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Minor vs. Major

Chapter 2

Can't get you off My Mind

5/28/2011 4:50 PM

Because it was a dream, he couldn't just run. Because it was a dream, he was forced to stay, to stand, to watch. Because it was a dream, he was just as disgusted with his actions as he had been in life. Because it was a dream, and one he'd had often enough over the past few weeks, he knew there was no fighting it. Because he knew it by heart now, he knew the blood at his sleeves wasn't real and that the bodies at his feet weren't really reaching for him, but that didn't stop the revulsion, and he doubted it ever would.

He woke with nothing but a pair of sweats on his legs. The cold air wasn't what shocked him awake as he found himself sitting up, staring at the blank opposite wall of his new apartment. He calmed his breathing before looking around the room. The only thing within it was the blow up mattress he had borrowed from the base store-house (he'd found out in the process they had the most random shit there) and the military issue duffle bag thrown into the corner. He rolled to the side, hands fiddling to find the old pocket watch he'd left with his wallet and keys on the floor. The time was four fifty seven and from the lack of light in the room his guess was that was in the am hours. He lay back with a sigh. He didn't have to be at work till eight, several long hours away.

He lulled his head to the closet door was open to reveal his uniform hanging up. He only owned one because before this time all he ever needed was one. Under that in a black duffle bag, not the standard military issue, was what he was used to wearing. Primarily the cloths he would wear were black tight fitting and easy to move in, the body armor was engineered the same way. Really it just came down to being as efficient as possible. He rarely had to be even covert, that was the CIA's job after all, but he was prepared nonetheless. He smiled at the thought, Gino had always laughed at the idea of the CIA. As much as the two separate entities hated each other, they worked together a lot, and it was no secret that if one of them did get discharged the CIA would have several job offers awaiting, followed quickly by FBI-but really they were respectable for the most part, and actually open with their affairs, where's the fun in that?

Suzaku stared up at the white washed ceiling. Bismarck had made it clear he didn't want Suzaku applying for a retirement, and Suzaku made it clear that he wouldn't be. That didn't mean thought about what would happen if he'd gotten a discharge instead. He wasn't sure how he felt about that, regardless if it was an honorable one or not. He guessed that he'd probably take a job offer from another government organization, but at the same time, he didn't really want to work anywhere but in the Army.

He gave a sigh before he pulled himself up to stand. He couldn't remember the last time he hadn't had to sleep in an outfit he could be ready for anything for, so upon arrival home (he wasn't sure if that was the right term even. He was American so he guessed he could call the states the closest he had to a home), he'd tried to think what a normal person wore to sleep in on an average night. That had turned up empty so he tried to think what he used to wear. In high school, it had been nothing but a pair of boxers. The idea had been intriguing, but he liked to think he'd moved on from that point, so he'd found the pair of sweat pants buried deep in his duffle bag and gone to bed, not a huge improvement, but still was an improvement nonetheless.

He was running into that problem a lot over the last three days. The very first had been with the apartment. He had been offered military housing, but turned it down. The housing itself was always very nice, but there he always ran into the married men (with or without children, overall most with) or the recruits in college or just—not people like him. He preferred off base as odd as it was to say or think for someone's whose life consisted of the military.

He ambled his way into the kitchen as he brought a hand up to his head. It was way too early for this kind of behavior and he'd gotten too little sleep between moving what little he had in and the ever new incoming dreams. He found his way to the refrigerator and opened it only to remember he didn't actually own any food. He gave a sigh and shut the fridge. The mail he'd thrown on the counter the night before stared back up at him. With another drawn out sigh of exhaustion, he reached for it. The first was a little bit of a relief, from the storage room he rented—he couldn't even remember where-they had gotten his request for his stuff, all three boxes of it and were sending it over. The next was from Gino, a smile crept on for that, complete with a picture of the tall smiling man and himself. On the other side of a Russian postcard was a short, 'The new guys no fun and you owe me a beer when you get back for the whole mess.' He looked to see a couple of bare plain magnets on the fridge and posted the postcard, letter, and picture up there. A heavy weighted paper envelope next contained a letter of thanks for accepting the post, signed by Lieutenant Colonel Cornelia Li Britannia. He tossed it back on the counter. He stopped at the last letter. The post mark date was from two weeks prior—when he'd been given his official notice of transfer—and the address was to the base. He pursed his lips athe return address.

He left the letter there on the counter untouched, unopened, no desire to read it.

Instead he took one last look to the silver pocket watch for the time and went into his room to find some gym cloths. It would only take a minute to dig his laptop out from the bottom of the closet with the rest of his equipment and Google a 24-Hour Fitness Gym nearby.

He wasn't sure whether or not if it was because he was bisexual that he tore through his closet and found absolutely nothing to wear while in want of something nicer to wear. He knew it was because he was in the army that there was indeed nothing for him to wear, but that was an entirely different story all together.

So in the end he'd had to settle for a dark navy button up and a pair of slacks. Thankfully he still owned a nice vest, Suzaku was sure belonged to a very nice suit—though the suit was unaccounted for—he slipped the black vest on and buttoned it, hoping it made him look a bit classier. Mostly it instilled the want for a tie, which he didn't' have unless it was in beige or army green, both of which went to well his uniform.

