Day 60, late afternoon

[gwenyth_b_good]

The soldiers on the practice fields were thinning in numbers as they began to retire for the day. After his talk with icAnissina, Gwendal had wandered out to the fields to think about what he had gotten himself into. On one hand he was excited to think about a new theme park in this world; on the other hand, the rumors he had heard about her and

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[gwenyth_b_good]

Gwendal sat up a little to pull Gunter into his arms. He felt the man's trembling and wondered about it. Pulling back after an appropriate amount of time, Gwen placed his hands on both of Gunter's cheeks and looked him straight in those lavender eyes.

"I know you're sorry, Gunter. I'm sorry too for scaring you and causing you this guilt. But I don't blame you. I'm a grown man who made a stupid decision."

He knew Gunter wouldn't like all of the touching, but Gwendal needed to show the man something. "You have to understand, Gunter, that even though the accident happened, you saved me. More than just physically. I felt myself slipping back into my world, right into Gunther and Alissina's hands."

He shook Gunter's head a little. "You saved me. Twice! Two saves cancels out one so-called fail, in my eyes. You brought me back to the castle to be healed and then you brought me back to this world when I thought I was leaving it! That to me is more important than any physical pain that I feel. I'm safe because of you, Gunter. How can I hold you responsible for my stupidity?"

Gwendal released him, then sighed dramatically. "Of course, if it would make you feel better, I can yell at you." He rolled his eyes for effect.

[lavendar_blade]

Gunters eyes widened slightly when he was caught by Gwen but his look softened and he didn't pull away. He didn't think it was necessary that Gwen shake his head to get his words across, the larger man was quite intimidating when he was like this. But after hauling him back from the lake Gunter didn't have much fear that he could handle him.

The message did eventually sink in to Gunter that he wasn't being allowed to accept any responsibility for the accident. He gave Gwen a small smile and nodded his assent.

"You're right. You shouldn't need me to make your decisions for you. You owe no fealty or obedience to me."

For a moment there was a flicker that revealed some of the great weariness and pain in Gunters eyes before he turned them away back towards the doorway. Gwens assurances had him almost believing he could rest for a moment, but his steel will was raised once more as he remembered he had to find him some dinner and have the healers look at him once more now that he was conscious in case he had any complaints they may have missed the first time. And then of course there was paper work and research and preparations for the festival and the noble guests that would be arriving in the morning.

As comforting and welcoming as Gwen was, there was no rest here for Gunter. He gave Gwen a much brighter encouraging smile as he moved back from the bed once more.

"I'll be back soon with something for you to eat. You must get your strength back you know. The festival is tomorrow and your lovely Miss Nissi will certainly expect to see you at the ball."

[gwenyth_b_good]

"What I owe you is my friendship, Gunter, which I gladly give." He looked at the weary man. "Are you sure you're ...?" He was interrupted by a knock at the door. "Come in!"

A healer that he hadn't seen before entered the room and asked about his health. After assuring the man that he was doing better, Gwendal asked him to bring them both some food, not looking at or asking permission from Gunter. The man nodded and left the room.

"You can be mad all you want, Gunter. You need food and rest too." He smiled, then asked quietly, "Would you mind fluffing my pillows again?" He had to get the other back in range in order to pull him onto the bed. He'd lay on top of him if that's what it took to get the man to stop fussing and rest for awhile.

[lavendar_blade]

Gunter was a little bit insulted that Gwen didn't like his cooking after all. He must have only been polite about it before. But he let it slide just glad to get the healers out of the way for now. The last thing he wanted was anyone getting the bright idea to examine him as well. After his time on another world he was convinced he could look after himself. He would have gone to Gisela if there were anything worse than a few cuts and scrapes from shielding Gwen or his usual fatigue.

"Oh! Why yes of course! I'm sorry, I must have been lost in my thoughts for a moment. There's a lot I still need to accomplish tonight but if you like I can stay while you eat."

He didn't mind doing such a small thing for his friend and he put more effort into conjuring his usual cheerful demeanor. Anything to make him feel better and to have an excuse to move a few more strands of that lovely dark satin hair.

[gwenyth_b_good]

Gwendal smirked as Gunter leaned over him to fluff the pillow. He was bruised from his ordeal, but he hadn't been weakened. Grabbing Gunter by the waist, he pulled him down on the bed and held him in a bear hug. "You, sir, are going to rest whether you like it or not. The world will not collapse if a paper is missing a royal seal for a day. It's time you took care of yourself, Gunter, and if you won't do it, then I will." He loosened his grip enough to stroke a hand through the lavender hair. "Rest here with me, Gunter. Please."

