Thanks to all of you lovelies for the support with all of your reviews and alerts and favorites! I'm also very delighted to know a lot of you liked the seahorse bit. You'll never look at seahorses the same way again, will you?


"Wheel of Morality, turn, turn, turn. Tell us the lesson that we should learn." –Yakko from the Animaniacs

•-2

Ambiguous

Abortions and Erections Don't Mix

Lelouch is awakened by something hard pressing into his back.

Bump—nudge.

His weary face scrunches as he feels the pull of consciousness win against the slumberous world of his brain. The unpleasant scene of his dream is being corrupted by this rap-tap-tapping on his dreary door. It makes the horrendous chase of devilish equestrian-fish flicker away like a projector running empty film, and it is all thanks to that constant knock hitting him from behind.

It had started in the background, Lelouch realizes, as but a lame touch of reality that pounded behind the stamp-less stampede of glowing eyes and flaring nostrils he was desperately trying to escape. Perhaps in this case he should be thankful; that place, surrounded by a feral navy of aquatic beasts gaining on him from every direction in the invisible sea he was suspended in was a situation he could not escape. A thick mass surrounded him, hugging his legs heavily and stealing air from his lungs as he felt himself sink faster and faster the harder he thrashed.

Bump—nudge.

On the other hand, this repetitive jab into his tailbone has brought him out of a snooze that, despite being feverish, was very much needed for his fatigued mind and body.

So now Lelouch is currently lying on his side as the relaxation of a sleepy splendor evaporates from his being. He's cozy and warm in the cocoon of his blankets, absently aware of dead weight around his waist, sensing what seems to be early morning by the way weak light lies across his closed eyes. It's most likely too early to be waking, but that

Bump—nudge-nudge.

Lelouch finally scowls with a groan, throwing his arm behind him to shove away whatever that bumping thing is. His hand first hits a warm body then it falls in the slim trench between his back and that other form where his hand grabs—

Nudge-nudge.

His eyes slowly split open, eyebrows very tightly knitted together. He squeezes a little at the thing in his hand and it reacts to his action with a thrust and faint moan making the arm sagging over his hip tighten. He sighs, his groggy mind throwing all of his wrong deductions away, and forces as much life as he can into his lethargic limb to shove the nudger away from him. It strikes back with another swift nudge, making Lelouch growl and grab the hungry hip behind him.

"Suzaku!" he complains loudly, pushing on the embodiment of his annoyance this morning.

When he hears a snort and a slurred "Huh?" he knows he's awakened the boy belonging to this horn.

"What is it?" Suzaku mumbles with a sluggish voice.

Lelouch continues to glare at nothing, "Despite popular belief I don't like it when you ram your erection into my ass." He grouses as he pushes the boy away again. "Keep your morning-wood to yourself."

Lelouch doesn't need to see the flush of rose-red on Suzaku's face to know it blooms when he hears the boy gasp.

"I-I'm sorry Lelouch!" Suzaku stammers skittishly; his body, erection and all, vanishing from Lelouch's back in clumsy shambles that shake the bed.

"Don't worry about it," he mutters as he closes his eyes and tosses the blanket high over his shoulder, burrowing deeper into his heavenly blankets fully intending to go back to sleep.

Intending is exactly the right word. Leave it to Suzaku to make a problem out of a little excitement.

Actually, Suzaku alone is one big problem.

Rustle-rustle.

The irritated wrinkles previously furrowing Lelouch's brow take root again as Suzaku's shuffling persists on the other side of the bed.

Wiggle-rustle.

Lelouch just tries to dig deeper into his covers as if they'll protect him from the fidgets of restless arousal, his eye twitching.

Squirm-rustle.

He closes his eyes tighter, curling into a ball and nearly humming a tune to himself like a child trying to keep the monsters under his bed at bay.

Fidget-rustle.

"What is your damn problem!?" Lelouch exclaims as he heaves his body up to a sitting position, whirling around to face Suzaku.

Suzaku stares at him like a deer caught in the headlights, his body finally freezing – although it's too late for that now – as if waiting for the oncoming collision to plow into him. Lelouch glares intensely down at him like an irritable old man, watching green eyes shift from time to time before that pink face turns away completely.

"Well?" Lelouch demands, his voice a brittle shard of ice hanging precariously over Suzaku's head.

Suzaku glances over at him, sinking under the blanket with only his eyes peeking out above them.

"Are you not going to answer my question?"

"…I'm sorry," Suzaku mumbles out quietly.

"That doesn't answer my question."

Suzaku connects their eyes but remains silent.

Lelouch sighs and rubs his hand over his face, wondering why Suzaku is acting so peculiarly. Perhaps he's being too brusque, but good Lord this is ridiculous. He's acting like a child. Never mind the fact that Lelouch is still very tired and not a morning person.

"Suzaku, what are you doing?" Lelouch asks, trying to soften his tone. "Why don't you just go to the bathroom?"

Suzaku's eyes sweep away again with a muffled mutter.

Lelouch has to remind himself to breathe calmly, to not spook this little critter shivering under his predator stare.

"What did you say?" his words still come out strained, any sweet tones he'd hoped for are far from sticking.

Suzaku shifts slightly, "It's embarrassing."

Is that all?

"Suzaku…" Lelouch starts with another sigh, leaning against his bed rails. "It's not like anyone will be watching you."

"I know that…"

"Then what's the problem?" Lelouch presses again.

Another quick glance is all Lelouch gets before Suzaku suddenly turns over, leaving Lelouch's eyebrow to lift at his back.

"Suzaku?"

"I'm sorry I woke you up. I promise I'll be still now," he says mechanically from inside the soft shell of Lelouch's blanket.

Lelouch stares at the messy bush of brown hair standing above the snowy mound of sheets under which Suzaku is hiding. The boy is keeping his word, not a single jostle animates his human hill, and somehow, in this straggling silence, Lelouch feels guilt nudge into his gut. He shouldn't, it's not like he's done anything wrong; it wouldn't be the first time he's snapped at Suzaku and it's never marred the brunette's sensitivity before, so…

"Whatever," Lelouch mutters with a turn in the other direction, yanking the blanket back up to his neck as he flops onto his side. Lelouch closes his eyes with a tight scowl; it's much too early to be dealing with Suzaku's emotions right now—

("…I guess my hormones are just on edge, because… well, you know.")

Lelouch cringes, his mind streaming heavier guilt into his stomach with that pesky memory of his.

