Title: The Little Cinder Boy
Author: Angst Faerie
Rating: T
Disclaimers: I don't own Gundam Wing or Cinderella written by the Grimm brothers.
Notes: The third and final part of my side story.
ABOUT MY LAST CHAPTER: I apologize for my prior chapter I meant to go back and replace the Advisor's name, the one that killed Odin, to Quinze. I intended it to be him but forgot the guy's name and I forgot to fix it until after I uploaded it. I am not going to change it now since it still makes sense but for all those that were curious Septum's advisor was meant to be Quinze.
I hope you all enjoy it and please check out my other stories. R&R please.
Side Story: The Knight and the Servant Boy (Part 3)
The day after Heero had stopped Duke Dekim's attack on some nameless servant boy in the streets, was the day of Prince Trowa's masquerade ball. Heero eyed the outfit that was laid out on his bed with distaste. He picked up the white porcelain mask that was intended to cover his face and tossed it in a nearby rubbish bin.
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Heero felt no need to wear the mask. While the night was supposed to be full of festivities Heero would still be working, guarding the prince from any certain danger. Wearing a mask would hinder his vision therefore putting Trowa at risk. The costume was not something he wished to wear either; if Heero did get involved in a fight it wouldn't protect him like his uniform could. Also the bulky fabric would just get in his way.
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Leaving his room in his uniform Heero went to Trowa's sleeping quarters knowing he was supposed to be there almost an hour ago. He smiled in amusement at Trowa's annoyance of seeing him not in his costume. He escorted Trowa down to the ballroom and watched Trowa's introduction to all of the visitors that had come to celebrate. After that Heero circled the room looking for any hidden dangers. He watched from a distance as Trowa visited with friends new and old.
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Heero was amused as girls tried to approach the prince and Trowa's discomfort about the entire situation. Every time Trowa seemed to catch his father's eye he made an attempt to at least greet a nearby female, only then to try and quickly escape from said female. Heero smiled to himself deciding it was his job to see if Trowa was surviving the whole ordeal and decided to head over to check on the prince.
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As Heero approached Trowa he was oblivious to the blonde girl with pink wings approaching him until he felt arms encircle his neck and begin to squeeze the air out of him. At the attack Heero was on the verge of pulling his sword and fending off the aggressor but he held his place knowing that wouldn't be accepted. The girl was squealing and seemed to have mistaken Heero as the prince. Heero's eyes caught Trowa's and he silently pleaded for him to come and correct the poor girl.
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Thankfully Trowa understood and interrupted the ditzy blonde. After Trowa introduced himself to the girl as the true prince she insulted his looks compared to Heero's, shocking Heero. He knew some of the ladies thought he was attractive but his personality scared them away from ever approaching or for that matter admitting an interest in him. This was not something Heero was used to.
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Even after Trowa corrected the blonde that Heero was not the prince she still held on to Heero, and did not seem like she was intending to let go anytime soon. Suddenly Heero felt the blonde get yanked off of him and he winced as her nails left marks on his neck that weren't so pleasant. It was another blonde female who was removing the girl off of Heero and she was laughing slightly as she did this.
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"You will have to excuse my sister Relena she hasn't been right since she fell off her horse a week ago during riding lessons. I'm Dorothy Une the elder sister." Dorothy spoke addressing Prince Trowa and not giving Heero another glance. Relena however kept her eyes only focused on Heero and it began to unnerve him.
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While Trowa was talking to Dorothy and seemed to be distracted, Heero felt it necessary to leave. When Relena's eyes moved from Heero back onto her sister he knew it was his chance to sneak off. He stepped backwards disappearing behind a group of people passing by. It was a good thing that so many people were here and could help Heero blend.
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Getting what Heero felt was a safe distance away from the girl known as Relena, Heero looked back to see if Trowa was fine. He still had a job to do and make sure no harm came to the prince. Trowa appeared to be talking to Wufei Chang and Heero had an urge to go join in on the conversation. While Heero wasn't one for much talking, Wufei and him loved to trade stories of their battle victories. Wufei had fighting skills that Heero had never known before and enjoyed these talks quite a bit.
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Heero held his ground though knowing Relena was probably nearby and he didn't want her to find him again so soon. He would just have to talk to Wufei later on that night when these annoying guests were long gone. Heero waved off another server that was attempting to get him to have some kind of drink, he was becoming annoyed. His eyes were focused on Dekim a bit but when the man caught Heero's stare and gave him a nasty look Heero turned his face away. He hated that man and couldn't wait for the day when the Duke screwed up and Heero would be able to end his life.
