"Outta the way, Eleven!" A harsh voice, a heavy thud, and a low groan. Lelouch felt his blood boil, but he turned away from the all-too familiar scene. Ever since Britannia had seized control of Japan, the former Japanese (now called Elevens) had suffered cruelly. What Lelouch had just witnessed was no more than the common scuffle between Britannians and Elevens on the street. This time the Britannians had the larger numbers, that was all.
Lelouch turned from the ghetto and headed towards his own, luxurious manor. He pushed upon the heavy front door, calling, "Nunally! I'm home!"
"Onii-chan!" He heard Nunally's happy call. "I'm glad you're home. I…" she paused, hesitated. "What's wrong?"
Lelouch frowned, taken aback, though of course he shouldn't be. Just because Nunally was blind did not mean she was clueless. She had always had a gift for reading people.
"Just tired," he said, not untruthfully. "I'm going upstairs to get some rest." He turned and mounted the stairs.
Cautiously he entered his room, searching it through narrowed eyes. It was not unlike C.C. to be found sprawled o his bed, devouring pizza. Tonight there was no sign of her. He sighed, relieved, and laid down on his bed, thoughts wandering.
Recalling today's earlier incident, his mind came to a rest on Suzaku. Lelouch could so easily replace that nameless Eleven's face with Suzaku's; Suzaku's wide, innocent emerald eyes, his kind face. The thing was, Suzaku was extremely athletic; he could take anyone, any day. But he wasn't that way. Lelouch knew, without ever witnessing, that Suzaku would stand there patiently, taking it.
"Ugh!" Lelouch sat up, bothered beyond sleeping now. He couldn't explain to himself why he cared so much. Lelouch had never felt a need for people who couldn't (or in Suzaku's case, wouldn't) stand up for themselves. Lelouch needed strong followers who would fight back. Yet… Lelouch was down the stairs and out the door before he knew it. Was it because of their friendship as children? Something drew Lelouch to Suzaku.
Lelouch was halfway to Area 11 when he heard a confused voice.
"Lelouch?" Suzaku himself stood there, eyes luminous despite the falling darkness. "What are you dong out here so late at night?"
Lelouch started, then answered evenly, "I should ask you the same question." They watched each other's faces intently for a moment, then both grinned. Suzaku minded his own business, and Lelouch did the same. They both knew this about each other.
Lelouch scanned his friend's face a moment. He caught a glimpse of fresh bruises and swellings. "You've been in a fight." It was not a question.
"Yes." Suzaku answered honestly. Goddamn him! He's always so fucking honest! Lelouch thought.
"Why? Why didn't you fight him- them- back? You could take them, I know you could." Lelouch wondered if it was worth it, they had had this conversation so many times before.
"I am different than you," Suzaku reminded him, "I have my own ways of resistance, and I am not afraid to spill blood for it, as long as it is only my blood I am spilling."
Lelouch's eyes flashed, a dangerous violent purple. "You as much a cause as me to fight, yet you insist that you can overcome from changing within! What proof do you have that it will work?!" he demanded, feeling strangely sick at heart.
Suzaku's green eyes locked on his own violet ones. His face was shockingly close. "It is what I believe in, and I will continue to change Britannia, from within. You have always had faith in force and violence, Lelouch. But I don't want to take lives. I don't want anyone else to lose someone precious. Imagine losing Nunally. She's all you have left now."
Unthinkingly, Lelouch touched Suzaku's bruised cheek. "I don't want to lose you either," he muttered, pulling his hand away and turning abruptly. Suzaku watched him go, eyes wide.