A/N- this is an AU fic which means it's not set in the usually GW universe. And Heero is slightly OOC.
The Prince and the Peasant: Part 1
by: RurouniGirl
~*~*~*~*~*~
The door burst open and a servant stood panting in the doorway. "My Prince," he panted.
The young prince turned to face the panting boy. "What is it Quatre?"
"The King requests your presence. He wishes you to watch and learn about matters of diplomacy."
Prince Duo sighed as he finished braiding his long chestnut hair. "Not again. Those things put me to sleep."
He paused as he entered the throne room.
"Ah, my son. Now you shall see how a real king handles diplomacy."
Duo smiled cheerfully at his father. "I'm looking forward to it, father." Inside he was groaning. 'Another boring day of learning how to run the country.'
~*~*~*~*~*~
Duo laughed happily as he ran through the woods. He was finally free from all those boring diplomatic lessons. He stopped and plopped down in the middle of the field he had been running through. He starred up at the sky, smiling. The sun was shining brightly, the smell of flowers wafted through the air, and the murmuring of a small brook could be heard not too far away.
He sighed. It was a great day, but he felt so lonely. He didn't have many friends. The only real friends he had were Quatre and Trowa, but they were servants at the palace, so he didn't get to spend much time with them because of their duties. Besides, if his father knew he spent time with 'mere servants', he would be incredibly angry. He sighed and sat up, looking around. It was really beautiful out here. Suddenly, he heard some splashing. He stood up and went to see what it was.
As he got closer to the brook, he could see a young boy standing waist deep in the water. He had brown hair, bright blue eyes, and had stripped his clothes from the waist up. They sat on the bank.
Duo moved closer and a twig cracked under his feet. The other boy turned, looking startled and Duo approached the bank slowly. "I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to startle you."
The other boy recovered from his shock, and quickly bowed his head. "My Prince," he said.
Duo smiled. "Please," he said. "Don't bow to me."
The other boy was hesitant. "It's all right. I don't like it when people treat me like I'm someone special."
The other boy looked up, looking kind of confused. "But, you are someone special. You're the prince. And when your father dies you'll be the king."
Duo sighed. "No, I'm not special. I'm just like you. We're both human beings and complete equals." He smiled at the other boy. "And, please. Don't call me Prince. Just call me Duo."
The other boy smiled. "I'm Heero." He motioned for the young prince to join him. "Come on in. The waters actually very nice."
The prince smiled happily as he stripped off his shirt and boots and waded in beside Heero.
~*~*~*~*~*~
The two boys lay in the field, letting the hot sun dry their clothes.
"Duo?"
Duo turned toward Heero. "Yes."
"Why did you say you don't like being treated like someone special?"
Duo sighed. "I hate being the prince," he blurted. "I don't have any freedom. I have no friends except for two of the servants, but they are busy with all their duties around the palace. I have no one I can talk to and tell my secrets to."
Heero sat there listening to everything Duo was saying. He had never given much thought to what it would be like to be prince. Duo had looked incredibly lonely when he had stood on the bank of the brook and talked to him. He could see that the loneliness had vanished as they swam through the water. Now it was replaced by a look of sadness. He wished he could do something to make the other boy feel happy again, but he couldn't think of anything he could do. Instead, he said the first thing that came to his mind.
"But, Duo. You do have a friend. I'm your friend. And you've already told me one of your secrets."
Duo was a little surprised. "You're...you're my friend?"
Heero nodded. "Of course."
A huge smile lit the prince's face and he threw his arms around Heero. "Thank you," he whispered.
Heero smiled. "You're welcome."
~*~*~*~*~*~
Duo fidgeted as he waited for the council to end. He wanted to get out of this stuffy palace and see Heero. It had been two months since the boys had met and they had developed a steady relationship. They were more than just friends. It didn't matter that Duo was the prince and Heero was a peasant. Duo spent every minute he didn't have to spend at the palace with Heero.
The council finally ended and Duo bolted out of the room. He was cut off as his father called him.
"Son, don't forget about the dinner tonight. It's especially for you, so don't be late."
Duo nodded. "I'll be there," he called as he ran down the hall and disappeared around the corner.
