A/N: When I was reading the story "It Would Be Better If You Never Woke Up" by AverageLucas, I had this interesting idea bounce around my head, and soon demand to be written. I then messaged AverageLucas and asked if I could borrow his/her concept, as well as the setting, and he/she was kind enough to let me :) So, that is how the story came to be born, from a mere, fascinating concept. If you hadn't read that story by AverageLucas yet, then I suggest you give it a try because it's a quite cute one-shot :) Anyway, roll down and I hope you'll enjoy the story! Thank you for reading! And remember, reviews are like a healthy diet for fanfiction writers :D

Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass.


'

Once, there were a boy and a girl, and they met just like any other boys and girls did. Well, maybe not quite…

"Lelouch," a soft voice was saying. "Come here." A ten-year-old boy followed said voice.

A girl around his age, maybe a few years younger, was standing there, next to an older woman whose hand she was clinging onto. Her eyes studied the couple as they approached.

"This is Lucy, our new chief maid since you know that Alexis has retired recently due to old age," Lelouch's mother said, addressing the other older woman.

Lucy bowed. "It's my honor to serve you."

"And here is her daughter. C.C., am I right?"

"Yes, madam."

Lelouch turned his eyes upon said girl and was met by those round, mysterious golden orbs staring right back at him. She simply did a curtsy and said nothing. Even her face showed no emotions, and for that instant, Lelouch suddenly developed a strange mix of aversion and fascination toward her.

'

Lelouch's eyes fluttered open then squinted against the bright sunlight shining in through the window's drawn curtains.

Blinking, he sat up and rubbed his eyes sleepily.

"You're awake," came a quiet voice next to him. Lelouch didn't have to look to know who it was that spoke.

"Ah. Why is it so bright today?" murmured he.

"It's the beginning of summer. What do you expect? Snow and rain and gloomy weather?"

Lelouch gritted his teeth and frowned. He was quite used to her ways of speaking that sometimes he wasn't completely bothered by them. Key words are "sometimes" and "completely."

"It would be better that you never woke up," said C.C., her voice completely void of emotions.

He shot her a dark look. "Seriously, if you really wish to see me dead then why do you keep serving me?"

"Because that was my mother's wish."

C.C.'s arms were outstretched and on them lay Lelouch's neatly folded clothes. The latter sighed as he stood up.

"I trust you will put this on yourself." That should have come out as a question, but instead it sounded like a statement.

Lelouch's eyebrows twitched. "Of course, I'm not a baby."

"Even older men are spoiled sometimes, especially your kind."

"Really, C.C., I can never fathom why you haven't run away already," Lelouch said through gritted teeth as he put on his morning attire.

"Hm, I cannot lie and say the thought hasn't crossed my mind," smirked the green-haired girl. She had her back to him and was busy looking out the window down at the garden beyond.

"And let me guess. Again, your mother's wish for you to not run away."

"Of course."

A weary sigh escaped his lips. It was only eight, he assumed, in the morning and already a headache was pounding inside his skull.

"Let's go," announced Lelouch. C.C. turned around and followed him out of the room.

'

The table in the dining room was already set when Lelouch arrived.

"Master," acknowledged an old, grey-haired and well-dressed butler. He was standing by a beautifully crafted, wooden chair at one end of the long table on which plates of bagels, sandwiches, cheese and butter were laid.

Lelouch nodded at his personal butler before setting into said chair. C.C. withdrew into her spot on the other side of it. Reaching for a plate and a bagel, Lelouch said to Kellard, the butler: "Is everything ready for my sister?"

"Yes, sir. Everything's set, and if I were correct, Miss Nunnally should arrive before dinner's time," answered Kellard.

"Dinner's time?" Lelouch frowned slightly as he spread butter on his bagel. "Why so late?"

"It appears that Miss Euphemia has a surprise for Miss Nunnally, so she's phoned here earlier this morning saying that your sister will be kept later than the appointed time."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, sir."