Suzaku wasn't sure exactly how Lelouch preferred anything from how Suzaku dressed to the place to eat. In the end, Suzaku had just decided that just picking someplace and taking Lelouch there would be the best option. Basically the same way he'd just worn whatever he could find and hoped Lelouch would like it on him. Besides it wasn't like this was their first meeting or his first date or anything. The night before had gone more than accordingly and he'd even gotten a kiss out of it.

Suzaku stopped at that, hands frozen as they reached for the wallet on the dresser.

Sex wasn't far off in either of their minds and he knew it.

As he shook the thoughts away, looked up to the mirror before him, and finished with the vest and checking himself in the mirror ever three seconds. But he ran a comb through his unruly hair in hopes—and failed hopes—that they could somehow magically control the unruliness into a more suitable look. He'd never actually been a big fan of the military cut, and because of it when it was no longer required of him he didn't have it.

But Suzaku had always been clean shaven so as he glanced back into the mirror, sighed, and trudging into his bathroom to find his razor.

Fifteen minutes later, smelling of after shave, having checked himself in the mirror aging, fretted over the prospects of sex for another minute and a half, changed his shirt, deciding he didn't like the new pick and changed back to his original shirt, checked his reflection again and finally made it tin to the kitchen.

As he glanced at the clock on the stove he at first didn't realize shrugging it off as he looked for his apartment keys. The second glance though made him sputter a few swear words and he left quickly—only to return before the door had clicked shut to try and find his cell phone. Once out the door, with everything he'd ever need and looking as well mannered and pristine a he could get himself, he came to the conclusion that civilian life was hard.

Suzaku thanked the cab driver as he got out on to the sidewalk. Once out of the car, Suzaku stopped surveying his surroundings for a moment, shoving his hands in his pockets and neck craning.

When Suzaku spotted him, he almost wasn't sure it was the right person. He looked so–scrawny wasn't the right word and yet small wasn't either—vulnerable was the closest he figured he could get. It was strange and yet it wasn't, like he'd seen Lelouch like this before, though Suzaku hadn't the slightest idea where the idea of that had even come from. Then the light, well a light, spilled out from the alley way, immediately illuminating the edges around the other mans form, and Suzaku knew exactly where he'd gotten that impression from.

He stopped, rooted to the cement under his feet at that moment as violet eyes lifted and Suzaku was rushed through the image of very different colored eyes, Eyes that had shown like leaves in spring, but with a halo so similar to Lelouch's –only the light had been hot, and unlike Lelouch's pale skin, this image of pale had been tainted, dripping black and red to the floor. Suzaku was frozen. The numb extortion of his senses kicking In as his ears buzzed and the hair on his arms and neck stood on end.

A smile broke on Lelouch's face, not as bright or as cheery as most, but it was enough and the image was shattered, the fear of monsters chased back under the bed. And with the last blow, completely pulling Suzaku from his daze Lelouch spoke. "Hey,"

"Hey, Lelouch!" Suzaku said, before that smile could falter as he approached the other man. He cleared his throat, tugging at his sleeves I n the same moment.

"Suzaku," the other said as always with the same elegant air as he bowed his head just a touch in greeting.

Suzaku came to his side placing a tentive hand at the others back as he gestured to the restraint. "Shall we?" Suzaku couldn't stop his eyes as they roved over his counterpart. Checking for signs if Lelouch even realized what had just happened or not. Suzaku also threw a glance over his shoulder to the alleyway, making sure that the light that had just shut off wasn't the same… His was satisfied as he saw the dull artificial light flood the narrow way again as a door to one of the buildings was opened. Suzaku's eyes returned to Lelouch.

With little to set a standard on, Suzaku wasn't sure if the other had dressed up or just always found a way to look comfortable and nice in whatever he wore. Suzaku had a hunch that may just be it, but as he took in the slim fitting dark shirt and pristine dark wash jeans with an upturn of a starting smile. Suzaku wonder if it was just a natural talent or if Lelouch just had a very close sister.

"You're late." Lelouch mused, a light smile still gracing his face.

"I had difficulties with my hair." Suzaku admitted. He held the door, hoping Lelouch was still partial to the extra care, as they reached the entrance.

Lelouch chuckled, a hand, long and pale, coming up over his mouth. "You don't say?" He glanced back as Suzaku followed him into the lit reception area. "Well, I—I don't actually think I see a difference."

"Because there isn't one to see, and that was the difficulty." Suzaku said.

He'd earned a smile and as the hostess perked up, asking how many there would be, it took Suzaku a moment to tear his eyes away long enough to answer her.

"I speak French."

Their food had arrived, some time ago actually, though it wasn't being eaten very fast as they chatted, or at least Lelouch did. Suzaku sat back in his chair, listening as he took a sip from the glass in his hand. He wasn't forcing Lelouch to hold up the conversation, it was becoming apparent the other man could do that without any encouragement at all. It was a notion that hadn't occurred to Suzaku yet. Upon their first meeting, Lelouch had spoken only the minimum, and even at Suzaku's office, there had been a sense of reluctance. Now, whatever had happened to the other had changed that as Lelouch went on asking questions some requiring answers and others completely rhetorical.