[lavendar_blade]

"Eh? Ah Gwen! What are you doing!"

Gunter gave an undignified squeak as he was grabbed so roughly. He squirmed against the larger mans grip at first but then went still as he listened to his kind words. He had been lured into a too perfect trap by the handsome mazoku.
With the hair petting Gunters eyes widened where his face was still squished against his friends chest. He was too worn out to fight more as he lay there with stifled pants to try and catch his breath. And the heat of a blush was surely colouring his cheeks now at the odd request.

"T, that's not appropriate at all! What if someone were to see and draw the wrong conclusions? Miss Nissi may be hurt... And isn't this Yozaks room as well? He'll surely be back soon to stay with you?"

A very large part of him wanted to stay like this, wanted to submit and snuggle down against the others warm strength. But Gwen wasn't his to snuggle with and Gunter certainly wasn't going to give in to anyone or anything when it stood between him and his duties.

[gwenyth_b_good]

Laughing lightly, he said, "I'm not asking you to marry me, Gunter. I'm asking you to rest for awhile and catch your breath. As your friend, I'm worried about you. If you'd prefer to take Yozak's bed, I'm sure he won't mind. He's very open-minded. If you'd like to stay where you are, I don't mind and neither will Nissi. She'll understand. Besides, I like to snuggle."

He stroked the soft hair some more. "I'll tell you what. Stay here until the food arrives. If you still want to leave after we've eaten, I'll let you, but until then, rest easy, okay?"

[lavendar_blade]

The lovely feeling of having his hair stroked was certainly affecting Gunters judgment. Gwen still had a heavy arm around his waist that seemed impossible to move and he was so tired he was shaking when he tried to push himself up off the mans chest in a half hearted try at freedom. He ended up flopping back down and giving up, his pale fingers curling to grip the fabric of Gwens pajama top instead of pushing away.

"Yes thank-you, I already said I would stay while you eat."

He kept his head down where it was, looking at Gwen would make the situation even more embarrassing, especially after his comment about snuggling. He did like where he was in a guilty sort of way, but he eventually had to ask;

"Would you, please let me up now?..."

Not that he was complaining about those heavenly fingers in his hair, but someone was going to bring the food any moment now.

[gwenyth_b_good]

"They're bringing food for both of us, so you'll be eating too. What you would have prepared would have been 100 times better, but I'd rather have you resting than fussing over food for me." Gwendal sighed heavily. He loosened his grip from around Gunter's waist, too tired and hungry to fight the man any more. "You're welcome to stay here, but I'm not going to force you either. If you wish to get up, then get up..." A knock came at the door. "...and get our food. Please." He removed his hand from Gunter's hair and called out, "Just a minute! Someone will let you in." He knew Gunter wouldn't appreciate the steward entering while they were still together on the bed.

[lavendar_blade]

Gunter struggled to his feet and tried to straighten his hair and robes before he made his way towards the door. He wanted to resent being ordered around like a child and his stubborn streak was telling him to just give Gwen his meal and leave. But one look back over his shoulder at the poor fellow and he couldn't bring himself to abandon him. One on hand he felt guilty and even a little bit of pity for someone who was so new to their world having to go through such rough times. And on the other hand, dear Shinou he was ruggedly sexy just reclining there in the lamplight like that. Who wouldn't want to stay a little longer?

Gunter thanked the servant politely and brought the tray over to the small bedside table. It looked like it was left over pheasant stew tonight with thick slices of herb bread with cheese. A bit more substantial than simple chicken broth, the healers must be sure Gwen could handle real food. They were even lucky enough to have two mugs and a small pot of tea.

Gunter set about pulling up the chair he had been sitting in earlier. He was more interested in the tea than the rest of his meal. He could usually make due with that or at least use the mug to warm his always cold hands for a bit.

[gwenyth_b_good]

Gwendal sat up a little straighter in the bed. He groaned at the movement. He'd knew he'd be better by morning, but right now, his body ached. Thanking Gunter, he took a bowl of the stew and dug his spork in hungrily, snatching up some meat and a bit of the broth. "It's good. I hope you'll try some." What was he going to have to do to get this man to take better care of himself? Force feed him? Yeah, like that would work.

