AN: Welcome back! Did I surprise you with their first time? Well, I surprised myself. So now it's time start moving where we need them to go. Please enjoy! XD

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


Chapter 7: Frozen Forest


"Lelouch."

"Hmm?"

C.C. watched the handsome man stuff his face with vanilla ice cream as they spent their lazy, early afternoon lounging on the couch snacking on sweet ice cream. "Did you know that stressed spelled backwards is desserts, and that's why we eat sweets when we are stressed." She dipped her spoon into his bowl of ice cream, having already finished her own chocolate dessert.

"No, I didn't know because you know why-" He lightly smacked her hand with his spoon before scooping more of his delicious dessert. "I don't spend my time in deep thought over things like that, but it is interesting nonetheless."

A pout presented on her lips, "You're a mean guy."

He leaned in to kiss her lightly on the lips. "And you're a selfish woman."

"Selfish?! How am I selfish?"

"You just are C.C." He set his bowl down so he could pinch her adorable porcelain cheeks, leaving a tint of pink in the process. "You're such a selfish woman, bringing me all the way down here so you can tell me some lame palindrome."

"Get away from me." She pushed his face away and he used the motion against her to lace their fingers together affectionately. "What now Lelouch?"

"How can I make you happy C.C.?"

They sat in a comfortable silence-

Her smile widened, "I want to play a game of tag."

"Huh? Tag-"

"Tag, you're it!" The green-haired woman laughed, leaping off the couch to run about the condo. Lelouch raised immediately, running after his playful girlfriend.

Their laughter filled the air as he continued to chase her around. She dodged many couches, stands, and 'delicate' decorations trying to escape the 'crazed man' who hunted after her. Adrenaline pumped through her excitedly and was unable to hold back the immediate laughter. Her heart soared into the sky, bursting in sparks like fireworks from complete joy and happiness.

Her padded feet sounded light yet heavy in her hurried steps across the wooden surface and were softened to a silence by the carpeted floor. Through the kitchen, living room, and even the free areas upstairs, she ran but just couldn't shake him off of her.

"I'm surprised you haven't passed out from exhaustion Lelouch!" She teased.

Lelouch enjoyed watching her stumble over the various of furniture during their little cat and mouse game. He hit himself mentally, making sure that he was really awake and that he was actually playing a children's game with her.

Their little game continued on for a couple of more minutes until finally she cornered herself in the painting room downstairs. "Isn't it about time, you're a little fast one." He chuckled walking a little closer to her.

"Perhaps you're just too slow. Maybe this isn't the right game to play with you." She giggled, her small bells of laughter became a little higher and fuller when he swooped in and tossed her onto his shoulder, giving her butt a hard pinch.

She laughed, "Ow Lelouch, that hurts." C.C. smacked him a little hard on the butt. Might as well take advantage since she's draped over his shoulders.

"Let's do something different, and I think the next game will be extra fun."

He walked with quick strides to the master bedroom then dropping her lightly onto the bed before crawling on so he could shadow over her. "How about I make it up to you for last night, and maybe…" Lelouch brushed her bangs away, planting sweet kisses from her forehead, lips, all the way down to her smooth neck. "...maybe this time, I won't leave you hanging and bring undeniable bliss just for you.."

C.C. wrapped her arms loosely around his neck. "Alright Lelouch, show me what you can do to redeem yourself."

#

After a more successful and satisfying love making session that was filled with playful passion, Lelouch and C.C. cleaned up and dressed for the next event they had on their list for the day.

Paint Splattering...

Before they began their little project, Lelouch helped C.C. cover her already finished or semi-finished paintings, floor, and some parts of the walls with a plastic covering so it wouldn't 'accidentally' fall victim to their painting experiment. After doing so, they set a large canvas against the wall to begin their original work of art.

A few minutes in-

"Remember Lelouch, art can be a form of showing your inner deep feelings. So don't be afraid to let go and show me how you really feel." Lelouch watched as she flicked her paintbrush to her side of the canvas, admiring her every so often whenever she would take a step back, placing a hand on her chin to think before rewetting her brush and picking a different color to splat.

"She's taking this too seriously."

He assumed that naturally her splatter's looked great since she's an artist herself and knew how to 'properly' portray her feelings.