"And you?" now was the moment for one of those questions, and those deep eyes would turn to Suzaku. As they seemed to do Suzaku found himself pinned down with that stare, the answer expected.

And Suzaku, found that as of yet he could not refuse the other man. "Several languages, though Japanese is the only one I'm fluent in." He also had a hunch Lelouch would probably make a very good interrogator if it ever came down to it.

A shapely eyebrow arched as a smile slid on to thin lips, "Not English as well?"

"I blunder my way through it." Japanese had been the language he'd primarily learned at birth, upon his father's insistence of course. "As you stated I have little to no accent, so I guess I do pretty well,"

"But not your favored language apparently?" Lelouch pressed. Suzaku had noticed that already—if the other man wanted to know something he wouldn't stop till he learned it. Stubborn.

Suzaku smiled. "No, not particularly," and on second thought he continued. "Though, I'm not much for words as far as the prospect goes." Sucks pulled his hand up from the table scratching at his neck a bit. As far as impressing Lelouch, Suzaku doubted that this was a great attempt, but it was still true, and Suzaku would rather tell the truth.

But when Suzaku looked up he was met with not scrutinizing eyes, but deep, curious, and very violet eyes.

"Interesting." Lelouch breathed, before breaking the eye contact to take another bite of his food. "And the others?" Lelouch inquired further, voice more causal now than before, not as contemplative as the first statement.

Suzaku leaned forward, making sure to avoid letting his elbows rest, setting his glass down. "I'm well enough that I can get what I need when I need it."

A spark in those eyes again told Suzaku Lelouch knew there was more to the story, but like the very intelligent human being he was proving to be, he let the matter lie. Though Lelouch kept the small, sly smile on his face, his eyes narrow just a bit, but not in any form of suspicion or anger. . "Yes, indeed interesting," he murmured before starting out on a new avenue. "Do you like chess, at all?"

Suzaku debated, and as always reverted to the truth. "Not in the slightest," he chuckled. He was a simple man, he got orders and he saw them through, and he was never one for being the one calling the shots, having to mourn for the lost that were his fault was never something Suzaku enjoyed.

He earned another smile, though this one much different, almost abashed. "Would you play, if I asked?" Lelouch's voice was of the same. It was of the same brand of oozing confidence only quieter now, distilled as Lelouch's eyes wondered their way around the table before returning to Suzaku.

"Absolutely." Suzaku answered.

A smile, small and thin stretched on Lelouch's face, making Suzaku suck in a deep breath. "I would really like that." Lelouch went on.

Suzaku looked back down, his fingers fidgeting with the closest eating utensil. "When ever you like," Suzaku said looking up, catching that eye contact again, and losing his sense in those same eyes, so vivid in color. Suzaku was pretty sure that as those eyes were on him, he'd do anything for Lelouch. He was also surprised that those same eyes hadn't hypnotized Lelouch into getting a boyfriend before Suzaku had ever come around. "I'll play with you," Suzaku chuckled, "but I'll probably lose,"

Lelouch grinned, this time a little more coy as he himself leaned back into his chair, a hand, long and elegant, coming up to his mouth, but not to cover it. "You like being outside, don't you?"

Suzaku's skin color was probably answer enough, but he gave a nod. "Prefer it, actually."

"I had thought you would." Lelouch murmured, his hand coming forward now, those long fingers at the stem of his glass moving up and down the smooth surface of the glass. His eyes were downcast though, thoughts occupying Lelouch's mind elsewhere.

Suzaku was about to say something when Lelouch looked up again, and Suzaku's mind seized, intent to hear whatever Lelouch would lay before him.

"It's a bit cliché, but if you would be up for it, there are chess tables at the park, and the mornings are actually quite lovely there, would you like to go sometime?"

It sounded a bit more formal than Suzaku was comfortable with, and because of that he placed the boy in a suspicious look. "Are you asking me on a date, Lelouch Lamprouge?" A jesting smile was already creeping its way onto Suzaku's face.

That had earned Suzaku another smile and this time one that Suzaku was very much sure he could take a shinning too. It was an easy smile, not as calculated as the others, not large, or small, just natural. Suzaku leaned forward. Both of their food he was sure was long forgotten at this point. The need for food had been tossed away in hopes for something better. It was fascinating what attraction did to humans.

"Well," Lelouch started with a flash of mischievous eyes. "I am trying to take advantage of you, Mr. Kururugi." He looked away innocently and lifted the glass to his lips to take a quick, casual sip.

Suzaku gasped, "Taking advantage of an American soldier?"

Lelouch finally sat forward as well, letting his chin rest over his laced fingers, and quite purposefully placing his elbows at the table. "You see, my plans are to seduce you." He said as if he were a professor leaning over his desk to better explain his theory.

"I knew you were trouble." Suzaku drawled, but didn't move from the table. "Me and my office chair are in for the worst."

With a quick smile, Lelouch arched a finely shaped eyebrow as he continued, "Even after I've told you my plans? Shouldn't you be fleeing at this point?"

"Oh, I kind of already knew about your plans," Suzaku looked off into the distance. "It was something about the way you kissed me last night."

