Ash enjoyed the next few days after unloading everything to Mr. Able. The world seemed brighter and for the first time he looked forward to the coming days, rather than just watching them pass him by.

When his family arrived home, Ash tried to act as close to normal as possible. It was difficult, for the first time he felt how unfair their treatment of him was. Nevertheless, he put on his usual face and tried not to let on that anything had changed.

Only a few days after visiting the town royal messenger delivered a letter.

Ash was cleaning the front hall again, dusting the relics and sweeping away the cobwebs, when there was a knock at the front door. Ash was surprised, there hadn't been any visitors to the house in a very long time. Answering the door, he was doubly surprised to see the servant in the garb of the royal house handing him an envelope.

"Thank you." Ash took the letter and the servant went away with a sniff, showing that the house was below standards.

Ash looked at the letter; it wasn't specifically addressed to anyone so he opened it.

In two weeks' time, a ball will be held in honor of the Crown Prince Phineas' twenty-sixth birthday. Invited to the ball are all the eligible persons in the kingdom regardless of birth.

Ash groaned thinking of the chaos this would throw his family into since both his siblings were going to be desperate to attend the ball. Moreover, most of the work preparing for the ball would fall on Ash.

He trudged upstairs, thinking of all the work that this would mean for him. It would be nice to be able to attend the ball though. He remembered a time in his life when there were parties and fancy occasions, but it had been a long time since he had enjoyed those delights.

Ash paused mid-step and looked at the letter again. "All eligible persons", doesn't that include Ash? He was already of age and certainly, no one else was lining up to take his hand. Smiling, Ash thought about entering the ball. His stepfamily would be livid, and that was only half the fun. He had imagined balls before, made them part of his daydreaming life, but this was his one chance to actually try it. He smiled thinking of Finn. He had wondered when they would meet again, since he was a pupil of Mr. Able, it was likely he was living somewhere locally. Maybe they might meet at the ball. Ash hoped they would see each other again anyway. He knew they were practically strangers, but he couldn't help being attracted.

With great glee he threw open the door to the sitting room, not bothering to knock as he had been asked to do.

"What do you think you're doing?" Anna demanded, she slopped tea on herself when the door opened suddenly.

"We just got in important letter." Ash waved the invitation.

"And you just opened it?" Driscoll snatched the letter out of Ash's hands.

Anna and Driscoll both eagerly read the letter, squealing with delight as they read.

Anna passed the letter to her mother who smiled, "Perfect chance for you two dears! The prince is single you know, and he might be searching for a spouse."

"Seriously?" Anna looked exuberant.

"My grandmother told me that the in her day the prince did the same thing to find someone to marry because there was a lack of eligible people among the nobility. Even if you don't capture the prince however, there will be plenty of available rich lords and ladies for you to attach yourselves too, you shall have your pick of them all."

Driscoll and Anna looked very excited and immediately started talking about the preparations that they would need.

"Ash, go into town right away and order me a new suit."

"And I will need a new gown!"

Ash thought about announcing his plans to attend just then, but he decided to wait until the night of the ball. If he told them about it now they would try to stop him, but if he waited until the last moment, then he had a better chance of going.

Ash wandered deeper into the woods than he usually did that afternoon while thinking about the delights of the ball. It had been a long time since he had danced and he wondered if he would even be able to remember the steps anymore. He took a few practice turns, only to tumble down because he tripped on a root. Thankfully, he was uninjured, but he prayed he wouldn't do that in the ballroom.

With a hammering heart, he heard the approach of a horse. It was not uncommon in this part of the wood but he still hurried out of sight quickly.

It was a great relief and a little bit of apprehension that he saw Finn and Bolt riding along. They didn't move quickly, as if they had no real destination in mind.

Ash came out of his hiding place and waved hello.

Finn seemed very surprised to see Ash again, but he also looked quite pleased. He smiled as he swung out of the saddle.

"Are you a wood nymph? I cannot believe I came across you again all the way out here."

Ash laughed. "You're wrong. I came to see Penelope." Like magic, she appeared at Ash's side, her kittens with her. Ash was surprised to see them but didn't let it show, how did the cat know that she needed to be here just now?

Finn laughed, "Well then I am grateful to you Penelope." He said looking at the cat.

Her green eyes judged him and she gave a flick of her tail to say, you should be grateful.

Ash laughed and picked up the little boy that had brought him and Finn together. "You look like you are doing better. Any more adventures?" Ash asked the little grey ball of fluff.

The kitten cried, telling Ash that he had been a good boy but was perfectly willing to have another adventure.

