AN: Welcome Back! I hope you all enjoy this chapter! :)

P.S. Sorry for any mistakes I may have missed.


Chapter 3: In This Moment


It was a bright and early morning, the dawn of light carefully brightening the dark curtains of his room, just illuminating it a bit but not enough to interrupt the sleeping man bundled under the covers. Although it was enough to rouse him awake, it wasn't the source of him having to force his eyes open. Rather it was his very much annoying particular ringtone for a special someone. It's Milly's barking chihuahua ringtone which irked him since he much rather not prefer to hear that annoying sound so early in the morning.

Lazily reaching for his phone on the bedside table, he answered the device to shut up the sound.

"Hello?" He groggily answered.

"Hello Lelouch, what are you up to?" She dragged out a cheerily tone.

"I was sleeping until you called Milly, what do you want?"

"Oh sleeping huh..."

Once it got quiet on her side after those words came out, Lelouch knew he was about to get an earful from Milly.

"Well, I'm not sorry for waking you because Lelouch you need to get out of bed and start packing! You are not going to bail out on us again so I need you to hurdle them up and move your horses!" Milly shouted loudly.

Lelouch pulled the phone away from his ear not really amazed at how he could still hear her loud voice even though she wasn't on speaker, though that did stop her as she continued to give him the lecture that he really didn't want to listen too. Taking the opportunity to read the time on his phone, which read seven o'clock in the morning, Lelouch face palmed himself and let out a loud groan, bringing the phone back to his ear.

"Okay Okay I hear you Milly. How about you hang up and let me get ready... We're not leaving till three right?"

"Three or twelve I don't care Lelouch. If your hiney isn't ready by the departure time, I'll personally drag you out of the house. Do you hear me?"

Lelouch let out a huff. "Loud and clear Milly."

"Good because Spring Break is going to be the best. A perfect getaway at the beaches, mini stores, tourist attractions, and much more! So it's going to be great whether you want to come or not. So get ready lazy. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal."

"Okay, I'll see you later then, bye Lelouch!"

The phone call ended.

He threw his phone randomly on the bed wanting to catch more sleep, but he needed to finish packing, so he forced himself to get out of bed. After a quick morning shower, he did his daily morning routine, and finished packing up the rest of his clothing and other small things zipping up his luggage, he then threw himself back on the bed to rest. Looking at his phone for the time it read, 8:28 am. Seeing at how much time he has to spare, it gave him the idea that maybe he could pay C.C. another visit before he left. It won't hurt to see her one more time-

He really does like spending time with her so this could be a great opportunity.

The doctors told her that if she recovers fast enough then she could leave for the Spring Break trip, but by the time she reached her 'recovery date' it would be the last three days of the trip. Not like it really mattered to him or her. C.C. could honestly care less about how much time she gets to spend away from home, just as long as it's not in the hospital.

"Lelouch, breakfast is ready!" Nunnally called out.

"Coming!"

He swiftly got up from bed and made his way downstairs where a deliciously cooked breakfast was served at the table. Toast, eggs, sausage, choice of fruit, and of course orange juice. "Yum, did you cook this Nunnally? It looks really good." He boasted his sisters cooking skills, making his way to sit at the table. Nunnally made her way around the table placing silver wears on each plate.

"Doesn't it? I cooked most of it own my own except for the sausages. I always find myself to burn them no matter how much I pay attention to make sure that they don't." The two siblings laughed at her futile ability to cook the particular food. When the young brunette finished, she sat down across front her brother. Both siblings were hungry, but neither ate since they usually waited until their mother joined them.

"So what are you doing this break again Nunnally?"

"Oh! Big sister Cornelia invited me to her place for a few days to visit some art galleries and museums close to her since we don't really have any here. Cousin Rolo is also coming so it's going to be really fun. Does C.C. still want to become an artist? I think it would be something she'd like to see." Nunnally failed to see the hurt that passed on his features. She really doesn't know how sensitive her questions was... though it's easily forgiven since she's clueless and purely ask out of curiosity.

Giving his sister a wide grin, "Yes, she still wants to become an artist. She's also thinking about moving away after High School to be inspired by new surroundings and not the old that she's seen all her life."

The brunette took notice at how sad Lelouch appeared when he talked about C.C. How else could he look when his best friend since they were babies is dying of an unknown illness. Nunnally then reached across the table to grab hold of her brother's hand. "Don't worry about C.C. She's going to be fine."

