Disclaimer: Code Geass and its characters belong to Sunrise


"She's not coming,"

Suzaku sighed once more as he watched his friend pace some more. After months of planning, preparations, and clearing all the necessary conditions, he didn't really expect Lelouch to focus too much on one variable.

One that he should be sure of more than all the others. Honestly, just ask any person who knew him. And her.

It was sort of funny, though, watching Lelouch having the wedding jitters. All that confidence he had shown as a child, as Zero, and as emperor of the world seemed to belong to someone else if you saw him now. If any of his enemies were to see him now, they would probably use this moment as a weakness to be exploited. Luckily for this occassion, it would only be close friends and family; away from the press, away from the royal guard, away from his many matchmaking ministers.

Away from Britannia, just as he planned ― his one last act of rebellion.

Officially, Lelouch was here to attend the UFN's World Unity Conference. He and Nunnally represented Britannia, as the future and present heads of the empire, respectively. The Britannian ministers were against the idea at first, insisting that he be crowned before letting him take on official duties. But, thanks to the combined forces of Nunnally's reasoning and Kaguya's charm, they relented.

Which, as it turned out, was the easiest condition to clear in planning the wedding. Being in Japan made staying away from Kallen more difficult. Suzaku believed making it this far would mean smooth sailing, but Lelouch was still adamant about the secrecy. If the slightest hint that he was getting married reached the ministers, it risked him getting hauled back to Britannia faster than Suzaku could dodge bullets. That, coupled with the added security to the Peace Tower ― the structure built atop the FLEIJA crater ― was at its tightest because of the international delegation. That made it difficult to disguise his bride's arrival. Therefore the last-minute planning, near-insane arrangements and the tightest schedule for a wedding that probably ever existed.

Which, when Suzaku last checked, was going on without a hitch. He checked his phone one more time to see that everything was, in fact, right on schedule. The guests and officiator had plausible reasons to be in the tower. The bride would not be arriving too early nor too late to keep the rest of the world oblivious to this special ocassion until it was over, and Lelouch would be attending tonight's World Unity ball with his new wife by his side.

Turning to speak to his friend, Suzaku paused when he saw Lelouch caressing his pocket watch. It was a gift from Kallen, given before he left for Britannia months ago. To keep him on schedule, she had said. Lelouch's fingers were running along the fine braid that marked the edges of the red velvet inner lining of its cover ― a lock of her hair; in plain sight yet easily dismissed by anyone who didn't know what it was. Sighing at the sight, instead of the full status report he had intended to say, he simply put a hand on his friend's shoulder and said only what he needed to hear,

"She'll be here."

A beep from his phone confirmed the arrival of their last-minute special guest. Right on time. Like Lelouch, he hoped Kallen would appreciate the surprise.


"Just a little longer, honey."

Kallen nodded in understanding. Milly gave her hand one last squeeze before disappearing from view, and her world was reduced to the size of the inside of a crate.

Kallen fought back the memory of being captured during her days with the Black Knights. This was nothing at all like that time then, when her fate was uncertain. When the time came to leave this space, it would be to take last few steps on her life as Kallen Kouzuki, towards her future with Lelouch.

She let out a breath and tried to make herself comfortable on the plush chair she was sitting on and listened to the sounds outside. In minutes, she could feel she was being moved. Now she needed to remain perfectly still until the signal to open the crate came.

She distracted herself by thinking back to the past few months. Lelouch returned to Britannia to be prepared for his coronation. She was left behind to trick the ministers into believing they could influence him by suggesting good matches. Kallen, meanwhile was to be courted by Gino, who was more than happy to be part of the game with his favorite couple. The gifts that Gino gave were actually from Lelouch; notes that Gino sent were messages from Lelouch, coded in a way that only she would understand.