Not that he could forget last night; even his dreams won't let him escape reality – although, they rarely do.

Lelouch spies over his shoulder, bottom lip curling petulantly at the nagging feeling to flip over and console this seemingly stubborn and introverted Suzaku instead of hunkering down for another hour or so until he has to get up and prepare to skip a full day of school. It isn't that he doesn't care for Suzaku, because, really, he did give up seahorses just to make him feel better, and that is a gesture not to sneeze at; he's just so damn tired – it doesn't matter that he's planned to skip school today to make up for lost sleep by snoozing up on the roof or in the library…

Damn it all to Hell…

Lelouch knew he was going to do this before he even deliberated it, before he rolls over and touches Suzaku's shoulder and murmurs words coated in candy sweetness.

"Suzaku, are you all right?"

Suzaku is unresponsive for a moment, perhaps in hesitation if Lelouch may say so, and then he makes an offhanded shrug that pleads for attention rather than screams for privacy.

Lelouch rubs Suzaku's shoulder over the covers in a fashion that reminds him of his mother—but that is a tangent best avoided at the moment.

"I know something's bothering you. Want to talk about it?" Lelouch leans closer so he can observe the down-cast gaze of Suzaku's eyes. "Hm?"

Suzaku just fidgets again; making a small mewl that reminds Lelouch of children being difficult on purpose. Typically now would be the line where the parent will announce an inability to read minds, at least that's what Lelouch's mother—once again, a train of thought that doesn't need to be boarded right now. Yet, Lelouch happens to be the bearer of such a talent. However, Suzaku's mind is a place best admired from afar, if admired at all.

"Come on, Suzaku." Lelouch coos, slipping closer to said boy and resting his chin on Suzaku's shoulder. "If you don't talk to me I can't help you."

Besides, relationships – good relationships – are maintained with communication.

"It's nothing…" Suzaku insists with a coy glance.

"Nothing," Lelouch repeats skeptically, remembering the shallow pit of his patience as he slips his arm underneath the blanket to drape over Suzaku's side. His fingertips run over the squirmy muscles of Suzaku's abdominal region, making a shiver ripple over Suzaku's body. Lelouch immediately feels the crop of tiny bumps sprout over Suzaku's skin.

"Crap, Lelouch! Your hand is freezing!"

"Is it? I hadn't noticed." Lelouch smirks, raking his fingers farther over Suzaku's stomach.

In all fairness, he really hadn't.

But that doesn't mean he'll stop.

"Lelouch."—Suzaku wriggles—"Stop."

"You don't want to help me warm them up?" Lelouch teases with a sultry sweetness in Suzaku's ear as he slides his hand lower despite the grip slapped around his wrist. "Your body is so~ warm, Suzaku." he flicks his tongue over Suzaku's ear, watching it turn red like he flipped a switch. "Can't I have some of your warmth?"

"Nn!" Suzaku tries to jerk his head away, foiled by the pillow cushioning it. "You're gonna steal all of it—!"Suzaku's complaint is tarnished by a gasp made because of Lelouch's traveling fingers.

Lelouch's smirk digs deeper and wider across his lips, his hand squeezing that familiar thing between Suzaku's legs that's no softer than it was when it knocked him out of his dream.

"My, my, my~! What's this?" Lelouch sings slightly, curiously caressing the hard flesh over a thin pair of underpants.

Suzaku flushes, "Don't." he wriggles his legs.

"Don't?" Lelouch questions mockingly. "You don't want me to take care of this for you?" he caringly rubs his hand along Suzaku's erection, watching his face purse.

"…You'll probably kill it," he whines in a wiggle.

"'Kill it'?" Lelouch repeats resentfully, stopping his hand. "I'm glad to know my touches are suddenly so fatally repulsive."

"You know what I mean, Lelouch."

"Do I?"

"Of course you do! Your hands are damn cold! You know what, uh, cold temperatures do…"

"But don't you want it dead?"

"Not like that!" Suzaku says anxiously.

Lelouch grins sharply, "So then perhaps something more hot and pleasurable would be better to 'kill' this excitement of yours?"

Suzaku doesn't answer but Lelouch can see the gears in his head turning, most likely trying to consider how serious the offer of a morning blow-job to eliminate his morning-wood really is.

Well, that's an easy question to answer.

Lelouch whips the blanket off in a brash motion – ignoring Suzaku's confused howl – and starts pulling at Suzaku's underwear like a starving animal that smells meat buried in a pile of rubbish. Suzaku squirms in a show of an attempt that the notion of having oral sex so early in the morning is absolutely appalling, but his struggles are weak and the appetite for such attention is more than present between his legs. A fog quickly rolls over his eyes as he silences the counterfeit noises of reluctance toppling out of his nose and it makes Lelouch smile over a small victory that probably isn't as big a victory as he believes it to be.

"Well…" Suzaku starts, making a good effort to sound unsure, releasing his hold on the band of his shorts. "I guess I should take advantage of this before I can't anymore."

"What do you mean?" Lelouch quickly makes work of wrenching Suzaku's shorts off his hips.

"In the later months of pregnancy, I'm not allowed to… ya' know…" he answers shyly, cheeks powdered pink at Lelouch who is staring adoringly down at his crouch.

Lelouch's mind skids to a halt and it leaves his expression in a wordless gape for a second or two, his eyes blind to the task he revealed in an easy hoist. He can't say he's exactly surprised, but he didn't expect Suzaku to come up with such a daunting decision all on his own. This is his – their – future, after all.

"So you've already decided?" he tries to ask casually, wondering if an accusatory waver shivers his voice as he grabs Suzaku's—

"Decided what?"

Lelouch looks up at the doe-eyed gaze, hoping that isn't a foreshadow of a headache that ghosts over Suzaku's words.

"That you're going to keep it."

Suzaku tilts his head, "What do you mean? What else would I do with it? It's not like I can stash it away for later."

"Stash away for—?" Lelouch shakes his head, "No, I know that. I'm talking about… the alternative."

"Alternative?" Suzaku echoes like a child – there seems to be a theme there.

Lelouch really doesn't want to spell it out; he'd rather slap the boy for being so green.

"Getting an abortion."

Nothing follows his statement for a long, painful moment with only Suzaku's empty stare on his face and Suzaku's throbbing—

"An abortion," Suzaku says. "What's that?"

That probably was a premonition of a headache Lelouch heard in Suzaku's words before.

But damn it if he isn't going to flirt with the possible pain.

"…Are you serious?" Lelouch asks incredulously.