Lelouch smiled at his sister giving her hand a little pat with his other hand before pulling away both. They talked for a little longer about school and other things until their mother finally joined in. Breakfast in the Lamperouge house was delightful yet so simple as always. Even if the family was a bit complex. He lived with his mother, sister, and 'father'. His father was always busy with work and stayed away on business trips a lot. So he's hardly ever home to begin with. He has three older half-siblings and one younger half-sister. Schneizel, Cornelia, and Clovis were the oldest, then it was him and after is his half-sister Euphemia, and last but not least was little Nunnally.

His family was a bit complex but they all love and care for one another in their own ways.

After the small family finished their meal, Lelouch cleaned up the table before announcing that he will pay C.C. a visit to the hospital.

"Wait Lelouch."

Marianne called out to her son before he walked out the front door. "Do you want me to drive you there? We are going to the same place after all."

He smiled. Sometimes he forgets that his mother also works at the same hospital C.C. is admitted too. "No that's fine, I won't be staying for too long. Remember I have to come back home before Suzaku picks me up."

The woman gave her son a hug. "In case I don't see you again, I want you, Suzaku, and everyone else to have a fun safe trip." She kissed him on the forehead.

"Alright."

#

Bidding his goodbyes for a while, it was around 10:45 when he left, giving him just enough time to stay for at least an hour. The trip to the hospital was a nice little drive since it wasn't exactly close to where he lived, but he never complained because every trip there was worth the drive and frustration, especially during rush hour.

Upon entering the hospital like he did multiple times a week, he greeted Ms. Niwa, they chatted for a little bit, and like she does every time, she gave him the go ahead to see the lovely lady he called his best friend. Today's visit for his, just friend, he brought her a book to read. In the past he would bring her books to read since she liked to read, though ashamed in embarrassment, she didn't want to ruin her reputation as 'the cold witch who doesn't care' and stop reading during her stays at the hospital. Lelouch tried to tell her that nobody cared if she loved to read, but she being annoyingly stubborn about it decided to not listen.

He soon quickly found out that she actually enjoyed listening to him read out loud. When they were little, he would read to her all the time as they lay together under a big tree in the grass as the cool summer breeze brushed past against their skin on those beautiful days. Back then it was something that they did just to pass the time, but he never knew until they gotten older on how much appreciation she had for him by taking the time to read to her.

An act that was so simple and could be meaningless to others had meant the entire world for her.

Lelouch walked down the cold hallway hearing the usual heart monitors, breathing in the smell of plastics and disinfectants. The same sounds, the same smell, but today...

The scene before him was different.

Nurses in different directions were running pass him frantically, but with a purpose. A few workers here and there bumped into the young man, quickly apologizing before they continued to run in his set direction with great speed. And even though his heart was thumping hard against his chest, he tried to keep out the negative thoughts from purging his mind as he decided to ignore and continue walking. But he couldn't hold down the feeling because... why were all the nurses still heading down his path?

It wasn't towards C.C.'s room... right?

Lelouch's feet picked up the pace when he heard panicked orders from the doctors and nurses becoming louder and frighteningly clearer.

"Please... please don't let it be C.C."

Lelouch's pace became terribly fast once he saw that the room nurses carried machines and other equipment in was familiar. Where all the shouting and demands radiated, where the aura unfolded for the worse as his body met a hard wall anxiety...

The unveiling suspense for him as they entered room 208.

C.C.'s room.

"C.C.!" Lelouch shouted. Fear consuming his mind and body, something that he hated feeling when it came to his beloved friend.

Lelouch ran towards her room and his heart had broken at the sight, his soul escaped his body, and the only thing he wanted to do was to run over and comfort her.

But he couldn't.

There were nurses running about the room hooking up machines and wires to the green beauty. Her heart monitor going off and speeding up like an alarm. She was coughing uncontrollably, splattering blood all over her hands, gown, and the white and blue sheets of her bed. Blood was running down her nose like a river and one of the doctors tried to coax her onto her side, but she cried out in agony instead.

"C.C.!" He barged his way halfway into the room before a female nurse stopped him. Annoyance striking him as she hindered his wanted need to get to her. Lelouch pushed his way past her, but didn't get far when she jumped in front of him again and gently pushed him further away from the bloody scene out the door.