A sigh escaped Lelouch's lips. "Well, if that's the case then it can't be helped." Turning to C.C., he said, "Make sure all of her favorite foods are ready by dinner's time."

"Of course. Who do you take me for? An irresponsible chief maid?"

Kellard's face turned a shade paler at his colleague's response, but Lelouch just chuckled. He knew she was responsible, and again, he was so quite used to her way of speaking that it didn't entirely bother him.

After breakfast, Lelouch withdrew to his study room. Occasionally, C.C. would pop in to bring him some tea and snacks, but most of the time, he spent his time alone reading.

'

It was time for dinner.

All the foods were beautifully laid out on the table in the dining hall. Candles shone brightly on the wall and a chandelier on the ceiling gave off a mesmerizing light.

"Where's Nunnally?" asked Lelouch worriedly.

Suddenly, the door to the hall opened and in stepped Kellard. He bowed.

"My apologies, sir," said Kellard respectfully. "There seems to be a road block from Miss Euphemia's house to here, and it would take them a whole night if they were take a detour-"

"Is Nunnally okay?" cut in Lelouch impatiently, and Kellard nodded.

"Yes, sir," he continued. "It's a simple road block by some construction, and you know the way from Miss Euphemia's house to here is quite difficult, let alone some other unknown routes."

"Where are they now?" asked Lelouch.

"They're on their way back, sir."

"If only Euphemia had kept the appointment's time, none of this would have happened," murmured Lelouch through gritted teeth. "I haven't seen Nunnally in a week!"

"You'll see her tomorrow, Lelouch," said C.C.

The raven-haired teen massaged his temples. "I don't feel like eating anymore," said he as he stood up. "Kellard, will you be kind enough to tell me if my sister calls?"

"Yes, sir." The butler bowed as his master exited the room, with C.C. following closely behind.

"This is unbelievable," said Lelouch as he slipped into his dressing-gown. He and C.C. went back to his room and he would remain there until Kellard informed him of his sister's safe return. "And I have such a big surprise to welcome her back with. To think that she won't be here until tomorrow."

"There's nothing they could do about it. Really, Lelouch, I think you're overreacting," said C.C.

He shot her a look. "I'm not overreacting."

"You surely are. Look, your sister has been with you ever since she was born. When was the last time that you've ever let her out of your sight?"

The raven-haired teen stammered for a second. C.C. smirked triumphantly. "Exactly what I thought," she said nonchalantly. "You're just a big, old, over-protective brother, Lelouch. Let the girl have some fun while her youth is still there, eh?"

"My sister's too innocent to… 'have some fun.' That's such a wrong choice of words, C.C."

"You think too much."

"My sister will have everything she wants as long as I am there to protect her."

"More like wrecking her love life," mumbled C.C.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing. Now, Lelouch," said C.C. as she handed him a cup of tea. "Drink this and it'll calm your hormones down." The raven-haired teen shot her another dark look before obediently taking the cup from her hand, which contained green tea with a touch of milk and honey, and sipped from it.

"Is there anything else you need?" asked C.C.

"Just inform me when my sister calls. Good night, C.C.," said Lelouch as he leaned back in his chair with the pillow cushioning the back of his head, and picking up a book, he started reading.

"Good night," said C.C. as the door closed behind her.

"How's Master holding up?" The butler's voice startled C.C. a bit. She turned around and saw him standing by a small table nearby, on which a vase full of beautiful tulips was put.

"He's okay."

"Did he drink his tea?"

"Yes."

"Okay, good." Kellard let out a sigh of relief before continuing. "I already told the other maids to put the food away."

"Thank you, Kellard."

"Good night, C.C."

"Good night."

The mansion was quiet once again.

'

C.C. was drawing the window's curtains the next day when Lelouch gave a grunt from the bed's direction.

"Are you awake?" asked C.C. as she turned around to face him.

"Yes," he grunted and sat up. "What day is today?"

"June 23rd," answered C.C. "Summer's begun."

"Has it?" He squinted at the sunrays coming through the glass windows. "It's so bright."