But of course his tone couldn't be any clearer: you really ARE an idiot, aren't you?

Suzaku starts to scowl, "I'm sorry I'm not as educated as you are Mr. Genius. Not everyone can know everything like you do."

Lelouch sighs at the brunette's sudden snap, dropping his gaze to get an eyeful of Suzaku's naked—insert euphemism here—and immediately releases it with a twist of his stomach.

Abortion can really kill the mood.

"Suzaku," Lelouch sighs again looking Suzaku in the eye. "I'm not trying to insult you, it just seems like this is something you should know about. It's common knowledge."

Suzaku just glares – apparently that's a step in the wrong direction.

"…It doesn't matter, I guess," Lelouch mutters. "An abortion is medical procedure that terminates the pregnancy."

Doesn't the word "abort" ring any bells?

"Terminates…?" Suzaku articulates like the word is sour on his tongue. "Well why would I think about that? It sounds awful!"

"I never said it was pleasant. But it's still an option that—"

"No!" Suzaku cuts off heatedly. "I don't want to kill anything!"

"Let me finish!" Lelouch snaps back, brow creased in agitation. "Of course no one wants to abort anything, but you're not thinking about this rationally."

"Excuse~ my emotions Lelouch!" Suzaku shouts, scrambling off the bed – boxers hugging his thighs – and leaping to his feet. "Please do excuse the fact that I'm not a heartless ass like you!"

Lelouch's face contorts angrily, "Wait a second! What the hell is that supposed to mean?" He also jumps to his feet.

"I don't know, Lelouch – genius of the universe – why don't you tell me what that's supposed to mean?"

"How could I possibly—?" Lelouch cuts himself off.

Yes, he knew what Suzaku meant.

No, he isn't going to get distracted by petty name-calling.

"Look," he utters, his voice stretched tight to conceal his annoyance. "We're getting off track." He slaps his hand over Suzaku's mouth when he sees it fly open to no doubt blurt another insulting remark. "You want to call me heartless? You have no idea what you're getting into and being a stubborn ignoramus right now isn't going to help anything."

Suzaku thrashes away from Lelouch's hand, "Don't call me stupid! You're the one being insensitive!"

"Suzaku, you're misunderstanding me!"

Suzaku shakes his head vehemently, "I can't believe you! I can't believe you'd ask me to do something, something so despicable!"

"I'm not asking you to do anything—!"

"Damn strai—!"

"Don't interrupt me! I'm not finished!" Lelouch roars, making Suzaku's mouth clamp shut. "I'm just trying to tell you that you should at least explore your options before you decide on anything. Of course I don't expect you to do anything you don't want to do nor would I force you too." Lelouch sighs exasperatedly, grasping desperately at his own forehead, "Christ, Suzaku. Please try to understand where I'm coming from."

Suzaku just stares at him with a tight frown and sharp eyes, his face flustered by being slapped out of the soft haze of sleep by all this squabbling. Lelouch is still reminding himself to breathe calmly: in, out. In, out. In, out.

And it is as he casts a glance at Suzaku's stewing stance that he realizes the absurdity of this scene: arguing at the top of his lungs with his very erect, and supposedly pregnant, counter-part about abortion in the creeping hours of morning, both of them standing face to face in their underwear – Suzaku having the decency to pull his back up…

In, out.

In, out.

"So then, help me understand," Suzaku finally mutters.

Lelouch looks at him blankly in the eye, still kneading the start of a headache in his forehead.

Suzaku shrugs, "I can't read your mind, you know."

Lelouch wants to smile at that, but his energy is limited to the heavy drop of his arm to his side.

"I just don't want you to feel like you're forced into doing anything, that's all."

"Trust me, Lelouch; I won't do anything I don't want to do." Suzaku reminds tersely, his bare foot lightly tapping the wood floor as he repositions it. "But that doesn't answer my question."

Isn't that Lelouch's line?

"You're telling me that I'm not prepared and that I need to 'consider' my options. But what you're really saying is that you want me to get an abortion, isn't it?"

"No," Lelouch snaps with a scowl. "I will support whatever decision you make, I just don't think you're carefully assessing which is the better option."

Suzaku is glowering tamely, "All right. What might the 'better option' be?"

Lelouch thought he could certainly turn this argument around, lead it down a road of smiles and kisses that leaves this nasty discussion in the dust.

He's not so sure that's how it will end now.

If anything, he might be the one left in the dust.

"Don't get testy; I'm just trying to help you. I'm your partner, that's what I'm supposed to do, right? I know this is a delicate topic and it's certainly not an easy choice, but you have to look at it from all angles before you know what to do. And sometimes, Suzaku, the less pleasant one is the best one," he says with a slight frown. "Have you thought any of this out or do you think that this'll all just be some glossy chapters of your life and then the baby comes with a happily ever after? There's more to think about then just whether or not a decision is immoral. I don't think I need to stress to you the risks you'll face with this pregnancy – it could be bad for both of you. Not to mention you're in the military fighting in combat and a princess's Knight." Of course Lelouch is going to play that angle, how could he not? "And we're only seventeen-year-old high school students in the midst of all this terrorist activity. Is this a world you want to bring a child into?" Lelouch ends sucking in a breath, being careful to not tack on his silent thoughts: What about Zero? What will happen to Japan – what will NOT happen to Britannia? What about Nunnally? How can I change anything if I'm stuck at home?

He watches Suzaku's conflicting gaze as no response rears its ugly head out of that boy's frown.

This waiting silence is almost unnerving.

Maybe Suzaku is really taking in his words this time.

Maybe Suzaku will calm down and—

Suzaku snorts, "Right, so all that equals me getting an abortion. Why don't you just admit it?"

IN…

Lelouch is close to throwing in the towel.

Or sitting in a corner and crying until his blood-pressure sinks to a healthy level.

…OUT

"Suzaku, that isn't fair."

"You just don't want this baby, do you?" Suzaku's eyes are glimmering. "Well I'm sorry this happened. Do you think I wanted this?" Really glimmering.

Lelouch's stomach twists with more guilt, "No, that's not what I said."

But that's certainly what it sounded like.

Suzaku shakes his head, "Yes it is. You couldn't have spelled it out any clearer." Tears are wavering in his eyes, like he's trying to hold them back with his weakening voice. "That's why everything you said points to the alternative."

"Suzaku…" Lelouch feels helpless, watching Suzaku's watery eyes look away from him.

He already feels Suzaku walking away from him.