The king smiled. Over the past months he had noticed a definite change in his son. He seemed happier now, but the king had no idea what had brought about the change. He shook his head as he headed for his meeting with the army generals and never gave it another thought.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Duo flung himself into Heero's arms and planted a firm kiss on the other boy's lips.
Heero laughed. "Good to see you too."
Duo smiled brightly. "I missed you," he said.
Heero pulled the prince into a hug. "You just saw me yesterday evening."
Duo smiled sweetly. "I know. But I still missed you. Fifteen hours is way too long," he said with a laugh.
Heero grinned. "Well, I guess I'll have to make up for it."
Duo smiled and grabbed Heero's hand, dragging him along. "Come on."
"Where are we going?" Heero asked.
Duo smiled slyly. "So you can make it up to me."
Both boys ran off hand in hand, laughing.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Duo hurried into his room. If he didn't hurry he would be late for the dinner. He hurriedly pulled on a clean pair of pants. Quatre came in and help him lace up his shirt and brush his hair. He pulled his boots on and braided his hair as he raced out the door.
"Thanks, Quatre."
He raced down the hall and into the banquet hall. He was in his seat just as the king entered. He smiled.
"Good, you made it on time."
Duo smiled back. "Of course. I told you I would be here. I couldn't go back on my word."
The king laughed as he took his seat. Everyone ate the meal happily. Music played and laughter filled the hall. As the dinner came to an end, the king stood up and the room fell silent.
"Everyone. I have an important announcement."
He turned to his son, smiling brightly. He waved to someone at the back of the room, and a beautiful young girl approached the table.
"Son, this is Relena. She is from the next kingdom. I have just finished making arrangements with her father. She will be your bride."
The entire room erupted in applause and cheers. Duo sat motionless.
'No, it was impossible. He couldn't have a bride. He was already in love. He loved Heero. How could his father do this? He didn't want to marry some girl he didn't even know. His father had never even asked him if he wanted to get married.'
He stood up, tears streaming down his face, and ran from the room. He had to get away. He didn't want to be anywhere near the palace. He raced down the hall and outside. He didn't know where he was going, and he didn't care.
He finally collapsed onto the ground, trying to get air into his lungs. 'How could this be happening?' He heard someone approach him.
"Duo? Duo, are you all right?"
He turned his tear-stained face and saw Heero standing behind him. He flung his arms around the other boy and started to sob again.
"He...Heero," was all he managed to sob out.
Heero knelt down and wrapped his arms around the crying boy. "Shhh. Calm down. Tell me what's wrong."
Duo managed to stop crying long enough to explain. "My father...has made arrangements...for me to marry...a princess from the next kingdom. I can't marry Relena. I just can't." he sobbed. "I love you. Not some princess I haven't even met before."
With that said, the young prince burst into tears once again.
Heero pulled him closer to him and kissed the top of his head. "It's all right," he said. "Just calm down."
Duo's sobs gradually subsided. He looked up at Heero pleadingly. "What should I do?"
Heero shook his head. "I don't know," he said. "Maybe...maybe you should tell your father the truth. Tell him that you're already in love."
Duo nodded. "I guess I should have done that in the first place."
Slowly, he stood up, Heero right behind him. Duo sighed. "I should go. They're probably wondering where I am."
Heero nodded. "Goodnight, my dear prince."
Duo smiled and kissed Heero lightly. "Goodnight, my handsome koi."
He smiled at Heero once more before turning and heading back to the castle. He had some things to discuss with his father.
~*~*~*~*~*~
"What?" the King yelled in an outrage. Duo stood in front of him, unmoving. The king was furious. "My son, a freak. How could you do this to me? How could you fall in love with another boy?"
Duo stood there, trying his best to stand up to his father. "I won't marry Relena, father."
"You will marry her. I won't have a freak for a son," the king yelled.
Duo couldn't take it any more. "I don't care what you think," he shouted. "I love Heero and I won't marry Relena."
The king screamed in frustration. "Not only is my freak son in love with another boy, but with a worthless peasant."
Duo was furious. "Heero is NOT a worthless peasant. He's kind and gentle. He respects me and accepts me for who I am. And I respect him and accept him for who he is."
The king snorted. "Respect a...a peasant?"
Duo nodded. "That's right, father."
The king sighed. "You know, Duo, I really hate to do this to you, but you leave me no other choice. You are confined to the palace."
~*~*~*~*~*~
Author's Notes: What do you think? Good? Bad? As usually, please let me know.