"Do I get a kiss tonight as well?" Lelouch inquired. It was a quick subject jump, but not an unwelcome one.

Suzaku glanced down, eye contact made again along with the little spark that attended it. If they weren't in a public place, Suzaku had no doubt they would be kissing already. "I don't think asking for permission makes a very good seducer."

Lelouch smiled that same coy smile again. "I have unique methods." His smile just widened. "But they always work."

Suzaku was sure of that as well. Lelouch was quite possibly the embodiment of confidence, and it was indeed very becoming. He had a grace to his movements, Suzaku wasn't sure where he had picked up, but it was effective, drawing out the moments and drawing Suzaku's eyes to ever precise gesture. In fact, precise was probably the best word to describe the other man. Everything, from wording to gestures, movements, tone all of it seemed calculated to the smallest detail.

"I am though." Lelouch added a moment later.

Suzaku perked. "Seducing me? Most definitely." He chuckled.

There wasn't as much amusement as Lelouch answered. "…no." He reached forward.

Suzaku was about to pull one of his hands off the table before he stopped—a long finger making contact over his knuckle. Lelouch stroked lightly over the skin, his eyes down at the same dark tan hand. The contrast between the wide almost brutish hand of Suzaku and Lelouch's, long, elegant, alabaster skin, and Lelouch was making it look like an art as he lightly ran his finger tip of Suzaku's middle finger over his palm, tracing along the veins, and retracing to Suzaku's middle finger and stroking down the digit with gently light strokes.

Suzaku had to swallow hard to keep himself from lunging over the table to Lelouch's. For seemingly harmless intimacy, Lelouch was doing a very good job of it, and it was very much having an effect on Suzaku. He hated that he had chose a restaurant at that moment. He should have invited the other boy over to his apartment, where—well never mind there really was no furniture yet, but he could have at least kissed him there, pulled him to the air mattress in his room and—it wasn't very romantic but it was better than watching Lelouch tease him in public.

"I have classes in the mornings, but on a weekend sometime, I really would be pleased to go to the park with you." Those eyes flicked up, to make a very fleeting, but charged contact with Suzaku.

Lelouch had been right, he was very good at seduction or at least he was right at that moment. The passing glances weren't so intoxicating the night before, but they hadn't been in public the night before. Suzaku had to sigh, it was just his luck that the one moment he wanted to jump the boy there was ten other tables of people around them.

Suzaku smiled, beaming. "That would be great."

A small smile, but they didn't seem to come to Lelouch's lips as easily as they did to Suzaku's, and because of that Suzaku took it as another brownie point in his favor. "I have this thing this weekend, but next weekend I…" He trailed off as Suzaku leaned forward.

"I already told you whenever you want me to go I will."

Suzaku flipped his hand letting Lelouch fingers tickle at the inside of his palm. It gave him enough leverage to tickle Lelouch's palm as well. Suzaku earned himself another smile and a bit of a blush. Eyes a bit too rich and dark to be placed as solely lavender fleeted up, accompanying the red stain of his cheeks. Suzaku gave a wide smile in response. Lelouch looked away, down at their so close to being interlocked hands.

"Can I count on a date the Saturday morning after this weekend then?" Lelouch said, recovering from his blush rather quickly to square Suzaku in the eye again.

"Of course." Suzaku smiled accordingly.

Lelouch's fingers started to move again, this time running the pads of his three middle fingers along the inside of Suzaku's palm, so light they left a bit of a tingle. Lelouch looked down, focusing probably on the way Suzaku was so easily handing himself over. Suzaku, in turn, wondered to himself how he had ever thought they wouldn't be this charged for each other in public.

Suzaku cleared his throat attempt to clear his thoughts as well. "So where are you going this weekend?"

Lelouch didn't look up. "It's a school trip." It was an off handed answer, tossing aside the topic immediately upon its arrival. He looked up, bright amethyst sending a shiver through Suzaku's spine as they flashed in the dim light. "Do you want to get out of here?"

Within a few second Suzaku had flagged down the nearest waiter for the check.

Lelouch had him against the wall with a surprising burst of energy and even more surprising surge of—Suzaku would call it want but it seemed more like a need. Whatever it was if was certainly driving him as Lelouch thrust his hand through Suzaku curls and connected their lips, crashing their bodies against the bricks of the narrow alley way. As lewd and as obscene as this was Suzaku couldn't help but find it arousing, wrapping his arms around Lelouch's shoulders and giving himself wholeheartedly over to the kiss.

He felt Lelouch shiver, probably from the night air, and he broke the kiss, his hands at Suzaku's chest as he huddled closer to him. Suzaku chuckled and pulled his arms a little tighter around Lelouch's shoulders, chafing his hand over Lelouch's sleeve at his arm, to try to generate some heat.

Suzaku wasn't sure why of all places Lelouch had chosen the alley way to start at it, he could have waited a few more minutes before they could come up with somewhere to go, but over eager and needy he had pulled Suzaku in and once far enough in he was pretty sure no one could openly spy on them, Lelouch had crushed into him and sealed them together.