"I'm sorry sir, but you can't be in here." She repeated.

One more female, then a male nurse joined the first one as they kept repeating the same thing to him.

What do they mean he couldn't be in there with her?

"Let go of me that's my friend!" Lelouch unintentionally yelled at one of the nurses in despair.

"I understand sir, but you can't be in here."

The three nurses continued to struggle escorting Lelouch out of the room as he fought against them in an attempt to reach her.

"C.C. please!"

When the said girl looked at him, his face washed with hopelessness. He could no longer move which made the nurses job a lot easier in assisting him out. But time felt so slow, it slowed when she stared into his eyes. Bright red liquid stained her porcelain skin from the mouth and ran all the way down to her chin, entering a little ways to her neck. Her eyes were completely cold, slowly becoming lifeless. He heard her choke out, very scratchily, a little low but loud enough for his ears to pick up.

"Lelouch?"

The door was shut in his face.

One of the nurses that he recognized as C.C.'s personal one was talking to him, but honestly... he couldn't hear a thing. His ears blocked everything out except for the sound of a loud pitched ring. His body body felt lifeless like a rag doll that had been torn to bits by a dog that was his reality. Flashes of C.C.'s last incident crossed his mind. Except that time, she wasn't in the hospital where she could get immediate attention. She was in her room with him enjoying movie night before she started spewing out blood.

Lelouch looked down to his hands where they had once been stained by her.

Realizing that he wasn't responding to her at all, most likely still in a state of shock, the kind nurse stopped talking and moved the unreachable Lelouch to a different area with ease.

#

Two hours has passed and all Lelouch has done is sit in the waiting area slouched in his seat, disconnecting himself from time and space. His attention was then pulled back to earth when the nurse he recognized as Amy sat down next to him.

"Lelouch? Do you want water or anything?"

He stayed quiet for a moment until- "I want C.C." He looked over to her. "What's happening to her?"

The nurse looked at how red his eyes had gotten and how his amethyst swam in tears, not yet falling to their doom.

"Is C.C. going to be okay?" He tiredly asked, turning away to rest his elbows on his knees, slouching forward in an attempt to keep his emotions under control.

"We got to her on time. Her lungs had filled with blood, so she needs to go under surgery again for the fluids to be drained out."

"I thought she had surgery for that yesterday?"

She looked down in sadness, somewhat feeling ashamed that she let the young teen down.

"I'm assuming the lung that didn't get drained filled up this time." She paused for a moment. "Don't worry Lelouch... she's going to be fine."

"That's what you said last time." He said a little harsh in his tired state.

Taken aback from the sudden hostility, "I'm sorry, but-"

"Lelouch?" The said teen looked up to see his mother dressed in her usual attire with her white long coat. "What's the matter?"

"Miss Corabelle is undergoing surgery again ma'am." The kind nurse informed the older woman that shared the same shade of hair as her son.

"What? So soon?" She said in shock.

"Yes ma'am. She started having troubles again and the problem is that she had fluids filling her lungs, although it's most likely just the right lung since we drained her left the other day."

Marianne looked down to her son who looked scared and hopeless. "Lelouch it's already one o'clock... how about you go home and wait for Suzaku-"

"I'm not leaving until I see C.C. again." He cut his mother off.

"Lelouch, she's going to be okay. I'll call and let you know how she is doing later, but it's best if you go back home. You don't need to worry about this."

Lelouch opened his mouth to argue back, but held his tongue when Marianne lifted her hand to silence him.

"Lelouch don't let your friends down. I know how much she is dear to you. She's important to me too, but you've known from the start at how bad she can get so quickly. She's been through a lot worse than filling the lungs so please go home. I assure you that she is in a stable and better condition now. I'll text you if anything changes, so please son-" she brushed back his silky hair. "Go home... you know how C.C. hates it when people put things off because of her."

Lelouch just nodded in acceptance. He knew his mother was right, around the same time last year, she'd gotten sick and had to stay at home to be watched carefully. And because he cared so much, he bailed out on his friends on a trip to stay by her side.

Like he's always done.

Sighing in defeat, he knew he couldn't win against his mother.

"Alright... just don't forget to let me know."

"I promise Lelouch."