She hadn't been idle, either. Lelouch had assured her that, even as his queen, she would be able to pursue her chosen profession, and so she put her efforts into being accepted by the best universities in the Britannian homeland. Not too long ago she had received a letter congratulating her for being accepted to an apprenticeship with Dr. Kane, a medical doctor sought after for hopeless cases but one who generally snubbed the nobility and the royals. How the man survived the wrath of Charles di Britannia was still a mystery, but with how her interview went ― which was an adventure in itself ― she could not have hoped for a better mentor.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt the movement stop, followed by the sound of voices. Three taps to her left meant somebody was inspecting the 'delivery'. The Ashfords were able to pull some strings when it came to the personnel within the tower, but were powerless when it came to the entrances; they wouldn't be able to get her inside without anyone else knowing. She closed her eyes and grasped the Guren's key a little tighter, willing her heart to beat a little less loudly while picturing the engraving in her mind's eye.

To Q-1. For all time

It did calm her enough to let herself slowly exhale after sensing movement resuming and hearing two taps to her right to mean they were clear. Now all she was waiting for was the four taps from the front in a 2-1-1 sequence to mean they were letting her out.

She slumped once again against her chair, mindful not to ruin her hair. Milly did spend two hours in the back of a closed van driving around town fixing her up so she would look 'marvelous'. Ruining it would mess up their incredibly tight schedule. Officially she was in a motor home for a camping trip with Gino, until they made the switch with a body double at a rest stop, changes of clothes and wigs having been prepared long beforehand. It was barely after the switch that Milly practically ripped her clothes off so she could start her work, which ended when they closed up the crate.

Dolled up in a robe and bunny slippers on a chair in a crate wasn't at all how she pictured how she would arrive to her own wedding. Heck, she even had yet to see her own wedding dress. She imagined any other woman would call it off as soon as the word 'crate' came up; or even when they learn they wouldn't get to pick their dress. She could agree, however, that it was somewhat degrading to be transported in such a manner. But she understood the need for secrecy, and she trusted Lelouch completely.

Yes, even with picking out her wedding dress.

She closed her eyes when the taps finally came, to prepare herself for the difference in brightness. Opening her eyes, she was greeted by her mother's smile. Greetings were cut short, however, when Milly pulled her towards the dressing room. What she saw next left her breathless.

"M'lady," Milly spoke while waving with great flourish. "Your dress."

Oh, Lelouch.


"She's here."

Suzaku smiled as he watched Lelouch move as if he literally had lost a heavy burden, while his expression changed from anxious, to excited,

To downright terrified.

"Lelouch," he said as he clutched his friend's shoulder, "you got this."

Reluctantly, Lelouch nodded. "Right. Give the signal."

With a nod, Suzaku tapped his phone to send a message to their guests, who were in scattered locations within the Peace Tower, to convene in the small chapel. They would each arrive through a different route, taking a different entrance. All those entrances will be shut and the moment they passed through: Ohgi and Viletta from the middle-right, Tohdoh and Chiba through the left-front, Kaguya, Tianzi, and Xingke from the middle-left, and Nunnally from the main entrance. Kallen and Milly were already at the adjoining room, and their special guest would be entering from the door opposite. With everybody at their places within minutes, the locks to the entrances' clicked collectively as if to signal that all was ready.

Had this been a proper imperial wedding ceremony, none other than Pendragon Philharmonic would have been performing the music. This time, though, a digital playback of a recording by a less-known group would suffice. With another tap from Suzaku's phone, the music began playing through the small chapel's speakers.

-.o.O.o.-

A rookie reporter and a fellow rookie cameraman were trying their best to make themselves invisible. Through an anonymous tip, they received instructions that led them to an entrance to this place, with the door they entered through locking itself behind them. Of course, they thought about checking for other exits, but people started coming in.

And by "people" they meant "PEOPLE". Prime Minister Ohgi was there. Empress Nunnally vi Britannia was there. Others-whose-names-they-probably-know-but-can't-recall-right-now-because-they're-panicking were there, too! Their escape instinct reaching never-before-experienced levels, they hoped to make a break for any of the doors that opened next. However, with the sound of the locks of all entrances, kinda dashed that.

They were DOOMED.

Then music started playing. Then Milly Ashford came into view sprinkling flower petals as she walked.

