction of the kitchen. Hadn't Trowa said something to him about other people being in the house tonight and that he should stay in his room for everyone's sake? Duo frowned deeply.
After a moment's thought he started down the hall, walking slowly as he dragged one arm across the wall for support. He knew how to be silent, the others in the house would have no idea he was even there. He would just step into the kitchen, grab a small bite to eat and then be out before the guests could get in another forced laugh. No problem.
Well, at least it wouldn't have been a problem had he not seen who was serving the table. Duo stepped into the kitchen and froze as he found himself facing his older brother. Yet it wasn't the fact that it was Trowa that surprised him. It was the fact that Trowa's face was down turned and he was wearing a dark leather collar around his neck. Duo's eyes widened and he took a step back shaking his head.
Trowa looked up in surprise and quickly put his finger to his lips in a motion for silence.
"Trowa! What the-" Duo kept his voice at a whisper, but the panic and confusion was very apparent. Trowa quickly set down the tray he was holding and grabbed his brother's shoulders, shaking him slightly until he calmed down.
"It's alright," he whispered. "I agreed to this, just for tonight. I had to. They couldn't keep these people away any longer, so I agreed to play the part for the night."
Duo stared at his brother in disbelief. Slowly his eyes narrowed and he shoved Trowa away, backwards where he caught himself on the table. "And next time?" Duo hissed softly. "What will it take for you to agree next time? Will you put on the collar the next time some one comes over for a visit? How about when Milliardo's too lazy to get his dinner? How about when Quatre wants a backrub? How about when they drop a glass of water?"
"Duo!" Trowa struggled to keep his voice down. The sound had faded from the dining room and he could practically see them straining to listen. "Duo, please. I'll explain later. Please just go back to your room."
Duo's eyes narrowed dangerously as his brother reached for him. And then, without any warning he swung at Trowa, hitting the boy squarely in the shoulder. Trowa stumbled back into the wall and caught himself just before pulling down a shelf of cooking pots and pans.
"Traitor," Duo spit out.
Trowa flinched like he'd been slapped as his brother turned on his heals and stomped out of the room. As he pulled himself up off the floor and scurried to grab the tray of food he was going to bring out to the dining room he could hear Duo's retreating steps. His brother was running down the hall. The sound of Duo's receding footsteps tugged at Trowa's heart and his eyes burned.
But there was no helping it. He couldn't do anything about it now, not while those two guests were out in the other room. He'd just have to wait until later to speak with Duo and explain everything. Yet as he walked into the other room with the tray, his eyes focused on the floor, he could still hear Duo yelling at him.
Traitor.
That word coming from Duo's mouth hurt more then any physical blow ever could.
~*~
Duo angrily blinked away the tears as he raced down the hallway, ignoring everything but his own seething hatred and sense of betrayal. He didn't pay attention to what halls he was turning down, only that he was running and he wanted to get away. The rhythm of his feet hitting the ground was almost comforting, reminding him of before they'd be captured and bought. True, he'd never really enjoyed all the running, but he'd become accustomed to it and now it helped to calm him, much the way a rocking chair puts a baby to sleep.
He didn't know how long he ran, only that he quickly ran out of breath and stumbled on the uneven rug at his feet. Arms flailing he caught himself on a closed door before his face slammed into the floor. Dropping to the ground in an exhausted heap he leaned back against the door and hugged his knees.
His legs throbbed and he took deep breaths, all the while cursing himself for growing so soft from lying in that bed for so long. Had he run like that before he'd been caught he never would have tripped. You don't trip when your life depends on it. Out there tripping meant you get caught and you die. You don't trip.
Duo shook his head madly and wiped away the last of the tears with an angry fist. He couldn't believe it! His own brother had betrayed him! He could have understood, maybe, if Milliardo had forced Trowa to wear the collar, holding something over his head and forcing him to be a slave. He could have dealt with that, easily. But Trowa willingly putting on a collar to pretend to be the very thing they'd tried to escape all their lives? How could he?!
Duo slammed his fist into the floor, taking out his anger on whatever was the closest. He just couldn't believe his brother would do such a thing.
"Damn it Trowa! How could you!?"
Leaning forward he buried his face in between his knees and attempted to swallow the sobs pulling at him. He couldn't help it, he felt like he'd just lost another family member. He knew that he was overreacting but he couldn't help it! He just couldn't believe that Trowa would agree to such a thing.
Behind him, the door he was leaning on, slowly slid open. Yet Duo's back wasn't against it any more so he didn't really notice. And when he did notice he didn't really care, all he could think about was how his brother had betrayed him. What was he supposed to do now? He'd never been alone before. He wasn't sure if he could survive alone, out there.
