A/N: Here's Part II! A lot of drama here. What happens next? Only I know.

Commentary and constructive criticism is welcomed!

Snow
Part II : The Decision

After their encounter, every waking thought was taken up by him. No matter what Lelouch happened to be doing, his mind wanders to the man with snow white hair and slim, feminine body. More than once Lelouch had to excuse himself to deal with the raging erection that sprung forth when his mind betrayed him.

They promised to meet up again, but it's been almost a week, and still Lelouch hasn't heard from Isei. It causes worry to build in the pit of his stomach; what if something happened to him? Yet on the sixth day, his phone chimes and violet eyes flicker to look at the number. "Private…?"

Answering, Lelouch puts it to his ear; he doesn't get a single word out before a voice echoes. "Lelouch?"

"Hello, Isei," Lelouch greets, the anxiety he felt for nearly a week ebbing away. "I was wondering when you'd call."

"Sorry… things got pretty bad here," Isei explains. Lelouch arches an eyebrow. The confident man he met at the club… it seems it's naught but a persona. Isei sounds bleak and tired, as if he's given up on the world. "I just… I'm sorry. The real me is a lot different than the one you met almost a week ago."

"It's alright," Lelouch reassures, wanting nothing more than to reach through the phone and embrace Isei. "Where are you?"

Isei rattles off an address and Lelouch sticks it to memory. "I… I hope I don't scare you off with just how different I am. At the club… I have to be that way. I actually… really hate acting in such a fashion."

"Don't worry about it. I'd much rather know the real you." A small smile curves Lelouch's lips at the thought of seeing the one who took up every piece of his mind. "I'll see you soon."

It takes twenty minutes to reach Isei's location by foot. Once Lelouch knocks on the door, a young boy who's the spitting image of Isei answers it. "Who are you?" he asks, voice wary.

"I'm here to see Isei Koizumi?"

"Oh, big brother. One sec," the boy says, turning away to yell up the stairs. There's more yelling before the teen turns back. "He's coming."

The boy walks off and Isei takes his place a minute later. "Hey," he greets, giving Lelouch a tiny smile. "I'm glad you came."

"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else," Lelouch promises, stepping in the house. He reaches and gives Isei a brief hug before pulling away. The raven haired man blinks in surprise whenever he sees Isei looking at him with watery eyes. "Isei? Are you okay?"

"Um… y-yeah, I'm fine. Sorry," Isei murmurs, a low chuckle tumbling from his lips. "Let me introduce you to my parents."

Lelouch nods, still feeling a bit worried and a tad confused at Isei's reaction to hugging him. Is he not used to affection…?

They walk for a couple minutes before they reach a dining room; Isei knocks on the wall and the pair sitting at the table look at him. "Mother, father, this is the man I was telling you about."

"Oh? A whore like you found a new plaything?" the woman scorns, a bitter smirk resting on her lips. "How long will it be before you toss him away?"

Anger boils in Lelouch's blood at the way Isei's mother talks to him. He moves to say something before Isei raises a hand, stopping his words before they leave his throat.

"I won't toss him away, mother," Isei replies, voice low. "He's different."

"I thought all people were the same to sluts like you," Isei's father snarls, smirking. "But maybe you'll prove us wrong."

The young boy sits there, not saying a word, instead playing on a game machine of sorts. Lelouch's fist shakes at his side; how dare these people claiming to be Isei's parents speak to him in such a way? But again, before he can say anything, Isei takes his arm and says, "Thank you," before leading him to a room.

"Those bastards!" Lelouch hisses once the door is shut. "How dare they treat you in such a way!"

"Lelouch, really… it's fine. I'm used to it," Isei whispers, a pained smile curling his lips. "They've been this way ever since I started working there."

"Why don't you leave?" the older man asks, reaching forward and running his thumb across Isei's cheek. "You shouldn't have to deal with such aggression from those who claim to be your parents."

"Aki," Isei replies, chuckling quietly. "My little brother. He's… he has cancer."

"What?" Lelouch feels as if he's punched in the stomach. "But he doesn't look to be more than seventeen…"

"I took that job to raise money, to get him the lifesaving treatments he needs. He's responding, but they… they cost a lot. I've been there for two years and I can't stop anytime soon."

"Isei." Chewing the inside of his cheek, Lelouch reaches forward and embraces Isei. He grips him in an iron grasp as Isei sags against him and breathes shaken breaths. "You're saving your little brother's life; your parents should respect what you're doing for him. Instead they toss you aside like you're trash… how do you deal with it?"

