Warning: This chapter contains mild yaoi content.
Chapter eleven: Fireworks.
Somewhere in between a split second of first arriving into the dining room, Lelouch's content appearance washed away to an expression that looked to only be achievable by being stabbed in the chest.
"Mi-Milly? Rivalz?" his eye lid twitched from the unpredicted sight of two uninvited guest.
"Suzaku..." he firmly said the boy's name with elasticity in his vocals.
"Um… Sorry about this Lelouch." The brunette itched at the back of his head nervously with a grin. "We started talking after class - they wondered where you were so they asked me if I knew. Long story short, I told them about our arrangement tonight and as you can see they wanted to attend so… Heh..."
Lelouch rounded out his shoulders and suppressed a deep sigh – exhaling his disapproval.
I just wanted to have dinner with Nunally and Suzaku... now I have these two dimwits here.
I guess it can't be helped. I can't exactly just throw them out now.
Lelouch pulled out the chair from under the table and sat with a fake smile exposed. "More the merrier, I suppose."
He was seated across from Suzaku - Nunally between the two of them on the end of the table. Rivalz was besides Lelouch, and Milly was seated next to Suzaku.
Sayoko entered the room with a rolling pushcart full of Lelouch's freshly made dishes. She organized the platters onto the table and one by one packed everyone's plate with generous proportions.
"So Lelouch. What was the deal with you leaving earlier? You looked really bothered about something out of nowhere." asked Suzaku as he absently watched Sayoko fill his drinking glass with champagne.
"Well I-" Lelouch began erratically, without even having a full explanation set out beforehand.
But before he could gather a believable excuse, Suzaku gasped at Sayoko.
"Whoa wait! I don't drink liquor!" he said directly to the fizzy glass.
Lelouch rested his elbow on the table and allowed his head to dip into his fisted hand. "That's hardly considered liquor, Suzaku. Loosen up, everyone needs to unwind a little sometimes."
"Yeah, Suzaku! Take Lelouch's word for it." Rivalz shuffled over the table indecently – extending out his glass in Sayoko's direction – gesturing he wanted to be filled up.
"Don't you have any table manners?" said Milly, slight irritation evident in her tone.
"Don't you know this isn't a formal dinner?" He back talked the yuppie blonde.
"That doesn't mean you act like it's feeding time at the zoo!" Milly laughed, and Nunally soon joined in.
As the laughter faded Milly held her finger to her chin contemplatively. "Lulu worked hard to prepare this meal for us so the least we can do is show a little respect."
"I actually prepared this meal for Nunally and Suza-" Lelouch muttered, but was loudly interrupted after Milly took a bite of food placed before her.
"Oooh! This taste amazing Lulu~! You're a natural culinary artist, aye?"
The reserved boy lashed his neck to face Nunally's direction to hide the minor blushing exposing on his cheeks.
Suzaku only added to Lelouch's bashfulness as he too tasted the food. "She's right! I see you're still a good cook even after all these years."
Nunally had now begun indulging in her plate too. "Mmm~ My big brother always comes up with the best recipes!"
Would they all stop it already? Aggravation was visibly clear on his face.
"Oh come on Lelouch," Rivalz patted the flustered boys lowered shoulder, "Learn to take a compliment!" with his other hand Rivalz grabbed a biscuit; he gobbled it down in a way he would devour his hand along with it.
Lelouch bit his tongue and turned his head back to his plate.
"Oh Lelouch there was something I wanted discuss with you earlier but you never came back to class." Milly pointed her fork at him.
Without looking up from the action of shoveling with his spoon he replied, "And what would that be?"
"Well," Milly speedily began, "The Student Council is in charge of the upcoming festival so I need your insight on it."
Nunally lifted her head to the sound of Milly's voice. "Oou fun! I know I'm not actually a true member yet, but I would love to help if you guys if you'll allow it."
Milly openly grinned at the girl with excitement, "Awh, of course Nuna! Thank you. If only your big brother was as helpful as you." she spoke with a sigh in her voice.
