Chapter Ten: Flashbacks, anyone?
Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass.
Author's Note: Warning this story will contain shounen-ai and eventual yaoi... enjoy! I also would like to thank everyone for their kind words and support. I do hope this chapter reaches your expectations. (Expect filler…)
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Lelouch could only look on blankly at his incredibly awkward friend. Suzaku would glance at him out the corner of his eye every few minutes as if to reaffirm Lelouch was still beside him. Then he would flinch forgetting about the disguise Lelouch was wearing before nodding to himself as if he was mentally reminding himself only to forget moments later.
The final straw to Lelouch's quickly dwindling patience was the borderline paranoid looks Suzaku gave around the area. It was like he was expecting someone from the Royal Family would suddenly pop up out of a bush to discover Lelouch was indeed alive, which was why Lelouch wore a disguise in the first place.
"Suzaku I am going to say this and don't take this the wrong way, but you are a paranoid lunatic with all the subtly of a brick to the face," Lelouch said monotonously.
It took a moment for the words to register, but when it did Suzaku merely chuckled in response upon realizing how he was acting.
"Sorry, it's just that I'm worried about you. I don't want anyone to take you away from me… err Nunnally and all our friends. You've built this peaceful life for you and your sister I don't want to see that ruined because you were too stubborn to listen and remain hidden," Suzaku murmured.
Smiling at his best friend Lelouch sighed, "I'm aware of your stance on this, but I can't run forever. I'm not an ignorant child anymore. Someone will eventually recognize Nunnally or me, how many people looks like us, our features are very distinct."
"Also you have to consider that Britannia rules most of the world… it makes the world seem like such a small place. It's better if I face things on my terms, besides if I hold some value then the Emperor might not send assassins after us then," Lelouch chuckled sardonically.
Glaring at the now crimson-eyed teen Suzaku groaned, "Please don't mention assassins and not so casually. It's not going to make me any less nervous about this."
"I apologize. Well looks like we're here," Lelouch commented. They stood outside of the building where the Camelot Research department currently called home. "By the way your security at the base is a bit lackluster," He added.
Suzaku rubbed his head sheepishly, "We have security there's no doubt, but the military does not want to lend funds or manpower on extra security to us since we're not technically part of the military."
"That and they are prejudice bastards who don't want to assist the people who hired people from different ethnic groups," Lelouch hissed.
"Right on the nose I told you this boy was smart," Lloyd smirked as he and Cecile appeared from around the corner.
Cecile sighed, "Lloyd please behave we want to make a good impression."
She took in Lelouch's appearance and gasped, "What's with the new look? I wouldn't have known it was you if Suzaku didn't say you were coming over or recognize your voice."
"Suzaku would have flipped out if I show up without a disguise. For now on please call me L.L. we wouldn't want Suzaku to have a heart attack," Lelouch laughed.
Suzaku rolled his eyes, "Very funny L.L. and don't you think that code name is a little too obvious?"
"Simple is always best, people often overlook things and you can make many combinations of names from the initials L.L.," Cecile smiled.
"Listen to Miss Cecile Suzaku she's a very wise woman," Lelouch smiled making Cecile blush at the compliment.
Suzaku twitched momentarily, "You're only saying that because she agrees with you."
Lelouch's smile widened in response, "That does not make her statement any less true. So let's get started shall we?"
"Yes right, this way I can hardly wait to have you working here we're going to have so much fun!" Lloyd practically skipped back to the lab, dragging Lelouch along with him whilst Cecile and Suzaku shook their heads used to his behavior.
Once Cecile and Suzaku caught up they sweat dropped at the sight they witnessed. Lloyd was standing proudly before Lancelot with a smug smile all over his face and Lelouch's eyes practically glittered in unabashed happiness and excitement.
He never really shared this with anyone, but ever since he saw his mother piloting her own Knightmare he grew a fondness to them. If he didn't get banished he was actually going to become a scientist in the field of Engineering Knightmares.
"It's even more impressive up close, can I?" Lelouch looked imploringly towards Lloyd.
