Phoenix to Ashes
What a pity.
Poor Shirley.
She couldn't identify who was speaking to her with such sadness. She could only see Lelouch's face. Her vision was unreliable, like it had been when she found out her father died; but she could see him just the same, years of age running through his young face.
She could see Zero in the lines of his mouth, and funnily enough, could even hear him as Lelouch shouted at her. Live! Live! Live! Though Milly had been the obvious leader, Lelouch always had a natural sense of command, and she secretly admired him for it. But she preferred it when he laughed. When he laughed, she could cease wondering about the gravity staining his eyes, just for a little while.
For a while his smiles had faded-- Shirley was now certain that was when Zero was born-- but that soft part of Lelouch had stayed the same. The tenderness in his smile never quite departed--
Shirley's life would have flashed before her eyes if Lelouch hadn't taken that spot. She should have died and suffered alone, but Lelouch had come to save her and she could feel only gratitude, pouring out in waves and waves of love. She could feel her wound, a dull, circular throb and she wondered what she'd done wrong, feeling tears creep into her blurry eyes.
"... no matter how many times I'm reborn, I will still love you."
Hearing herself made Shirley feel weak. It was as if the realization of her own trembling voice reminded her of just how precariously close she was to death. She could feel him slipping away from her...
Live! he begged, cried, fought. Live!
Don't, Lelouch, she wanted to say. Don't make me love you more than I alrea--