"Of course. If you wish to see gloomy, cloudy weather, then I suggest you move to the North or South Pole."

He grunted again. "Do you like this kind of weather, C.C.?" asked Lelouch.

The green-haired girl shrugged. "I don't have a specific preference. To me, they all look the same and feel the same." Seeing his slightly puzzled expression, she elaborated, "Why should the weather matter if I don't even bother going out?"

"I see."

"Breakfast is ready for you," said C.C., handing him a set of new clothes. Lelouch quickly got dressed.

"Let's go," he announced and she followed him out.

'

The table was set like yesterday, with plates of bagels and butter and cream and bread, and jars of milk and water.

"Morning, sir," said Kellard.

"Morning, Kellard," nodded Lelouch at his butler. "Is everything ready for Nunnally?" asked he as soon as he sat down in the familiar chair at the head of the table.

"Yes, sir. She will be coming around dinner's time," answered Kellard.

"Dinner's time? Why so late?"

"Miss Euphemia is going to take Miss Nunnally shopping in the morning, and she believes it will take them a whole day."

"But Nunnally already has so much clothes!" exclaimed Lelouch.

C.C. rolled her eyes. "It's not just clothes that draw girls to shopping, Lelouch," she said. "You really don't know anything, do you? I'm sure Euphie is planning to give Nunnally some cosmetics lessons."

Lelouch choked on his coffee. "Cosmetics? Why does she need such thing?" he almost screeched. C.C. stifled a chuckle and replied, "How old is she, Lelouch?"

"Eighteen. You know that, C.C. She's a year younger than you."

"Exactly, and since I am a mere maid, I cannot wear makeup. However, a pretty girl like Nunnally who has a royal status is allowed such thing, am I right?"

"Well, yes, but-"

"It's time she came of age, Lelouch," smirked C.C. at his baffled expression. "She's already pretty, so I'm sure with all the makeup on, she'll look so beautiful that no boys can resist her."

Within a second, Lelouch was already out of his chair, out of the dining hall, and flew to where the phone was, which was located on a small, high table near the kitchen's doors.

"C.C.!" hissed Kellard as he walked briskly after his master. "What are you doing?"

The girl simply shrugged. "It's fun teasing him. Come on, Kellard, it's already too dull around here. We need some ah, amusement."

"Not like this! What-" he stopped mid-sentence when they finally caught up to the panting raven-haired teen, who was furiously dialing a number on the phone. C.C. only stood there smirking with her arms crossed across her chest, while Kellard looked like he was going to have a heart attack any second.

"Hello? Hello?" Lelouch was speaking into the receiver. "Nunnally? Oh, Euphie. It's me, Lelouch. Where's Nunnally? May I speak to her?"

"…"

"Ah, Suzaku took her out for a morning walk. I see. Well, it's nothing. It's just…" He bit down on his lower lip before continuing. "Make sure you keep a watch on her, Euphie. Don't let her do anything… wild. Yes, keep her ah, within your reach. She's still very innocent if you know what I mean."

"…"

"Yes, yes, I understand. I know. You're a good girl… What? No! I didn't mean anything by it."

"…"

"Okay." He smiled ruefully. "You'll have her back by tonight, right?"

"…"

"Thank you, Euphie. I'll see you later."

Putting down the receiver, Lelouch glared at C.C. who looked as calm as a person attending a boring therapy session.

"Master…" It was Kellard who broke the silence. But even he didn't quite know what to say.

A sigh escaped Lelouch's lips. "You know where to find me," muttered he as he strolled away, in the direction of his study room.

Kellard and C.C. exchanged a glance before the latter shrugged, turned around and walked away.

"He eats like a cat. He never finishes his food," commented the green-haired girl with her back to the butler.

'

Night came.

"Where's Nunnally?" asked Lelouch impatiently as he glanced his watch and eyed the delicious-looking foods on the long table in the dining hall.

C.C. was twirling a strand of her long, lime-green hair when Kellard opened the door and walked in.