"I'll admit that I'm not ready, and I don't know anything about being a parent, but I had hoped that you would be by my side not telling me to just throw it away. Are you really that selfish?"

Selfish?

"I would find a way to make it work, Lelouch. If that means quitting or taking a leave of absence from the military, then so be it! It doesn't matter what age I am or what the state of the world is or whatever else you said! I am and will be responsible for this, this child and I won't just get rid of it like it's a piece of garbage! Because it's inconvenient!"

"I'm not telling you to throw it away, I'm just—" Lelouch feels his mind tumble to a stop again. Did Suzaku just say what he thinks he did? Suzaku would quit the military? Is that a bluff? Is Suzaku just getting carried away and speaking without thinking? Should Lelouch take advantage of this or would that be… crossing a line?

"Why don't you just punch me in the stomach right now!" Suzaku nearly bawls, reining Lelouch back into the conversation.

"Suzaku, that's…! I'm not…!" Lelouch is taken aback, feeling his skin burn underneath Suzaku's blistering glare with tears running down those angry cheeks. "Be reasonable! I never said I wanted you to do anything! Why aren't you listen—?"

"Quit telling me to be reasonable and rational!" Suzaku shouts, white knuckles spotting the red hands fisted at his sides. "I can't talk to you when you're like this! Why don't you just leave?"

Lelouch gawks.

"You can't talk to me when I'm like this? You're the one being unbelievably difficult – not to mention you're dragging this argument out longer than necessary! It almost feels like you're just trying to waste everyone's time with all this superfluous bickering!" Lelouch hollers in a rage.

"Oh right, Lelouch. Everything is always my fault, isn't it?" Suzaku counters likewise. "It's my fault we're still arguing, it's my fault I'm pregnant! It takes two to freakin' tango, you know!"

"Yes Suzaku, that's exactly what I was saying! Everything is your fault!" Lelouch yells sardonically. "Your very existence is a plague to this Earth!"

"Get out!" Suzaku barks furiously, swinging his pointing hand to the door behind him.

"I'm not leaving! This is my—!"

Lelouch is suddenly scrambling to keep his balance whilst not ramming his face into the wall opposite his bedroom door. His hands slap to the wall, face pale and sweaty as he feels his stomach catch up with him when he hears his bedroom door hiss shut behind him.

How the…?

He whips around so fast his already unsteady footing sways underneath him as he flounders back to his bedroom door with a dizzy head.

"Hey! Open the door!"

"No! Go away!"

Lelouch has officially reached the bottom of the barrel, his patience but a distant memory as he pounds on the door, wondering why the builders didn't put a number pad on the outside of the room too.

"Goddamn it Suzaku! Open the damned door!"

"I said go away!"

"It's my room! You should have stormed out if you wanted to end the conversation not force me out!"

"I don't care! Go away!"

IN, OUT.

IN, OUT.

IN, OUT.

Lelouch's hands are splayed out on either side of his head as he feels his headache pulse against the door, practically welcoming an aneurism to come and save him from this fool he's managed to be reunited and fall in love with despite all the odds.

All those annoying little odds…

They should have tried harder.

"Suzaku," Lelouch begins, hanging his words on the weakest shred of sanity he has. "At least open the door so I can get my uniform."

"No!"

Lelouch hits the door again.

"Come on! I can't go out in just my underwear!"

"Master Lelouch?"

Lelouch nearly jumps out of his skin at the sound of his name, grimacing at the sight of Sayoko's concerned and bewildered expression.

How long has she been standing there?

"Is there a problem?" she asks politely but curiously, glancing between him and the door… and his lack of clothing.

It figures that one of the rare times he decides to sleep in his private apparel is when he'll be forced to parade around in it for all to see. It doesn't matter that it's only three other people who will see him, and that two thirds of them don't count because they're either blind or have already seen him naked.

This sight is just not for Sayoko's eyes.

"Ah, Sayoko…" Lelouch tries to chuckle good-naturedly, but the weak resonance of it makes the situation all the more awkward and pathetic.

Regardless, she seems unfazed, "I heard a lot of noise so I came… Is there a problem?"

He leans away from the door, tapping his fingers on its locked surface, wondering just how much she might have heard.

"…Not at all. It's nothing. Have you already started breakfast, or have you woken Nunnally up yet?" Lelouch speaks quickly, hoping she'll take the hint and go on about her business.

"No."

He smiles a strained smile, "Then, could you please?" facing the door again.

She hesitates a moment, "Are you sure there's nothing wrong?"

She's a kind soul, but right now is not the time for her motherly manners.

"It's nothing, really," he reassures calmly, clenching his hand on the door, making a civil knock—

"Mukou ike!"

Lelouch gnashes his teeth, hearing a small gasp come from Sayoko at Suzaku's very unfriendly way of telling Lelouch to screw off – Lelouch has spent enough time with his Japanese terrorists to learn all of their colourful words.

So Suzaku wants to curse in another language? Well, two can play at that game.

"Tu baise de!" Lelouch bellows at the door with one last pound – feeling a bit better in the fact that Suzaku knows absolutely no French –, his skin stinging even as he storms away from the door.

"Master Lelouch…?" Sayoko calls – the poor dear is very confused.

"I'm taking a shower!" he growls out before realizing he's yelling at just an innocent bystander. He looks over his shoulder, speaking through tight lips, "Can you please find me a clean uniform to wear to school today?"

She nods and so he continues to march towards the bathroom.

He wouldn't have thought he would go from nearly pleasuring Suzaku to nearly killing him in one morning…

Then again, it wouldn't be the first time something similar has happened.

•-•

"You're going to walk me to class today?" Nunnally asks happily, hand searching the air for another.

"That's right," Lelouch replies sweetly, grabbing her hand in reassurance. "It's been a while since I've done that."

She nods, a firm smile on her lips, "Yes, that's true, but you don't have to if it's a bother."

"It isn't a bother at all. How could you say something like that?" he frowns at her statement.

She giggles lightly, squeezing his hand, "Forgive me, big brother. Of course I want you all to myself."

He smiles.

Nunnally is his one purity in this world. There are no quarrels to shove through, there are no passive-aggressive remarks to avoid, no glares or scowls to reflect back, there's no stubbornness to run into… no pregnancies to deal with… (And if he has his way, that's something he'll never need to handle involving her.) She is perfect; his one true, sweet escape.

"And you too, Suzaku," she adds with a cheery ring. "Won't you walk with us today?"