"Is that the one?" Finn asked. He stood close to Ash and petted the kitten in Ash's hands.

"Yes, this is Percy."

"Percy huh?" Finn asked the cat. The kitten playfully swatted at the long fingers of Finn.

"He is quite feisty." Ash commented.

"It's a good thing. If he wasn't so feisty he might not have gotten into trouble last month."

Ash chuckled and their gazes met. "It all turned out well." Ash said.

Penelope mewed, interrupting the look, saying that she wanted her son back before the humans were busy. Ash blushed at her comment and set Percy back down. Penelope gave Ash and Finn an approving nod before leading her brood back home.

"Did she say something?" Finn asked, "Your ears are red."

Their faces were close together and gathering his courage, Ash kissed Finn. It wasn't heart pounding like the ones that Finn had given him, but when Ash saw the look on Finn's face he was glad he had done it.

Finn looked astonished and pleased all at once. He pulled Ash in for a real kiss. Ash still wasn't used to this feeling, the physical proximity with another person, the way his heart pounded so loud, the feeling of his toes curling in his shoes, wobbling knees, and that was all just the start. Then there was the actual feeling of Finn possessing his mouth, licking and tasting him. Ash tried to respond, holding onto Finn's shoulders and copying the movements of Finn's mouth. It was so overwhelming that Ash moaned, making strange noises in Finn's arms.

"Asher, you taste so good." Finn kissed Ash's jaw, letting Ash catch his breath for a moment.

"Really?" Ash was surprised.

"I want to taste all of you." Finn kissed the pounding pulse in Ash's neck.

Ash trembled, it was scary how much be wanted it and scary because he had never experienced anything like this before.

"I'll be careful with you." Finn promised. He kissed Ash tenderly and then pulled him to the ground. They sat so that Ash was half sitting on Finn's lap. The position was strange and he worried that he was too heavy to be on someone's lap. Finn however, didn't seem to mind Ash's weight. He pushed his hands up and under Ash's shirt, so that his soft fingers were against Ash's bare skin. Ash became more embarrassed at the sounds he was making but he couldn't help it. Everywhere Finn touched him seemed to make a different noise come out of Ash.

Ash put his hands in Finn's brown hair, unlike his own fine and soft hair, Finn's hair was thick and smooth. With hesitant hand's Ash touched Finn elsewhere, feeling his body through the fine linen of his shirt. Finn was much more muscular than Ash would have guessed; his body was humming with energy, every muscle twitched under Ash's touch.

Finn pulled on the drawstrings of Ash's pants, "I'm sorry, I can't wait anymore."

Ash's nervousness increased, "But…" Ash bit his lip.

Finn paused, fingers twitching to move but his hands stilled until Ash agreed. "I'll be gentle. We won't go all the way today."

"But we're practically strangers yet we are doing this." Ash stammered out.

Finn couldn't help but laugh, "You are so cute." He said smiling.

Ash pushed Finn lightly, "Don't tease me." He pouted.

Finn looked Ash seriously in the eye, "I'm not teasing, and you are cute. We may be strangers but circumstance has thrown us together twice and we have an undeniable attraction to one another." He kissed Ash on the nose, "But if you don't want to do this we won't."

Ash hesitated, it was strange to do this with someone who he knew so little, but he was sure that even so, he wanted Finn. "Thank you." He kissed Finn, "It's alright. I'm prepared now."

Finn smiled again, his white teeth shining in the sun, "Thank you." He pulled on Ash's pants so they slid off along with his undergarments, then he pulled Ash fully onto his lap so that Ash was straddling him. Ash was terribly embarrassed, he was already fully erect and it was the first time someone had seem him in this state.

Finn paused and kissed Ash, trying to comfort him. Then he pulled his own member out of his pants. Asher tried not to stare at it but he probably failed. Finn was larger than he was, wider too, but he was also erect as Ash, for which Ash was grateful. It was pleasing to know that it was excitement over Ash that had made Finn like that.

"Want to try touching it?" Finn asked, his mouth by Ash's ear.

Ash shuddered, that deep voice echoed straight down his spine. With hesitant fingers, he reached out to touch Finn's hard cock. Experimentally he lightly ran his fingers up and down a few times, then he investigated the sack, turning each ball in his hands, before running his fingers of the tip of the cock, wiping away a pearly drop from the slit. Finn shuddered while Ash took his time experimenting, but when Ash began playing at the tip, his cock jerked forward.

Finn kissed Ash deeply, and then took charge of the situation. He gently began pumping Ash's cock. That simple motion made Ash shudder, no one else had ever touched him and the sensation was much different from anything he had felt before.

