For lilzazu- who asked for a dance and shapshifters. (I think this shows I watched Labyrinth too many times!)
Halloween Drabble 47
At Midnight
It felt odd to be human again.
Making his way through the ballroom, Heero felt the wolf inside long to run away from this confining space filled with people that made his nose itch. His lips lifted in a hidden snarl behind his mask.
How long did he have left? It felt like he'd searched the room for hours... no clocks were visible in the room, but he knew it couldn't be much longer.
And if he failed tonight.... then he'd never have a chance to regain this form permanently.
Maybe it was for the best.... after all, maybe she'd taken advantage of Heero's absence to woo his lover- did Duo even know what had happened? Had he thought Heero abandoned him? Or had that woman spitefully enchanted Duo as well? Was that why Heero couldn't find him? Was Duo wandering around this room in a shape not his own? He'd caught no sign of anyone who resembled his lover- and though his nose was keener now, it was no help to him. He'd never caught Duo's scent as the wolf...
He reached the large windows, open to let the cooling night air in, and stopped, drawing in deep breaths of clean air.
Closing his eyes, he could see her, standing over him as her magic twisted his form, laughing.
A year and a day, my fine wolf! Run in the forest, chase chickens, forget him! He is too good for the common likes of you! A year from now he won't care to see you again- if you can even find him!
I will find him! Heero had snarled at her. I will always find him!
That's romantic nonsense! You can't truly think-
I do! I will find him! And he will want to see me!
Shall we wager on it? If on the last day of my curse, you can find your lover- then my spell will break. If it doesn't... then you'll never be a human again.
Heero couldn't answer her- not in words- and even if he could, it wasn't as if he truly had a choice...
When he'd awakened as a human this morning, a gold-edged invitation and a pile of clothes beside him, he'd felt a surge of hope....
But now- here in the very palace he and Duo had grown up together, chasing each other through the hallways... the son of a prince and the son of the huntsman...
He had always known he wasn't worthy of Duo's love- had Duo finally seen that too?
Maybe Duo wasn't even here. Maybe the invitation and the costume had been another trap.
Leaning against the window frame he contemplated jumping out the window and returning to the forest. Better than regaining that form among these masqueraders...
"Sir?" The voice was soft and gentle. A hand touched his arm and he turned to find a golden-haired lady standing beside him, her mask a shimmering oval of white, a gleaming tear painted on the perfect cheek. "Will you dance with me?" Her eyes gleamed green through the mask, sparkling as she looked at him, waiting.
Was this the enchantress? Did she come to gloat?
If so- at the very least, maybe she would assure him of Duo's well being?
"Of course, lady," he said and offered his arm. They moved slowly towards the dance floor, joining the dance as it paused for a moment.
How many times had he and Duo danced here as he helped the other practice his steps before the dancing master arrived?
"How are you enjoying the ball?" She asked as they moved across the floor.
"Not at all," he replied. "I hoped to find someone, but now I wonder if they are here at all." If this was the enchantress, better to tell her now that he knew of her trickery.
"Someone you care for?"
"Yes. More than anything."
"If they love you, then they will be here too."
"I wish I could know that for certain," he let a bit of steel into his voice. Had she cheated?
"How can you doubt your love?" The question wasn't voiced mockingly- the lady sounded sad. Maybe.. maybe this wasn't the enchantress after all?
"It's been a long time since I've seen him... he might have forgotten all about me."
"It is a masked ball," his partner pointed out. "How can you be sure he isn't here? Wait for the unmasking and you will surely find him."
Would the enchantress play with him like this? Or was this just truly some innocent, tender-hearted lady? "The unmasking is after midnight. I may not stay that late."
"It is only a few moments from now," his partner tilted her head, she seemed to be studying his eyes intently. "The midnight bell will ring soon."
It would ring- and his shape would change-
He tried to pull away from his partner, but her hands tightened down on his arms. "Lady- let me go- I can't stay-"
"I will never let you go." She pushed him fiercely, off the dance floor and into a darkened corner. "Never!"
His heart leaped into his throat. Damn her! This was the enchantress! He snarled through his mask, wondering if he'd be able to take her throat as the change hit him- even if it trapped him in wolf shape forever at least Duo would be safe!
The midnight bell began to toll.
One of her hands let go of his arm, pulled off his mask, threw it to the side. "It is you!"
Furious, Heero reached for her mask, only to gasp as it melted into smoke under his fingers. The lady in his arms shook herself, her costume fading into colored sparks that danced and disappeared, her hair losing its golden sheen...
Duo flung himself into Heero's arms, holding on tight.
Heero's arms closed around the man in his arms.
Please let this be real...
The bell chimed the last stroke of midnight and Duo pulled away just enough to put his hand on Heero's cheek. "You're still here."
Heero covered Duo's hand with his own. "Yes- thanks to you."
OWARI
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