An indulgent and understanding expression appeared on Lloyd's face, "Go on."
Lelouch made his way up the walkway leading to Lancelot's cockpit. Hopping inside Lelouch looked about all the controls unconsciously memorizing the layout. "It's amazing Suzaku can pilot this," Lelouch commented.
"Hey! I read the manual several times and know Lancelot inside-out!" Suzaku yelled feeling insulted.
It was then a flash of pink streaked across the room, which made both Suzaku and Lelouch tense for a moment. "Suzaku how was school today?" Euphemia smiled. She loved hearing about Suzaku's adventures at Ashford Academy; the school seemed like such a lively place.
"Princess Euphemia you snuck out of the Capitol again!" Suzaku admonished.
"I was bored with paperwork and I knew school let out so you would be here," Euphemia said, not looking the least bit sorry about sneaking away.
Knowing it was useless to get Euphemia to break her bad habit of ditching work Suzaku replied, "It was fine it was actually a rather slow day today."
Other than Lelouch leaving him to the mercy of the other council members nothing happened.
Euphemia looked mildly disappointed, "That's a shame I thought that President of the student council would have come up with something fun like your welcoming party."
Suzaku and Lelouch flinched when they thought of that party and how Suzaku ended up in the student council in the first place.
[Flashback]
After the meeting on the roof of the school for the second time, Suzaku and Lelouch walked down the stairs together, talking and laughing amongst themselves. Unfortunately they caught the eyes of a group of girls, who noticed Lelouch's uncharacteristic behavior.
Lelouch was normally an ice prince, but around the new transfer student he seemed warmer. A thought passed through their minds: Could the Eleven be Lelouch's secret boyfriend?
This resulted in the rumors still circulating today about Lelouch's and Suzaku's relationship. So the very next day an angry Milly confronted the two at lunch. Obviously she wanted to be the one to discover and spread this rumor.
"What did you just say?!" Suzaku croaked. He was in the middle of eating his lunch that Lelouch prepared.
Lelouch saw what the Japanese boy brought the previous day, the disaster that was made by Cecile and decided he would make his lunches from then on. He stated it was because he wanted Suzaku to live a bit longer.
When Suzaku told this to Cecile, she wasn't as disappointed as he thought she'd be, actually she was quite happy. Moving on, Suzaku was speechless due to nearly choking while Lelouch looked undaunted by the accusation.
"I said why didn't you tell me Suzaku and you were dating, Lelouch?!" Milly exclaimed with her cheeks puffed up in indignation. "We're friends practically siblings you were supposed to tell big sis these things!" She added in mocked teary-eyed fashion.
Lelouch merely raised a brow, "Even if the rumors were true you would be the last to know. It'd have been too juicy of a secret not to share. You would be trying to invest in our relationship in all the wrong ways by asking invasive questions, trying to give sexual advice, and buying toys to spice things up."
Suzaku blushed more and more at Lelouch's deadpan delivery of his answer. "What happened to the sheltered boy I used to know?" Suzaku inwardly mourned for Lelouch's inner child.
"You have me there," Milly smiled, folding her arms not denying Lelouch's claims in the least. "So is it true?" She asked.
"No, we're not dating. By the way does this little lunchtime visit have another purpose?" Lelouch sighed.
Milly frowned a bit at the answer she was given, but then she smirked, "Yes, Suzaku needs to join a club and since his choices are limited due to reasons I'd rather not name… I decided he will join the student council."
Lelouch and Suzaku chose not to acknowledge the reason of Suzaku's limited choice i.e. blatant prejudice. "Is it okay for me to join?" Suzaku asked.
"Of course I am the President after all and Lelouch here is the Vice President we have the power to do that!" Milly grinned smugly.
Lelouch rolled his eyes, "I see you're disregarding the voting system we have in place for decisions like this again, Milly. Anyway even if this comes to a vote, Rivalz who is so in love with Milly will agree to let you in to stay on her good side. Shirley would do the same for me, which leaves Nina who is xenophobic, but she'll get used to you due to your overall do-gooder nature."
