Bound Part 5
Heero watched worriedly as his herbalist tended to Duo. Relena had healed Duo only so he would survive long enough for the Chinese healer to tend to him.
"Well?" Heero gently held onto one of Duo's hands.
"He'll live. He's going to be bedridden for a while, though. He has a high fever as well as being so badly beaten. Even at full strength, your woman healer would not have been able to mend all the damage. She was right to only take care of the worst injuries."
Heero felt immensely relieved as he kissed the hand he was holding. "Thank you, Wufei."
Wufei granted Heero a rare smile. "I will leave these... this jar has leaves that are to be made into a tea. It will dull the pain, help him regain his strength and fight his fever. This jar contains leaves that are to be made into a poultice for his wounds. And this vial contains a sleeping draught for the both of you. Do not give me that look, My lord. I know you too well. You would stay awake until he recovered if I allowed it."
Heero chuckled. "You do know me too well. I think I'll take a little rest right now. Is it all right for me to cuddle up with him? He's always enjoyed it, and if it won't hurt him... I want him to feel safe."
Wufei nodded. "Just be careful not to jostle him. Move as gently as possible."
Heero sighed and eased into bed next to Duo. He shushed Duo as the youth let out a whimper. "Shhh, Kitten. It's me. You're safe. I won't let anything harm you." Heero smiled brightly as Duo opened his eyes a little. "Get well soon. I have a present for you when you do."
Duo's eyes lit up a little. "Okay, Heero." With that, he closed his eyes again and fell asleep.
*****
Trowa was looking for their little visitor. The servants all pointed him to the stables. He smiled at the stablemaster. "Zechs! How are the horses today?"
The tall stablemaster smiled back. "As well as can be expected. They can tell that his lordship is anxious. What brings you here? It wouldn't happen to be the little blonde who has been grooming Goldleaf for the last half hour, would it?"
Trowa chuckled and nodded. "Thank you for letting me know where he is. I've been looking for him."
Zechs sighed. "Don't... stress him. He looks upset."
Trowa frowned as he headed for the mare in question. He smiled a little when he saw their guest, but felt a sting in his heart when he saw tear tracks on his cheeks. "What is troubling you, little one?"
Quatre jumped and gave Trowa a shaky smile, but that soon crumbled. "I am so sorry. The mess that that slave is in... it's my fault."
Trowa shook his head. "No, it isn't. Alex and Mueller would have used any excuse. Duo would have needed to eat sooner or later. He won't blame you."
Quatre sniffled and hugged Trowa. "It doesn't stop me from feeling bad! I should have stayed at home!"
Trowa sighed. "Why didn't you? I would have been able to join you in another few months after training someone worthy of succeeding me."
"Because... my father wants me to marry. I HAD to run off, Trowa! I don't WANT to wed some little bit of fluff who doesn't understand me. If I wed the girl my father wants me to, I'll be miserable. I'll DIE, Trowa! I've met her and she's just a child!" Quatre shook his head. "I CAN'T marry someone else when you are the one who owns my heart!"
Trowa hushed Quatre with a gentle kiss. "I know, love. I know. Your father isn't going to be happy about this."
Quatre harrumphed. "For once, I don't care WHAT my father thinks."
Trowa chuckled at the pout on Quatre's face. "You are too cute when you pout like that."
*****
Heero started at the first low moan that passed through Duo's lips. 'My poor kitten. You behaved as you should, and look where it got you.' Heero gazed sympathetically into Duo's pain-filled eyes. "I wish I could just kiss everywhere they hurt you and make the pain go away." He caressed Duo's face. "Do you want to go back to sleep?"
Duo shook his head slowly. "'D rather look at you."
"Aa... do you think a warm soak will help? I think you'd like to have your hair cleaned."
Duo smiled weakly at the prospect of getting the grime he could still feel rinsed off.
Heero returned the smile and got up. Wufei had left written instructions. Thanks to Relena's healing, Duo COULD be moved, but he should let himself rest and not push it. He would be tired due to his body healing itself. He gently lifted Duo off the bed and walked into the bathing chamber slowly. "I think I'll give you your present now. I think it'll help you feel better." He grabbed the tiny cloth-wrapped item in his way to his bathing area.
