Gundam Wing

Disclaimer: I don’t own Gundam Wing;. I just borrowed some of the characters. Rated: NC-17

Reluctant Companion

Chapter 10

Reluctant Companion Chapter 10beta

Chapter Ten

Wufei worked in the apothecary for the rest of the day and into the evening. Milliardo worked right along side him. Wufei would give him an ingredient and explain exactly what he wanted. He always told Milliardo to ask any questions he had. Milliardo did find himself asking a question from time to time. Wufei answered them all patiently.

Milliardo sighed, wiped his hands on a rag and announced, "I don't know about you but I'm hungry. When's supper?"

Wufei didn't look up from what he was doing. "Get yourself something then. I'll just finish up here first."

Milliardo walked out and headed across the courtyard in the direction of the kitchens. He stopped on the way to watch the guardsmen working out. They looked good for a bunch of farm boys and mercenaries.

When he stuck his head in the door, Cook just motioned him in. "You come to get that slant-eyed fool something to eat?"

Milliardo started and blinked at Cook for a second. He managed to control his first remark by a hair. "I'm sorry?"

Cook snorted and smacked a tray down on the big kitchen table. "Boy's a fool. Don't take care of himself worth spit. He'll go days without eating hardly a mouth full. Shuts himself up in that made over stable. Calls it an apothecary. What's that when it's at home? So ... you take that back and see he eats. Don't go eating it all yourself. String bean that you are, maybe I should put on another hunk of cheese. And ... yes, more stew." Cook suited actions to words then pushed the tray across the table to Milliardo. "There. Now you get along before it gets cold." Milliardo picked up the tray, slightly stunned by Cook. She followed him to the door and shouted after him. "And you see that Lord Dragon eats. Don't let him shove it around the plate until it gets too cold to eat. Mind now!"

Milliardo sighed. He thought, ‘if I had had someone like that in my life I probably wouldn't be in this mess.'

Wufei looked up from the bubbling mass he was stirring and motioned to a side table. "Put it there. I'll eat later."

Milliardo started to argue then, seeing the fierce glare Wufei shot his way he dumped the tray on the table with a smack and flounced to a chair which he flopped into with a grunt. Wufei eyed him for a moment then realized that Milliardo couldn't eat until he was told to. And probably wouldn't fix his plate either.

"Will you eat!"

Milliardo wanted his supper. Wufei had eased off on his restrictions quite a bit but Milliardo wasn't taking any chances, this was the one thing that Wufei insisted on daily. Milliardo ate his supper from Wufei's hand.

Wufei gave the pot a last stir and set it off the heat. He made sure that it was firmly in the tripod stand then came to sit at the table. He took the cover off the tray and was startled to hear a decided growl coming from Milliardo's direction. He looked up in surprise.

"What? I'm hungry. I don't fancy being punished for insolence for eating on my own. You told me I eat from your hand. So ... feed me."

Wufei had slapped Milliardo before he really thought about it. The smack was loud in the silence of the room. Wufei stared at Milliardo, who knelt at his feet, head down, but the reddening hand print on his cheek was readily visible. Wufei started to say something, but Milliardo spoke first.

"I'm sorry. I swore to watch my mouth. I said I was going to prove myself. Some proof. I can't watch my mouth for three days." He started to rise but Wufei held him in place with one hand on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry too. I shouldn't try your patience like that. When you're hungry, you're short tempered. Everyone is. Come. Eat."

So Wufei served two bowls of stew, cut the small loaf of bread in half and sliced the cheese. He put Milliardo's plate on the table and simply told him, "I'm not feeding you stew with my fingers. It's too messy."

Milliardo rubbed his cheek and sighed. "Well, you could put it on the floor. "

Wufei stiffened. "You're not a dog. And ... other than the last little slip ... you're doing quite well. I'm of a mind to reward you. You may sit at the table tonight."

Milliardo almost said ‘Well, thank you so much' but decided that it sounded sarcastic, so he just settled in the chair Wufei pointed to and took up his spoon. He dipped up the first spoon of supper he'd fed himself in three weeks and savored it. It was surprising how pleasurable such a simple thing could be. Milliardo renewed his vow to learn his new place. After all, he'd always said that what you thought your place was wasn't always correct. He'd thought he should be a king, the fates proved his place was much different.

Milliardo rubbed at his forehead, his temples were beginning to pound. He wondered if it was him or would anyone who was fighting to change themselves like he was have pounding headaches.

Wufei noticed Milliardo's action. "Are you all right?"

"Just getting a bit of a headache. Something I was working with must have done it."

Wufei snorted. "Don't lie to me. I can see the thoughts careening around in your skull from here. Tell me what it is."