The rookie reporter's brain came online first. Their boss was dressed to kill, true, but it was subdued compared to her usual party dresses. The makeup was light, too. She then noticed what music was playing, and was the first to understand where they were and what this was.

This was a wedding, and their boss was a bridesmaid.

The tip came from her!

Knowing their boss would have their heads if she didn't show on camera, she dragged her partner cameraman to the far left of the altar and hissed that he start filming. When she was satisfied that everything was underway, she took notice of who the groom was for the first time.

Omigodomigomigod!

-.o.O.o.-

Milly noticed movement to her left and saw her two junior team members move into position. Good girl, she winked at the reporter before turning her attention to Lelouch. As she expected, he was looking to her for reassurance.

Silly Lulu, she thought. When she thought he would be at his most confident did he become so insecure. Though, as much as she would love to have made him feel worse in any other time, she knew he needed her to be his friend today. She gave him small smile and a tiny nod behind her, see for yourself.

-.o.O.o.-

Kallen took her position at the end of the aisle and waited for her turn to walk down it.

This is it, she thought, calming herself with deep breaths. She had to hand it to Lelouch, the dress had fit perfectly; snug in some parts, but not at all tight anywhere. It was also unexpectedly easy to put together, allowing for more time to adjust her headdress and veil. The veil that covered her face lightly blurred her vision, but not so much to not be able to recognize Lelouch in the distance, with Suzaku standing beside him.

She felt Ohgi walk up beside her and, out of the corner of her vision, saw him offer his arm. She gratefully accepted it and gulped. Feeling his hand cover hers and give it a little squeeze, it calmed her somewhat.

Finally, the music changed, and the guests stood up to welcome the bride. Her eyes widened when she recognized Ohgi's tall frame standing beside Villetta in the row nearest the altar. With a gasp, she looked to face who she thought was Ohgi. At the sight of his face, she felt her heart leap to her throat in recognition.

"Daddy," she said, her voice a choked whisper. Was she dreaming?

"Later, Princess," he whispered to her; he hadn't called her that since the invasion. "Your prince is waiting."

It took some effort to look ahead of her, but he was right ― her prince was waiting. She settled for tightening her hold of his arm as they walked, wanting to make sure he won't vanish along the way. The slight squeeze she received in return gave her an assurance that he was indeed there with her, and that he wasn't going anywhere.

-.o.O.o.-

He couldn't take his eyes off her. He had chosen the dress' design based on Kallen's preference for freedom of movement, combined with (though it would be tough to make him say it out loud) highlighting parts of her that he found especially attractive. From what he could make out from under the veil, Milly had done exceptional work on her hair and makeup.

She was perfect.

A tug from Suzaku made him realize he had unconsciously taken a step toward her. Discreetly, he resumed his position and waited.

He watched Kallen's surprised expression when she recognized her father before they both walked down the aisle. He had trouble tracking the man down, who was reported to have disappeared when the news of the first FLEIJA warhead first reached Britannia. During his time as the Demon Emperor, there had still been no news of his whereabouts, and had later been presumed dead in the attack by the Damocles at Pendragon.

By some stroke of luck ― or fate, depending on how one looked at the circumtance ― they found him at Naoto's gravesite the night before, just when Lelouch thought to pay his respects before proceeding with the plans for the wedding. Had Kallen hadn't inherited the man's eyes, he could've dismissed the drunk and unkempt old man as one of the many homeless that lingered after the war. After having the man cleaned up and a hastily-arranged late night rendezvous with Kallen's mother, they were able to confirm that he was indeed the missing earl.

And he was more than willing to help make today the happiest day in his daughter's life.

Now the two most important men in Kallen's life faced each other, at the junction between her past and her future.

"Take good care of my little princess, Lelouch."

"I will, sir," he replied.

Nodding, Kallen's father gently moved her hand from his arm to Lelouch's waiting hand. With one last gaze at the couple and a squeeze to their joined hands, he turned to take his place beside Kallen's mother.