"Light Pink, Baby Blue, Neon Green, and Purple."

The raven-haired man looked over to the colors he chose which were darker than hers. "Blue, Purple, and Grey...why are my colors so depressing compared to hers."

"C.C.?"

"Yes, Lelouch?"

He glanced back to his splatter paint before looking back to her as she continued to work. "How are you feeling? I mean how's your-"

"I'm fine Lelouch, nothing new." Painfully lying between her teeth.

"Umm, okay...so how's your dad? It's been awhile since I've last seen or spoken to him."

"He's doing very well, he seems to be more rested and happier nowadays which makes me really happy. I'm glad that he can finally put himself first and not worry about me for once." She smiled fondly and Lelouch did the same.

The young man dipped a finger in the light pink paint then, artistically, painted a heart onto her cheek. The feel of the cool, wet, paint directed her attention towards him. Only to find him wearing a silly smile. "I'll take care of you, so just remember, you don't have to fight this battle alone."

C.C. smiled, she too dipped her finger in pink paint and painted a heart on his cheek as well. "I know Lelouch, I know." She glanced over to his painting, "Not bad, your painting is actually good."

Lelouch chuckled, "Not as good as yours though." He frowned a little. C.C. dotted his nose lightly with her painted finger before leaning in to surprise him with a mini passionate kiss. "Have more confidence Lelouch, your painting means more to me than any other that hangs on the walls."

"Is that suppose to make me feel confident because those 'meaningless' paintings that you don't apparently care about actually makes money and this one.." directing a hand to their canvas, "...probably won't make any money."

"So money means more to you than my heart and love?" She frowned, giving him the sad puppy eyes.

Lelouch rolled his eyes playfully, "Of course not C.C., loving you means more to me than all the money in the world."

"Glad to know because all the money in the world means more to me than your love." She giggled once more, which had his heart fluttering just for her like it had always done.

"Okay, I'll keep that in mind." Wrapping his arms around her waist," I love you, C.C."

"I love me too."

Their lips met halfway for a tender kiss. When they pulled away, "I love you too, Lelouch."

#

"You should have seen his face, it was so funny!"

"You know, you shouldn't talk with your mouth full."

Swallowing back her food, "Sorry Lelouch, I forgot that you're such a clean freak."

"More like you're just lacking some decent manners."

"Yeah yeah." She smiled and his heart, like always, started to race. Later after showering and cleaning up their mess, the couple went about the house looking before finding a good place to hang their painting. It definitely wouldn't be bought or hanged in a gallery like other artists or hers would, but he could care less because that painting is very meaningful to them both.

Later that afternoon, Lelouch was given a detour around Britannia with C.C. showing him all the hot spots and her favorite places to go. They did some shopping and touring before finally stopping at restaurant to eat as a date.

"You know, I'm surprised that you didn't bring me to a place where they just served pizza." Lelouch cut a few more pieces of his steak then resumed eating. C.C. sat there quietly suffering, trying her best to not draw attention to herself. Her mind was becoming foggy and she needed to, more than anything, cool down the rapid heat that radiated all over her failing body.

"I-I uh..excuse me, I need to go to the bathroom." Lelouch gave her a nod, so she quietly exited the table and strolled into the bathroom. Upon entering, she briskly turned on the water faucet in an attempt to cool herself down. Splashing the cool water that somewhat helped, but wasn't enough to fight off the fiery heat. Looking up at her wet face... a gut wrenching feeling choked back any and all words that tried to escape.

C.C. pushed open an empty stall door, rushing in and emptied the contents of her stomach. She hated throwing up, it was such a disgusting feeling that left a bad taste in her mouth and brought back her inner child as the need to cry for comfort nagged her. Light tears threatened to fall, but fought to hold them back. Once C.C. was done, she flushed the toilet, washed her hands, and once more splashed cool water on her face.

Her breathing heavy, heart racing, lungs were probably dragging...C.C. did all that she could to try and catch her breath past the lingering nausea.

"Dammit...I over did it." She coughed a little hard then tried again to take deep breaths to keep her breathing steady and drive away the dizziness.

Meanwhile-

Lelouch gazed over to her half-eaten chicken salad. Not like he was in a rush to have her over, but he couldn't help but keep track of how long she's been gone in the bathroom.