"Have you figured out what the theme of the festival is going to be yet?" Suzaku joined in on the conversation with curiosity.
"Auh~huh!" she said with perkiness in her vocals.
"Well go on then! Tell us!" Rivalz urged the president.
Lelouch, who was showing no interest, picked up his glass of champagne and gulped it down.
The busty blonde inhaled deeply with a grin. "The theme is going to be... Cross-dressing!"
Snorting into his glass, Lelouch choked on his champagne - trying with all his might not to spit it out right into Suzaku's face.
"Cro-Cross-dressing? What kind of theme is that for a high school festival?" The astonished boy wiped the champagne from his lips.
"Ooh-hmph. You're never pleased with any of the themes and activities I come up with." She sophisticatedly patted her mouth with a napkin.
"Well I think it's a great idea Milly!" Rivalz sucked up to the president as he complacently draped his arm down the back of his chair.
Lelouch stabbed Rivalz happy expression that was fixated on Milly with a fatal gaze.
"Oh you do? Well that's great, Rivalz." Milly replied. "It's nice to know you enjoy the idea of dressing up as a woman. A lot makes sense now."
"H-Huh?" Rivalz expression twisted in a way the food he was chewing suddenly tasted sour. "I meant it would be interesting!"
Nunally daintily placed her fingertips on her lips as she giggled. "Oh this seems exciting! The thought of my big brother in a dress is so funny!"
"Nunally!" he hollered in her direction –"Uh I mean - I wont be joining in on… that." He squirmed in his seat.
"Oh come on Lelouch." Suzaku smugly overlapped his arms on the table. "Wearing a dress wont take any of you masculinity away." he coached him. "I'm all for it."
Lelouch would make an accurate woman, after all… heh.
"That's the spirit, Suzaku!" Milly cheered.
"Why are you all for it anyway?" he yelled across the table to the brunette. "Wait. Don't even tell me." Lelouch held his temples in an annoyed fashion.
"Oh Lelouch, if everyone's dressed up then it wont be strange!" Nunally plead. "If you dress up, I will too!"
He struggled to smile at the gleeful looking girl. "I'll... think about it."
"Given that Lulu is too sweet to deny his little sisters wishes, I'll take that as a yes!" Milly announced raucously. "So what size do you wear? I'll pick something pretty out for you the next time I go shopping." she suggested with giggling mockery in her tone.
"Wh-What? You're not going to pick out women's clothing for me to wear!" his tone assertively traveled diagonally across the table.
"Hmph fine." Milly released a huffed sigh "You're already as fussy as a woman about what she wears Heh~"
Lelouch chewed the side of his mouth in exasperation, but the feeling dulled when he viewed over Suzaku laughing faintly at him.
Suzaku...
It really pleases me to see you smile right now.
After what happened…
You deserve that, at least.
Within the split moment of stillness, a thunderous stoke of sound made itself apparent in the room.
"Ah-! Wh-What was that?" Rivalz motioned his head to the broad window that was illuminating a faint shade of red from under the curtain.
"Hmm. I don't know." Milly's statement was mixed with another loud publication of a booming sound coming from outside the building.
This time though, behind the windows drapes was a glimmer of blue.
After another boom, Rivalz came to a realization, "Hey I think someone is setting off fireworks!" he exclaimed.
"You think so? That's a little strange. Is there something special going on tonight?" Suzaku wondered.
"Not that I'm aware of..." Rivalz unhelpfully replied to him.
"We should go outside then!" Nunally suggested. "I may not be able to see the pretty lights flashing in the sky, but I still enjoy the strident sounds they make. Heh."
Everyone calmly beamed thoughtfully to the innocent girl smiling ear to ear in silence for moment.
"Well then it's settled! Lets go!" With that, Rivalz dashed out of the dining room, heading to the front door.
"Hey wait up!" Milly trailed a little behind as she pushed Nunally's wheelchair.
As Suzaku lift from his chair and headed in the same direction, Lelouch halted him vocally.
