Heero-Ella

Title: Heero-Ella

Author(s): Dark Nuriko & JessEklom

Category: Gundam Wing

Genre: Fantasy/Romance

Pairings: 1x2, 3x4, 5x6x13

Warnings: Shounen ai, language, Duo humor

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: Gundam Wing does not belong to us, no matter how much we try to make it otherwise.

Author's Note: This story came to mind after watching 'A Cinderella Story'. So, mixing modern themes like 'A Cinderella Story' and unique themes like 'Ever After' displays, we give you this tale. It will be written like 'Once a Lifetime' with switching POV's. I, Dark Nuriko, will handle Duo's POV while Jess will handle Heero's. Small list of cast will follow. Enjoy.

Cinderella – Heero Cinderella's Best Friend – Trowa

Prince Charming – Duo Prince's Best Friend – Quatre

Step-sister One – Relena Prince's Bodyguard – Wufei

Step-sister Two – Hilde Fairy Godmother – Zechs

Step-mother – Une Prince's Father – Treize

Chapter One: Duo POV;

Its not easy being a prince and I know this very well. People think that being royalty means you get everything your heart desires and never have to deal with the things you don't like. HA!! Keep dreaming. I've been in training to become the next king since I was five. I've learned etiquette, languages, diplomacy, mathematics, and the proper ways to act when in the presence of others of high station. I can speak eloquently and use the royal 'we' when required. I can even make royal decrees with relative ease. Is it no wonder, then, that I enjoy running off at the first opportunity?

"Your highness, I really must protest," Quatre R. Winner, my best friend, protested. He was a fair young man. His hair was corn wheat blond and his eyes were an outstanding aquamarine. He was just slightly shorter than me, but that didn't bother me in the least. My own hair was chestnut brown and when left unbraided, fell past my hips. My eyes were an unusual violet, which my father believed would win me any woman. Oh, how right he was on that too.

"Would you chill, Q-bean? You worry too much. I simply need some time away from here." I smirked at him, watching Quatre worry at his bottom lip. He was so adorable when he did that. "Besides, Wuffles will be with me."

Wuffles, actually his name was Wufei Chang, was my designated bodyguard. He had shoulder length ebony black hair that was always slicked back in a ponytail. His eyes were the same shade of ebony as his hair. He was rather stiff at times, but always enjoyed my practical jokes, provided he wasn't a target of them. The man was the same age as me and yet he acted so much older. It was terrible to see such a waste of a young man. He was way too serious for his own good at times.

"You aren't going to leave without me, your highness," Quatre argued. I laughed, adjusting my black cap so it hid my long braid. Black jeans and a simple black turtleneck covered my well-made body. I wasn't built like a strong man, but I had what counted, stealth and brains.

"Willing to leave behind fancy clothes and the easy life?" I asked, knowing full well that Quatre hated this life as much as I did. Quatre snorted.

"Leave without me and you won't make it out of the palace gates," he grumbled. He slipped off then, my laughter echoing after him. Wufei entered the room then, dressed in a casual pair of white slacks and a dark blue tank top.

"Are you certain you want to go to the mall? Couldn't we just go to a movie theater that's far from heavily populated areas?" Wufei questioned. I smirked wickedly. He hated watching me in crowed places. Especially when there was a high risk of my being recognized.

"Calm yourself, Wuffles. We'll be fine. I have every intention of staying hidden."

"My name is Wufei, your highness," he growled.

"Mine is Duo. Try to remember that. Go around calling me your highness in public and we'll certainly be found out." I then looked toward Quatre, who had walked back in dressed in dark blue jeans and a pale pink shirt. Being the only boy in a family of thirty had obviously left its mark on him. "The same goes for you too, Q-bean. No more your highness while we're out."

"I suppose you have a point," Quatre replied.

"I'll try," Wufei added, watching me slip on a pair of dark shades over my eyes.

"So, what movie shall we see?" I asked, following Wufei toward the car. For this outing, we would take Quatre's old baby blue mustang convertible. It was the least noticeable of all the vehicles. Wufei drove a supped up motorcycle and all I had was the family limo. Not something I could sneak around in, that was for certain.

"How about 'Dark Desire'? It's that new vampire movie that came out." Leave it to Quatre to want a movie that has romance for himself, action for Wufei, and a great plot for me.

"I agree with that," Wufei remarked, causing me to roll my eyes.

"Get that stick out of your ass, Wuffles. No one talks like that anymore." As planned, I had hit the right button to set Wufei off on his favorite subject to rant about; my father.

"His majesty, King Treize, happens to speak as I do. He's a loyal fan of keeping English as clean and precise as it always will be."

"That's shall be, old man, not will be," I chimed in. I may not enjoy speaking in so proper a manner, but I am a fast learner. Wufei's face flushed crimson. He hated it when I out spoke him.

"Of course, my prince, forgive my ignorance," Wufei muttered, bowing to me before getting into the back seat. Quatre slipped into the passenger seat, allowing me to take the driver's seat. I love driving, even if it's wrong for a prince to do so. Then again, if it's wrong for a prince to do it, I more than likely will get caught doing it.

