Title: Higanbana
Pairing: Ohgi x Lelouch
Summary: The equinox flower symbolized bewitching, unluckiness, grief, parting, and death. Falling in love with an amnesiac Zero; Ohgi wonders if this is Mother Nature's way of teaching him that even the most inauspicious of her creations are still beautiful.
Disclaimer: Although it's one of my favorite animes, sadly I do not own Code Geass.
Warnings: M-Rated for smut, and if I need remind you – Lelouch is a minor, but I'm sure you're willing to overlook that since you clicked on the link to read this story. Oh, and take a look at the paring… if that's not your cup of wasabi, please do not read any further and blame me later that you had to gouge out your eyeballs with sporks (if you did, can I have them?)
Additional Warnings: Weirdness. OOCness. Written in spare of the moment, like always, so expect tons of grammar and spelling errors.
Part 7
Reclining comfortably on a park bench while watching the sunset, all the burdens Ohgi had been carrying the last several days seemed to drift away. He felt euphoric. Despite the slight chill in the air, the sun's remaining rays seemed to fill him with warmth as they stretched out beyond the tall buildings of Tokyo Settlement. The whole city seemed to sparkle as light reflected off from large wall size windows of some of the sky scrapers, down to the shallow pools of water created by the rain from the night before. Sitting on his right, the Britannian boy chuckled, and he was surprised how easy it was to be fixated on another entrancing sight.
Rei's smile as he fed a group of pigeons their left over bread, made Ohgi forget about the dazzling sunset that captivated him mere seconds ago. He still couldn't believe the other had surprised him at the station, bringing a picnic basket of the boy's wonderful cooking. It really saved them both from the social awkwardness of eating out at restaurant with the other patrons scrutinizing them for being an Eleven with an underage Britannian.
"Sorry, it looks like I'm out of bread," Rei apologized to the flock of birds gathering around his feet. "Would you like to finish the rest of our salad?"
He offered a small portion to the crowd and after a few attempts consuming the leafy green spinach and shaved carrots; they all but took off at once. Ohgi coughed to unsuccessfully cover up a laugh at the look of annoyance that crossed the other's face when he had to clean up the mess they left behind.
The teen glared back before shoving the food containers over to him to carry. Grinning, he put them away before standing from his seat – picnic basket in tow – before offering to his younger companion a hand up.
Rei did not move to take it. Ohgi briefly remembered how independent the he was, and must have been before his amnesia. He wondered if he was going to ignore him and stand on his own. Violet eyes slowly lifted their gaze away from his outstretched hand to stare directly at him. He stared back, puzzled about the other's odd behavior; but it wasn't the first time the teenager had accepted his assistance.
"Come on," he spoke softly as the sky slowly became darker when the sunlight had all but withdrawn into the horizon and the lamp post lights flickered to life. "Let's go home."
The raven-haired Britannian seemed to respond as his gaze softened a little and Ohgi's smiled widened slightly as he felt smooth elegant fingers curl around his calloused ones. He gently pulled Rei up from the bench and blinked in surprised when the other did not relinquish his hand; instead held it in a firm grip as they made their way back. Even when his palms began to sweat when Britannians onlookers glared and cursed their direction, the younger of the two refused to be intimidated.
"Who cares what they think," Rei had hissed lowly when he attempted to draw his hand away, "all they care to think about is how superior they are to everyone else."
The menacing tone in the boy's voice reminded Ohgi of the masked rebel who stood before a military escort lead by the Purist Faction and declared himself the murderer of a Prince. That unforgettable night, he not only succeeded in saving the life of the former Prime Minister's son; but also the livelihood of Honorary Britannians of Area Elven who would have been shoved into the ghettos after Kururugi was executed. Diethard Ried had gone so far and called the founder of the Black Knights, a modern day Robin Hood, a hero who stole from the rich and gave to the poor; except Zero gave the oppressed something much more valuable than money. Hope was a shortage to the Japanese people after seven long years of Britannia's heel grinding them into the dirt.
Ohgi suddenly felt very foolish; for he had wanted to spare the young Britannian beside him from being shunned in public. It amazed him that Zero, despite his memory loss, did not lose his confidence, and carried himself as if he were royalty. In a way, Zero was royalty to the people as leader of the Black Knights… that would of course, make him the King.
"What's so amusing?" Rei had asked upon the small smile that had suddenly appeared on his face. He did not answer right away as he drew the other closer to him and ignored the dark and disgusted looks directed his way.
"I was just thinking… that you were right."
"Well, that took you long enough."
As they walked home, Ohgi had tried to formulate a plan for Lieutenant Colonel Tohdoh's prison break out; but his attention kept directing itself towards the young man at his side. Rei was strangely talkative today; engaging him in various subjects from the change in weather to local and international news and politics. The teenager soaked up information from any source available to him and enjoyed talking to others; especially to some of the tenants in Ohgi's apartment complex. Naturally, they were hesitant but Rei had won them over just with little effort. He was even surprised to see that one of the older and crankier tenants step out and usher them inside his apartment for tea and his wife's home made cookies.