#

By the time he got home he felt like crap. So sluggish yet shaken up, he couldn't even explain where the sudden feel of exhaustion came from. He threw his book and keys on his desk before tossing himself on the large bed. He concluded that he might as well get some shut eye while he waits for Suzaku to come by. Thinking back to what his mother said about C.C., he can only hope, and as bad as it made him feel just thinking about it, he has to respect her wishes and try to have fun without her. But right now, he just wants to know that she's fine.

Scooting up closer to his pillows for a cuddle, his eyes locked on a picture on his bedside table. It was a picture taken of him and C.C. on his 17th birthday. They were both stuffing each other faces with cake, almost like what newlyweds would do... except of course it was just a birthday cake and party. They're just friends after all.

Lelouch closed his eyes at the fond memory. "C.C. is not a quitter."

What felt like a minute later, Lelouch woke up feeling a bit irritated and groggy. He must've dozed off for a while because the next thing he knew, Suzaku was calling him to let him know that he was here. Lelouch checked his messages and saw that he had received a text from his mother.

Mom: C.C. is in stable condition. She's asleep right now and should be awake in a few hours or by tomorrow morning... she's fine dear.

Feeling a little bit of the heavy weight off his shoulders, he texted her an 'ok' as he dragged himself out of bed and carried his luggage down the steps and out the house to a waiting Suzaku.

"Wow you look like crap Lelouch... did something happen?"

"No-" He threw his luggage in the trunk. "Nothing new really... C.C. won't be able to make the trip." He shut the trunk.

"Why not?" Suzaku asked when the two teens got inside the car.

"She got sick again and had to go under another procedure, so she needs to stay longer."

Suzaku could see just how hurt Lelouch was. He and Lelouch had been friends for ten years now, and over the years he had noticed that Lelouch was very careful around the sick girl. It's not like Lelouch treated her like a sick patient, no C.C. hated when people treated her like that, but he treated her with great kindness, love, and respect. Almost like a parent to a child, but without the suffocating affection. His friend has seen a lot of her downs so he guess it's only natural for him to worry so much since her life is slipping away slowly, but at the same time a lot faster than they realized.

"I'm not worried about her, she's a stubborn girl and won't be brought down easily. Though I should pay her a visit next time, it's been a while and she's extremely fun." Suzaku laughed at the end which brought a smile to Lelouch's face.

"Yeah... she really is."

#

"Alright! Ladies and Gents, I hope you picked your roommates for the duration of the trip before we got here!" Milly shouted to make the announcement to the tired group of friends. It was late at night and all they wanted to do was to go to their rooms, unpack a little, rest, and then head down for dinner at a restaurant Milly insists that is really good.

"This is the first that I've heard of it." Euphemia said to everyone's agreement.

"Yeah Milly, when were you going to tell us that we had to share rooms?" Kallen complained.

"Oh my, plan to do something other than sleep Kallen?" Milly jokingly teased, watching as the dark redhead began to blush and so did Gino. "Naughty naughty naughty." She snickered shaking her head. "This is a family-friendly trip. Let's try to keep it PG."

"That's not the point Milly!" Kallen shouted.

"Okay well hurry up and decide- I choose Kallen!"

"What? Wait get off of me!" Kallen whined trying to remove the blonde girl off who had just claimed and latched herself onto her arm.

"Lulu do you know who you're going to room with?" The shy girl asked her friend whom she had a crush on for the longest. Shirley focused on how tired he looked and distant he felt. Crazy how he's right here next to her, but he never felt so far away.

"I assume we're doing the girls and boys separation so-"

"Hey, Lelouch you want to room together?" Suzaku threw his arm around the raven-haired teen, cutting him off.

Lelouch turned to the brunette before looking back at Shirley, "Before I was rudely interrupted, I was gonna say I'll room with this idiot."

"Hey! I'm not an idiot."

Shirley watched the two boys interact with a graceful smile before facing the rest of her options. Milly and Kallen were sharing, so there was no other option than to room with Nina and Euphemia. The boys were even so it wasn't like she really had a fair chance.

"Oh don't worry Shirley, every room has two queen size beds." Euphemia tired to cheer the trouble girl. "You and I can share or you can share with Nina. You can probably have a bed all to yourself if Nina and I share. Or if you feel like being rebellious, you can sleep on the pull out bed." She ended the many possible solutions excitedly.

"I don't mind sharing a bed with Euphemia." Nina stated shyly looking away from her now roommates.

"Alright! Sleeping arrangement done! It's going to be a fun trip!" The beautiful woman exclaimed.