"Keep touching mine, Asher." Finn asked, his voice strained.

Ash nodded, and he touched Finn the way he usually touched himself.

Finn however moved so that their pricks were rubbing on each other, his hand and Ash's were wrapped around both of them. Ash was surprised; rubbing together, they were so hot and erotic. His breath hitched and he began to tremble feeling close to the edge.

"Don't come just yet Asher", Finn whispered, nipping the skin under Ash's ear.

Ash whimpered, it was hard to control something that he had never tried to stop before.

Finn continued to whisper encouraging things between kissing and continued stroking on their erections.

"Finn, I can't anymore." Ash felt that he would burst at any second.

"It's alright, you can cum." Finn said increasing the pressure on their members.

Ash came at once, his orgasm the most amazing one of his life. While he was still convulsing, Finn also came, crying out Ash's name.

Ash collapsed against Finn, his head on Finn's shoulder. Now that it was over, he was even more embarrassed than he had been at the start.

Finn cradled the back of Ash's head and pulled him back so they could kiss. Ash felt that his lips were slightly swollen but it still was delicious having Finn's mouth on him.

"We need to clean up." Finn said after a moment's indulge.

Ash nodded. Using Ash's handkerchief and the corner of Ash's shirt, the two men tidied up.

"Come here." Finn said. Ash was feeling awkward and keeping his distance. Nevertheless, he still went to Finn's outstretched hand. They kissed again, Finn gently holding Ash.

"Are you alright?" Finn asked.

Ash felt annoyed at himself for making Finn concerned, "I just feel awkward. I'm not sure how to act now."

Finn smiled, "Understandable. But don't worry about things like that with me. You can act however you like."

Ash felt better and noted with surprise the position of the sun already slipping down in the sky.

"Ah, I'd better get back." Ash needed to start preparing dinner.

"Wait." Finn rubbed the back of his neck, "The ball. Are you going to be attending the ball?"

Ash smiled, "Yes. I'll be there."

Finn looked relived, "Then I'll see you there." He kissed Ash one last time before getting back on Bolt and heading back to his own home.

The next, after a long day of errands and chores, Ash looked over his clothes, wondering what to wear to the ball. Driscoll's suit that he had borrowed the other day was not really an option. It hadn't fit nearly as well as Ash hoped, and he wanted to look better for the ball.

Ash sighed looking at his clothes, nothing was fit a ball at the royal palace. Luckily, he remembered some old things of his fathers, still tucked in a trunk upstairs. His father had been taller, but a little hemming wouldn't be an issue for Ash. Hurrying up to the attic Ash found the truck exactly where he remembered it being.

The trunk had not just clothes, but a few assorted treasures belonging to his father. Ash explored them all with reverence. There was a soap and brush, along with a silver razor, Ash remembered his father joking that the men in their family only kept shaving tools for show, none of them were capable of growing proper facial hair. There was his wedding ring, folded in a handkerchief and put inside a velvet box. Slowly, he had emptied the chest of all its treasures and looking at everything, he began crying. He didn't remember crying after his father died, nor had he ever cried over his mother or anything really, but suddenly, the tears were streaming out of his eyes.

As he cried, he saw carved over the small attic window, the image of the Great Fairy. It had been many years since he'd looked at her. His stepmother had covered up her image in most places in the house, and certainly none of his stepfamily mentioned her. She looked like a benevolent queen staring down at him, even though it was just in the wood frame of an attic window, the carver had given her a crown of flowers that looked alive.

He felt the need to apologize to her; so many years had gone by without anyone thanking her for her benevolence. The luck of the Great Fairy had allowed the family to flourish in this spot for so long, or so his father had told him. At every evening meal, Ash's father would say thanks to her while they broke their bread.

Ash felt that the fairy must feel the same as him; she must not feel at home in this place any longer. Seeing her face reminded him again, of why he couldn't just leave this house, he needed to stay and make it good again.

Feeling refreshed, Ash packed back up the trunk, minus the clothes needed for his suit and put it all safely away. He nodded to the fairy, sending her silent thanks for continuing to watch over the place. Moreover, he promised that one day, hopefully soon, he would set the house to rights.

Back down in the kitchens, Ash began working on the suit. Luckily, his father's shoulders were a similar size so the work would not be as hard. He would have to take in the waist and do some serious hemming, but all in all Ash felt that the suit would be perfect for the ballroom. He wouldn't look grand as his siblings of course, but maybe he would look handsome enough that Finn would ask him to dance.