"Sir," he said respectfully. "There's been a development."

"What?" Lelouch's eyes became sharp as he turned them upon the butler.

"Well, there's been some road construction, and Miss Euphemia has just called to inform that they won't be able to make it tonight."

"Is Nunnally okay?" asked Lelouch worriedly.

"Yes, sir. It's a simple construction, but since the detours are quite dangerous at night, Sir Suzaku proposed that they should go home and try tomorrow."

An exasperated sigh escaped Lelouch's lips. "If only they had kept with the appointment's time, this wouldn't have happened."

"There's nothing they could do about it now, Lelouch," said C.C. calmly.

"Fine," muttered Lelouch. "You're sure Nunnally's alright?"

"Yes, sir."

"I'll be in my room. Inform me when my sister has returned safely."

As he and C.C. exited the room, the latter exchanged a look with the butler. The dining hall's door closed quietly behind them.

"This is unbelievable," said Lelouch as he slipped into his dressing-gown. "To think that-"

"You're overreacting, Lelouch," said C.C as she dutifully made tea for him while he got dressed.

"I'm not overreacting."

"Yes you are. You'll see her tomorrow. Now drink this."

Lelouch shot her a frustrated look before taking the cup from her hand, from which he drank.

"You'll let me know if my sister calls?"

"I'll silently keep the news to myself and snuggle with it when I sleep."

"C.C." His voice spoke volumes of threat.

She rolled her eyes, opening the door. "Of course. Good night, Lelouch."

"Good night, C.C." He leaned back in his chair, with the back of his head cushioned by a pillow and an open book in his hand. C.C. closed the door quietly behind her.

She was leaning against the closed door. Her loosely tied hair was hanging about her, and her bangs drooped down to obscure the upper half of her face, concealing her pretty eyes. She remained like that for second before pushing herself off the door, and walking toward the kitchen.

"I can't believe this." A voice from within stopped her in her tracks.

"Shush, lower your voice!" another sounded.

Two maids gossiping to each other was something C.C. was used to, and thus something that she hardly cared about, but this time she wanted to hear it through.

"I mean, she's our age for crying out loud! Why she gets to boss us around is something I can't understand."

"That's because her mother used to be a chief maid here, and when she died, C.C. succeeded her."

"Well, that makes sense. But explain this to me. When we all have to-"

"Shush! Lower your voice, would you?"

The voice was considerably lowered. C.C. had to scoot closer to the door and pressed herself against the wall directly to the right of said door to be able to hear better.

"When we all have to be respectful toward the Master, I don't get why she acts so casually with him and he never seems to be bothered by it!"

A sigh. "That's because they're like childhood friends."

"Eh! Childhood friends?"

"Well, technically no. But they met when they were kids, from what I heard, and apparently back then, the parents weren't too hard on rules and traditions, so they got close, and that's just how it is."

"I don't think it's fair."

"Why?" A giggle was heard. "You're jealous?"

"No! Well… yes, maybe… Yes! I'm jealous. She's so stubborn, cold, distant, disrespectful, sarcastic, yet he considers her a friend? I'm like the total opposite of her and he never gives me a second look." A sigh. "He smiles, yes. Oh, his smiles…"

"Stop dreaming, Angela! You crazy girl. You're just a maid, so know your place."

"She's a maid, too!"

"A chief maid." And in stepped C.C., freezing the girls on the spot in the process.

"What do you think you're doing?" said C.C. coldly. Her cool and deadly tone was an equivalent to the poison of a most dangerous snake. "You think you can just stand there and gossip all day long? If that's really what you want, I suggest you go pack right away and look for a different job, because we do not want slackers here in this house."

"We're sorry, C.C.!" the girls said in reunion.

C.C.'s icy glare pierced through their faces so violently that one of them almost burst into tears, while the other glanced down and fidgeted with her hands.

"If I ever hear you speak out of line like this again, you'll find your belongings in the street." With that, C.C. turned on her heels and walked away. Before she exited the kitchen however, she stopped and spoke without turning around. "Did you clean the dining hall yet?"