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With a sigh Heero moved closer to the stairs leading up and out of the ballroom. He was granted some piece in quiet in this corner. Only a guard stood a few feet away but he was on a duty and only nodded his head to Heero in acknowledgement and continued to watch the people on the dance floor. As Heero stood there he heard the door above him begin to open, that was unusual. All guests should have been here by now, it would be odd for someone to show up this late yet there would be no reason for someone to be entering that door.
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As Heero looked up his eyes caught site of an all too familiar body, he recognized the boy instantly. His face took on a questioning look as he wondered why the low class boy he ran into the other day was here at the prince's ball and was cross-dressed for the occasion.
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From Heero's view point he could see the boy skip in wearing a gown with a purple corset that matched the eyes he remembered from the day before, eyes he remembered catching a glimpse of on that street. The skirt of the gown was made of black lace and Heero could only wonder how he could have afforded it. Maybe he was wrong; maybe the boy wasn't a servant but was just dressed as one that day in town. Maybe he wasn't even a guy but a girl who preferred britches compared to dresses.
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Heero shook his head at the idea, he knew that he was right about his first assumptions, there was one thing he could do and that was read people. After entering the boy turned back in the door and if Heero wasn't sure that it was the boy from the day before the braid down his back proved it, even with the black and purple ribbons in it Heero knew it was his braid.
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As Heero watched he saw the braided boy pull a blond boy through the door, it was the boy he was with in town when he was got in trouble. Heero's eyes narrowed in thought, why were two lower class males here at the prince's ball dressed as the opposite gender. It didn't make sense and it raised his alert. After talking to the blonde, the braided boy bound down the stairs leaving his friend behind.
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Reaching the bottom of the stairs the braided boy's eyes fell onto Heero and a huge smile broke across his face. Heero was sure he heard him say a silent prayer under his breath as he approached Heero. "Well finding you was a lot easier than I anticipated." The braided boy said as he stood in front of Heero, that annoying grin still plastered on his face.
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"You were looking for me?" Heero asked even more confused.
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"Of course, I wanted to thank you about yesterday when you saved me from getting my butt thrown in the dungeons. I was being hot headed and let my temper get the best of me," the braided boy rambled on. "I can't help it though, when I see an innocent being treated like that I just snap. The Duke he needs a good punch in the head if you ask me, knock that arrogant smirk right off his face."
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Heero just continued to stare at Duo, wondering when the boy would make his point. "Trust me one day that man will get what is coming to him but it was pretty cool seeing a soldier like you stand up for a lower class citizen like me. I think it's the first time I have ever seen a soldier stick up for a street rat such as myself, it made me feel good, and I had to see you again you know."
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This was awkward for Heero he never had someone talk to him like this boy was. At least when Trowa ranted he knew it was because Heero was being paid to listen. This was unusual yet Heero found himself unable to leave. He was so focused on this boy that he didn't even see Trowa's approach.
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"Heero", Trowa said softly and it finally shut the braided boy up. "Who is your friend?" he asked. Heero looked away not able to keep his eyes on the strange boy in the presence of the prince. "Someone I just met your majesty." Heero practically growled not knowing why he was suddenly feeling embarrassed, it was a feeling Heero Yuy was not used to having and it annoyed him to no end.
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"Majesty!" the braided boy said. "Oh forgive my rudeness I didn't realize you were the prince." The brunette curtsied. "I was just thanking Sir Yuy here for helping me out a few days ago. He saved me in a way." Heero felt his anger increase and refused to look at Trowa anymore, not wishing to see the face the young prince was making.
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Thankfully Wufei grabbed Trowa's arm and dragged him away from the pair and Heero eased up a bit. The embarrassment was slipping away; still he was confused about his feelings more now than ever. While the embarrassment was leaving, Heero was struck by another emotion one he couldn't quite place and when he meet the boy's violet eyes the emotion surged.
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"Who are you?" he said, strangely feeling breathless. Duo's eyes widened in shock at the realization he never introduced himself to Heero.
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"OH!" Duo laughed, "I forgot, the name is Duo Maxwell I may run and hide but I never tell a lie." He grinned as his hand grabbed Heero's and gave it a firm shake. Heero felt a heat he couldn't explain run up the arm of the hand Duo touched. He wasn't even aware that Duo didn't pull his hand away and Heero was still holding it.