"Can we go up now?! I'm tired of standing around like birds." Rivalz whined.

"Of course, what are you guys waiting for?!" Milly shouted, still holding onto Kallen much to her annoyance.

After retrieving their keys and entering their separate rooms, Lelouch didn't bother to unpack and just made his way to the bed, attempting to relax before they left. But relaxation never came when his phone started to ring. The caller ID read C.C., and even though his heart jumped a little from seeing her name on the screen, if there was a possibility that she would wake up in the morning, then it was most likely not her who was calling since it's only been five hours since he was told that she was fine.

So he answered anyways-

"Hello?"

"Hey Lelouch." The voice of the man who answered belonged to his friend's father. "I heard you made quite the scene today." He awkwardly laughed.

Judging by how tired the man sounded Lelouch decided to play along. "So did she, it's only natural that I follow for the show."

There was silence-

"Heh...yeah. Ummm I talked to your mother and she said that she talked to you a little. But uh... C.C. won't be awake until tomorrow morning...so I thought I'd just give you an official call and tell you that she is doing better. The doctors said that her right lung and a little bit of her left filled with uh blood, fluids, I'm not really sure what to call it. So they did a drainage and made sure that something like that won't happen again. The doctor said when they drained her left lung the first time, the right one didn't show any signs of it becoming filled so they didn't touch it. But this time they doubled check it and she's clear to go."

The teen let out an exasperated sigh of relief and for the first time that night he felt like he could breathe. "That's really good... I was really worried."

"So was I kid. They're keeping her in the ICU for the rest of the week as they watch her under close surveillance. I'm sorry that she won't be able to make it there to you guys." C.C.'s father apologized.

"Don't worry, it's just a trip. We can always plan more in the future. She comes first and as long as she is as healthy as she could be, then that should suffice." Lelouch added to make the man feel comfortable.

"Yeah, you're right. Well, I'll let you go. I assume you'll come by when C.C. gets home so I will see you then."

"Alright, Thank you for the news Mr. Corabelle. Have a good night."

"You too."

The conversation ended and the world has been lifted off his shoulders. He can breathe without taking in needles.

As the night continued the group of friends went to eat at the restaurant. They all chatted up a storm, humiliated each other, and were just having a good time like any ordinary group of teenagers would. Lelouch learned that life is too short, you have to live the way you want it and not let anybody stand in your way. So he's doing just that, doing the best he can to enjoy this moment with his friends out at dinner. Facing tomorrow with his head held high as he will live in those moments and make them memories for years to come.

But just to himself... the night would've been better if the snarky and mischievous green-haired beauty was here to join them.

#

The faint sounds from the beeping machine next to her roused her awake, the same machine that sounded an alarm and saved her life, because if it hadn't...she probably wouldn't had made it. The loud and sharp coughs that ended in blood prevented her from calling out for help. She was so scared yesterday... it just happened so suddenly. When she first struggled to breathe that was when the blood started to come out and after that, everything was a blur.

"Goodmorning C.C., how are you feeling today?" Nurse Amy greeted bringing in a tray of medicine and bandages.

C.C. turned her head very slightly, a little restricted by her nasal breathing tube and the multiple wires on her chest, arms, and hands.

"I feel like crap." She hoarsely said, looking at the nurse that is preparing her things.

"If you can just slightly turn onto your left side, I need to clean and change your bandage." Doing as she said she turned to her side and felt her gown being untied, revealing her back and side.

While waiting for her to finish, the image of Lelouch popped in her head followed by him calling her name.

"C.C. please!"

"Miss Amy, was Lelouch here yesterday?" C.C. asked not really knowing if what she saw and heard was just a dream. She really doesn't remember much. Just blood all over the place, doctors, and nurses. She remembers crying out in pain, but after that everything went blank.

"He was. He's really worried about you. When he came over and saw what was happening... let's just say he got a little aggressive seeing you in that state." The nurse let out a light laughter.

"Lelouch has always been the protecting one." The patient mumbled trying to resist the temptation of falling asleep.

"Your plush was taken by your father to be cleaned up in case you were wondering."

"Is that so..." C.C. now remembering that poor Cheese-Kun became a victim in her bloody coughing fits as splats of it landed on him here and there. "Poor Cheese-Kun."