"Suzaku. We might be able to see them better if we go up to the roof." he recommended.
"Oh. That's a good point. Should we go tell the others?"
Lelouch walked ahead of him and shook his head "Nah. They'll do fine without us." He headed to the stairs, - Suzaku dawdled close behind.
The evening differed from the hot day from earlier, for the air now held a chilled brisk in the wind.
The moment they reached the roof, Lelouch zipped up his red jacket from the nippy breeze. The temperature didn't seem to bother Suzaku - his full attention was immediately set on the blooming vibrant sparks bursting into the twilight night.
Lelouch slipped his icy hands into his pockets and idled besides the fully entertained Suzaku.
Audibly in range between the loud exposing burst, the distant voices of Nunally, Milly and Rivalz were heard echoing from the ground below - mainly gratifying sounds of "oohs and aahs"
"I wonder what the occasion is for?" Suzaku wondered, keeping his visuals on the vivid luminosity in the sky that resembled burning flowers.
Lelouch swung his head down with a smile, his eyes viewing over the radiant hues layering all over the aspects of the roof. "No idea... But it's a nice little surprise, hmm?"
"Heh. Yeah." Suzaku finally took his gaze off the sky and thoughtfully looked to his feet.
"I'm glad you invited me over tonight, Lelouch. I really needed a- pleasant distraction." His words jumbled up as if he struggled to arrange them. His lip tightened up. "I can always count on you."
Lelouch eyebrows raised - his lips separating. He looked at the suddenly - yet subtly - stressed boy over the timespan of three fireworks going off.
Suzaku clenched his fist tight next to his hip. "If I can count on you," he stiffly said. "It means I can trust you, right?" He asked; his voice quaking like a ship caught in a storm.
"Suzaku..." Lelouch hushly stated his name with grief. No. You can't trust me.
His friend, who had now went glassy eyed quivered his name through his lips, "Lelouch..."
The boy, that was now clearly releasing tears, impaled a gaze to Lelouch; who was currently conveying heartache discreetly.
"Something… Very bad happened to me last night." His words indicated a clog of spit caught in his throat. He sniffled his nose before continuing.
"I'm sure you know all about the leader of The Black Knights," he gulped the saliva accumulation. "Zero." he paused - for he choked out the name - leaving severe thumping in Lelouch's heartbroken chest.
"Well, he did something to me and I – really don't know how to handle it. At first I didn't think much of what happened. But as more hours passed, I just couldn't stop thinking of it. I know it could have ended much worse and I should be grateful it didn't but-"
His impulsive frail weight plunged against Lelouch. The weak boy tucked his head snuggly in between the boys raven locks– letting his tears soak onto his red jackets shoulder, and gripped his other one with his hand firmly.
"I'm sorry to pin this on you so suddenly but I just…" he latched on firmer to his sleeve as more tears escaped, "I feel so demeaned – so violated and disgusted with myself. I don't feel safe. I haven't even slept since it happened because I fear if I let my guard down again, he'll capture me once again and do worse with me." his frazzled words tripped over themselves hastily.
Lelouch soundlessly stood – arthritically showing console by rubbing Suzaku's back that was deeply heaving in motion from his crying gasps.
His lavender iris were twitching cyclically; remaining unblinking as he let the boy discharge tears on his shoulder over something awful that had happened to him.
Something Lelouch was held responsible for.
It isn't right for me to be the one to comfort you.
I'm guilty of fabricating these emotions upon you in the first place…!
Suzaku looked like if Lelouch were to let go of him, he would certainly plumage to the ground. He never seen Suzaku like this in their adult life.
In truth, it petrified Lelouch.
"But…" Suzaku raised his head off his shoulder gradually and stared him dead in the face with his soaking wet eyes matching with the two troubled violets a few inches away. "Right now, Lelouch… I feel safe, because of you."
A false sense of security. The apprehensive Lelouch felt a collection of dampness develop in his tear ducts as he looked into the boys glossy eyes that were reflecting each color of the fireworks being ignited above.
