Pawn to Queen

Author's notes: After agonising over the title of this one shot, I decided a chess metaphor was in order. Because Lelouch loves chess and likens life to it. First Code Geass fic I've posted (not written, but those aren't good enough yet), so feedback is appreciated, especially if it helps me improve.

-x-

Suzaku stood facing away from Zero—no, Lelouch, he mentally corrected. He will always be my Lelouch. He could feel Lelouch's eyes on his back, trying to dig deep into his heart. Suzaku caressed the twisted and rusted metal frame that once belonged to a building, a building built before Japan had lost its name and independence. Now it was destroyed and left to rot.

Just like us Elevens, Suzaku thought, and it left a bitter taste on his tongue.

"What am I to you?" His voice cut through the silence like a blade to skin – the sudden noise was almost painful for Lelouch to hear; he winced from it. Suzaku turned his head and looked over his shoulder to gaze into those piercing violet eyes, perhaps to search for the answer in their depths.

Lelouch took one fluid step forward, then another and another until Suzaku could feel Lelouch's hot breath fanning his neck.

"In chess," Lelouch began, "there are pieces specially selected for the sole purpose of being sacrificed. It's no different in real life—it happens all the time in wars."
Suzaku scoffed. "I'm your pawn, then? The lamb bred purely for the slaughter?"
Lelouch shook his head. "No."
Suzaku turned completely and was confronted by Lelouch, still garbed as Zero sans the mask.

"Then what am I to you, Lelouch?" Lelouch's stoic demeanor infuriated the honorary Britannian.
"You are the pawn that is promoted to something like a queen," said Lelouch simply. "You move from being expendable to being valuable, especially to someone who has the king piece. You can capture other pieces and defend the one you..." He hesitated, and Suzaku caught it. "...You must protect."

Lelouch took Suzaku into his arms then. "When everyone around us is gone, who will protect me? The queen can condemn the king to death by not protecting it." He lifted Suzaku's chin and leaned over him a little, as if imposing his control over him.

"Next to the king… The queen is the most powerful and important piece. So to the king—me—you are important. You stand by me no matter what the battle and no matter what the outcome."

Suzaku wasn't sure if Lelouch was still talking about chess or if he was talking about them – their relationship.

"And besides—" Lelouch smirked here, "—you could never be a pawn to me. You're my queen."

Lelouch claimed Suzaku's lips and pushed him against the rusted metal frame of the destroyed building.

Checkmate.