Looking up Lelouch didn't even have to say anything, letting his eyes hood, parting his lips just enough, and Suzaku was leaning down, pressing into the kiss again. Lelouch's hand worked its way back up sliding against Suzaku's neck, sliding around to cup the back of Suzaku's head. Lelouch was demanding, but taking it slower than he had the night before. Suzaku's lips parted and Lelouch had his tongue thrust into Suzaku's mouth almost immediately. Suzaku cracked his eyes for half a second, sliding his own tongue across Lelouch's.

There was a flash of light through the alley way, probably just headlights from a passing car on the street, but it was enough Suzaku jerked his head up, certain he'd seen it for just a second…the kiss was broken for a moment and Suzaku's eyes searched the alley way. He could have sworn—there had been something there, standing against the wall.

"Suzaku?" Lelouch's voice was just a little different—distant, like there was something in the way of Suzaku being able to hear him.

Another flash of head lights and Suzaku had Lelouch behind him. It had been there for sure this time. Both of them, dripping blackened ash-smeared sweat, red pooling at their feet, the gun… It had been fleeting just like the moment itself, and Suzaku reached behind him finding Lelouch, or the side of him at least, checking to make sure the other boy was still there, still safe.

"Suzaku?"It was a far more worried voice this time, even a bit panicky. "What's wrong?"

"You ever think that their not just memories?"

Suzaku spun, forcing Lelouch between his back and the wall as the voice from deeper in the alley echoed. Suzaku didn't have a weapon but he was still descent enough at hand to hand as he squared up the man. He was broad, well set, but not perfect, heavier though it all looked to be build, not fat, but still heavy—something Suzaku could use against him if there as need. He was also swaying slightly, the bottle in his hand very firmly grasped—something else Suzaku could use against him, drunkards weren't hard to knock off balance. Assessment made, Suzaku widened his stance, readily if need be to lunge, it would be faster that way and if he timed it right he'd be able to throw Lelouch back towards the entrance giving him a head start for a run for it.

"They don't go away," the man went on, his voice deep and surprisingly articulate for the fact he was from the looks of it stiff drunk.

Suzaku felt Lelouch's fingers curl in to the fabric of his shirt at his shoulder.

"If anything they get worse. The nightmares too, do you get those?" the man turned to look at them just as another flash of headlights.

The glimpse was all that was needed for a complete assessment change. In the flash of light Suzaku had become aware of the jagged scare across the man's face, the dirty (literally, not just color) blond hair, the lazy blue eyes and most shocking the coat—it was military issue. Older than the hills, but it was a trench, faded army green and still even had rank stars at the shoulders. A make that hadn't been issued since the 70's, but still had the flag patch at one of the man's shoulders.

The man lifted the bottle taking another swig. "It's the one's that come like that that really start to get to ya, they come out of nowhere and just the littlest damn thing like a door slamming shut or fireworks—God, I hate fireworks."

Suzaku turned to a very nervous and confused looking Lelouch. "Come on," Suzaku said as he gestured for them to leave. His eyes roamed over the other boy—the same impression of vulnerability coming back to him again.

Lelouch wasn't looking back at Suzaku thoigh, his eyes locked on the man behind them. "What is he talking about?" the deep tone of Lelouch's voice was nowhere near vulnerable at this point.

"It's nothing." Suzaku assured tugging at Lelouch's arm now as Suzaku took a step closer to the entrance.

"They told you to keep quiet about it didn't they?" The man's booming voice reaching Suzaku's ears this time, making him look back, forgetting himself for just a moment. He almost charged then, almost thought of how best to incapacitate the man quickly but still leave him conscious enough to answer how he knew—this couldn't be just guesses at this point.

A lopsided grin came onto the man's face. "Yeah, they take the boys who don't do anything wrong and give them whatever they need to feel better, but with the ones that shame them, the ones that do all the dirty work they just toss aside, reassign, hope you forget about it so you can be useful once again."

Suzaku's eyes widened just a bit his mouth snapping shut while his mind raced. Did he know this man? Negative. Did this man know him? He couldn't have, Suzaku just got here. Negative. Military background? Most definitely positive. But in what faction? The coat was army, draft issued. Still in military services? Unable to tell, but the answer was mostly likely negative. A threat? Maybe sober, but now, with the good ten foot distance between them? Negative. Than how did he…? That was an answer Suzaku couldn't calculate out. It wasn't an answer he'd been trained to recognize immediately.

"Suzaku,"

It was Lelouch, and because it was Lelouch Suzaku's head snapped back to look at him. He'd honestly almost forgotten Lelouch was there for a split second.

"What is this man talking about?" Lelouch tone was still deep, more demanding this time, like an issued order.

Suzaku didn't answer, knew he couldn't even if he wanted too.. He just stared back down at Lelouch, almost assessing him as well, even knowing this was his date not a threat.

There was laughter this time, and Suzaku's head shot back to pin the man back within the stare of green eyes.

"You're not getting any answers from him, boy." The man kept up the laughter, though it having died down to just chuckles. "That boy could probably be half dead and you still wouldn't get a peep out of him, no matter what you did. You got to hand it to them, they sure know how to train a man to keep a secret." He took another long swig of whatever sort of alcohol he had in that bottle.