They spent around an hour with the elderly couple, just discussing current events such as their son – an Honorary Britannian's - entry at the Art Galleria among others that would be judged by her highness, Princess Euphemia Li Britannia, in person. The proud mother was thrilled that her son, who had been promptly kicked out of an academy just before graduation, was now painting once more. Ohgi had to refrain from gaping rudely when told how much the entry fee had cost. Even the husband was skeptical but his wife insisted that even if their son would not win some recognition for the Japanese. Ohgi could only hope she was right, and he hated the doubtful voice in the back of his mind.
'It feels like a lure, to raise our hopes only to force us back down; to offer hope and then destroy it. We need a miracle… but can I pull one off?'
"What is bothering you?" Rei had finally spoken up after the long silence that followed when they entered the apartment. "You've been preoccupied with something all evening. What is it?"
"I…it's nothing."
He quickly turned away and began to remove his top, wishing that he had the ability to lie convincingly to a teenager. To Zero. A part of him, really wanted to break down and tell him everything in order to save another man's life. He wanted to grab a hold of Rei and shake Zero back into him. But if Zero were to leave, what would happen to Rei?
He flinched involuntary upon feeling slender arms encircled his bare middle as Rei's cheek pressed flush against his back. He shivered and forgot how to breathe entirely. Several seconds passed, and he listened to his rapidly beating heart and knew full well the boy could hear it to.
"I know that I've been a burden to you," Rei spoke softly, "on top of all the burdens you must be shouldering. So if there's anything I can do to help, tell me."
He began to breathe normally but coherent thoughts would not come to him. He couldn't think of anything to say or do in response. All he could do was look down at those pale hands and noticed how they were trembling.
"Kaname," the boy whispered against his heated skin, "when I woke up here for the first time, you told me that we were comrades. If that is true, then you can trust me."
Ohgi released the breath he had been holding, and unconsciously placed his hand atop the ones at his waist. How he had longed to hear those words. It was just a shame that they did not come from behind the mask. The mask of Zero was still stowed away in his dark wardrobe, waiting patiently to be dawned.
He turned around slowly, holding onto Rei's arms so that he was still trapped in the other's embrace. Violet eyed stared back up at him, expectantly, and it felt like there was a blade carving against his chest over his heart. He did trust Rei, because he knew this persona who had currently made himself the center of Ohgi's life. But Rei was and was not Zero, the man who kept his true intentions from everyone else.
"I trust you, Rei," Ohgi whispered back carefully as he placed his hand on the younger man's cheek. "When the time comes, I'll tell you… everything."
The floral shop Naoto had purchased his mother's birthday present was closed down permanently. No matter how guilty I felt for the shop owners, a part of me was relieved I would not have to be reminded of such painful memories every time I passed by. No florist carried Higanbana and I was starting to wonder if the flower had become an endangered species among plants; until our trip to the Narita Mountains where we had made a surprising discovery. Hundreds of red spider lilies greeted us upon our arrival were gathered in rows. Zero, himself, had stepped out of his Burai to stroke one of the red petals between gloved fingers. It was as if Mother Nature had rolled out the red carpet just for the Black Knights.
Bare fingers slid into his untamed wavy hair, toying with some locks and making Ohgi groan as they stumbled back towards the bed. Rei laid down first and he followed, eagerly, without breaking contact. His own hands were a blur, trying to remove as much of their clothing as possible. It was odd how quickly his hesitancy and had faded away. In the heat of the moment, he forgot about his long time promise to Naoto, the Black Knights, and the past Zero.
The present Zero demanded his undivided attention; biting gently on his lower lip and spreading those long denim clad legs for him to lie between. Although he was a total amateur, he let his tongue explore the moist cavern of Rei's mouth in a devouring kiss. The boy panted hoarsely, his open mouth moving fervently over Ohgi's tongue and lips. Thin strands of saliva keep the two connected even when they break away for much needed air.
Fine dark hair like raven feathers, fanned out across the white pillow, and framed Rei's beautifully handsome face. His pale cheeks now wear a rosy blush as those soft lips parted slightly but did not move to form words. Those rich violet orbs spoke volumes, burning with desire. As Ohgi lay atop him, he could feel something warm and firm pressing against his naval.
The overall effect made his briefs feel uncomfortably confining as he placed his trembling hands on the waistband of Rei's jeans. Control… he needed to get control of his body. He quickly looked up from tempting sight of dark fabric of the boy's underwear peaking out from a lowered zipper, to meet those encouraging eyes once again.
"I trust you," the boy answered him when his throat became too dry to speak. "I want you… Kaname Ohgi."
End Part 7
Author's Note:
Yes, I am horrible for ending it there; but the next part will be all about the smut. Consider yourselves warned.
Thanks for reading, and please review!