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"What about you Sir Yuy, I don't know your first name. Care to share?" Duo asked that annoying grin plastered on his face again. The grin that pissed Heero off just minutes ago was now leaving his chest tight and him breathless. 'What the hell is wrong with me?' he thought in agitation.
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Realizing that he was experiencing something he never dreamed of Heero's nerves got the better of him and he jerked his hand out of Duo's. The look of disappointment that crossed Duo's face made Heero feel remorse. Love was an emotion Heero knew of, he heard many talk about it before, while he never had experienced the emotion he knew the workings that came with it.
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Heero recalled conversations in the past with Trowa, when the prince was annoyed with his father pushing him to find a bride, and Trowa telling Heero how he wanted someone that could take his breath away with just a single glance. The type of feeling this boy named Duo was doing to Heero. He knew nothing about Duo so why was Heero feeling this way, it scared him.
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"Heero." He responded to Duo's question despite the desperate urge he had to run away. Heero never ran from anything before in his life but he felt if he didn't get away from Duo then something he couldn't control was going to happen.
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Duo's smile was back on his face but there was something more to that smile and for the first time in his life Heero felt like the pray rather than the predator. "Heero, huh? I like how that name just rolls off my tongue." Duo said, his grin becoming wicked.
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"You are very brash I can see why that mouth gets you in trouble." Heero replied trying to play it off, acting as if what Duo was saying was not affecting him in anyway.
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Duo looked amused. "Yeah I have been in some serious stuff because of this tongue but I am sure it can do some amazing things as well."
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Heero laughed. "Did you come here just to speak of vulgar things to a man you know nothing about?" Heero crossed his arms across his chest and looked down on Duo fighting the urge to touch his long braid.
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Duo laughed, it was an enticing sound. "No I came to thank you and get your name but I can't help but flirt. You are so much more. . .irresistible up close. So do you have a lady on your arm or is it free?" Duo's hand went to Heero's chest. Heero, however, stepped back avoiding Duo's reaching fingers.
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"As charming as this conversation is Maxwell, I have no intention of courting anyone, especially you a boy I know nothing about besides the fact he has a dirty mind. Now why don't you go and enjoy the ball I have other things I need to attend to." Heero responded coldly. This was foolish and he needed to end it, why he played along as long as he did Heero wasn't sure but he knew this couldn't continue.
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Heero gave an awkward bow and quickly brushed past Duo, making his way up the stairs and leaving the ballroom behind him. He knew he shouldn't leave Trowa alone but he couldn't stay any longer. Heero feared he would do something foolish if he stayed, getting caught up in those violet eyes again and that long chestnut brown hair that just begged to be touched.
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He could slap himself as those thoughts rushed through his mind and he let out a groan. What was happening to him? He was losing control of his emotions and body, Heero never lost control. Heero was trained extensively in self-discipline; he had extreme body control and ability to reason. So why now was years of training slipping from his mind just because some servant boy showed interest.
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Heero turned left and proceeded down a long hall he walked briskly and after a few more turns he was at the door to his room. He entered the room and shut the door behind him, Heero took a few breaths to calm himself before moving towards the window and looking out at the night sky. Heero heard the door to his room open and then close softly behind him. The way his heart began to race Heero knew he didn't have to turn around to find out who it was.
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(Duo's POV)
Duo had found the knight that had plagued his thoughts ever since he first laid eyes on him. After arriving to the prince's masquerade ball he was surprised to see Sir Yuy at the bottom of the staircase, it was like it was meant to be.
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He couldn't help the smile on his face as he closed in on Heero. Duo knew he was rambling when he talked to the knight but it was hard to get his thoughts straight when he was standing so close to the exotic creature that was Sir Yuy. Even seeing the Prince Trowa was nothing compared to being so close to his knight.
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"Heero, huh? I like how that name just rolls off my tongue." Duo said, grinning and feeling finally satisfied at finally getting the knights name. He could get used to saying that and knew he wanted more than just learning the man's name.
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Some of the comments Duo made he knew were brash and borderline vulgar, things that could get him in serious trouble for speaking but he couldn't help it. Heero made whatever rational thoughts Duo did have fly out the window. He didn't think about Quatre, knowing his blond would be fine on his own, but at the moment all he cared about was making this handsome knight his.
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Playing it smooth Duo made sure Heero understood what he wanted. He might be blunt but he wanted Heero and wasn't about to take no for an answer, he was disappointed when Heero pulled away from his questing hands. It was harsh when Heero turned him down and left Duo standing at the bottom of the stairs.