Suzaku had been about to turn, about to just drag Lelouch out of the alley way if necessary, but he was stopped at the sound of that voice again. The other man was getting not only inconvenient at this point, but bold, taking a thick booted step forward. When Suzaku looked again the other man was pointing straight at Lelouch.

"Make sure you take care of him though." The man still had a very lopsided kind of grin. "As long as he keeps coming back to you, he's still there, maybe not all there, but deep down he's there." He took another step forward.

The alarms in Suzaku's head instantly started to scream and he reflexively took a purposeful full step way, pulling Lelouch with him. He figured the radius those arms could reach were a good four feet, if the man lunged closer to five or six, and Suzaku was not letting Lelouch be caught with in that potential threat zone. It served a second purpose though, switching on the rational side, the side that knew that now was the time to be leaving before the other man got any bolder and Suzaku got any more impatient with him.

"Let's go," Suzaku said, taking Lelouch's arm, more firm this time, not letting there even be a chance he could push him away. Later as always Suzaku would feel a bit guilty for using his physical strength against Lelouch, but right now Suzaku was only thinking about getting out of the alleyway. Lelouch didn't need to hear anymore of this loony and Suzaku didn't need to be anymore paranoid than he already was becoming.

Lelouch didn't comply easily, "Suzaku!" the sharp tone tearing at Suzaku's ears. "How do you know this man?" He'd taken a stance, not one that Suzaku couldn't pull him out of if he'd have tried, but one that Suzaku wouldn't be gaining any ground.

"I don't," Suzaku answered short, giving an insistent tug to Lelouch's arm.

The sound of laughter echoed through the alley way again.

Suzaku didn't even look this time, only changed his hold on Lelouch to wind his arm around his waist and giving a jerk, forcing the other boy to stumble a step forward. With the grounded stance broken it was easy enough for Suzaku to get a hold on Lelouch enough to pull him out of the alley way and on to the open street.

Compliance didn't seem to be something Lelouch wanted to do, but he let Suzaku pull him along anyway. Suzaku pulled his arm out from Lelouch's waist, leaving only a loose hold at his arm again as Suzaku stepped to the curb to hail a cab.

"What was that man talking about?" the tone Lelouch took now was quiet, but still just as clipped. He stood stoic, chin raised just slightly, as if he was looking down at Suzaku, not a hint of vulnerability now.

"Absolutely nothing," his own tone was a bit clipped as well. Suzaku wasn't surprised that he'd made Lelouch angry, he himself would probably be angry if in the same situation, but Suzaku wasn't sorry for his actions, at least not yet, and as a cab pulled up he opened the door to guide Lelouch in.

Once in, Suzaku leaned forward to give an address, before looking back at Lelouch. "Where do you live?"

Lelouch's head snapped to him. "We are not finished for the night." He hissed.

Suzaku, unaffected, asked again. "Where do you live?"

"No!" Lelouch growled. "I still have questions. Like for one who was that man?"

Suzaku sighed. "Lelouch, give me your address,"

The sigh only seemed to make the boy even more livid. "You have got to be joking!" disgust showed in the sneer now marring Lelouch's face. "We just went through that and you think you can just drop me off and it be done."

"No," Suzaku answered honestly. "But after what just happened I doubt you'll want to be around me for the rest of the night."

"I still have questions." Lelouch growled, his arms crossed over his chest and jaw set.

Suzaku tilted his head. "Then you can ask on the way, now what is your address."

Clearly displeased with Suzaku, Lelouch leaned forward, giving his address to the cab driver himself. With another sigh, Suzaku sat back, facing the window. As far as dates went that hadn't been the best one he'd ever had in his life.

It was a long moment, the city rushing past the cab windows in a blur, before Lelouch finally spoke. "Who was that man?"

Suzaku stayed silent. Resting his elbow on the door, he brought his hand up to his mouth. He was pretty sure that even if he did say anything to Lelouch at this point it would probably be more damaging than anything.

"Suzaku!" It was hissed again. A clipped tone, Suzaku had hoped they wouldn't come to for a while longer in their relationship. "Answer me."

Suzaku didn't look away from the window, didn't focus on anything in particular, deciding an answer was probably best at this point, despite the fact he knew it wasn't one Lelouch wanted to hear. "It was no one. No one I know at least."

"Then why was he talking to us?" Lelouch took in a huffy breath and exhaling before he continued. "That wasn't just some drunk stumbling home."

"I don't know him." Suzaku reiterated, his hand going to his face, fingers pinching at the bridge of his nose.

Lelouch, Suzaku was learning, couldn't just let a subject drop. "He talked like he knew you. He talked like he knew exactly what was going on with you, like he'd seen it himself."

"It was nothing!" Suzaku finally hissed back himself. His eyes narrowed as he pushed off from the window to bare that gaze down on Lelouch. "Just drop it! He knows absolutely nothing about me and neither do you!"

It was quiet then. The cab driver hadn't said a word from the moment they got in the car and Suzaku didn't blame him, what was worse than getting in the middle of a fight between two people stuck in the backseat together? Suzaku looked back to the window, no longer being able to stand Lelouch's stoic gaze over at him. The other boy hadn't moved, his arms still crossed over his chest, no sign that he was affected at all by Suzaku finally loosing it a bit.