Unlike that stupid seahorse he's managed to get his tail tangled with.

Lelouch passes a curious glance at Suzaku from across the table where he is moodily picking at the food Sayoko promptly prepared for them. Thunderclouds are swelling over his head, sparking out bad vibes and rolling grumbles that just happen to be too quiet for Lelouch to properly hear.

It all feels absurd.

Suzaku wasn't even the one that got kicked out of his own room in only his undershorts.

However, with a single word directed at him by Nunnally's mouth it's like the sun breaking through the gloom and doom of his mood. He smiles brightly, adjusts his voice away from the mumbles that bite at Lelouch's nerves like tiny piranhas.

It makes Lelouch wonder why he's bothered involving himself with this kid in the first place, but then he remembers their good times – which just happen to include many of their more intimate moments – and he understands.

He understands that he's also an idiot, that it is.

After all, it takes one to know one, right?

Suzaku smiles at Nunnally, glaring at Lelouch's glance.

Lelouch glares back.

"I don't know, I wouldn't want to interfere with your, uh, alone time with Lelouch." Suzaku tries to deny, and here Lelouch is torn. He'd rather not be near Suzaku right now, but with Nunnally's wishes tipping the scales, he never really had a chance in the first place. He just about kicked Suzaku out on his ass – see how he likes being thrown out – but Nunnally was of course exceedingly happy that he was here, and just in time for breakfast too, "…are you going to eat with us Suzaku?"

It was inevitable and they both knew it.

So, the war of glares ensued with some hard kicks under the table at Suzaku's expense. Suzaku wouldn't dare risk hurting Nunnally, so all his retaliations were reduced to bitter scowls and foul hand signals that Lelouch could just look away from.

Lelouch's pretty certain he won this battle.

"You're not interfering at all, right, Lelouch?"

Lelouch's eyes switch between Nunnally's smiling face, bright like a Morning Glory, to Suzaku's frowning face, dark like a dumpster.

"Of course not," he smiles at Suzaku and flips him off. "But if you're too busy, we'll understand."

Yes, he insulted and helped Suzaku at the same time. What of it?

Suzaku's brooding clouds build and Lelouch can see his teeth grit as he pushes himself up from the table with fisted hands.

"Yeah, I'm sorry, but I have to meet with Princess Euphemia this morning, so I should really get going."

Suzaku really has no class, does he? He announces to Lelouch last night that he is, undoubtedly, carrying their child and then runs off to play Knight for his fair princess – the sister of his lover – the following morning?

Tactless ass.

Nunnally's smile fades a little, but her tone is still pleasant, "That's alright Suzaku. This just means you'll owe me – so be careful!"

Suzaku, having nearly stomped around the table, grasps her hand with a smile.

"It's a date," he kisses her cheek.

Lelouch would kick him in the shin for being "smooth" on Nunnally if it didn't make her giggle in delight.

"Don't forget!" she playfully nags, pointing a finger at him.

He laughs, genuinely, and takes his leave.

"Don't worry, I won't forget." Then his eyes narrow at Lelouch when he adds, "Monday morning, I'm all yours," and he wags a crude hand gesture Lelouch's way.

Real original you stupid jackass, Lelouch mentally scorns as he stands up to bring Nunnally to her class.

Luckily for them both, Nunnally seemed completely ignorant to the ruckus they had made earlier as she didn't mention it. Or maybe she was just feigning ignorance for their sake. Sayoko had said she could hear them from the kitchen…

Come to think of it, Lelouch isn't even sure if Suzaku can get an abortion.

•-•

Lelouch felt too restless to lurk around the rooftop all day after he had walked and chatted with Nunnally to her class and soon found himself brushing past Tamaki's obnoxious calls to lock himself in his private room aboard the Black Knight's Submarine – it was more like he just had to get away from there, feeling too claustrophobic and… trapped. Any other day he might have gotten Rivalz to go gambling with him, but he needed to brood in solitude. Of course, running away to this fortress while dressed up like the proverbial superhero did make him feel very much like a child hiding in their tree-house or in their closet…

Lelouch swallowed that childish feeling and busied himself with checking over the attack plans on Kyushu which they're supposed to be engaging in within a few more days. He began a chess match against himself as his usual method of helping himself think – not that Kyushu is a main concern for him – but so far his focus is as sharp as Tamaki's wit. He's tried to concentrate, but it's hard when the sole subject trying to distract him is the same subject he's supposed to be thinking about.

Seems like Suzaku is always weighing heavily on his mind no matter what, but he has always been one of surprises – and they're never pleasant ones either: first was him being in the Britannian military, then the secret of patricide, then the Lancelot pilot and Euphemia's knight all at once, and now he's pregnant… Lelouch never saw that last one coming, but he'll just have to deal with it all the same.

Except this time he has to walk side by side with Suzaku's bull-headed attitude instead of trying to find a way around it.

The argument this morning has made this whole affair more realistic than when Suzaku nervously spoke the news last night. But their confrontation has also shined a light on other things other than the ugly reality he came home to. Suzaku's adamant reaction should have been predicted, but Lelouch didn't think that he would take it so personally. Maybe Lelouch is being too cold, maybe he's just too ignorant to the emotions pregnancy can bring to a person. He probably should have tried putting himself in Suzaku's shoes before suggesting something so controversial.

Conversely, he was trying to think about Suzaku when he suggested the "despicable" as the boy had called it. Aside from the obvious problems that can occur during his pregnancy, Lelouch doesn't want Suzaku to feel obligated to have this baby – that was the message he tried and failed to get across this morning. While Lelouch will support Suzaku the best he can in any decision he makes, he still wants him to clearly think his choices over before just impulsively picking a path and walking down it without knowing where it will lead.

Lelouch has always been Suzaku's compass but such a tool is useless if it's ignored.

Lelouch should feel relieved by Suzaku's declaration about not doing anything he doesn't want to but Lelouch knows Suzaku is just never one to think anything through. He's not so sure that if he were in Suzaku's place he'd be so resolute about keeping it; maybe that's why he pushed the issue so much.

However, it's not like Lelouch is exactly positive about what to do either. He's probably just as confused and scared as Suzaku – which is why Lelouch has strengthened his resolve to sway Suzaku to his—Zero's side. He'd like to not use trickery or foul play, but sometimes one has to get their hands dirty if they want to accomplish anything. It's bad enough Lelouch had to unleash his Geass on Suzaku just to keep the idiot from killing himself with that destroyer-of-all-life beam Lelouch's bastard of a brother decided to blast upon them—

Lelouch accidentally knocks a black bishop off the chess board in front of him with a frown.