"You make my personality sound like a bad thing," Suzaku glared at Lelouch who only shrugged his shoulders in response.
"Then it's settled you'll join the student council! Lelouch will tell you everything you need to know and show you where to go, see you after school!" Milly practically skipped away.
Seeing Milly's giddiness made Lelouch feel dread, he bemoaned, "Oh no."
"What?" Suzaku asked, drinking out of his juice box, blinking confused and a bit of alarm.
"I think it's more fun if you find out for yourself. You wouldn't believe me otherwise, besides don't you like surprises?" Lelouch smirked. He figured this would be the perfect way to get back at Suzaku for not telling him he was attending Ashford.
Suzaku failing to sense the shift in mood replied, "Well who doesn't like surprises?"
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Hours later Suzaku wanted to retract his earlier statement. "Liking the surprise?" Lelouch smirked haughtily in a way that it fitted his costume all too well.
Lelouch made the perfect Sebastian Michaelis, his now crimson eyes sparkled with mischief. While Suzaku felt foolish in his Ciel Phantomhive outfit. Moreover it made him wonder how Milly managed to get the costume on such short notice and in his size.
As if reading his mind Lelouch said, "Try not to think too hard about it."
"I look ridiculous!" Suzaku yelled. His fluffy brown hair was locked down by a latex cap as he now wore a navy blue wig.
His once emerald eyes appeared as if he had heterochromia, one sapphire-colored and the other purple-colored that had a rather accurate depiction of the demonic contract on it though it was covered by an eye patch. Milly went all out with the costumes and wanted everything to be authentic.
He was dressed in elegant and elaborate clothing fit for nobility unfortunately it was meant for a child. [A/N: The outfit Ciel wore in Kuroshitsuji II]
"You look great! I worried for a second that the costume would not be ready in time," Milly smiled, dressed as Madame Red.
"It's not so bad Suzaku. It could have been worse," Shirley commented, trying to cheer Suzaku up. She was dressed as Mey-Rin and quite relieved she didn't wind up dressed as Ran Mao.
Nina still glued to her computer was dressed as Finnian and Rivalz wore a Baldroy costume. "Yeah you could have been here when she was on her Sailor Moon obsession now that was embarrassing!" Rivalz laughed.
Suzaku could barely hold in his curiosity and he asked, "So who was who?"
"You don't want to know," Everyone sans Milly replied monotonously making Suzaku laugh nervously.
[End of Flashback]
Coming out of his little trance he could scarcely hear that Euphemia asked about Lelouch. "What was that?" Suzaku asked hesitantly.
"I asked who your friend was. He's wearing the same school uniform as you," Euphemia reiterated.
Suzaku gulped and stammered before Lelouch sighed and rescued his friend. "I am delighted to make your acquaintance Princess Euphemia. You call me L.L., the pictures do not do you justice, you are much lovelier in person," The now crimson-eyed teen performed a sweeping bow and kissed her hand.
"Oh my," Euphemia blushed. "You certainly are charming L.L. by the way is that a nickname?" She asked.
"Why yes it is, it's a bit of a game you see. I have all my new friends guess my name. It's quite fun do you wish to try?" Lelouch smiled seemed less and less innocent at each word slipped from his lips.
Euphemia clapped enthusiastically, "Yes that does sound like fun it reminds me of one of my favorite stories Rumpelstiltskin. So if I guess right what prize do I get?"
"Suzaku told me once he had a female friend that had a bit of a sweet tooth so I'll assume it's you," He paused seeing that Euphemia nodded her head in agreement to his unspoken question.
"Wait so that delicious strawberry shortcake he brought leftover from his lunch the other day was made by you?" Euphemia asked.
"Yes it was, I am an accomplished baker so get my name correct and you can have the dessert of your choice made by me whenever you wish," Lelouch said, making up the part of Suzaku telling this fact to him, Lelouch knew of his half-sister's sweet tooth already and of her mild-competitive nature.
"We have a deal so what are the rules?" Euphemia asked her eyes narrowed in determination.