And it stayed that way for several long moments, the city disappearing as the cab started into more suburban area. Neither spoke, but Suzaku could still feel that gaze still lingering over him, still looking at him like –well in a much different way than Suzaku would have preferred. His own gaze was outward looking to the passing lights and street signs. There was no reason to make this confrontation worse, or even this date any worse, by actually speaking. If Suzaku had had a hope before it had dissipated some time with in that alley and only been affirmed by the fact he'd lost his temper.

The car pulled to a stop, Suzaku too distant to even take a good look as to where.

"It's not that late."

The sound of Lelouch's voice a bit startled Suzaku. He looked over slow, watching Lelouch's now more reserved form. He'd pulled back from the easy and pleasant contact the two had seemed to fit into so well.

"No one will be expecting me home yet." Lelouch was looking down, eyes not exactly focused on anything.

Suzaku couldn't argue with that. It wasn't exactly how he'd planned the night either. If things had gone smoothly they would probably still be enjoying each other now. But despite his reluctance, he couldn't help but speak up. "Would you like me to walk you in?"

Finally Lelouch looked up at Suzaku. As always, that gaze had an effect on Suzaku as well. He swallowed, the sound cutting through the awkward silence, and though not helping, was still some sound. It was hard to not reach forward and take Lelouch's hand and lead him up to the house despite what he would answer. Suzaku did want to make this right if it was possible, though now that possibility was rather slim at this point. It was their first official date and their first official fight—not exactly an amazingly fabulous start to things.

"Thank you," Lelouch said quiet.

Suzaku perked ready to move to take Lelouch's hand.

"But I'll be fine walking on my own." Lelouch continued, cold and calculated as Suzaku had ever heard him. Suzaku was starting to realize that when Lelouch was mad he was good at snippy comments and crushing little comments. He was so different from Suzaku. Lelouch seemed like the kind of person that wouldn't fight fair, if openly at all.

Nodding, Suzaku sat back. "Alright."

His eyes, deep, violet, and completely unreadable didn't move away from Suzaku. It was the same for Suzaku as well. It was silent between them, but then again at least they still had that bit of limited contact and they weren't throwing bit out comments back and forth.

"Hey," Suzaku's head snapped to the taxi driver, finally voicing his presence. "Is the kid getting out or what?"

Before Suzaku could even attempt a reply Lelouch was already on top of it. "Of course, sorry to hold you up." No, he wasn't. Suzaku could tell from the tone in his voice and the way that he hadn't even spared a glance in the cab drivers direction.

The door was open a moment later and Lelouch was getting out. Suzaku slid across the seat not sure on what exactly to do, walking him to the door was off limits, but what about anything else? Was he even allowed to just say goodnight? Awkward, awkward, awkward.

"I don't leave until Friday afternoon." Lelouch again, was already on top of it, standing from the taxi and pulling at the blazer, setting it just right on his shoulders to look as primed and pressed as it could.

"Alright." It seemed to be the only word Suzaku could come up with at the moment as he himself stood from the cab but kept a hand holding the door open. The taxi driver was probably a bit perturbed to wait just a moment but Suzaku still needed a way home since it had been made clear Lelouch probably wouldn't welcome him inside, even if it was just to call another cab.

Lelouch was looking at him still, but he was distant, physically, stepping back to give Suzaku an ample amount of room to stand. "So if you want, I'll have my phone so—"

"I'll call you." Suzaku interrupted, which was rather rude, but he felt he needed to say it. He was still invested to an extent. They'd need to find a way around this awkward argument some time and over the phone seemed like a fairly good place to start if not the lesser of the two options.

A nod was Suzaku's only answer for a moment, Lelouch's eyes fleeting down to the asphalt below their feet. "If it's not too much, I really would like to see you again before I leave." It wasn't a question.

But Suzaku didn't give an affirmative answer either. "I'll call you." He repeated, not taking his eyes away from Lelouch's long ebony head of hair.

This wasn't getting any easier. In fact, as a touch of silence set in again, this time with the chill night air brought along for the ride and the dim lit street to set a tone Suzaku didn't much like. It was far too somber to leave like this and not have some sort of resolve or even hope of a resolve.

"Well—" Lelouch started as he turned.

Catching his hand on Lelouch's arm, Suzaku pulled him back. "Wait." It was still so—weird. It had been the first contact they'd had since Suzaku had led Lelouch to get into the cab after their hasty escape from the alleyway. In retrospect the alleyway hadn't been the greatest choice of places to initiate that kind of contact between them. Suzaku did have to admit there hadn't be an array of choices to choose from in hope of having a nice make out session, but the alley had been a really bad idea.

Lelouch stopped, glancing back, but didn't tear his arm away.

"Are you two breaking up or not?" The cab driver called out the window.

Suzaku didn't spare the man a glance. He kind of wanted to tell the man to can it, but instead he addressed the situation, no matter how rude the man was he had a point, and Suzaku had to acknowledge that exact issue.

He glanced down the street for a second making sure there weren't any significant watchers before he spoke. "I promised you a good night kiss, didn't I?" He looked back up at Lelouch. Suzaku didn't drop his hand from Lelouch's sleeve either.