Duo simply rested his head against Heero's shoulder. He seriously doubted that anything would cheer him up at the moment. He hurt... badly. He was halfway tempted to ask Heero to chop his braid off because it made him feel as if his skull was being pulled off. It was a relief when Heero lowered him into the warm tub. "My clothes?"
Heero undressed Duo. "Can be dried. I figured it would be easier to undress you while you were in the tub. When you're done soaking, I'll mix up that tea for you to help with the pain and massage the poultice leaves into your injuries." Heero kept his moves gentle. When Duo was fully undressed, Heero gently cleaned Duo with a soft cloth. "I want you to close your eyes." He smiled when Duo complied and retrieved the tiny bundle. He unwrapped it quickly.
Duo frowned at the sound of light cloth moving. He wanted to know what Heero had gotten that was supposed to cheer him up. His heart skipped a beat when something small hit the top of his chest... just below the collarbone. The feeling of the weight was achingly familiar.
Heero smiled as Duo squeezed his eyes shut to prevent himself from opening them. "All right, Kitten. You can look now." He made himself comfortable as Duo opened his eyes.
Duo was almost afraid to look, but he was nothing if not curious. Unable to resist, he looked down and gasped as a thrill shot through him. He picked the tiny object up and looked at the back.
Heero laughed as Duo threw his arms around him. "I told you it would cheer you up!"
Duo laughed as well... his pain forgotten. Heero had returned the one thing that had meant everything to him. "Where did you find my cross?"
"In the marketplace. I almost passed the stand by when I saw your name that was etched on it. I had to get it back for you. You looked so sad that first night when it wasn't where you thought it would be."
Duo snuggled close. "Thank you, Heero. No one has ever done something like this for me before."
Heero took the opportunity to gently clean Duo's back. "I'm glad it made you feel better."
Duo smiled happily. Heero had done the perfect thing at the perfect time. Duo knew that not many masters would do such a thing for their slaves. The tiny gesture meant so much to him. The cross no longer meant everything in the world to him. His master with those deep blue eyes and that unruly brown hair had taken its place. "Will you stand for me and take off your pants, Heero?"
To say he was confused would have been an understatement. What did his Kitten think to do while he was so weak?
Duo blushed as he remembered reading a book Hilde had given him. He would never consider doing what he was about to do if he hadn't read about it. It was still awkward as he leaned sideways and started worshipping his master's staff with his mouth.
Heero gasped as that warm wetness surrounded him. No one had done this for him... Hilde had never done this. He never imagined something could feel so exquisite. "Duo... oh my Kitten!"
Duo smiled as he worked on Heero... glad to fulfill his duties in some small way. He started suckling gently, humming in happiness. He was only a little surprised when he felt himself hardening as well. The sounds his master made were as intoxicating as the fluids seeping from the organ in his mouth.
Heero had to stop Duo for a moment. He had to sit down before he collapsed and hurt his Kitten. He moved slowly and sat on the edge of the tub. He threw his head back and let out a near-whine when Duo began playing with his testicles with one hand. It was too much and he cried out with his release. One part of his mind noted that Duo swallowed every drop that shot into his mouth. When he came out of his haze, Heero smiled warmly. "Thank you, Duo. That was amazing." He gestured to Duo's erection. "Do you want me to return the favor?"
Duo blushed as he nodded his head. "But not while I'm in the water. I don't want you to drown."
Heero leaned forward and kissed Duo deeply. He groaned when he tasted himself. Deep within him, he knew that he was going to free Duo in the morning. Not because he wanted Duo to leave him, but he wanted Duo to be his equal. He deserved it after being beaten like that injustly. He pulled back and smiled as he caressed Duo's face. "Kitten? Would you like to be free?"
Duo felt his stomach drop. "D-do you wish to be rid of me?"
Heero shook his head. "Never, but I want you as an equal. I don't want this to ever happen to you again. You mean too much to me." He kissed Duo again... gently this time. "I want you at my side, not at my feet." He suddenly felt vulnerable. "Will you leave me once I've freed you?"
Duo smiled and leaned forward again to hug Heero as tightly as he could. "Never! I love you too much to leave you!"
Heero lovingly caressed Duo's hair. "And I love you too much to keep you in a cage."
"Mmmmm." Duo leaned into the caress. "Will I still be your kitten?"
Heero couldn't fight the laugh that bubbled up. "Duo... you will ALWAYS be my kitten!"
TBC...
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