"Okay, now time for the medicine." She shifted C.C.'s bed just enough to make it easier for her to swallow and drink down the multiple pills.

"C.C., by the end of the day you should be moved back to your hospital room okay?" The nurse took C.C.'s cup and repositioned the bed to where it had been for her comfort.

C.C. gave a thumbs up before she closed her eyes giving into sleep.

#One Week Later#

It was the end of the trip and although Lelouch cared for his friends dearly, he was ready to get away from them. There's only so much time he could spend with the crazy group until it drove him nuts. Especially Milly with all her problematic shenanigans. The first couple of days they had gone to shopping areas and saw half of the tourist attractions. The third day they'd spent the entire day on the beach and ate at a restaurant for dinner. The fourth day was a day of relaxation and the rest of the remaining days consisted of more beach time, finish seeing the rest of the attractions, arcades, late night beach parties, horsing around in the pool area, and sightseeing.

It was a lot of fun and Lelouch would be lying if he said he didn't enjoy it.

Even though they've been to the beach countless of times, it was still fun to go since they did something different every day. Like watermelon smashing, sandcastle competitions, beach volleyball, etc. And today day on their last day, it was a free for all.

"Can I sit here?" Shirley asked, pulling Lelouch away from his thoughts.

"Sure, I don't know why you're asking." He told her, making a faint blush appear.

"How come you're not in the water with the others?"

"I can ask you the same." He answered.

The shy girl blushed prettily. "I was for a little, but you've been sitting on the shore the entire time so I wanted to keep you company."

Lelouch lifted his brows with a smirk on his face. "Is that so?"

Shirley averted her eyes quickly. "Yes... wait I mean no I mean-"

His laughter filled her heart with happiness. "It's okay Shirley, I'm just messing with you."

He bumped his shoulders with hers. Flustering the girl even further as they sat in silence, watching their friends and the dusk kissing the ocean's horizon.

Suzaku and his new girlfriend, aka Lelouch's half-sister, Euphemia were playing chicken with Kallen and her boyfriend Gino. Milly was busy burying Rivalz underneath the sand, much to his delight while Nina just sat and watched. Now that he wasn't 'alone' anymore, he and the lovely Shirley sat on the shore together making small conversation. They started to talk a little bit about after their plans for after graduation. Naturally, they were all going to college and Shirley revealed that she wants to become a teacher. Meanwhile Lelouch is stuck between being a piano teacher or go right into the family business.

He wasn't really sure what he truly wanted to do after High school.

"What about C.C.? Does she have any plans after High School?"

"C.C. wants to become an artist."

"Oh, that's good! She is really good at drawing and painting. I can see her doing that." She smiled.

He smiled back for a moment before it became something a little sad. "C.C. doesn't really like making plans for the future. She doesn't like the idea of telling herself a lie and give out false hope if it turns out that she won't be able to do any of the things she wants to do."

"Oh, I didn't know." Shirley quietly said, paying attention to how handsome features contorted into a lighthearted smile.

"But that was always something she believed in now that I think about it..."

...

It was the summer before senior year, C.C. came to Lelouch with the drive of spontaneity and asked him if they could go to the nearest beach. He was reluctant at first since in was late afternoon, but she always won him over. By the time they arrived at the beach it was already dark out. But not too dark since the lights of the lamps and nearby buildings illuminated it.

It was a tolerable chilly night and the fresh smell of sea water lightened his mood and relaxed him altogether. Thirty minutes has passed and the two were building sandcastles in a friendly competition. His was coming along great while hers was without a doubt a very sorry and poor excuse of a sandcastle; it was more like a sand hill.

"Lelouch, what do you want to do after senior year?" She asked him randomly knowing that he didn't have an answer.

"I've told you a million times, I don't know what I want to do."

"Well you should Lelouch, so I will keep asking until you come up with an answer." She patted on her 'sandcastle' adding the finishing touches with a random twig and a few seashells.

"What about you? What do you want to do?" He asked while he worked on his with intense concentration, drawing out the bricks and windows.

"I want to be an artist."

He eyed her sandcastle and began to laugh.

"What's so funny Lelouch?" A pout formed on her face.

"If you said architecture, you would've been in big trouble because you can't even make a decent sandcastle." He laughed harder when she started to throw small seashells his way.

"Don't be mean Lelouch."

"You're mean to me all the time." He chuckled before working on his castle again. They stayed in a comfortable silence until she said something out of the blue.