[lavendar_blade]

"I'm so glad you have such a healthy appetite Gwen. Please feel free to have my share too, I can always go down to the kitchen later when I feel hungry."

Gunter smiled politely and slowly sipped at his tea. He did oblige Gwen somewhat and took half a piece of the herb bread. He watched Gwen eat with a small bit of longing, but whether it was for the memory of being able to eat whatever he wanted when he wanted to, or that Gwen just had a very skillful looking mouth, he wasn't one to admit either.

Eventually Gunter dug in the inner pocket of his cloak for his little silver pill box to help his stomach settle and keep the tea and bread down.

[gwenyth_b_good]

Gwendal finished his stew and leaned back onto the pillows with a piece of bread and cheese. He eyed Gunter curiously. "What are you taking? Is it an anti-Gwen pill so that you are immune to the mishaps that seem to follow me around? May I have one too? Although it might not be powerful enough to help me. I should down your entire supply and hope for a miracle." A smile crossed his very skillful looking mouth. He hoped a little humor would lighten the other man up, although if Gwendal were to guess, he would have to say that Gunter probably took a pill to make him immune to Gwen's sense of humor as well. No biggie. A pill like that had to wear off sometime. And, Gwendal did have natural charm on his side after all. To his knowledge, all Gwendals did.

[lavendar_blade]

Gunter sighed quietly and gave Gwen a wane sort of smile at his joking. He wasn't in the mood and yet it made him feel worse to know he was such poor company when Gwen was trying so hard to get along with him.

"I suppose I should be honest about my health with you since I've come to know a great deal about yours today."

He held out the two kinds to Gwen in the white palm of his hand.

"The little pink ones are for settling my stomach. Healer Tremaine makes them and they taste of strawberry, they're not so bad at all. But the orange ones taste terrible and I avoid them mostly. They're for pain and I don't want to become reliant on them."

"That being said, I don't find either very affective at the moment. My problems are still related to the amount of houjutsu in my system and that will take some months to wear off. Like the scars on the outside I have chronic ulcers and other old wounds on the inside that are equally contaminated and the more I am around and use maryouku the more they bother me."

He put his pill box away and folded his hands neatly in his lap, looking down at them was better than looking at Gwen when he admitted the shame of his weaknesses.

"I can't sleep for the pain most nights until I work myself to exhaustion and I haven't been able to keep any solid food down for the last few days. I think as blocked and crippled as it is my own maryoku is the only thing keeping me going right now. It's a waiting game really, to see if I can outlast the poison in my body."

His voice became softer and his eyes glassy in the golden light as he admitted what he had been determined from the start he would always fight against.

"Today... today has made me really question staying here. I could be putting the Maoh and everyone else in danger if I can't be relied upon to act in a crisis. I'm tired and slow and I'm overly irritable. My patience has never been so thin. If I can't maintain my duties then I must give up my position...but, I don't know who else they could find to take my place. Sir Weller was taken by the anomaly, the King is already vulnerable without his protector. If I go too, and something were to happen..."

He closed his eyes and bowed his head against the tears of frustration that wanted to fall. He ran his fingers through his hair and clutched at the strands there, he had never had anywhere else to turn but himself.

[gwenyth_b_good]

"I don't know what to say, Gunter, but I'm honored that you would confide in me. Rest assured that your words will go no farther." Gwendal reached over and gently took Gunter by the wrist, tugging him off the chair. His eyes pleading for compliance, he motioned towards the bed and scooted over. "Sometimes, just a little care from another makes things better for the tired mind. Rest awhile, Gunter, and know that I am here for you as you have been for me." They both ached, but in different ways. Gwendal hoped that he wouldn't refuse the close contact. In truth, there was nothing that he could say that would calm Gunter's thoughts, but the warmth of another body might soothe his soul.

[lavendar_blade]

Gunter was rather startled by Gwens offer.

"...Thank-you, I, I suppose I could stay for a little while longer?"

He was used to being out on his own and even his friends here hadn't the time for his weakness. Anissina kept sending him away and even his own Gwendal barely had two words for him most days and though his double was comforting he had the feeling his offers weren't all that platonic.

He allowed Gwen to lead him onto the bed and he removed his swordbelt and his boots so he could have his feet up and sit against the pillows. Gunter stayed on top of the blankets though leaving them for Gwen and crossed his arms over his chest.

It wasn't long before his eyes started to become heavy and he leaned over against his new friend in sleep.