Schneizel – like that fiasco that happened just days ago – is best disregarded at the moment lest Lelouch wants to worsen his headache.

Headaches aren't life-threatening, are they?

Are they?

At the moment Lelouch is trying to relax, trying to be as stoic as he can be whenever he pulls Zero's strings, but there's only so much refuge a paranoid prince can find within his own brain. His heavy violet eyes are strategically scanning the chess board in a fight against himself, but they're caught by the effervescent shade of C.C.'s long, thriving hair. She's apparently indulging herself with being a lush in his private quarters – where she currently likes to nest, not that he'll complain – as she lounges carelessly on a sofa opposite him with a stout coffee table between them. He drums his fingers over the dark mask nestled in his lap, chewing his tongue as he ponders whether or not he should tempt a migraine – because, really, isn't this getting a little overplayed? – before he should shove off to make it in time for the Student Council meeting.

Seeking council with C.C. is something of a last resort to help alleviate his worries, but it is more on the base of curiosity than out of hope that she'll be able to give him some of that wisdom gained by "old-age."

They say that curiosity kills the cat, but, why is it that the cat never stays dead?

"C.C.… what do you think about abortion?" he asks her as he ducks under the table to retrieve the fallen black piece—

"Abortion?" she asks not bothering to look at him, favoring the ends of her hair as she twiddles with them. "Why, did you get that Shirley girl knocked up?"

—only to tumble more pieces over when his head decides it wants to slam into the table, making black and white fall like hail to the steel floor.

"No way," he snaps, rubbing his head with a slight scowl and sitting upright again.

Stupid table…

She grins only in her voice, "I hope she never learns how disgusted you are by the thought alone. So it must be someone else then…?" she drawls in a pondering tone as she continues to tease her hair and Lelouch feels like he might throw up – he's not sure why. It must be a physical reaction to her by now; because he doesn't know what else he'll do if she guesses correctly. "So someone's finally deflowered your si—?"

"Don't you even dare finish that sentence," Lelouch threatens with his voice rumbling like an erupting volcano. "Or that beloved pizza chain of yours will tragically become some accidental casualties of those terrible terrorist attacks since they are an extension of Britannia."

Her eyes dart to him, "…You wouldn't."

"Who do you think you're talking to?" Lelouch smirks a little.

She's silent a moment, turbines from the submarine humming in her place with taps from a chess game being reassembled.

"Will you bring me some pizza if I answer you?"

"This isn't a bargain, C.C. There is no worth to your opinion."

"Then why should I even bother if it's so worthless?"

Lelouch clenches his jaw, "Then don't." he slaps the final piece down a bit forcefully.

Of course she would be difficult and twist his words – but really, he should have seen that coming, it wasn't very smart on his part.

Another quiet pause as her golden eyes trail over him like he's a map she cannot decipher.

"Is there something wrong? You seem more irritable than normal."

"I'm surprised you care enough to ask, witch," he derides offhandedly, checking the time—damn, he's already late.

"Don't confuse it with caring, I'm just curious. If it's something life-threatening, then I might care."

"It isn't." Yet. "Just never mind. You are no help as always."

"I try," C.C. says drolly, her catty smirk painting in his mind as he dons his mask.

"Well that's an efficient effort you make, C.C." he says in an easy slide of his voice as he strides to the door. "Shame it doesn't bring you that pizza any faster." Lelouch stalks out feeling like he just wasted the day.

It seems that C.C.'s wisdom is really worthless after all.

Or, rather, it isn't worth more cranial agony.

•-•

Lelouch stumbles through the door with a grimace, immediately grabbing every eye in the room including one swift and green glower.

"Lulu! You're late!" Milly complains.

Lelouch stares at her with a miserably cloudy expression, "Sorry, I overslept."

"The whole school day!?" Rivalz blurts out. "Didn't you sleep last night?"

Lelouch shuffles to the table and plops down in a chair, a weak chuckle falling out of his mouth.

"I slept, just not very well…" he says at length, realizing the strange look the cast is giving him – minus one Japanese boy. He rubs a hand through his hair with a yawn, relishing how polished his acting skills have become. "Anyway, what have I missed?"

With that cue, Milly drops a folder in front of him, "Just planning the festival – like we've been doing this whole week. Of course you wouldn't know that, what with your constant absences."

Passive-aggressive much?

Lelouch slaps his hand on the folder, "Yeah, you don't need to get parental on me."

Milly smirks, "Well, someone needs to. I think you deserve a spanking from mommy for skipping school today."

Rivalz is oddly heartbroken by her statement – definitely too much information revealed there.

Shirley turns beet red – typical even for an amnesiac Shirley.

Nina is much too involved in her computer to take notice of anything outside of whatever that cyber box shows her – also typical of Nina, nothing that should cause concern and yet something that probably should cause concern.

Suzaku seems to gleam at her in distaste with a blush touching his cheeks – a hint of jealously, no?

Arthur just proceeds to lick himself on the table in front of Suzaku – yes, he's licking that place.

Lelouch just rolls his eyes, flipping the folder open, "Walked right into that one, I suppose."

Milly laughs and then continues to prattle on about something else grossly inappropriate that proceeds to make Shirley and Rivalz squawk in splutters, but all Lelouch observes is Suzaku.

Thankfully Suzaku seems to have calmed down since this morning, not that he looks like he'll become Mr. Snuggle Bear with Lelouch any time soon. Maybe it's because they spent the day apart from each other that he's gotten a chance to cool off. Maybe it's just because Suzaku cannot properly display his emotions to Lelouch while they're surrounded by their peers; that must be why Suzaku is flat-out ignoring him during the Student Council meeting, even sitting at opposite sides of the table to pretend working – at least, Lelouch is pretending to work. Suzaku probably knows better than to let his stewing mood flood the group by associating with Lelouch at all.

It doesn't seem to keep him from glaring, however; especially when he catches a stray look from Lelouch.

Lelouch ignores it, making his body tell the lies of his schoolboy façade: calm, cool, collected, and carelessly lazy.

Whether or not this pisses Suzaku off more doesn't really matter because at this point Lelouch is already in the doghouse; moreover, Lelouch isn't going to bring any attention to himself with being as rigid as a grumpy stump… At any rate, Suzaku's body language speaks volumes and will only get the less desired attention from everyone else around him.