"I sometimes dream about getting married and having one or two kids."

He halted from the sudden confession staring at her intently. His mind starts to wonder to the dark question.

'Could she even conceive kids?'

"I know what you must be thinking Lelouch." His heart skipped a beat to her words. "You must be wondering if I can even have kids and honestly...I really don't know if I can." She looked right into his beautiful violet eyes. "But one day I would like to..." She gave him a smile as she continued with decorating her 'sandcastle'. Lelouch watches her while the beast of jealousy was being fed at the thought of her getting married to a nameless faceless guy.

"Do you know what kind of guy you want to marry?" The question came out like word vomit

"Jealous Lelouch?"

"No!" He answered too quickly and failed to cover the jealousy.

She poked out her tongue. "You don't have to be upset, I don't want to fall in love."

"Wait, why not?" His castle long forgotten as he carefully listened to the words that passed her lips.

"Because what if I fall for him hard and he leaves me cause of my illness? That's why I said I dreamed of... I never said I wanted too."

Feeling a little brave, throwing out the nervousness that's holding back his words and the sorrow he felt for her desired unspoken dream. "C.C.-" He took her hand in his. "If you're not in love and I'm not in love or married by the time we reach our late twenties..." His grip became firmer. "I will marry you."

She took a series of sharp breaths at his proclamation. Her heart sped up at the thought of getting married to Lelouch, a blush now adoring her cheeks. Something that he provoked out of her that nobody else could. "Stop playing around Lelouch, I know you don't want to spend the rest of your life with a sick-"

"Girl?" He finished for her then continued. "I would... I would marry a sick girl if I fell deeply in love with her. I wouldn't leave her for something that she can't control." He abandoned his castle to sit in front of her. "If we are able to have kids, I will have kids with her. Just as long as she loves me back. Sick or not."

Her breaths came out shallow, her heart racing and tears shimmered in her golden orbs. "Lelouch, are you confessing your love to me?" Lightly teasing her friend.

"Not a chance. We don't love each other like that C.C." He pushed her lightly on the shoulder.

"But you love me enough to marry me and have kids with me as a friend." She smirked while he blushed madly.

"We will see C.C."

She crawled in between his spread legs, planting herself between them on her knees as she wrapped her arms tightly around his shoulders embracing him warmly. He lightly wrapped his arms around her waist. "You're such a romantic Lelouch it's sickening." She muffled against his shoulder.

"It's a good thing we're just friends isn't it?" He chuckled, closing his eyes to her inviting warmth on the chilly night.

...

Lelouch and Shirley sat together for a little longer until it was time to leave. They checked out of the hotel and made their way back home. It sort of felt saddening to say goodbye to his friends, but he will see them in a couple of days back at school. After a few hours of driving back this time since Suzaku was passed out from playing too hard on the beach, Lelouch drove himself home and only then he woke up Suzaku and made sure he was awake enough to drive back safely. Bidding his farewells he entered his home.

Home Sweet Home.

"Hey honey how was the trip?" Marianne asked emerging from her office.

"Nunnally isn't back yet?"

"She's coming back tomorrow afternoon." She walked into the kitchen, Lelouch following behind.

"I'm so tired." He started. "The trip was a lot more fun than I thought it was going to be... but I'm happy to be back home."

She kissed her son on the head. "Well, I'm glad you're back. I left a surprise for you upstairs, make sure you are careful with it." She gave him a smile then taking out a few snacks for herself. Lelouch raised a brow in confusion, but just pushed it away. He didn't feel like talking about it. As dragged himself and luggage upstairs, upon reaching the door he opened it...

Lelouch stood frozen at the sight before him... a sight that made his heart drop yet leap with joy.

The most beautiful woman who had unique green hair and mesmerizing amber eyes sat on his bed wearing a huge smile on her face.

"Geez Lelouch... what took you so long? You sure know how to keep a girl waiting." She teased but was caught off guard when he made quick strides towards her, picking her up with surprising strength and spinning her around a few times before setting her down. A little dizzy but got over it as they stayed in an embrace.

"I'm so happy you're back... you had me worried sick C.C." He whispered into her neck. "I'm glad you're finally out of the hospital." He pulled away just enough to look into her shinning eyes.

