Take What You Dish Out

Story

Laughter, screams, pain. Running. Couldn't escape…

Justus opened his eyes to a dimly lit room. For a moment he thought he was still living his nightmare.

Then he heard Norbert's soothing voice: "You're safe here."  

Justus leaned into Norbert's embrace and said, "Sorry for waking you up. Perhaps I should move to the guest room."

"It doesn't bother me." Norbert said while tightening his arms and massaging his back. "Close your eyes and breathe slowly."

Justus followed his instructions and relaxed. He was free now.  He wouldn't let Sepp ruin his life.

One week ago he escaped from Sepp after lowering his guard. He arrived at Norbert's door bruised and broken. Without a word Norbert took him in and took care of him ever since. He must have felt Justus's reluctance to talk about his experiences, so he never asked.

Justus was grateful for Norbert's respect and understanding. He made him feel like a valuable person again.

Slowly he fell asleep in Norbert's arms.

 Justus woke up to the smell of food. Norbert brought him a mug cake and banana and blueberry pancakes, which both looked very delicious.

"Thank you," Justus said. Norbert  could ask a servant to bring this in, but he must have noticed how Justus tensed up with unfamiliar people. "I don't deserve you." 

Norbert raised an eyebrow. "Don't insult my best friend. Eat your breakfast." 

Justus smiled at him. His appetite hadn't completely recovered yet, but he made his best efforts for Norbert. After that he spent the morning reading while Norbert dealt with his work.

Justus could feel Norbert throwing glances in his direction to check over him. He must have scared Norbert, Justus thought. 

He didn't understand how he was stupid enough to fall for Sepp's lie, but he couldn't turn back the time. He needed to focus on his recovery. Then he would think about how to deal with him.  

He trembled when he remembered Sepp's brutal hands on him, the way he tore him up. He hugged himself tightly and bit his lips.

"Justus?" Norbert came to him, holding out his arms.

 Justus leaned into Norbert, who was like a rock he could depend on. Many found Norbert dangerous and frightening, but he knew that Norbert would never hurt him.

"Your roses are blooming now. Let's take a walk," Norbert said after Justus calmed down.

Justus followed him into his garden. The roses he bred were sprouting big pink flowers. He picked one and pinned it on the lapel of Norbert's coat.

Norbert asked, "Is it necessary?" 

"You need more colours."

Norbert picked a rose and carefully pinned it on Justus. "We're a match now."

The walk lifted Justus's spirit, but it also tired him, so Justus said nothing when Norbert led him back. Then he saw Swanhild and Evi waiting for them.

Swanhild and Evi were both Norbert's trusted subordinates, so this must be important. "I will take a nap."

Norbert nodded and Evi joined Justus. After his injury Norbert always made sure he was with him or someone he trusted. Justus was now used to his protectiveness in overdrive.

When Justus was no longer in sight, Swanhild said, "I have him ready in the dungeon."

"Good work," Norbert said. When Justus came to him, he investigatied secretly to find the person responsible. Now that man could finally pay for his crime. 

The man was hung upside down in the dungeon with all his limbs broken. 

Please…please…" The man begged. "Anything… show mercy."

"You lied to Justus and hurt him." Norbert said. "You forfeited your life when you lay your hand on him."

Norbert turned to Swanhild. "Cut his flesh off piece by piece. Keep him awake and alive as long as possible."

"Can I cut his tongue off first?" Swanhild asked when the man screamed. 

"Sure. Clean up the scene afterwards. Justus didn't need to know what had happened." 

  Justus didn't deserve the suffering of facing his tormentor. Neither should he feel any misguided guilt about his fate. After all, Norbert was doing this for himself.

Anyone who hurt Justus didn't deserve to live.

When Justus got better, he looked up that man's whereabouts, but Norbert covered up his tracks well, so Justus never knew the truth.

"Another trip?" Norbert asked.

Justus looked up from his notes with a smile. "I want to see the coral reefs. It's been a long time since I went to the sea. Are you free to join me?"

"Of course," Norbert said while mentally delegating his work. He paid his subordinates well for a reason.

Justus's eyes lit up and discussed their plan with him. Norbert smiled back at him. As long as he was alive, he would protect him.