Damnit Suzaku. You shouldn't feel this way about me. I'm not your safe haven. I'm a sick person. You don't even deserve to have someone as awful as me in your life.
After what I did to you…
Lelouch, still on the verge of crying, lifted his thumb under Suzaku's eyes – that were expressing hurt and need – and gently wiped away the heavy amount of tears that had glided down his face.
"I'm so sorry, Suzaku." his words came out breathily and tender. Clearly to Lelouch it was said with a double entendre.
I'm so sorry I couldn't control him.
Suzaku's lids cloaked halfway over his eyes; still drenched with new uncontrollable tears dripping out.
This very expression reminded Lelouch of when Suzaku was a child – when he was much more emotional and had a difficult time holding it back.
Back then, he cried over just about anything. But as a strong young man, Suzaku learned to control it more. He showed little emotion and weakness by keeping it professional. Even around friendly social situations.
However, this was that same emotion a ten year old Suzaku would express without care of people judging his strength. This only provided further evidence that he is so hurt, that he actually permitted himself to admit submission in hopes of security and comfort. This entirely contrasted the character Suzaku built up for himself as an adult.
"Even so," Suzaku snuffled. "I still feel so insecure and weak. All my life I always felt so strong. Like I could face anything and never show fear to anyone. I'm ashamed to admit that now I do."
Lelouch enclosed his spender arms around him tighter – tucking his head deep into his neck that was draped with his brunette curls. He held him attached to his body for a long while.
Lelouch drew his face away and once again detected the flaring color from the fireworks reflecting off Suzaku's glassy eyes and tears. So much suffering was springing off him and latching onto Lelouch.
Suzaku dimly lowed his swollen eyes to the raven haired boys mouth and stared as if he was studying them – his pouting lips began to quiver more intensely now.
Lightly pinching at Lelouch's chin between his thumb and index finger, Suzaku closed his eyes, leaned his face in slowly, and softly, his lips pressed against his.
A sensation of trickling flutters rushed down both their bodies. Lelouch's eyes remained protruded from the unexpected – yet gentle feel of their lips making contact.
Though, he couldn't bring himself to pull away from him. Gradually, he sealed his eyes closed and let the steaming sensations blissfully escort him into transcendent state of elation. He embraced the boy tauter in his arms.
This didn't feel as wrong and wicked like it did when he kissed him as Zero.
It felt authentic and sincere – it felt real.
This time Lelouch could feel butterflies fluster their wings in flight around his stomach. A feeling he had never obtained before. He thought the expression of bugs crawling around your insides was just a figure of speech in romance novels. But the myth had now been proven true for him.
For the first time since the incident with Zero, Suzaku sincerely felt safe and content while wrapped in in this former princes arms.
There was no more suffering, no hurt or angst. Nor was there even an aware sense of themselves; as if the kiss molded them together and converted into one identity that was free of human emotions – only left to truly submerge in the bearing of genuine blissful ecstasy.
Lelouch retracted his puckered lips away smoothly. Blush was dusted across his fevered cheeks; his lavender eyes were filled with substantial amounts of lust and passion.
Suzaku's emeralds collided with his after they gradually opened – they reflected the same yearning as his. They glared wordlessly for a long period – their rapid heartbeats were detonating fiercer than the fireworks blasting above their heads.
Abruptly intruding on the moment, Suzaku's cellphone began to buzz his pocket.
He jerked up and squeezed at Lelouch's sleeve from the unpredicted disruption. Hesitantly, Lelouch unlatched his arms from around him.
"Sorry, I have to take this." his lips still quivering. Unmistakably, his balance became unstable and wobbly from the lack of support from Lelouch. Suzaku reached into his pocket and answered.
A second later, though, Lelouch's cell also rang in his pocket. He pulled it out and viewed the glowing screen.
The caller ID revealed it was Ohgi.
He felt his mind was too distorted to speak; as is he had a heavy dose of Refrain. Nonetheless, from the looks of caller ID he viewed over again, clearly it was time to drop off of cloud nine and come back down to earth to attend to matters at hand.