"N-No, C.C."

"Then get to it." Once again, her icy tone sent the two girls stumbling out of the kitchen.

C.C. sighed. Maids and their useless, fruitless gossips… They never learned.

'

When her internal clock chimed six in the morning, C.C. opened her eyes and sat up. She was always the first one to wake up in this household. Quickly changing into her maid's outfit, C.C. opened the door to her quarters and walked along the long corridor, stopping occasionally to open the curtains, thus allowing morning's light to shine through and brightening the hallway.

When she reached his room, she soundlessly opened the door as to not wake him.

The room was dark and there was a lump on the bed, indicating he's still sound asleep. C.C. crept forward, picked up the teacup and his book on the bedside table. Then suddenly, she stopped.

He looked so serene just lying there and sleeping. His handsome face showed no pains or emotions. Sincerity seemed to emit from his delicate features. His even breathing and the slow, steady rise of his chest fascinated her to the point that it made her bend down on both knees, resting her folded arms on the edge of his bed for support, and her eyes merely studied the way he peacefully inhaled and exhaled.

Reaching out a hand to brush his long bangs away, she could now clearly see his long, dark lashes. They're just so still…

"Sometimes, I wish you never woke up," whispered to C.C.

To her surprise, Lelouch's eyelids fluttered open. She quickly drew back into a standing position.

He was rubbing his eyes sleepily when she asked, "You're awake, Lelouch?"

"Ahh. Is it still night? It's so dark in here."

"Don't be silly. I just haven't drawn the curtains yet." C.C. quickly gathered the teacup and his book to put them away before walking back toward the windows.

All of sudden, the room was filled with bright light.

Lelouch was feeling groggy. He kept touching the side of his head.

"Are you okay?" asked C.C.

"Yeah, I'm fine," mumbled Lelouch. He still hadn't left the bed.

"Clearly you're not, so stop acting all tough and tell me what's wrong."

"It's just my head. I don't know why but I think I'm having a headache."

C.C. stilled for a second before replying. "It's probably your imagination. Don't worry about it." When she saw that he didn't budge, she couldn't help rolling her eyes. "Are you going to act like a baby now and want me to dress you?"

"D-Don't be absurd!"

"Then get dressed already. Your clothes are on your bedside table."

While he was changing, C.C. took a look at her tray and her brows shot up slightly. Perhaps she did put a bit too much last night…

'

"What's wrong with the Master?" Kellard spoke quietly to C.C., who was standing next to him, while Lelouch was grumpily and slowly spreading blueberry jam onto his bread.

"What do you mean?" C.C. said all innocently.

"He's a bit… down, I suppose."

"Ah, I put a little bit in too much last night."

"C.C.!"

Lelouch glanced back. Kellard smiled awkwardly. The former turned around and resumed his activity.

"Don't worry. It won't happen again," murmured C.C.

"You could've killed him," hissed Kellard through gritted teeth.

"Yes, I know. I'm aware of that. But he's still alive and healthy, isn't he?"

A resigned sigh escaped the old butler's lips. Suddenly, sounds of a phone ringing resonated throughout the mansion.

"I'll get it," said Kellard as he quickly excused himself and exited the room.

All was quiet for about two minutes, then it was Lelouch who broke it: "Where's the newspaper?"

"Now that you mentioned it, the newspaper boy seems to be late today," replied C.C. nonchalantly.

Lelouch's raven brow rose slightly. "He's never late before."

"Who knows? Maybe news is slow these days." C.C. shrugged her slender shoulders.

"Would you mind bringing me the newspaper when it does come?"

"No, I wouldn't."

Silence ensued. Until it was Kellard this time that broke it. Coming into the room, he looked a bit breathless and more excited for C.C.'s taste. She regarded the older man oddly.

Even Lelouch noticed it. "What is it, Kellard?" he asked with his finished bread in his hand.