Not fighting Suzaku at least, Lelouch stared back at him. It wasn't a vacant stare, eyes shifting as Lelouch roved over Suzaku's face and a bit below his shoulders before snapping back to hook eye contact. "Yes, I suppose you did." He said, making sure he was just audible enough for Suzaku to catch.

It wasn't the best answer that Suzaku had ever gotten but still an affirmative. Suzaku moved, stepping forward, sweeping his arm up and hooked it around Lelouch to pull him closer. Making sure to move slow, not to make Lelouch feel like he was being attacked he cupped his other hand at Lelouch's face, and still holding constant eye contact. If Lelouch didn't want this than he wanted to know before he initiated anything.

But Lelouch complied and easily as his hands run up to Suzaku's shoulders, tilling his head as Suzaku tilted his own leaning forward. The press of lips and molding of the two of them was as always seamless. Suzaku barely opened his mouth, moving slower, making the kiss much more tender and less heated, and Lelouch seemed to quickly catch on to the same idea letting his own lips linger one arm going up to lazily slide along the mantle of Suzaku's shoulders. If they didn't have the company of the taxi driver Suzaku might have actually tried something more, but instead he tightened his hold around Lelouch's waist, his other arm coming to fold around the younger boy as well.

"Hey, let's get this show on the road!"

With a jolt they separated, startled by the call from the taxi driver. Suzaku didn't completely let Lelouch go though, keeping a hand at his shoulder as the kiss broke and Lelouch took a step back.

"Alright," Suzaku called over his shoulder. He hopped that his tone conveyed enough of 'shut the hell up' that the message got through.

Lelouch gave a nod, "I'll see you then?" he said.

Suzaku looked back at him, his gaze softening as he smiled. "Of course," He gave his own nod. "I'll text later, okay?"

Still tightlipped and very controlled, Lelouch stepped out of Suzaku's grasp. "I'll make sure to keep my phone close." He straightened his jacket again. smoothing the wrinkles out before stepping up on to the sidewalk. "Goodnight, Suzaku," he said without looking.

"Goodnight." Suzaku said watching the other boy go for a moment. His feet seemed up able to move from the spot, his brain still focused on Lelouch's cold retreat.

But knowing the cab driver would only get upset, he turned, sliding back into the car, and leaning forward to give the address of his apartment. The cab driver said something about this being a nice neighborhood, but Suzaku wasn't listening, his thoughts elsewhere. Whatever else conversation the driver had tried to make was lost as well, and by the time the cab had pulled up in front of the apartment building and Suzaku had gotten out, paid the taxi driver and was making his way up the stair he'd come to the conclusion Lelouch was still very much mad at him.

Lelouch opened the front door as he heard Suzaku getting into the cab behind him. Turning his head just barely caught the sight of Suzaku closing the door and the cab driver pulling away. It was perfect timing as just then Euphemia entered through the door to the living room.

"Oh, you're home early." Euphemia commented. "Usually you stay out longer when you go with your friends."

Already lost in thinking what to do about he and Suzaku, Lelouch only nodded, stepping into the house and clicking the door closed behind him. He immediately turned to the stairs, hoping to get out of the prying eyes of his sister.

"Did you not have fun tonight?" Euphemia asked, probably from the overall lack of answers from Lelouch in total.

"Yeah, it was fine," Lelouch said, finally looking up but not quite meeting Euphemia's lavender eyes. "Is Nunnally upstairs?"

"I put her to bed just before you got home." She affirmed with a sweet smile.

A nod again was all that Lelouch could really come up with. He had been hoping to see his little sister before continuing to his room. It would have been a nice pick-me-up after the disaster he'd somehow managed to survive. "I see."

"Father's left again, so I told him I'd stay here just to make sure things went alright." Euphemia continued now a little more awkward. Not that Lelouch couldn't blame her, he wasn't exactly being a tremendous amount of help in the conversation department.

He would have normally protested, told her that he and Nunnally would be fine without her, especially with Sayako around and that there was no reason for her to stay, but he knew that with the student counsel trip that weekend it was probably better that Euphemia did stay. "Your roommates are alright with that?" another awkward question.

Euphemia giggled. "I doubt they'll even notice I've gone." It was easier, along with the smile as well. "It's not with trying to get my student teaching hours that I'm there much anyway."

Lelouch gave the third (fourth?) nod of the night. "Oh, alright. Thanks for coming though." He started up the stairs. "Well, I'm going to head up to bed."

She looked perplexed for just a moment, but smiled again, that sweet smile as she spoke. "Alright, sleep well."

"Thank you." Lelouch said cordially before the pointing his gaze away to the steps as he continued up the stairs and to the hall. He couldn't help but peak in at his little sister's room for just a moment before continuing to his own room. Once there the first thing he did was set his phone at the nights stand, already knowing he'd check it every waking moment at twenty minutes intervals and probably several times throughout the night.

Okay so a bit shorter than normal, but I hope it was entertaining. I am sorry for such a long delay on all of these and by that I mean all of my fan fics. But yeah as with everything I'm pressing out lately there is always that question nagging in the back of my head on believability…and I hope I didn't fail on that.

~Reviews, like kittens and puppies, are always loved.~