"Duo?"
Duo slowly lifted his head and turned. He found himself facing a completely dark room and Heero standing in the doorway, squinting at the light. Duo frowned and looked away, pulling his knees closer. He didn't feel like talking to Heero and he wasn't about to. This whole situation was messed up and as soon as he pulled himself back together he was getting out of here, leaving.
Curious, Heero knelt down beside the silent huddling boy and watched him quietly. Pulling up his own knees he copied Duo's pose, except he set the side of his face on his own knee, watching Duo in silence.
"Go away," Duo murmured, not lifting his face.
"You knocked on my door," Heero replied in his flat voice.
Duo glanced up at him, then turned and looked back into the dark room behind him. He had to squint and still he could barely see inside. Not only were there no windows but everything seemed to be colored black, so there was no light whatsoever. Forgetting his current worries he stood up and stepped timidly into the room.
"This is your room?"
Heero stood up and walked past him into the room, moving through the darkness with out the slightest bit of hesitation. There was a soft click and a small lamp turned on in the corner of the room. The small area was filled with a dusty yellowish light, showing everything off in its dreary form.
Duo found himself standing in a very barren room. A single, old mattress lay in the corner, pushed up against the wall with two old patchwork quilts. Other then that and the lamp there was only one other thing in the room, a shelf of books. All the books were dusty and old, very well read. Duo stepped over to the books and frowned as his eyes scanned the foreign words.
"You... you read these?"
Heero nodded. "Some are good, some are bad." He picked one up and handed it to Duo.
Shaking his head Duo pushed it away. "I can't." He swallowed. "I never learned how."
Heero watched him for a moment then nodded once more in understanding, and set the book back in its place. Meanwhile Duo turned to the bed and the pile of neatly folded clothes lying beside the bed, which he hadn't noticed before. Taking slow steps he walked up to the lamp and wiped a finger across it, coming away with a thick layer of dust.
"You don't use this light much, do you?"
"I like the dark."
Duo glanced over his shoulder at the quiet boy standing by his bookshelf. "How do you live in this room? Why do you live in this room? I mean your house is full of all these really rich things and yet you live in this room? Why?" Duo paused. "Do they make you?"
Heero quickly shook his head. "No. I choose to live like this."
"But why?"
The blue-eyed crossbreed looked away, his eyes slightly glazing over. "It's easier. I'll never envy them if I never experience what they have." Heero leaned against the wall; his face still turned away from Duo. "You can't miss what you never had."
Duo shut his eyes and sat down on the edge of Heero's mattress. "Yeah, I know what you mean. Before your father bought me I'd never slept in a real bed. Truth be told I still don't know if it's more comfortable then the ground outside, but I did like sleeping in it. It's gonna be hard when I leave."
Heero turned his face toward Duo but didn't say anything. Still, his expression communicated his thoughts enough. He didn't have to say the words for Duo to know what he was thinking. Heero was worried about Duo leaving. Duo almost hit himself; he'd forgotten that he'd promise the boy he would stay with him. He felt like such an idiot for stepping back on that promise. But at the same time...
"Heero, I can't stay."
Heero didn't respond, only watched Duo silently.
"I..." Duo faltered and held out his hands in a helpless gesture. "I want to stay here, really. Your house is great, but I can't live like this. I can't live in a place like this where I'm supposed to be a slave. It doesn't matter how much they claim they won't ever make me wear a collar, I can't live in a place where I'm always afraid I'll still become a slave."
Slowly, Heero nodded. He seemed to understand Duo's reasoning, but it still hurt. He turned away from the boy sitting on his bed and faced the wall, closing his eyes and taking comfort in the darkness, which covered his vision.
Behind him Duo stood up, feeling even worse. Moving forward he placed a hand on Heero's shoulder, not sure what else to do. Then, without much thought, he wrapped his arms around Heero's shoulders and hugged him tightly, resting his head on the boy's shoulder. He realized as soon as his arms circled around Heero that his self was actually the one who wanted to be held, but he still took comfort from the fact that Heero didn't push him away. In fact the silent half-breed seemed to lean ever so slightly into the embrace. Duo hugged tighter.
"I'm sorry," he whispered softly in Heero's ear. "But I can't stay."
Both boys stood there silently like that for a long time; Heero wrapped in Duo's trembling embrace. Finally Duo pulled away and turned for the door, his head hung in guilt and shame. He didn't want to leave. He didn't want to leave Heero or Trowa, but he knew he had to. He knew he could never sleep soundly in this house again, especially not after seeing his brother with that collar around his neck.
As he reached the door for Heero's room and was about to step out into the hallway he heard movement.
"Take me with you."
TBC...
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