You give Duo a life beyond what others see, and it's so dark and heart breaking and intriging. I love your style, and how well you stuck to Heero's personality and Duo's percieved one. The last four lines are my favorite part.

I think the mask theme has been reincarnated and done so many times that I begin to cringe whenever I see the word.
But your version was good, you avoided most cliches and I liked that there wasn't a clear resoloution. It leaves you guessing.

I like the last two lines and the bit where Duo kills the man who touched his braid the best.

Beauty in its simplest form. I love how you captrued the fact that Duo hides behind a mask. I know someone irl who hold a Duo mask just like that. And its easy to fall for that. I can relate to Heero so well in this. Positivly beautiful.

oh...great story!