"8 minutes and counting." He sighed to himself not really wanting to eat anymore. He tapped his long fingers on the wooden surface of the table still waiting for her. A couple of minutes later, she emerged from the bathroom with a hand covering her mouth. "Are you okay C.C.?"

"Yeah I'm fine, just feeling a sick that's all."

Panic washed him, "Do you want to go back-"

"No...I'm enjoying our date, aren't you?" Reaching across the table taking his warm hands in her cold ones.

"Of course I'm enjoying our date...but if you're feeling sick, I don't mind going back to the house. I just don't want you to push yourself for me." He placed small kisses on her hands.

"No, I'm okay...I promise."

#

Lelouch marveled at how the moonlight bounced off her pale skin as he traced a finger over her shoulder that was revealed from the tank top she wore. Another long day down as their night is finally coming to an end. Even though he's been here for only two days, it feels a lot longer and he decided that it actually felt nice being with her like this.

"Do you know how long you're staying here?" The beauty mumbled out not opening her eyes.

"Only for a week...are you still feeling sick?" Sometime during their walk after eating, she nearly passed out and that was when he thought that it was best for her to go back home to get some sleep. Even though his beautiful girlfriend claimed that she was feeling fine, he believed otherwise by how paler she'd become throughout the day.

"We only have five days left...since you'll still be here, do you want to go to my art showing in a couple of days?" The witch scooted closer to steal his warmth.

Lelouch patted her head lightly, "Of course...Do you like being together like this?" He felt her nod a yes against his chest. "Well, how would you feel if I asked you to come live with me back in Japan. Or maybe if I can, you and I can stay here and find a place to call our own."

"Are you trying to propose to me Lelouch?"

Her small giggle vibrated against his chest. "Not exactly, but that wouldn't be a definite no in the near future. Remember...marriage and kids."

"Lelouch, you're so weird...but that's why I love you so much." Faintly smiling at him, she snuggled against his chest, quietly listening to his steady heartbeats.

"You don't think I'm serious?"

Silence-

"Why do you doubt me C.C.? I promise that I'm not going anywhere." He reached between them and held onto the promise ring that was being worn as a necklace.

When she said nothing more, the raven-haired man pulled his girlfriend closer to his body and eventually, dreams were sent and the two fell asleep together in each other's arms in a peaceful slumber.


"I'm so glad you brought a suit," The beauty kissed the awkward man on the lips. "Now we better go before we're late." C.C. rushed out of the bathroom grabbing her silver clutch that matched her black and silver dress before exiting her home lightly slamming the door behind her. Lelouch followed behind her closely letting out a small laughter.

"C.C. needs to take a chill pill."

"Come on Lelouch!"

"Yeah, I hear you woman."

#

"I don't feel right being here." Lelouch tugged on his striped dark gray and black tie feeling uneasy being around in the presence of the rich people who were there for the art showing. Everybody talked and appeared to have so much elegance beyond the years they wasted trying to be greater than their accomplices.

"It's alright Lelouch, your personality match theirs so you should feel right at home." C.C. poked fun of him before being hoarded by many more pleasing and complimenting people. As they sipped on their expensive champagnes, he and C.C., mainly him, stood there awkwardly making small conversations with the older and far more successful adults. Talking about art, more art, and even more art. Completely losing the attention of the young man after a few minutes in.

Wanting to escape the crowd-

Lelouch leaned in to whisper in her ear. "So, which painting is yours?" The young artist gave the curious man a pleasing smile before taking his hands in hers.

"I'll show you."

The young couple excused themselves from their social group and walked around a little looking at other various paintings in which every once in awhile, C.C. would explain to Lelouch the meaning behind or the possible techniques that was used to accomplish such a masterpiece.

Then finally-

Lelouch felt his breath being taken away when they stopped in front of a large painting that gracefully gave the wall meaning and life. Immediately looking at the work of art, he started to feel broken sorrow.

It was a watercolor painting, there was a grey wolf running in the dark of night through the thick snow covered ground that illuminated alongside the full moon. Overcasting the illusion that the wolf had a lighted path when really the wolf was running in complete darkness.