Like from nosey Milly.

At some point, she invites herself to sit next to Lelouch, tapping his shoulder about some financial business, but as he fishes for the papers her murmuring voice sneaks into his ear.

"Do you know what's bothering Suzaku? He's been acting strange all day."

Lelouch glances at the boy in question, seeing that he's wrapped up in trying to pry Arthur off his hand.

Lelouch shrugs, "Why are you asking me?"

Milly stares at him.

"…What?"

"Aren't you his best friend?"

"Aren't you just being nosey?"

"Lulu, how can you say such a thing?" she asks, faking injury.

"Because it's the truth," he answers plainly. "If you wanted to know you would just ask him, wouldn't you? But instead you're asking me because you want to be indirect and add drama to anything you can get your grubby hands on."

"…Actually, I'm asking you because I think it has something to do with you."

Lelouch blinks at her but looks away when he hears Suzaku shout, seeing a swipe of cat claws slashing at Suzaku's other hand with Shirley squealing in the background as Rivalz laughs heartily from the side—

"What makes you think that?" he turns his eyes back to Milly.

She smiles slightly, "The two of you haven't spoken a word to each other since you've gotten here."

—Shirley cries again as Suzaku starts to stumble with Arthur's claws reaching for skin as Rivalz is doubled over laughing—

"Is that strange? We don't always talk during meetings."

—Shirley flees as Suzaku flails around, trying to shake Arthur off like overly sticky tape with a flock of papers emerging around them, she runs blindly into Rivalz—

"It isn't unusual, but Suzaku typically greets everyone, including you even when you're late. He didn't do that today. Not even a chide."

—Rivalz literally chokes on his laughter when Shirley's back collides with him, sending them both to the floor in a frantic heap—

Lelouch hums, looking over as Suzaku desperately staggers around, tripping over his feet and the limbs of his friends—

"He's probably just mad because I skipped today. He's never approved of that and I guess he's fed up."

—Rivalz cries out after Suzaku steps on his hand, making the brunette flounder to keep his balance—

"Well, you shouldn't skip so much, Lelouch. Suzaku isn't the only one that disapproves so just kiss and make up already!"

—But Arthur lunges at his face, forcing Suzaku to lurch away by reflex and so he topples to the floor beside Nina—

Lelouch looks at her from the corner of his eye, reveling in her ignorance to the truth of their private relationship.

—Nina looks down at him, adjusts her glasses, looks at Rivalz and Shirley's flushed scrambles to get away from their embarrassing position, and then she looks back to her computer to continue typing—

"Speaking of kissing and making up…" Milly continues as she watches the others gripe and groan. "When are you and Shirley going to stop fighting? Your 'stranger' situation right now is no fun at all…"

Lelouch looks back down at his paper work after he briefly connects eyes with Suzaku's red-faced and wide-eyed expression as he straightened his uniform, tugging up on his collar before looking away again.

"Stop meddling in other people's affairs, Madam President," Lelouch says coolly.

Milly smirks at him again, "But it's what I do best, Vice Prez."

•-•

Suzaku doesn't make his appearance on the roof until dusk and it's with a slightly tentative scuff of his shoe against the concrete when he finally does.

Lelouch is positively pissed.

How much more time are they going to waste with this infernal conflict?

There was a period of time when Lelouch thought he might have mistook Suzaku's adjustment as a signal, but with such a specific movement and look Lelouch knew he wasn't the one in the wrong. Suzaku's spite isn't often encountered as he tends to let most things roll off his back, but with the upset this morning that apparently let all Hell break loose between them, Lelouch wondered if Suzaku would really bait him out onto the roof just to stand him up. It really became a question as to whether Suzaku would be that immature or if he was really that malicious.

Lelouch had snorted at that, like there was any room for doubt as to which the winner really was. Suzaku and malicious just don't go together – he is the masochist, not the sadist.

However, Lelouch is well acquainted with maliciousness – as the sadist should be.

Whether or not he employs it is completely up to Suzaku.

Lelouch is seated with his legs stretched out and crossed at the ankles, arms crossed over his chest as he leans against the stone balustrade fencing the roof, his countenance also crossed in anger.

Suzaku looks at him, having the nerve to carry a glower as he takes some gritty steps closer.

"Isn't it a good thing I live a life of leisure?" Lelouch starts scathingly to fill Suzaku's stalling. "Otherwise I would be undeniably infuriated by waiting hours after I was called to the rooftop." Lelouch furrows his brow more tightly, "It's a good thing I'm not the grudge-carrying type, right Suzaku?"

Suzaku's lip-line is tight but there is a glint of remorse in his dark eyes.

"I'll admit that I was intentionally making you wait up here, but…" he trails a little, eyes escaping Lelouch's.

"But?" Lelouch pushes tensely.

Emeralds flick back to him, "But I didn't mean it to be this late."

Lelouch isn't placated, "I should assume you don't know how to operate a telephone?"

"Don't get all high and mighty on me, Lelouch. You're not the only one allowed to be mad around here."

Lelouch huffs. The only upside to this forced wait is that Lelouch's headache was able to dissipate in peace and he, oddly, found himself calming down in the cool breeze wafting over the building.

"I don't want to be late for dinner with Nunnally, so let's just cut to the chase, shall we?" Lelouch gestures to his side perfunctorily. "Are you going to sit down or would distance be more preferable?"

Suzaku eventually shuffles over to Lelouch, as if he feared that Lelouch will ravage him like a feral beast.

Well, Lelouch had nearly ravished him this morning in bed… but that was a bit different.

"I've had time to think," Suzaku says, clasping his hands in his lap, "and I decided that I don't want to force you into something you don't want." Lelouch is already shaking his head. "I shouldn't have acted the way I did this morning, and I won't hold you responsible for anything."

Lelouch can't repress the explosive, exasperated sigh from blowing past his lips.

"Suzaku…" Lelouch rubs his forehead. "I feel like you never listen to a word I say."

Suzaku looks down at his hands, "This isn't what you want?"

Lelouch just wishes that it's possible to literally beat sense into a person.

It's possible to do the opposite, isn't it?

"Not at all."

Suzaku looks at him with the same juvenile gleam he did at dawn and Lelouch feels it tug a sad, little smile over his lips.

"I already told you that I would support any decision you make. I wouldn't dream of making you go through this or anything else alone."

Suzaku is confused and it's adorable, "But all those things you said…"

Lelouch sighs, more wistfully this time.