Milliardo ate another bite of stew then reached over to fiddle with a slice of cheese. "I'm not sure how to explain. I'm not sure I understand it myself." Wufei just ate in silence while he waited for Milliardo to organize his thoughts. Milliardo worked at the cheese until Wufei patted his hand and told him to eat it or leave it alone. "See? My nanny would have taken it away, whether I was going to eventually eat it or not. Then she'd have lectured me on the behavior befitting my station. My first knight would have ignored me or told me to get out." Milliardo sighed. "Even though I'm a prince ... I don't think I was very well raised. Sycophants and self-promoters don't make good role models or friends. I'm beginning to see things from a different angle and ... I don't particularly want to be a slave but I'm determined to make the best of a bad situation." Realizing what he'd said, Milliardo glanced quickly at Wufei who just smiled a little. "So anyway. I'm really trying to be a better person. And if I earn a punishment I'll try to bear it with dignity. Only ... if you ... I think if you put me back in that pit I'll go mad. I'll do anything to stay out of it. The dark ... the silence. They made me feel like I was the only person in the world. I ... I was afraid that you had forgotten about me. Or decided that I was too much trouble and would just leave me in there forever. Please don't put me back."

Wufei thought while he nibbled at a piece of cheese. "I don't think you'll wind up in the pit again. You have shown me that you really want to change. And you've seen that your advisors were only out for their own benefit. You're trying to change, so you will. I know there will still be sticking points and I'll punish you for disobedience, insolence and for putting yourself in danger. Keep your hands off the lab tables except when I tell you to do something then do exactly what I tell you and nothing else. Amend your attitude to eliminate that tendency to make insolent remarks when you disagree. You are doing quite well but I expect backsliding. You're too old to change at the drop of a hat. And there are a few things I expect that you may not like." Wufei turned red and bit off a hunk of bread big enough that talking was rude. Even more rude than usual.

Milliardo thought over what Wufei had said and thought to himself that one of the things that Wufei thought they'd disagree over was already decided. At least by one of them. He smiled and settled to finish his supper.

.

Wufei settled into the bed with a sigh. His day had been busy, even with the help of Milliardo. Standing long enough to complete the various salves, ointments and tinctures he needed was always a trial to him. It made his feet and legs ache and stabbing pains shoot through his knees. He winced as he moved his legs out of Milliardo's way.

"Hurt? You made that cream, or was it a lotion? And do not give me that ‘I don't need it' look. You do too. And I'd be a poor servant of any kind if I didn't see that you take care of yourself. Now, hand it over. Or tell me where it is. We made enough slimy stuff that one of them has to be good for those scars."

Wufei blinked at Milliardo for a second then just reached over to the side table and picked up a jar. He handed it over and pulled the covers aside. "And don't think I didn't notice that you got a little insolent just now. Only I'm too tired to punish you."

Milliardo took one of Wufei's scared feet in his hands and started rubbing the cream in remarking, "I'll be sure to remind you in the morning."

Wufei leaned back into the pillows and sighed. "Oh, that feels so good. I didn't think it would."

Milliardo bit his tongue to stifle several inappropriate remarks that would surely gain him a beating. One he wouldn't enjoy. He continued to rub the cream into the foot he was holding while Wufei nearly purred, relaxing so much that he slid down in the bed.

"Like that?"

Wufei replied with a soft ‘Hhh' of contentment. Milliardo switched feet and realized that Wufei's left foot was stiffer and more scared than the right. He applied the cream and massaged it in, watching as Wufei fell fast asleep.

Milliardo watched Wufei sleep for a little while, thinking that he looked so very young. He wondered how old Wufei was but knew that asking would get him in the kind of trouble he was striving to avoid. Wufei was sure to think he was being a ‘smart mouth' and he didn't need to be gagged for insolence. He pulled the covers up over Wufei and slid in beside him. Sleep came quickly.
.

Wufei woke first the next morning but went back to sleep for the first time in recent memory. For once nothing hurt.

Milliardo felt Wufei stir then settle again. He settled back himself, if Wufei wanted anything he wouldn't be shy about it.

They slept for another candle mark then tumbled out of bed with Wufei swearing all the way. He'd forgotten he was supposed to have a clinic in the village today. He hastily called a guard and told him to go down and explain that he was going to be late for the first time ever.

Milliardo grumbled softly. "Just let them wait. I want my breakfast. They're just commoners after all."

Wufei sighed. "Milliardo, they're people, people who deserve to be treated with respect. It is disrespectful to make them wait without an explanation. Most of the people are sick. The rest have injuries that I need to see to. Come along."

Milliardo followed Wufei down to the kitchen area. Wufei grabbed a slab of bread and slapped a piece of cheese on it. Milliardo waited for a moment then reached for some bread.

"No. You'll do without. Let your stomach remind you that all people have the right to respect until they show they don't deserve it. Come. Now."

Milliardo started to say something then gave up. He was going to be hungry until Master Chang said different. He didn't think Wufei would make him go without for more than a couple of meals. But that didn't make it any easier to watch Wufei bolt a hunk of bread, a slice of cheese and a mug of small ale as he stuffed things into his medicine chest and a shoulder bag.

Wufei hurried out the door, motioning for Milliardo to bring the chest. He carried the bag himself and Milliardo assumed that it had the more valuable medicines in it.

The chest wasn't that heavy but it was a bit awkward. Milliardo's long arms made it easier for him to carry than it would have been for Wufei. Milliardo hoped that he'd always gotten someone to carry it for him.