"I… I don't." Wrapping his arms around Lelouch, Isei buries his face within the taller man's shirt and begins to shake. "I cry myself to sleep every damn night because they treat me like a whore who deserves nothing."

Taking a deep breath, Lelouch makes a decision. "You can stay with my sister and I. Your little brother too."

"W… What?" Isei looks at Lelouch in alarm, dark blue eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I can't ask you to do that for us."

"You're not asking. I offered and you're going to take it." Lelouch presses his lips against Isei's temple to reassure him. "I can't stand to see you being treated like you're nothing."

"But…"

"But nothing. Get your things and Aki's too. I won't stand to have you abused any longer."

Isei smiles faintly and nods. When he makes to leave, Lelouch grabs his arm, stopping him. "I'm going to tell your parents you two are leaving. I don't know if it'll get messy, but if it does, avoid the situation and get your little brother out of here, along with yourself."

"Lelouch…"

"Go on."

Isei runs up the stairs; Lelouch makes his way to the dining room where Isei's parents still sit. He clears his throat, and they look at him, hatred brimming in their eyes.

"What does the slut's plaything want?" Isei's father spits.

"I'm taking Isei to live with my sister and I. Aki as well," Lelouch answers, glaring at the pair. "You treat your own flesh and blood like he's trash and he's saving your son's life! How dare you. I won't let him deal with your torment and abuse any longer!"

"I'll be damned if you take Aki away from us!" Isei's mother screams, standing up. "You take the whore wherever you want, but Aki stays here!"

"You treat Isei like he's nothing. I'll be damned if I let his little brother grow up in such a toxic household," Lelouch retorts. "Try what you like, but you won't get either of them back. I'll make sure of it."

Lelouch starts to walk off. However, before he can get far, a hard punch is thrown at his shoulder and he staggers forward. Turning around, he raises his fists at Isei's father. "You want to fight, do you?"

"Stop!" Isei hollers and everyone looks at him. "It's okay, Lelouch… you don't have to fight on our behalf."

"You're not taking Aki!" Isei's father hollers, moving to punch Lelouch again. Lelouch, in response, raises his hand and blocks it. A sinister smirk forms on his lips as, in a surprising show of strength, knocks the older man back a foot or two. "Damn you…!"

"Goodbye, you despicable excuses for parents," Lelouch hisses as he walks out with Isei and Aki in tow.

"Never again will Isei suffer because of you."

Aki talks throughout the whole trek and Lelouch can't help but smile at Isei's laughter. Such a beautiful sound, he thinks to himself. When they reach his home, Lelouch unlocks the door and yells, "Nunnally, I'm home!"

"Oh, Lelouch!" Nunnally exclaims as she walks down the stairs. Her light purple eyes look at Isei and Aki in confusion. "Who are these people?"

"Isei and Aki Koizumi," Lelouch introduces. Aki waves and Isei bows. "They're staying in our two spare bedrooms."

"Ah… okay. Did something happen to them?" Nunnally questions, cocking her head curiously. "I don't mind of course, but you normally don't bring home strangers…"

"I'll explain later, sister," Lelouch promises before turning to Isei and Aki. "Let me show you your rooms."

Nunnally smiles at the trio as they walk up the stairs, telling them she'll start supper for the four of them. Her heels click against the floor as she walks to the kitchen, the sound echoing off the walls.

"This room is yours, Aki," Lelouch says, opening a door. Aki's eyes widen as he looks around, then runs in, eyes bright with happiness. "I'll show you your room now, Isei."

"O… okay." Isei nods as Lelouch walks them a couple feet away from Aki's new room. They stop and Lelouch opens a door, smiling a little at the surprised gasp tumbling from the white haired man's lips. "Oh my… this room is huge!"

"It's all yours. Do what you wish with it."

"We… we don't deserve such kindness…" Isei turns and wraps his arms around Lelouch, nuzzling his cheek against Lelouch's black shirt. "Thank you… thank you so much…"

"It's fine. Honestly," Lelouch reassures, giving Isei a brief squeeze before pulling back. "Supper won't be done for another half an hour I'd say, so look around as much as you'd like."

Isei smiles and it warms Lelouch's heart; it's the first happy smile he's seen from the younger man. Tousling his white tresses, Lelouch gives him a smile all his own before retreating down the hall.

TBC.