-o.O.o.-

Scoop. Of. The. Effin. Century!

The so-called Celibate Prince because he rejected every potential match proposed to him.

The Ace of the Black Knights supposedly in a camping trip with the Knight of Three.

Tying the knot.

And we're the only ones covering it!

Well, we pretty much just stayed put and watched.

But, still―!

Omigodomigodomigod!

And it was all, so, BEAUTIFUL!

How their vows were so simple.

How they looked at each other before they kissed.

How their big, BIG hug afterward got louder cheers than their kiss.

Oh gosh, I'm gonna cry.

I looked to where the boss was, and saw her wink back at us.

Thanks so, SO much for the break, Boss!


"Oh, Lelouch! Right there! A-aah!"

With a drawn-out moan and later a satisfied sigh, Kallen let her shoulders relax after the massage that Lelouch had been giving her. When she was done showering, she was surprised to see him waiting for her. He went on to sit her down, towel-dried then combed her hair. He then went on to massage her scalp, slowly moving down to the back of her neck, and, finally, to her shoulders.

"I thought your headdress seemed pretty heavy when you took it off earlier. Better?"

She nodded in response. "Thanks. It felt wonderful."

Satisfied, he gave her a peck on the cheek. "Try to relax, Love. I'll be right back." It was his turn to take a shower. She nodded in acknowledgement before he picked up his own towel and left.

Love, she smiled at his new pet name for her as she changed out of her bathrobe into her pajamas. All in all, it had been the perfect day, with frends and family sharing in every bit of it. Gino and Miya (her body-double) even took the time to send them a video from the camping trip to congratulate them. To top it all off, she was officially introduced as Lelouch's wife at the Unity Ball, and, by extension, to the world. If Lelouch read his ministers right, the publicity they got was enough to make them not try to undo it.

Sitting down at the foot of the emperor-sized bed, she daydreamed about how the rest of the night would go. If that massage was any indication, her thoughts began, but she quickly stopped herself. Lelouch was probably tired himself. Even if he did get trained by Suzaku enough to improve his stamina. And strong enough to carry her across the threshold without difficulty. And that nice, toned chest she felt through his tux when he did...

Argh! Stop thinking like a pervert, Kallen! she told herself. With a huff, she let herself fall back into the bed. But she wouldn't lie to herself, it was because she had missed him so much that she was more than willing to make the most of their reunion.

Even if they were going to spend the rest of their lives together, anyway.

She sighed once more, and listened to the water that was still running. Figuring that she would be waiting a while longer, she decided to follow Lelouch's advice and tried to relax. She blinked once, and let one stray thought enter her mind.

This bed sure is comfy...

-.o.O.o.-

Not unlike Kallen, Lelouch was thinking about how the rest of the night would be spent. The sounds she made when he gave her that massage, they were music to his ears. It didn't help that he had sorely missed her presence, so he craved for everything that was uniquely her.

And his body was reacting in... not unexpected ways.

Considering the plans they had early the following morning, he would rather they both got some rest ― to wait, just a little more. But, he had to admit to himself, they've waited more than long enough. Sighing, he decided to just ask her if she was still up to it.

He exited the bathroom to see Kallen sprawled on the bed, with her legs hanging off the side, arms akimbo.

Fast asleep.

He smiled at the sight. It had been a long day for both of them. After pulling the covers off one side of the bed, he picked her up so he could seat her on his lap. With her head over his right shoulder and her legs to his left, he then moved so that they went under the covers at the same time ― a little trick he learned while caring for Nunnally. When he was satisfied with their positions, he pulled the covers over both of them.

"...louch," came Kallen's sleepy voice. He looked down to see her smiling in her sleep. Charmed by the sight, he kissed her forehead.

"Good night, Kallen," he whispered before letting his own eyes fall closed.

"...love you," he heard her say, and it was his turn to smile.

Without opening his eyes, his hand sought hers before responding, "I love you, too."


A/N:

This has been sitting half-written for years. Finally had enough inspiration to finish this. Hope you liked it!