"Everything I said… I was just trying to explain to you that I didn't expect you to—no, that I didn't want you to feel obligated to keep the baby for anyone's sake. A lot of people find themselves in this same position and end up making the wrong decision whether they keep it or not and I didn't want us to live our future in regret."

Suzaku seems to understand – finally – if that nod is any indication.

"I was just trying to protect you." Lelouch continues softly. "Not only from regret or guilt but… Well, you're not built for pregnancy, Suzaku. I wouldn't risk your health for anything." Suzaku's giving him some slightly starry eyes so Lelouch knows that all he needs are some more smooth words and tones and he'll be out of the doghouse. "I would rather have you than a little embryo I know nothing about and if that makes me a cold-hearted person then I guess I'm cold-hearted. I just don't want to lose you, Suzaku."

I've already almost lost you TWICE.

Suzaku's fretful face melts away, his eyes twinkling under the sunset coloured sky with a dreamy grin curling his mouth.

"You're not cold-hearted," Suzaku counters affectionately. "You're just… you're just too protective."

Hook, line, and sinker.

This really was too easy, being resolved all in one cha—erm, in one day's time.

Lelouch smirks inwardly but shrugs outwardly, "Is that a crime?"

"No." Suzaku smiles at him. "It just makes me wonder when Lelouch has time to take care of himself."

"What's this? I thought you were my better half. That's your job."

"I think I cause you more trouble than I deflect. If anything you are my better half."

"Don't sell yourself short," Lelouch insists wondering why Suzaku's insecure side seems to always surface when they make up. "In any case, I think the two of us combined can make at least one decent person."

Suzaku laughs quietly and rests his head on Lelouch's shoulder, plopping his hand on Lelouch's leg.

"Give me your hand."

Lelouch looks down at Suzaku's palm, feeling another weight dissolve out of his chest and into the passing breeze as he laces their fingers together.

They sit in silence, enjoying the tranquil quiet surrounding them, breathing in the last rays of light from the sleeping sun. Although there are still things to discuss, so, so many more things to discuss, right now it's nice to just relax and enjoy the moment. Today, this morning, was stressful enough so everything else can just wait until later. Hopefully there won't be another fight waiting for the two of them then, especially since Suzaku's military career is something that needs to be reconsidered with this baby thrown into the mix.

Lelouch would really rather not repeat last night's and today's formula again tomorrow.

"…I feel like I should apologize for my behavior again from this morning, and probably for any future episodes I might have. Knowing me it might happen again."

"No, you don't have to apologize. You were upset and that's normal. I don't blame you."

"Yeah…" Suzaku snuggles closer to Lelouch's contour. "I was just looking at it from a different perspective than you – which is apparently something that can't be helped."

"And what perspective might that be?"

"It'll probably sound stupid to you, but…" he starts demurely, lifting his head. "To me this is like a miracle… or something. I was terrified at first and really confused, but I liked the idea. I mean, you and me raising a child – something that you and I created and having that something live and grow inside me, having a part of you inside me" Suzaku sighs whimsically, looking away from Lelouch's eyes and up at a daydream that only he can see illustrated in the sky. "I don't know; it felt like something I should treasure. Something that I shouldn't take for granted – because how often does an opportunity like this come along for people like us? I know this isn't the most ideal situation, like you said, but I can't give this up. I've even considered adoption, but maybe I'm too selfish because I can't imagine giving it away." his eyes fall back to Earth, fixating on Lelouch's uncanny eyes. "It's yours and mine and no one can take that away from us…"

"Is that how you really feel?" Lelouch can't keep himself from asking gently.

Suzaku nods with that very small smile, "Corny, right?" he laughs under his breath, looking elsewhere.

A family…

Lelouch had thought about it, the family life, just not quite in that same light as Suzaku. Perhaps Suzaku was too focused on the positives and Lelouch was too focused on the negatives; but that's how they ground each other – in an extremely annoying manner, but it works for them as sappy as that sounds.

"Corny or not, it sounds nice." Lelouch hears himself saying, somewhat surprised that his words are sincere.

Suzaku's eyes whip back to him, apparently he's also amazed.

Lelouch just smiles, "I just want you to promise me something, Suzaku."

Suzaku, the adorable little boy, holds Lelouch's gaze with anticipation.

"What?"

His smile flat-lines, "If there is any kind of risk or complication with this pregnancy, promise me that you won't go through with it. You don't need to push yourself and I don't want any harm to come to you because of this 'miracle.' Do you understand? I want you to live on even if it's minus our little spawn. Don't forget there are people who care about you and would be devastated to lose you."

Suzaku's eyes get somewhat glassy with the coded command but it's brief and fleeting leaving him to make a slightly spacey nod.

"I promise."

Lelouch's smile returns, "Good."

He kisses Suzaku, taking the brunette a bit off guard. Those clover eyes gleam at him with another lip-curling grin that contradicts his slight glower of disapproval.

Suzaku fiddles with their linked fingers, "So… do you think we can do this?"

"I've said it before and I'll say it again: together you and I can accomplish anything." he rubs his other hand over the back of Suzaku's.

Suzaku laughs, "So you're just as scared shitless as I am?"

Hit the nail right on the head.

Lelouch frowns, "I don't think that's appropriate language for an expecting mother."

Suzaku just laughs again, pointing another smile Lelouch's way – an invitation for a kiss as far as Lelouch is concerned. He leans towards that smile, pressing firmly against lips that pucker back, flaunting his own grin when he pulls away.

"Know what?" Lelouch asks as scoots away from the balustrade.

Suzaku licks his lips, "What?"

"I never got to finish what I started this morning…" Lelouch murmurs, dipping his voice into a lusty tone.

He waits for his own flirtatious curve to mirror across Suzaku's lips before kissing them again, moving to Suzaku's cheek, then Suzaku's neck, letting his free fingers blindly work at Suzaku's pants…

"What about dinner with Nunnally?" Suzaku breathes out, squeezing the hand still in his grasp.

Lelouch halts.

He actually forgot about Nunnally – Hell must be freezing over.

But as perfect and precious as she is she's not Suzaku and, well, she's just not Suzaku – and Lelouch won't be deterred from this mission again.

"Don't worry, I promise we'll come on time for dinner." Lelouch whispers the grammatically incorrect statement silkily in Suzaku's ear, moving his head down as he pulls a zipper in the same direction.

Any objection Suzaku might have made is tangled into a rapturous sound when Lelouch inserts that euphemism into his mouth.