"You were my inspiration." He viewed her carefully as she approached the painting a little closer. "You're the lone wolf running through the harsh winter that is the struggles and obstacles you have to deal with in life. No matter where you run, there will always be something in your way."

His heart quickened…"Are you the snow C.C.?" He stepped close behind then wrapped his arms around her small frame, pulling her body closer to his. Not really caring of the public display of affection in this moment.

"That's for you to decide, it's whatever you think. I was just very vague about it." C.C. turned around in his arms so she could wrap hers around his shoulders. "Do you like it?"

"Very much," He pecked her on the lips. "And C.C...I'll go through any storm, just for you."

"Lelouch-"

"Saved in memory. Awe how sweet. I guess you really do exist, boyfriend of C.C.'s."

The young couple pulled away from each other bashfully only to face the speaker that interrupted them. A young woman that had light pink hair that draped over her bare shoulders of the pink and white dressed she wore. Pulling her phone down and away from her face before placing it back into her purse.

Lightly clearing her throat, "Anya, I thought you weren't coming." C.C. quickly gave her friend a hug before returning to Lelouch's side.

"I wasn't..but I figured that you would probably bring your boyfriend here to show him your art. And now," She patted the side of the purse where her phone was at. "I have a nice picture of you two gazing intimately in each other's eyes."

Lelouch smiled awkwardly and thought, "This girl is...weird."

"Okay well," C.C. put a hand on Lelouch's back to coax him closer to the impassive young woman. "Anya this is Lelouch, Lelouch this is Anya, the friend I've told you about."

Lelouch reached out his hand for a polite greeting. "Nice to finally meet you Anya, I've heard a lot about you."

"Same...she told me all kinds of-" She stopped when C.C.'s palms covered her mouth.

"I think you need a filter Anya." C.C. laughed nervously.

Anya brushed away C.C.'s hands, "You should be careful in what you openly tell people." The two women started to bicker lightly and all Lelouch could do was stand there awkwardly and laugh whenever the jabs of insults came into reason. After a short moment he looked back to the painting of the lone wolf.

"I wonder why I was her inspiration for the lone wolf?"

"Hey I'm going to get us something to drink, do you want anything?"

Lelouch pulled away from his thought to focus on his girfriend, "Sure, just one glass though...I still have to drive us back home." He smiled when C.C. gave him a wink before leaving to get their drinks. The raven-haired man watched her walk away in joy when suddenly-

His heart stopped immediately and everything ran cold in his body. It was like the world was torturing him when he felt time slow down as he stood frozen on the spot and watch C.C. collapse to the ground.

People around carried the look of panic with their widened eyes and gaping mouths. Every nerve in his body screamed for him to run to her side, but he just couldn't. The pounding of his heart thundered loudly in his ears to the point where it almost felt deafening.

She said she was fine...how stupid could he be. He's just tired of feeling this way...

"C.C.!" Lelouch ran to her side, brushing past people and dropping to his knees on the ground to cradle her body. "C.C., come on wake up." He shook her lightly and gave a few small taps to her cheek.

Unresponsive-

"Someone call the ambulance." A random stranger shouted. Some people stood still and watched in fear while others moved around frantically to find anything to help the woman who just collapsed.

"No, no, no, no!"

Tears formed in his eyes in worry as his heart continued to send unpleasant jitters. Lelouch briskly removed his coat when blood started to seep out slowly from her nose. "C.C. please...please wake up. You have to wake up….you have to wake up." He voice caught in his throat, causing him to choke out and strain his pleas over heartbreaking, fearful tears.

"Please wake up baby."

#

The tired man hunched over in his seat waiting patiently for the green beauty to wake. He's exhausted, stressed, frustrated, he knows he'll never understand her illness, but he just wishes that for once she could be open to him about things like that. She opened to him before, so he doesn't understand why she closed herself off from him.

After she collapsed, she was taken away by an ambulance and that is when he followed and now waited in uneasy patience in the hospital room, ready for her to wake up.

He looked down to his watch, "4:28am...it's been six hours and-" Lelouch stopped when C.C. stirred awake. And even though he is washed with relief that she awakened, he was incredibly pissed off at her at the same time.

"C.C." The young man took slow small steps and halfway sat on the bed when he reached her.