Lelouch chuckled, "Three guess per day, so think hard. If you don't see me Suzaku here will be my proxy, he knows my name so you can asked him in my stead."
"Alright that sounds fair. I'll have my first guess now, your name is Louis London," Euphemia said as Lelouch shook his head. "Oh I thought that was it, well how about Lance Laurence or Liam Lovell?" She asked.
Lelouch shook his head once more, "No to both, but there's always next time Your Highness."
Euphemia pouted a bit before smiling whispering in Suzaku's ear as a wicked gleam appeared in her otherwise innocent eyes, "Suzaku you have to invite your friend over more often, he's so much fun, a great cook and handsome too."
"Wait what do you mean?" Suzaku asked Euphemia only to get a smile in return.
"Anyway I think I took enough of a break. I better leave or my sister will come searching for me and this will be the first place she'll look," Euphemia sighed in disappointment, she was having a great time with L.L.
For some strange reason she felt comfortable with him. "It was wonderful meeting you L.L. and don't worry I'll figure out your name in no time!" She laughed, walking towards the exit, but not before giving a meaningful look to Cecile, who nodded her head.
A smile that all yaoi fangirls should be acquainted with appeared on the Princess' face. "He must be the friend he always talked about," Euphemia murmured to herself, thinking of when she first heard of L.L.
[Flashback]
It was only the fourth day of Suzaku going to Ashford Academy, but Euphemia could tell Suzaku was having a good time. She went to the Camelot Headquarters to visit Suzaku and to escape her desk to ask him if he was adjusting.
She was worried despite the school's reputation as the most liberal in Area Eleven many bigots attend that school.
It was then as she crossed the threshold she caught the tail-end of a conversation Suzaku was having with someone over his cell. "I keep telling that's nothing going on between us, so stop teasing me!" Suzaku exclaimed.
"Yeah I know if things change you'll be the first to know, but to be honest I haven't thought of romance. The military and school takes up much of my time, oh and you of course! I mean… not that's a bad thing I enjoy spending time with you," Suzaku blushed.
Euphemia used her hand to cover up the gasp she let escape before diving back outside of the door. Tilting her head she leaned in to eavesdrop some more.
"You're making that for lunch tomorrow that sounds great! I can't wait to try it, well Lloyd and Cecile should be coming back soon so I'll talk to you later bye," Suzaku said before hanging up the phone.
Waiting a few moments, Euphemia steeled herself and then bound into the room in her usual fashion, slamming into Suzaku. "Hi Suzaku, did you have a good day in school?" She asked.
"Princess Euphemia? Oh yes I had a good day, my friend is helping me adjust. He introduced me to his friends and we all had lunch together," Suzaku replied.
"So you made a friend that's great! Is he nice? Is he smart? Is he handsome?" Euphemia bombarded Suzaku with questions.
Suzaku not paying attention to what he was saying replied, "Yeah he's all those things… I mean from what the girls say. He's real popular with them, but he ignores them mostly. He's the ice prince on campus."
Euphemia smiled rather playfully, "But not with you, right?"
"Hold up, what do you mean?" Suzaku blushed, but before Euphemia could elaborate or find a way to dodge the question Lloyd and Cecile walked in.
"That's my queue to leave, I'll see you later!" Euphemia left without answering Suzaku.
[End of Flashback]
"They would seem so cute together!" Euphemia squealed. "I'm so glad I found that bookstore the day I met Suzaku. I wonder if they only started to date, if so maybe I can consult some of my manga to help Suzaku with his relationship. He's so shy he'll never make any progress without help," She thought.
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End of Chapter
Author's Note: Yeah no real story progression and yes I decided not to make Euphemia fall in love with Suzaku and cause conflict, it seemed that way at first, but Suzaku is probably her first real friend.
I already have a love triangle with Suzaku, Lelouch, and Zero. Anyway I thought having Euphemia and Cecile as cheerleaders for Team Suza/Lulu would be perfect. Next chapter we'll get some actual plot progression. Until next time!