Title: Freedom is Slavery

Summary: His engagement to the daughter of the Peacecraft estate was the best situation for everyone involved -- except Heero. Apathetic about the arranged marriage but powerless to stop it, he'd never really given much effort to stopping it... until he met Duo, the new slave at the Peacecraft estate.

Warnings: AU, Shounen ai/Yaoi, Slavery, Adult language/content

Rating: PG 13 - R

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing, nor do I claim to own it. This plot is my own and that's about it.

Freedom is Slavery – Chapter Two

What Draws Me Towards You

            Quatre was quiet as he worked in the kitchens of the Peacecraft estate. His movements were almost mechanical as he washed the dishes, rinsed, then set them aside. A soft sigh escaped his lips before his attention was drawn back to reality once more by a tap on his shoulder. A young Spanish girl smiled at Quatre, her dark hair tucked back behind her ears.

            "Miss Relena and her guests request your presence in the drawing room." She spoke softly before turning and skipping off to return to her task. Quatre raised an eyebrow before standing and walking out of the kitchen down the halls. He froze when he heard a soft melody coming from the room down the hall and picked up his pace frowning slightly as he walked in. Quatre's eyes fixed on the young boy who played the flute. The boy opened his eyes slightly glancing at Quatre but not once did the boy pause as he played a gentle melody on the flute. Relena was sitting with a couple of friends smiling fondly as she looked up when Quatre entered. The tune the boy played faded off and the flute left his lips for an instant. Quatre slowly walked towards the boy.

            "May I?" He asked gently, watching the boy hesitate before handing over the flute with a smile. Quatre glared towards Relena slightly but the blonde seemed to ignore it.

            "Wasn't that lovely? I called you up here so you could play the violin with this fine little boy. Would you be a dear and play for us Quatre?" Relena smiled sweetly but Quatre turned his back on her returning the flute to the fine cabinet that held the musical instruments.

            "No." The tone was short with an edge of coldness as he turned back to face Relena. The young woman's eyes narrowed if only slightly as she eyed Quatre.

            "No?"

            "That's what I said, or are you poor of hearing, Miss Relena?" Quatre's voice was even as he stared defiantly back at Relena.

            "I don't believe you have a choice, Quatre." Relena said, calmly keeping her gaze locked on the blonde Arabian. Relena's friends glanced between the two eyeing the disobedient slave before their eyes would dart back to Relena.

            "I don't care. I will not play. I will not allow some child to play that flute either. It does not belong to this boy. It does not belong to you, Miss Peacecraft, or anyone of the Peacecraft family. So what gives you the right to have it played upon?" Quatre hissed softly. Relena frowned setting her tea cup down and stared at Quatre.

            "You slaves own nothing. I can have whoever I wish play that flute." He voice was cold as she almost silently dared Quatre to defy her again.

            "The flute belongs to Trowa Barton, no one else can play his flute." Quatre said softly but firmly remembering the way the green-eyed teen would play the flute.

            "And Trowa belonged to my family. Like I said you slaves own nothing, whatever possessions you have belonged to your masters!" Relena stood now, holding a sort of power over the blonde boy, yet Quatre glared at her defiantly none the less.

            "You no longer own Trowa! You sold him! So you no longer own his flute!" Quatre said angrily. His face snapped to the side, a bright red handprint stinging across his cheek. Quatre let his eyes close. Relena glared at Quatre taking a step back.

            "How dare you speak to me in such a tone, how dare you disrespect me in such away, in front of my guests no less! You're asking for trouble, Quatre. Do you need to be taught a lesson again?" Relena's voice was low, threatening as anger flashed in her cornflower blue eyes. Quatre remained still and silent not daring to answer Relena. Relena stood there a moment still daring Quatre to continue the argument before she turned away.

            "Get out. Go back to whatever it is you were supposed to be doing." Relena said quietly though her tone of voice still held that power and threat. Quatre turned soundlessly walking out of the drawing room.

-----

            Leaning back Duo stared at the restless horse. Duo was also restless. It had been several days since he'd first seen Heero. He knew the boy had to be busy but… Duo still wanted to see him again. Tilting his head, he watched Shini for a moment.

            "He's… so different, isn't he Shini?" His voice was a soft murmur but Shini turned to face him, nuzzling lightly and Duo smiled patting her slightly.

            "I don't know what it is… but I'm glad I met him." Duo sighed, a small smile playing at his lips. Shini looked past Duo neighing softly as said Japanese youth walked into the stables. Duo glanced back grinning even more.

            "Hey, Heero!" Duo called over as Heero nodded his head in acknowledgement. Duo leaned back slightly as Heero moved to pet Shini lightly.

            "I've been meaning to ask, what kind of horse is he?"

            "She."

            "She?" Duo blinked questioningly glancing at the horse. "I thought it was a stallion or something."

            "No. She's a mare. She was wild but was then captured and sold off." Heero said quietly not taking his gaze of Shini. Duo nodded glancing slightly at Shini.