After clicking the 'talk' button, he held it to his ear tentatively – his arms proven to feel fragile from the sensation still submerging deep affection through his veins. "Yes. What is it?"
While staring at Suzaku speaking on the phone, Lelouch awaited Ohgi to speak.
Feverishly, the Black Knight shouted on the other line. "Zero, we have a terrible situation going on here." The phone staticed out. "They're massacring the elevens. I think it might be the Britannian's, but I'm not exactly sure."
Lelouch turned away from Suzaku conversing on the phone to conceal his voice from eavesdropping.
"What?" his tone penetratingly cut through the line. "Do you have insight why?" Lelouch spoke into the phone in a way it was inaudible to Suzaku.
"No. No one knows why or how it started happening."
Lelouch took a second to reply to gather his thoughts and prepare himself for the current unforeseen situation. The overwhelming leap in the moment caused him to scrub at his forehead apprehensively. "Tell me where you are located. I'll be there as soon as I can."
Ohgi's voice was united with distant explosions on the other line, "Go outside and look in the distance of the Ghetto."
Lelouch twisted his neck over his shoulder and on looked over Suzaku. A yellow firework rocketed up from the far-off city ruins and blasted overhead.
"Are you… referring to the fireworks?" his questioned in disbelief - disorientation tumbled on top him.
"Yes. Some of theJapanese started setting them off in hopes someone would come to their aid and help them out. Luckily Tamaki and I just happened to be a few miles away. We actually thought there was a Japanese festival going on. So since we thought it was going to be a slow night, we rolled over there to see what was going on. Needless to say, we were wrong. They're killing innocent women and children out here, Zero. They have no way of defending themselves. Please get here. We need you."
"Very well." Lelouch voice abruptly became sharply professional – as if he was shaken right out of his heavenly state. "Please alert the others."
"Will do."
Lelouch flipped his phone down rough and sightlessly starred harshly, his lips kinked in disgust. Squeezing at his phone almost enough to snap it in half.
"Lelouch." Suzaku addressed his back.
The anxious boy whirled around; he tried with all his might to hide his current emotional switch that was caused by the phone call.
"I have military business to attend to." His face was stern. "I'm very sorry to have to leave so suddenly, Lelouch."
The impassive boy felt his blood boil up; the cold air was no longer affecting him. In fact, now he felt scorching.
"Oh, really? That's too bad. But I completely understand." He strained to keep his reaction relaxed and make it seem as if he had no idea, but Lelouch knew very well what his military business was relating to.
"I'll just see you tomorrow in school, okay?" Suzaku confirmed with him. He no longer held his previous childlike expression from his exposer of despondency, nor did he show hits of his recent passionate state - his face showed traces of seriousness, professionalism and distress, all formulated into one facial gesture.
Suzaku straightaway began heading to the stairwell. He looked back over his shoulder a last time at Lelouch – who was emptily idling mutely at the explosives bursting overhead.
"See ya'." Suzaku smirked at him and turned back away.
Lelouch's face went coldly malevolent - his tone bitterly flat, "Yeah. See ya'."
I hope you enjoyed the read, thank you very much for checking out this chapter. Please review and give back some feedback. I would greatly appreciate it. Stay tuned for more!
-A
A/N:
I really hope everyone is pleased with how the story is coming along so far. Even though I really haven't dented the surface. Yes... eleven chapters to me has been more of an introduction compared to ideas I have for the future plot developing.
Updates may slow down a bit, but don't hold onto those words as facts, heh. I love to write so more than likely I will have another chapter done shortly, but I mean in the sense of I may not update almost everyday like I have been. I'm going to try to split up the releases of the chapters a little by focusing more on my writing and finding inspiration for my ideas since I shamefully admit I have been rushing a tiny bit because I'm antsy to get to future chapter ideas. Hehe.
So if I update within the next few days with a new chapter, someone please yell at me and tell me to get off the computer. -_-
