Lelouch didn't leave the apartment after that. Milly called and he told her he was feeling ill, but really he was just… heartbroken? Something was broken in any case.

The walls weren't particularly thin, but he could still hear the loud argument between Suzaku and Genbu that morning as they fought over what happened last night. Lelouch knew full well that Suzaku wouldn't win and by the time Suzaku was sent off to school, Lelouch had already brewed Genbu's favourite brand of tea and prepared two cups.

The knock came moments later.

Proffering the tea as if that would protect him, Lelouch opened the door and graciously let Genbu in. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" Genbu growled, downing the hot drink before wincing dropping the mug carelessly on the table. "For turning my own son against me?"

"I didn't…" Lelouch gave up. He'd never meant to do anything like that, and the fact that he had made him feel even worse. "What do you want me to do?"

Genbu snorted. "I should demand that you move, get you away from Suzaku as soon as possible."

Lelouch nodded, he'd given that some thought. "I can probably stay with Milly temporarily while I look for another place. I was going to ask her today, but I…" chickened out "never quite managed to."

"Good," Genbu grunted. "Because you're not leaving."

…what. "What?"

Genbu sighed. "This isn't easy for… I'm not usually wrong, and I…" He slumped a little. "I'm sorry, Lelouch."

…what? "I don't…"

"You're not your father. You didn't do what he did. It wasn't your bill that passed, taking my wife away from me and leaving me stranded here with Suzaku. you've never gone on television advocating hatred and fear for anyone who looks or acts different." He shook his head. "The way you are with Suzaku… there's real love there. I can see it. It doesn't matter to you that he's not Britannian. You only have Britannian friends because that's all you're exposed to, but once you were given the choice…"

Lelouch stared at him. "You… you're not going to keep Suzaku from me?"

"No." Genbu placed his hand on Lelouch's shoulders. "Lelouch vi Britannia." He shook his head again. "What on earth are you doing here?"

"Hiding from my father." Lelouch answered honestly, if not fully. "I… I promise, if he finds me, I'll leave you and Suzaku out of it. I won't let him hurt you, just please don't turn me in." He began to shake, the stress of the past day getting to him. "I can't… I won't be used by him anymore."

"You really do hate him don't you?" Genbu said softly, hesitating before pulling Lelouch in for an awkward hug. For someone who rarely even hugged his own child, this was something remarkable. "Then don't think of him as your father, Lelouch. If… if you're willing to accept me as a replacement…"

Lelouch was far better at hugs, relaxing and turning into Genbu's hold, his forehead resting in the crook of Genbu's neck. "Thank you." His body was still shaking, but with relief. "Thank you so much."

Genbu patted his head twice and released him. "Well, then." He cleared his throat. "That settles that. Good. Well. I have to be off to work…"

"Wait a moment…" Lelouch dashed into the kitchen and retrieved two paper bags. "Lunch. For you and Suzaku." His eyes narrowed at Genbu's surprised and slightly guilty expression. "You didn't send him off without any food, did you?" The surprise melted away, leaving only guilt. "Honestly…" Lelouch shoved one bag into Genbu's hands and pulled on his shoes and spring jacket. "I'll drop off Suzaku's, you go before you're late."

"Right." Genbu said.

And everything went back to normal. Because that's what happens when family fights.