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Duo should have expected as much, he was being bold and it was probably too much. He didn't want to come off as a creep and wondered if he offended Heero. That wasn't his intention but Duo wasn't about to let the man he felt so strongly about just walk out on him. Duo turned around and ran up the stairs in pursuit of Heero.
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As he came out of the ballroom Duo caught the site of Heero heading down a long hallway. Duo began to follow the stoic soldier refusing to let their conversation be over with. Duo knew deep in his soul that this was meant to be. Duo was never wrong after all.
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Seeing Heero enter a room Duo headed towards it, disappointed to see him shut the door. Duo could knock but felt Heero would refuse to let him in. He just hoped that the door wasn't locked and tried the door. It surprised Duo when the door swung open and he entered the room, closing the door behind him. He wanted the privacy and was sure they wouldn't want to be interrupted.
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From his position Duo could see Heero's back tense up and he knew the other boy felt his presence. For a while Duo stood there leaning back on the door his hands still on the handle behind his back, waiting to see if Heero would kick him out. He never did though he just continued to stare out the window deep in thought. Finally Duo heard Heero speaking his voice slightly cracking as if it strained him.
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"Why did you follow me?" he asked before turning his head to regard Duo.
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"I don't honestly know." Duo answered truthfully. "I just couldn't let you leave yet." Duo was quiet for a few minutes but Heero didn't respond, he just looked at Duo as Duo looked at him. "I am sorry if what I said earlier offended you, I didn't mean to come off rude." Duo said breaking the silence.
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Heero just nodded and stepped away from the window moving to the center of the room. Duo mimicked his actions and found himself just a few feet in front of Heero. "I feel different about you Heero I couldn't get you off my mind. I don't want to stop thinking about you."
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Duo didn't dare use the word love that would be too much, he just met the guy and even though in his heart he knew these feelings were deep he didn't want to ruin this. "I want you." Duo said and flinched as Heero raised his hand suddenly.
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Heero didn't hit him like Duo feared; instead his hand seemed to gently touch Duo's check and his thumb slightly brushing it. "You don't even know me Duo. I am not the warmest person to be around. You are beautiful and could have so many others why settle on me."
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Duo's eyes closed and his head leaned into Heero's touch. "I don't mind, I enjoy a challenge," he responded. "Besides I am very affectionate, enough to make up for both of us."
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Heero stepped closer as if drawn to Duo. "I am not the best person when it comes to words. I might say something that will hurt you." Duo stepped forward as well. "That's fine I can speak enough for both of us and I am not made of glass, I won't break so easily."
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"You should go soon, I bet your friend is looking for you." Heero said suddenly as he struggled to keep from kissing Duo. Duo shook his head slightly and gave a breathy sigh. "Quatre is a big boy he will be fine on his own. I think I want to stay here with you, all night if possible."
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Heero hesitated. "I should go back, I should be watching Trowa." Duo's eyes slid close, he was so close to Heero he felt like he was breathing in the air he expelled. "You know you want to stay here, with me. He should be fine." It was then that Duo made the final move.
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Duo clashed his lips to Heero's and his arms encircled his neck. Heero didn't fight him instead he pulled Duo even closer if that was possible. Duo felt one hand grab his braid while the other clinched the laces of his corset. Duo almost forgot he was wearing a dress.
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Pulling apart and panting for breath Duo heard Heero whispers under his breath. "Follow my heart," before he was pulled in for another searing kiss. Heero deepened the kiss and Duo felt his knees go weak. It was almost a desperate sort of kiss but neither of them minded they just couldn't get enough of each other. Finally when they both needed air the pulled apart, their eyes never breaking contact.
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"I think I will stay here for the night." Duo gave a lopsided grin and Heero laughed as he laid his head down on Duo's soldier. "You don't ever give up do you?"
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"You should know now that it is impossible to argue with me because Duo Maxwell is never wrong and gets whatever he wants." Heero lifted his head up and looked back into Duo's eyes a rare smile gracing his features.
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"Point taken, I think you should stay the night." Heero said as he went in for another kiss.
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Duo had always been told he was pushy and had to always get what he wanted. Duo knew it was true because, but he didn't mind. Duo know whatever he wanted was right and the way it should be and right now Duo wanted Heero and knew that he was going to keep him no matter what, selfish or not it was the way it was meant to be.
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Angst Faerie – This concludes my side story I hoped you enjoyed it.