Suzaku took it better than Lelouch expected. After the initial shock and understandably extreme reaction, Suzaku never again brought up the fact that Lelouch was leaving as a guilt trip or to get what he wanted.
On the other hand, he also never left Lelouch's side. Ever.
He wasn't obtrusive or distracting, just… everpresent. Lelouch actually took the opportunity of Suzaku having to go to the bathroom for a quick breather, and found himself doing things like washing his hands more slowly after he went. Not that he didn't like being with Suzaku, just that it was a little overwhelming.
The worst part, mostly, was the fact that Suzaku wasn't being bratty or demanding or resentful. It made Lelouch feel incredibly guilty.
It also, incidentally, made it difficult to prepare for his birthday party.
"Suzaku, please, just give me a few hours so I can wrap your present and get the cake ready."
Suzaku looked torn. "I could help…"
"Don't be ridiculous; it's your present and your cake for your birthday." Lelouch ushered him out the door. "It'll just be a few hours, okay?" Suzaku nodded reluctantly, an expression of such resigned displeasure on his face that Lelouch felt leaned over and kissed his forehead. "Don't pout."
"I'm not." Suzaku lied, pouting even more. Lelouch chuckled a little, finding it cute despite himself. "Hey, Lelouch?"
"Hmm?"
"Can we do something later?"
That was vague. "Sure, what did you have in mind?"
Suzaku just grinned. "I'll show you." He kissed Lelouch quickly on the lips, still smiling. "See ya!"
Ah well. At least Lelouch would have a few moments of privacy.
As Lelouch prepared Suzaku's present and cake, however, he mused over Suzaku's words. It was nice, in a way, to return to an almost playful affection with the boy, underlined with mild anxiety over what he'd pull next. It felt like old times.
Arthur curled around Lelouch's legs and Lelouch sighed. "We're going to have to get you used to the Kururugi's apartment." Arthur shot him a catty (literally) look of disgust and sauntered off. Lelouch smirked and grabbed a book, reveling slightly in the first bit of peaceful alone time he'd had since returning from Pendragon.
It didn't last. With the cake done and iced, Lelouch had no excuse to turn Suzaku away when he knocked on his door. "Come in, Su-wha?" Lelouch flailed as Suzaku, slamming the door rather sharply behind himself, carefully shoved him towards the couch. "Suzaku, what are you–"
"Shh…" Suzaku said, straddling Lelouch's lap. "If you keep yelling, someone will come see why."
Lelouch honestly doubted that. Apart from the arrangement between Genbu and himself, there was an unspoken rule of non-interference in this building. It was how he'd managed to move in on his own in the first place. Still, the thought of someone coming in and witnessing this… "What are you doing?" he asked in a calmer tone of voice.
"Kissing you," Suzaku said, as if that was a reasonable answer. And then proceeded to put actions to words.
It was… nice. For all that Suzaku had been trailing him for days and the occasional pecks they'd shared and the way they'd slept, curled up together, they hadn't really properly kissed since… since that night that Lelouch realized what he'd been doing and decided he needed to leave. Because of things like this. But…
It was nice. Even if Lelouch wasn't really responding, the warm press of Suzaku's lips against his and the solid weight of Suzaku in his lap was at once familiar and new. The last time they'd done this, Suzaku had been much smaller and Lelouch had been in a wig. It was different this time.
"Lelouch…" Suzaku's hands were large enough now to cup the back of Lelouch's head as he placed soft kisses over his lips and cheeks. "Lelouch, please…"
Against his better judgment, but following his instincts, Lelouch leaned forward and placed one hand on Suzaku's cheek as he kissed him. When Suzaku sighed "More" Lelouch deepened the kiss slightly, capturing Suzaku's lower lip between his and sucking slightly before releasing it. Suzaku gasped and mimicked his actions, outright groaning into Lelouch's mouth.
Enough. Lelouch pulled back, surprised at how tingly his lips felt, and pulled Suzaku into a tight hug. "Thank you."
"Love you," Suzaku responded, placing a kiss against Lelouch's neck, and Lelouch smiled. Sometimes, somehow, it really was just that simple.