            "I've been meaning to ask… what's your story?" Heero watched Duo out of the corner of his eye as he pet the horse. Duo looked confused but realized what Heero meant.

            "What's there to tell? My parents are dead. I was just another homeless street urchin… ragamuffin… another stray… tramp… waif… guttersnipe… worthless street rat… gamin… a throwaway—"

            "A vagabond. And you're not worthless." Heero interrupted Duo's rattling off of the many names he'd been called during his life on the streets. Duo stared at Heero a moment as he lapsed into silence. He couldn't help the faint smile that crossed his lips; he couldn't really remember a time when someone didn't look down on him. Did Heero consider Duo an equal of sorts? Maybe he did. Heero watched Duo for a moment before turning his attention once more on Shini.       

            "How did your parents die?" He asked quietly.

            "I… don't exactly… know. I was really, really little… I don't even remember anything about them. The first thing I can remember is being alone on the streets and starving… I think I was dying, too. Then this boy found me and he helped me out… then for quite a few years I just lived on the streets with him. We watched each other's backs.

            "His name was Solo… He had either, blonde or really light brown hair I think. He was kind of protective but was quick to point out stupid mistakes. Yeah, he was a good kid, the only person that ever gave two shits about whether I died or not." Duo smiled slightly remembering the boy from his past. A soft sigh escaped his lips though as he dropped his gaze. Slowly the smile faded leaving an almost blank expression on the boy.

            "He was my best friend…" Duo said quietly, "My only friend."

            "…was?" Heero looked at Duo questioningly; not wanting to pry, having noticed the look on Duo's face, but was curious as to what happened. Duo sighed staring at the ground.

            "He died." Duo said quietly while unconsciously his hands clinched and unclenched slowly. He bit down on his lip for a long moment before he finally spoke again.

            "He died because he was an idiot, he didn't have to get involved… the guys that killed him were after me." Duo shook his head slightly pushing the memories away to smile weakly up at Heero. Heero was silent deciding not to question the boy any more than he already had. Duo had moved away to care for another of the horses, Heero watching him silently. The stables were silent except for the neighing of horses and shuffling sounds of movement for nearly an hour when Heero finally broke the silence,

            "Do you still want to run away?"

            "…Yes."

            Silence.

            "Why?"

            "Because I don't like the idea of being owned." Duo sighed moving to lean against the railing, gently reaching out towards Shini.

            "You're just like Shini, no wonder she likes you." Heero said as he stared at the two. Amethyst hues looked confused as Duo looked up at Heero.

            "You can't be broken. You'll always be a free spirit. Shini saw that in you, and likes you for it. She never lets anyone close to her except for me. Anyone that's tried usually got injured some how, but she's never tried to hurt you, has she?" Heero explained smiling slightly when Duo nodded his answer. "You see? Shini trusts you."

            "I didn't know that…" Duo smiled looking at the horse for a moment. Heero moved closer to stand next to Duo.

            "I knew there was something about you…"

            "Huh?"

            "There is… it's just something about you. You're different. I liked that about you. That's why I took you riding with me." Heero turned his head slightly to face Duo. Duo smiled staring back at Heero, trapped by that gaze again. Heero leaned closer just a bit staring at Duo.

            "Well, it's not so bad, you know, I'm glad that I met you, Heero. I just—" But Heero's lips against Duo's efficiently silenced him. Duo's eyes widened, the beating of his heart pounding in his ears. He stared wide-eyed when Heero broke the kiss.

            "Duo?" Heero looked a bit nervously as Duo just seemed to stare back in shock. Maybe he had read Duo wrong?

            "You… just… you just.." Duo stammered out not believing it still.

            "I just kissed you, yes. And, I'm sorry, I was being forward." Heero sighed stepping out of the stall so he could leave, walking to the entrance without another word.

            "Hee-Heero!" Duo quickly overcame his shock turning to follow after Heero managing to grab his arm. He stared up at the Japanese boy a small smile on his lips. "Don't go. Please?" Heero looked back at Duo then turned to face him. Duo wrapped his arms around Heero leaning up to kiss him.

            "I just.. didn't expect it…" He whispered quietly against Heero's lips.

-----

            Duo was grinning like a complete idiot that night when he returned to the slave's quarters. Quatre couldn't help staring questioningly at Duo.

            "What are you in such a good mood about?" Quatre asked and Duo only grinned more.

            "I got to see someone again today." He said simply before laying down and quickly let himself fall asleep ignoring Quatre's questions. Sighing with a bit of annoyance Quatre gave up, having become used to Duo falling asleep in order to avoid answering Quatre. Quatre stared at Duo a moment longer before smiling slightly.

            'He's got it bad, that's for sure.' Quatre decided silently, 'I hope it works out for him.'

~*~*~*~*~*~

Ok this took me forever to write. And then I just couldn't get anywhere. I hate this chapter, it's too short. But, I'm off to chapter 3… it'll be up eventually. Hopefully it'll be longer, but the muses have gone into a coma.

Feedback and reviews are very muchly so appreciated! And they may keep the muses from dying.

~Kate~