"Oh stop that. Today, we're just three guys out for the day. Yell if you want to. It's our day for fun." That said, I started the car and soon was leaving the palace in the distance, a view I enjoyed every time I got to see it.

'Dark Desire' was a rather well done movie. I actually enjoyed myself and so far I hadn't been recognized. That was a blessing in disguise, seeing as my face was plastered up on every poster in the mall. Flyers that spoke of my up coming birthday ball could be seen on almost every storefront. I was supposed to choose a bride from among the hundreds of thousands that would be attending. I didn't have the heart to tell my father that I preferred a little extra below the waist instead of above. In other words, I prefer the boys to the girls.

"I'm just certain Prince Charming will choose me for his bride," a high voice exclaimed from near us. I turned and nearly fell over. Lady Hilde, my most ardent stalker, was talking with her sister, Lady Relena, whom I had dubbed the princess of pink. She never wore any other color but that one color. Who ever dubbed my last name, as Charming should be shot. I actually went by my mother's last name, which was Maxwell. This helped me hide when I needed to use my debit card. No one knew me by that name but my father and the two who were currently with me.

"But Heero's so much better than some stuffy prince," Relena commented. Hilde snorted in a very unladylike fashion.

"Please, he has a job here at the mall, does the household chores, and is our step-brother. That's kind of sick Relena."

"Just because you obsess over the kind of life the prince can give you doesn't mean everyone agrees with you," Relena shot back. Looking at all the women staring at my picture, I had to disagree with her. Just then, someone I hadn't seen in a long while walked into view. Beside me, Quatre perked up. Now that was interesting.

"Trowa!" I hollered. The boy's light brown hair fell in an odd hairstyle, his bangs covering his right eye. His left eye was the most outstanding color of forest green I had ever seen. He looked toward me for a moment and appeared confused. Then his gaze landed on Quatre and he grinned brightly. Once again, a very interesting reaction. He came over to us, wearing a forest green sweatshirt and blue jeans that were slightly faded.

"Duo, Quatre, and Wufei, what brings you to this place? And on such a busy day?" Trowa asked.

"Boredom," I replied with a grin. "What brings you into the depths of the hell we call a mall?" He laughed.

"I'm meeting a friend of mine. He gets off work soon and we had plans to catch a meal in the food court."

"Would it be too much to ask that we join your friend and you?" Quatre asked, a soft pink staining his cheeks. I grinned.

"We just came from the movies and I could use some food. Any suggestions, Tro-man?" He winced at the nickname, but didn't correct me.

"Of course, Quatre. Heero would enjoy company as well. Especially company that will be able to keep his step-sisters in check."

"Seems being the best friend of the prince has its perks," I said, nudging Quatre. Trowa didn't know I was the prince. Nor did he know Wufei was actually my bodyguard.

"Seems so," Quatre agreed.

"I rather just like being the friend of the best friend of the prince," Trowa remarked.

"I do believe you got the better end of the deal, Trowa," I said, watching both boys blush. Wufei rolled his eyes. He knew where I was going with this.

"Shall we go get your friend?" Wufei asked, stopping my fun.

"Yes, let's go." We followed Trowa to a store called 'Wing Zero Inc.'. The company was well known and produced over half of my wardrobe. My father's friend, Count Zechs, owned the company. It was a nice place to shop in, let alone be able to work in.

"Wuffles, you ruined my fun," I complained as Trowa and Quatre moved into the store a little ahead of us. He glared darkly at me, but did nothing. I was soon confronted with the most handsome sight I had ever seen. I pulled on a bright smile and watched him. He had messy chocolate brown hair that lightly brushed against his forehead, almost into the most beautiful Prussian blue eyes I had ever had the privilege to see.

"I don't mind them coming along," my angel said in a deep, nasal sounding voice. What in the world had I missed? "I won't be out until at least another forty minutes, but you can look around if you want in the meantime."

Oh baby, I saw something I wanted and it was right in front of me. Instead, I turned to a leather jacket that caught my eye. It was the same chocolate brown as his hair. "Hey, that's a nice jacket," I said as I took a few steps and grabbed it up. I tried it on, modeling it. "What do you think?" I asked of him, wanting his opinion.

"It looks great on you," he said, seeming to go into a salesman mode. It didn't matter, he could have said I looked semi-all right and I still would get it. I grinned and looked right at him through my glasses.

"How much?" I asked.

"Nine-hundred dollars," he replied easily. He obviously had an eye for this jacket as well. Yet the price was nothing to me. I would have it and it wouldn't even dent my credit card. I looked at myself in the mirror before answering him.

"I'll take it." I noticed his eyes widen just a little. Heero Yuy, Trowa's friend, was very sexy when he did that. I took in the dark navy top and black slacks that molded his body. With Zechs having employed the commission system here, I wasn't about to stop at just this jacket. Oh, my Greek god would get a nice commission from this trip. Before we left to go place things in the car, I had spent well over two thousand dollars. I was floating, knowing I was very much looking foreword to lunch with this boy. I wanted to get to know him better. I only hoped I could remain hidden until we parted ways. For once, I wasn't the prince. I was simply Duo. I loved it.