"I'm well enough to be home. I was told that you'd gotten aggressive with some nurses over me." She winked at him whilst playing with the ends of his hair. "So I asked Papa and your mom if I could spend the night here... just for one night."

He smiled, delighted to see that she's back to 'normal'.

"Is it okay for you to be out for sure?" She nodded her head to answer. "Good."

He said before pulling her back in for a hug.

#

After the two friends had a late dinner that filled with her harassing him to no end, they finally settled down and laid in his bed to get some sleep.

That was two hours ago...

It's 2:48 in the morning and Lelouch finds himself unable to sleep with the girl next to him. He just couldn't get any shut eye so he decided to gaze upon her gentle features, watching her breathe lightly in slumber.

Or so he thought-

"Lelouch you're being a creep. You need to go to sleep." She told him still having her eyes closed.

He let out a low chuckle.

"I love you."

Opening her eyes, "Oh no a confession?" C.C. pretended to sound surprised. "I can not reciprocate your strong feelings." She covered his face with her palm.

Lelouch then gently removed her hand to see her beautiful face, making eye contact with her once more.

"I was so scared for you C.C." He confessed.

She immediately dropped the act and turned serious.

"I was scared too. I was scared in not being able to see you again. To listen to you read, to play and joke around with, no longer able to be by your side."

"I feel the same." He closed the gap between them hugging her really close. She snuggled against his chest when he placed delicate kisses on the forehead.

The two are normally not so open with their deep thoughts and feelings... but tonight, something had changed within them both. There's nothing keeping them back from fully expressing themselves.

"I love you too y'know." She whispered.

They've told each other they loved each other on a few occasions... but for the both of them, that time it felt different. Maybe because they felt differently saying it. They're not all that physical with each other either, though they've shared beds together in the past and may have unconsciously cuddled with each other in their sleep. They're just two close friends who didn't mind the 'meaningless' proclamations and small physical contacts.

But tonight- it's different.

They did this one their own. He initiated it and she accepted.

"Lelouch..."

"Hmmm?"

She pulled away just enough to do what she's been thinking about doing for a while now.

"Close your eyes." She requested.

"Why?"

"Just trust me."

Reluctantly doing so he closed his eyes waiting patiently for whatever antics she had cooked up. Not a moment later when he felt her hands cup his cheeks, he knew that he was in trouble, especially when his heart's demanding to burst out of his chest. His breathing gradually sharpening in anticipation.

And not too long after...

She kissed him-

Very lightly in uncertainty, and all so very brief. He barely felt her lips touch against his, so needless to say he actually feels a little disappointed.

When C.C. started pulling away from him, Lelouch chased after her and quickly closed the distance she created by quickly pressing their lips together in another kiss. The momentum forced him to push her onto her back as he swiftly settled himself between her legs. He kissed her uncontrollably as their lips moved together in a passionate dance. It was so weird because he only saw her as a friend right? But here he is, enjoying this moment of passion with her. Her lips were so smooth and soft, it only fueled him to kiss her even more.

C.C. didn't understand why she wanted to kiss Lelouch. The past year or so she thought about what it would be like to kiss him. Girls at their school would practically throw themselves to get his attention and she couldn't understand why she felt a little jealous. Even when he told her that Shirley kissed him, why did she want to be the one to kiss him instead? It's all so confusing because they were just friends, and naturally she never acted upon her deep desires in fear of severing that bond between them. But when he kissed her at the hospital, he left a cool-burning sensation that lingered on her lips and made her want more. More of the spark she felt when they shared their first kiss together.

Gliding her hands to the nape of his neck as they continued to kiss fervently, C.C. felt small under him as he laid atop of her. Tugging the strands of his ebony hair, she pulled him deeper in this weird and very random makeout session. Coming to a realization that Lelouch hadn't pulled away from her only sent her heart in flames. Her stomach fluttered now knowing that he wanted to kiss her as much as she wanted to kiss him.

After a while longer, the burning need for air forced them to pull away. Panting out heavy breaths that mingled by their closeness.

"Well- that was new." He quietly said.

"Yeah... new."


AN: I had no idea it was going to be this long...but I hope you liked the length of the chapter and the chapter itself. I'm actually having a really hard time right now writing out other chapters for my stories so maybe that's a possible reason why this one turned out to be so long. But anyways! Thank you for reading! Feel free to let me know what you think, leave a comment, ask questions, review, etc. And I will see you next chapter! :)

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