As he followed Wufei, Milliardo looked around. The domain looked remarkably good for one with an absent landlord, even if he was the king. Most domains left untended wound up prey to a number of ills. Milliardo was familiar with them because his domains suffered from most of them. He charitably hoped that the new lord was better than he had been. He also wondered how he'd managed to get away with half what he had.
He caught up with Wufei easily, his long legs eating up distance at an alarming rate. Wufei watched him out of the corner of his eye. Milliardo didn't seem resentful of his punishment so Wufei decided to ease his stiff stance and get Milliardo to talk a little.

"Well, what do you think of my domain."

"I thought it belonged to Heero."

"Technically it does, but it's mine as he granted me overlord status. I think he made me a duke. How he managed to keep it in such good heart, I don't know. He was gone except for two or three weeks a year. He sent me instructions and I carried them out. But how he knew what needed to be done is beyond me."

Milliardo gave Wufei a disbelieving look. "In other words, he sent instructions like, ‘plant wheat at the correct time', or ‘don't forget extra hay this year.' Wufei nodded absently, rummaging around in his bag. "You are priceless. A manager that doesn't know his own worth. Heero is so lucky."

"You didn't have good managers?"

Milliardo snorted ruefully. "No, or if I did, I ran them off. All I was ever interested in was how much money I could wring out of the properties. I learned on the way here that it's hard to work, or in my case, walk, when you're hungry." Wufei gave him a dubious glance. He wasn't sure he trusted this abrupt about face. "I know, why this easy change in attitude? I'm not really stupid. I've been watching you and the other people in the keep. I don't have that much to do after I'm done with my chores. I'm afraid to touch your books. And I don't have any hand skills, too arrogant to learn one. So I've been observing and thinking. And the guards and servants just know me as your slave so they're not afraid to talk to me. And Cook?" Milliardo rolled his eyes and Wufei copied him.

"Quite a woman, that one." Wufei snickered. "Wicked wooden spoon onna. She even smacked Heero a few times. Do not snitch her pies. If you want one ask for it. She's been talking to you?"

Milliardo shook his head. "No. I don't bother the cook. I don't fancy eating burned porridge or doing more dishes. But I can hear almost everything they say in the kitchens when the breeze is in the right direction. She's ... out spoken. And she doesn't like me." Wufei turned his head sharply to pin Milliardo with a steely look. "Not me, me. Milliardo, me."

Wufei blinked once, a slow, considering motion that told Milliardo that he'd better explain himself quickly. "It made better sense in my head. What I mean is ... she doesn't like Prince Milliardo. She barely knows slave Milli. Her opinion of my actions in every walk of my former life is low." Milliardo shifted the box from one shoulder to the other. "When I hear about the things I did from her point of view I can't help but wonder why I didn't get assassinated, arrested or ... who knows what ... earlier than this."

Wufei shrugged slightly. "Well, I'm glad to see that you're thinking with your head instead of your ..." Wufei struggled to find a word.

"I think the word you're looking for is ... ass." Milliardo followed Wufei into a small building. It was a converted home. Instead of home furnishings like tables and chairs, the room was filled with benches and chairs, and people.

Milliardo followed Wufei up the steep stairs to the second floor. This floor looked even less like a house. The floor was divided into small cubicles about the size of a stall, four on each side of a hall that ran from one end to the other. They were open fronted, shut off by a curtain instead of having a wall with a door. They contained a high table/bed, a small desk and a chair. The desk was no more than a scribes portable nailed to the wall.

A woman who was obviously the midwife was waiting for Wufei in the first cubicle. This one was different from the others in that it had nothing in it but a table to serve as a desk, a chair behind the desk and another in front of it. Wufei motioned to Milliardo to put the medicine chest on the desk.

"Put that there, then go down stairs. Take these forms with you and fill them out. Most of the patients can't read or write. This will make everything run a lot smoother as I won't have to constantly interrupt myself to do it." Wufei handed Milliardo a scribe's lap desk and shooed him away.
Milliardo went down the stairs and eyed the full room with dismay. This was going to be hard. He had no idea how to go about it, so he just stood at the bottom of the stairs with a ‘sun struck' expression in his eyes.

An elderly woman saw him and took pity on the confused man.

"Here, dearie, what are ya supposed ta be doin'?'

Milliardo showed her the pages and said in a stunned voice. "Fill these out. But I have no idea how to start."

The woman just pointed to the chair nearest the stairs. "Start with Helen and just work your way down the benches. Master Chang always takes us in order down the bench."

Milliardo set the desk up and placed a form on it. "Very well. Now, madam, if you please."

Helen looked at Milliardo with a slightly resentful expression. "An' how comes it ‘at you read? I thort slaves didn't learn."

Milliardo just looked at her for a moment then hung his head. "Well, I wasn't always a slave, was I? If you please? Master Chang will have my hide if I don't get these filled out before he calls you."

This bland pronouncement caused more of a stir than Milliardo had ever thought it would. People shifted to stare, whispered and shook heads. Milliardo ignored it all with as dignified an air as he could manage. He asked the questions, filled out the forms and stacked them neatly, ready for Wufei to read.