The Prince and the Peasant: Part 1
by: RurouniGirl
~*~*~*~*~*~
The door burst open and a servant stood panting in the doorway. "My Prince," he panted.
The young prince turned to face the panting boy. "What is it Quatre?"
"The King requests your presence. He wishes you to watch and learn about matters of diplomacy."
Prince Duo sighed as he finished braiding his long chestnut hair. "Not again. Those things put me to sleep."
He paused as he entered the throne room.
"Ah, my son. Now you shall see how a real king handles diplomacy."
Duo smiled cheerfully at his father. "I'm looking forward to it, father." Inside he was groaning. 'Another boring day of learning how to run the country.'
~*~*~*~*~*~
Duo laughed happily as he ran through the woods. He was finally free from all those boring diplomatic lessons. He stopped and plopped down in the middle of the field he had been running through. He starred up at the sky, smiling. The sun was shining brightly, the smell of flowers wafted through the air, and the murmuring of a small brook could be heard not too far away.
He sighed. It was a great day, but he felt so lonely. He didn't have many friends. The only real friends he had were Quatre and Trowa, but they were servants at the palace, so he didn't get to spend much time with them because of their duties. Besides, if his father knew he spent time with 'mere servants', he would be incredibly angry. He sighed and sat up, looking around. It was really beautiful out here. Suddenly, he heard some splashing. He stood up and went to see what it was.
As he got closer to the brook, he could see a young boy standing waist deep in the water. He had brown hair, bright blue eyes, and had stripped his clothes from the waist up. They sat on the bank.
Duo moved closer and a twig cracked under his feet. The other boy turned, looking startled and Duo approached the bank slowly. "I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to startle you."
The other boy recovered from his shock, and quickly bowed his head. "My Prince," he said.
Duo smiled. "Please," he said. "Don't bow to me."
The other boy was hesitant. "It's all right. I don't like it when people treat me like I'm someone special."
The other boy looked up, looking kind of confused. "But, you are someone special. You're the prince. And when your father dies you'll be the king."
Duo sighed. "No, I'm not special. I'm just like you. We're both human beings and complete equals." He smiled at the other boy. "And, please. Don't call me Prince. Just call me Duo."
The other boy smiled. "I'm Heero." He motioned for the young prince to join him. "Come on in. The waters actually very nice."
The prince smiled happily as he stripped off his shirt and boots and waded in beside Heero.
~*~*~*~*~*~
The two boys lay in the field, letting the hot sun dry their clothes.
"Duo?"
Duo turned toward Heero. "Yes."
"Why did you say you don't like being treated like someone special?"
Duo sighed. "I hate being the prince," he blurted. "I don't have any freedom. I have no friends except for two of the servants, but they are busy with all their duties around the palace. I have no one I can talk to and tell my secrets to."
Heero sat there listening to everything Duo was saying. He had never given much thought to what it would be like to be prince. Duo had looked incredibly lonely when he had stood on the bank of the brook and talked to him. He could see that the loneliness had vanished as they swam through the water. Now it was replaced by a look of sadness. He wished he could do something to make the other boy feel happy again, but he couldn't think of anything he could do. Instead, he said the first thing that came to his mind.
"But, Duo. You do have a friend. I'm your friend. And you've already told me one of your secrets."
Duo was a little surprised. "You're...you're my friend?"
Heero nodded. "Of course."
A huge smile lit the prince's face and he threw his arms around Heero. "Thank you," he whispered.
Heero smiled. "You're welcome."
~*~*~*~*~*~
Duo fidgeted as he waited for the council to end. He wanted to get out of this stuffy palace and see Heero. It had been two months since the boys had met and they had developed a steady relationship. They were more than just friends. It didn't matter that Duo was the prince and Heero was a peasant. Duo spent every minute he didn't have to spend at the palace with Heero.
The council finally ended and Duo bolted out of the room. He was cut off as his father called him.
"Son, don't forget about the dinner tonight. It's especially for you, so don't be late."
Duo nodded. "I'll be there," he called as he ran down the hall and disappeared around the corner.
The king smiled. Over the past months he had noticed a definite change in his son. He seemed happier now, but the king had no idea what had brought about the change. He shook his head as he headed for his meeting with the army generals and never gave it another thought.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Duo flung himself into Heero's arms and planted a firm kiss on the other boy's lips.