"What happened?" She closed her eyes feeling exhausted as the nagging headache made itself known.

"You collapsed at the art showing party...the doctors said that you are fine for now, but wouldn't tell me anymore since I'm not family nor are we married." He lifted one of her hands to give it a small kiss. "You're free to go later in the morning, but you and I are gonna have a talk about this." Telling her sternly.

C.C. shied away from his intense amethyst eyes knowing full well that she messed up.


Following after C.C.'s discharge later that morning, the young couple went back to her place and took a shower together, more for him so he could make sure that she didn't collapse, and dressed themselves in their sleeping clothes before sliding into the cool welcoming bed.

And even though he was tired from not sleeping and the built up stressed, he just couldn't find himself to fall asleep. Feeling tired herself from lack of strength, C.C. wanted to sleep but wouldn't unless he could get some rest. Since she could feel just how unsettling he was being whenever he fidget with the blankets and the constant tossing and turning until finally-

His violet eyes gazed into her golden ones.

"Why didn't you tell me that you weren't feeling good C.C.? You know how serious I am when it comes to your health because…" He stopped himself when he felt that if he said the one thing that he's afraid of out loud, then maybe it would come true. So he changed it to something else. "C.C., I just don't want you pushing yourself all the time to make me happy. I'm happy just being with you."

Her golden eyes shimmered in tears and that was when she decided to finally show him the truth. Sitting up, she opened her bedside table drawer and pulled out the very thing she made sure to keep hidden from him. "It's a letter from the hospital...I got it not too long before you came down here to see me."

He sat up and took the letter out of her hand then began in reading it carefully.

...

His heart stopped...he couldn't trust himself to say anything when he looked up at her. Taking by the way his amethyst eyes widened, she took it upon herself to explain in more detail about the letter.

"There's nothing they can do for me at this point, my illness has gotten a lot worse over the past few years and my body stopped responding to most of the medications I've been taking. Every month I have to go in and check to see if my lungs are filling up again or if I'm in any danger of it doing so."

She bit her lip and her eyes started to fill with tears. "It just keeps getting worse and worse Lelouch and my lungs are failing me, somewhat slowly, but it's very rapid. I need an organ donor for a new pair of lungs and even then...the doctors aren't sure I'll survive the surgery or if I will make it before I receive a donor."

Silent tears rolled down his cheeks as he watched hers roll down shamelessly as she started to cry like a little child in small sobs.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

She tried wiping away her tears but failed since they kept coming down. "I was afraid of you leaving me. I know you said that you never will but I can't help but feel a little doubt in what you said because..." C.C. met his teary eyes. "I'm terrified because of how much I love you Lelouch. I love you so much and I don't ever want to lose you."

Lelouch's heart slightly broke by her lack of faith in him, but he wants to change that. "I will chase those doubts away C.C." He wiped a few stray tears then scooted closer to her to encase her in his arms. "I love you C.C.," He held onto her promise ring so he could make his point, "This promise ring that I gave you..I meant every word and I will keep telling you that until you finally believe me."

He pulled her in for a small kiss. "I want to spend the rest of my life by your side C.C. and I don't plan on leaving you ever. I want you to stop living in fear of being loved and start living and accept being loved...because I love you and I will tell you everyday for the rest of our lives. Nothing will change the way you make me feel, nothing will change how I see you. This thing you're constantly going through...I'm here by your side like I've always been. So please…"

He kisses her again, but this time with a little more passion. "Allow me to love you, because you're the only woman I will ever love."

"You're not going to leave me ever?"

"Never."

C.C. gave him a sad smile then cupping his cheeks and pulled him for a heartwarming, tender kiss. The kissed for a short moment before finally pulling away to lay back down on the bed again where she then took advantage of the closeness and buries her face in his chest as he held onto her tightly.

His loud strong heartbeats were music in her ears.

A heart of a man who loves only her, whom she loves only back.

"Don't worry C.C., we'll get through this together."


AN: I hope you liked this chapter. Feel free to let me know what you think, leave a comment, ask questions, review, etc. Until next chapter! :)

Thank you for this story's new favorite!

And as always, Thank you for Reading and Reviewing! LelouchVermilion, Silent, Snape, blackhellbutterfly, and Neonixous.

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