"It's your family, sir." Kellard took a deep breath, composed himself before finishing his sentence. "They're coming tomorrow."

'

"This isn't good," murmured the old butler as he and C.C. stood by one of the windows in the corridor connecting the dining hall and the kitchen. Outside, in the nicely trimmed and beautifully decorated garden beyond, Lelouch was sitting under the shades of a huge oak tree, a book in his hand. No matter how much the sun wanted to, its light couldn't touch the man's frame.

C.C. didn't say anything immediately. Her gaze was glued to the boy on the other side of the glass.

"Does the rest of his family know?" she asked quietly.

"I don't think so. Charles and Marianne don't want others to know about what happened. They think it a disgrace to the Britannia name."

"Parents of the year, huh. So beside them, no one else knows?"

"No, they want to keep it a secret, and god help us, they would have our heads if it were spilled!"

"I couldn't care less about what they want." C.C. turned her sharp gaze on the butler, causing him to shrink slightly. Her voice was icy and hard when she spoke next, "I made a promise with my mother a long time ago that I would protect him, and so I will. Nothing will stand between me and my duty."

"That's easy for you to say, C.C.," said Kellard meekly. "I'm afraid I can't be as strong and resolute as you." He took a deep breath. "But I know where my loyalty lies, and it lies here with him, so I will do everything in my power to protect him." A warm smile stretched out on the thin man's lined face.

C.C. nodded in gratefulness.

"Do you think his friends will come as well since it's a big reunion?"

"I feel like he will want to invite them," Kellard said.

"He's not the type to dwell in a lavish lifestyle. However, it will wave off suspicion if we had some help."

"What kind of help?"

C.C. looked at her colleague from the corner of her eye and smirked mysteriously.

'

"Ah, it's me, Sir Suzaku," Kellard said into the phone's receiver. "You see, we have a problem and we are in dire need of your help, and we would appreciate it very much if you could provide it-"

"Can you please hurry up?" said C.C. in a low voice while tapping her foot impatiently on the carpeted floor. "He'll question as to where we've been."

"Right." Kellard cleared his throat. "You see, Sir Suzaku, Master's family is coming over to visit tomorrow… Yes, his whole family… That's exactly it. No one knows about what happened… I swear that's the truth. That's why it'll help tremendously if you could come, Sir Suzaku. Oh and bring Miss Euphemia, too."

A pause.

"Milly Ashford?"

"That's his other close friend," said C.C. "She's good."

"Then yes, by all means, Sir Suzaku." A bright smile broke out on Kellard's face. "Thank you so much, sir! The starting time is…"

'

"This is unbelievable," grumbled Lelouch. "I have such a big surprise for her homecoming, and she won't be here until tomorrow!"

"Are you going to change into your pajamas or not?"

"Are you even listening to me, C.C.?"

"Yes, of course, sir. But right now, I'm not in the mood so either you get dressed quickly so I can go to sleep or I dress you. Either way benefits me but not you, so what do you say?"

Lelouch threw her a daggers look. If looks could kill, C.C. would be lying there on the floor, dead, with a pool of blood around her and a horrified expression on her face.

He snatched the clothes from her hand and quickly changed into his pajamas as suggested. C.C. fixed him his usual drink and handed it to him.

"Have a good night, Lelouch," said she when he'd finished the cup and put it on the table.

"You know, C.C." His voice stopped her at the door. She turned around with her hand on the doorknob. Her raised eyebrow prompted him to continue. "I'm not really looking forward to tomorrow," said Lelouch. "I haven't seen all of my family members in so long it's going to feel quite alienated seeing them tomorrow. Besides, my parents won't even be here, so why this sudden change of hearts on their parts?"

"Don't worry about them, Lelouch. Just know that no matter what happens, I'll be by your side." Smirking at his subtly surprised expression, she continued, "It's my duty to serve you, isn't it? And I would want to do it perfectly."

"Thank you, C.C."

"Good night."

"Good night."

This time, it was C.C. who had a pounding headache inside her skull.