Heero laughed. "Good to see you too."
Duo smiled brightly. "I missed you," he said.
Heero pulled the prince into a hug. "You just saw me yesterday evening."
Duo smiled sweetly. "I know. But I still missed you. Fifteen hours is way too long," he said with a laugh.
Heero grinned. "Well, I guess I'll have to make up for it."
Duo smiled and grabbed Heero's hand, dragging him along. "Come on."
"Where are we going?" Heero asked.
Duo smiled slyly. "So you can make it up to me."
Both boys ran off hand in hand, laughing.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Duo hurried into his room. If he didn't hurry he would be late for the dinner. He hurriedly pulled on a clean pair of pants. Quatre came in and help him lace up his shirt and brush his hair. He pulled his boots on and braided his hair as he raced out the door.
"Thanks, Quatre."
He raced down the hall and into the banquet hall. He was in his seat just as the king entered. He smiled.
"Good, you made it on time."
Duo smiled back. "Of course. I told you I would be here. I couldn't go back on my word."
The king laughed as he took his seat. Everyone ate the meal happily. Music played and laughter filled the hall. As the dinner came to an end, the king stood up and the room fell silent.
"Everyone. I have an important announcement."
He turned to his son, smiling brightly. He waved to someone at the back of the room, and a beautiful young girl approached the table.
"Son, this is Relena. She is from the next kingdom. I have just finished making arrangements with her father. She will be your bride."
The entire room erupted in applause and cheers. Duo sat motionless.
'No, it was impossible. He couldn't have a bride. He was already in love. He loved Heero. How could his father do this? He didn't want to marry some girl he didn't even know. His father had never even asked him if he wanted to get married.'
He stood up, tears streaming down his face, and ran from the room. He had to get away. He didn't want to be anywhere near the palace. He raced down the hall and outside. He didn't know where he was going, and he didn't care.
He finally collapsed onto the ground, trying to get air into his lungs. 'How could this be happening?' He heard someone approach him.
"Duo? Duo, are you all right?"
He turned his tear-stained face and saw Heero standing behind him. He flung his arms around the other boy and started to sob again.
"He...Heero," was all he managed to sob out.
Heero knelt down and wrapped his arms around the crying boy. "Shhh. Calm down. Tell me what's wrong."
Duo managed to stop crying long enough to explain. "My father...has made arrangements...for me to marry...a princess from the next kingdom. I can't marry Relena. I just can't." he sobbed. "I love you. Not some princess I haven't even met before."
With that said, the young prince burst into tears once again.
Heero pulled him closer to him and kissed the top of his head. "It's all right," he said. "Just calm down."
Duo's sobs gradually subsided. He looked up at Heero pleadingly. "What should I do?"
Heero shook his head. "I don't know," he said. "Maybe...maybe you should tell your father the truth. Tell him that you're already in love."
Duo nodded. "I guess I should have done that in the first place."
Slowly, he stood up, Heero right behind him. Duo sighed. "I should go. They're probably wondering where I am."
Heero nodded. "Goodnight, my dear prince."
Duo smiled and kissed Heero lightly. "Goodnight, my handsome koi."
He smiled at Heero once more before turning and heading back to the castle. He had some things to discuss with his father.
~*~*~*~*~*~
"What?" the King yelled in an outrage. Duo stood in front of him, unmoving. The king was furious. "My son, a freak. How could you do this to me? How could you fall in love with another boy?"
Duo stood there, trying his best to stand up to his father. "I won't marry Relena, father."
"You will marry her. I won't have a freak for a son," the king yelled.
Duo couldn't take it any more. "I don't care what you think," he shouted. "I love Heero and I won't marry Relena."
The king screamed in frustration. "Not only is my freak son in love with another boy, but with a worthless peasant."
Duo was furious. "Heero is NOT a worthless peasant. He's kind and gentle. He respects me and accepts me for who I am. And I respect him and accept him for who he is."
The king snorted. "Respect a...a peasant?"
Duo nodded. "That's right, father."
The king sighed. "You know, Duo, I really hate to do this to you, but you leave me no other choice. You are confined to the palace."
~*~*~*~*~*~
Author's Notes: What do you think? Good? Bad? As usually, please let me know.