Suzaku's birthday party had been delayed a few days so that Gino could come back from a family vacation and attend. It was just a small gathering; his father, Lelouch, Rivalz, Tamaki, and Gino. He didn't want anything bigger this year, despite the fact that that meant excluding several friends.

He spent most of the party latched on to Lelouch's side.

When Tamaki and Rivalz dragged Gino to the other room to challenge him to a video game while Lelouch set up for cake, Lelouch gently kissed Suzaku's forehead and shoved him after them. "Go on. I'll be here when you're done."

Suzaku looked suspiciously at him before nodding once and running off. Lelouch smiled after him – it seemed like Suzaku would gradually return to his natural habits and when Lelouch left in a month, he'd be ready.

"You really don't have to bother with that," Genbu pointed out, passing Lelouch a mug of coffee. "They'll be playing for at least an hour."

Lelouch hummed and took the coffee, but finished putting the candles on the cake. "Might as well." He fished out a lighter and placed it beside the cake. "Done." He smiled at Genbu. "Would you care to sit and wait for the boys?"

Genbu smiled and pulled out a chair for Lelouch, making Lelouch snort good naturedly, before taking a seat himself. "Suzaku seems happier these days."

Rather than answer immediately, Lelouch took a sip of coffee. "I think he's getting used to the idea that I'm leaving and is adapting well." He smiled fondly. "He's always been adaptable."

"He has." Genbu sighed. "When his mother died, he was just old enough to understand what that meant. He managed to go a few years without expecting the affection and attention she lavished on him." He smiled. "Until you came."

Lelouch laughed. "You mean he wasn't always pushy and needy?" His smile faded to something nostalgic. "He's such a good person. So strong and resilient and… you've done an incredible job with him. I'm proud to know him."

The most amazing thing happened. Kururugi Genbu blushed. His mouth opened, but before he could say anything, Suzaku raced into the room.

"Ineedtotalktoyou,sorrydadbye." Lelouch barely had enough time to put his coffee mug down before Suzaku dragged him to his room.

"Suzaku, what's wrong?"

"Ginokissedme!"

Lelouch wasn't sure he heard that correctly. "What? Speak slower."

"Gino." Suzaku's eyes were wide. "Kissed." And his face was flushed. "Me." Oh.

Lelouch nodded. "And?"

"And what?" Suzaku demanded. "He kissed me and I ran to talk to you. What do I do?"

"…have you considered kissing back?"

Suzaku glared. "This isn't funny!"

"Of course it isn't. It's very serious." To be honest, Lelouch had been swallowing hysterical giggles for a while. "Well, what's the actual problem?"

Suzaku looked at him like he was crazy. "Are you even listening?"

He looked serious and confused and lost and desperate. Lelouch sighed and sat on the bed, wrapping his arms around Suzaku as Suzaku immediately snuggled up on his lap. "I'm listening, Suzaku. I just don't know what you want me to say."

"How do I tell him to stop kissing me without making him mad?"

Lelouch raised an ironic eyebrow. "I have no idea why you'd think I'd have any clue how to do that." He kissed Suzaku's forehead to take the sting of his words away. "I never managed that with you."

"That's different," Suzaku insisted. "Gino's not in love with me."

"Are you sure?"

That made Suzaku pause. Lelouch took the moment to consider his options. Yes, he'd recommended to Gino that he confess after Suzaku's birthday (which, technically he had) and, yes, he'd encouraged Suzaku to consider being with other people, and, yes, he was… a little relieved at this potential distraction for Suzaku before he left.

If he ignored the part of him that was rather pitifully waiting for Suzaku to declare himself Lelouch's and only Lelouch's, he'd be able to see this as the simply wonderful aspect of his beloved Suzaku growing up.

"Gino likes me, but it's different," Suzaku finally concluded. "I want to marry you and be with you forever. Gino just wants to kiss me."

"I think it's a little more than that," Lelouch chided. "He wants to be with you, maybe not forever, but for now. And that's what boys your age should want."

"But I–"

Lelouch kissed Suzaku's nose. "You're special. I know. But you should at least consider this, Suzaku."

Suzaku frowned. "You won't mind?"

"Not at all." Clearly that was the right answer as Suzaku grinned and kissed Lelouch's cheek and dashed off.

"Gino!" Suzaku's voice echoed in the small apartment as Lelouch shrugged at Genbu before following Suzaku into the other room.

Suzaku plopped down beside Gino, grinning. "Hey."

"Hey." Gino smiled back and Lelouch had to admit they looked adorable together. "Sorry about springing that on you out of nowhere…"

"I thought you two were dating weeks ago," Rivalz mentioned casually, cursing as Tamaki cut him off on whatever game they were playing.

Suzaku scowled at the back of his head. "We weren't." He turned back to Gino, his face brightening again. "Can you give me some time?"

"Time?" Gino asked.

"Yeah. I've got a few things I need to work out but…" Suzaku bit his lip. "Shouldn't take more than a month. Then I'll give you an answer. Kay?"

Lelouch wanted to slap his forehead. That wasn't the way relationships worked. Honestly, for someone who'd been fixated on wooing Lelouch for almost four years, Suzaku clearly had no sense of romance or–

"Kay," Gino agreed affably. "Let me know?"

"Will do!" Suzaku chirped, frowning at the TV. "Tamaki, are you using my saved game?"

"No…"

"He totally is."

"Rivalz!"

Lelouch sighed as the game turned into a three-way wrestling match of chaos. Four-way when Gino shrugged and jumped in. "As foolish as it might be to offer any of you sugar, did you want cake?"

The universal immediate reaction was somewhat gratifying, as all four boys scampered back to the table, surprising at least a grunt and a grumble from Genbu. Lelouch turned off the TV and followed.

As soon as the cake was done, Suzaku started opening his presents. Lelouch tried very hard not to, but ended up judging Gino's based on a prospective boyfriend rather than a simple friend's gift.

Fortunately, it would have passed both tests, being both modest in appearance and moderately costly, and as tasteful as one gift from a thirteen year old boy to another could be. "Cool, a handheld. Ooh, and the KMF game cartridge's in it!"

"'Course." Gino said. "And it interfaces with other devices, so we can fight or complete missions together."

"But not in class," Lelouch interjected, smiling at Suzaku, then at Gino in appreciation. Gino grinned right back.

Suzaku just held his hands out. "Next."

"I swear, your manners are getting worse each year." Lelouch rolled his eyes and handed Suzaku a smaller package.

Suzaku frowned as he opened it. "A cellphone?" He'd been repeatedly told by both Lelouch and his father that he couldn't have one until he was at least fifteen.

Lelouch and Genbu shared a smile. "Your father and I talked about it first, Suzaku. You're piggybacking on my plan, so you can call me anytime for free, no matter where I am." Suzaku's eyes widened. "I may not always be here, but I always want to be a part of your life."

Suzaku scrambled off his chair and into Lelouch's lap, burying his face against Lelouch's neck. "Thank you."

Tamaki looked perturbed. "It's just a phone."

"Lelouch is leaving for school soon," Genbu explained. "This will be their lifeline."

Gino's pleasant face was marred with a slight frown. "When are you leaving?"

"In about a month," Lelouch answered without really thinking about it. Gino nodded, and his frown deepened slightly, but he let it drop.

Rivalz jumped in, though. "That's not long. Was that what your trip was about?"

"Yes." Lelouch gave up on detaching Suzaku from himself and just contentedly petted the boy. "Classes start in August. Suzaku, you still have your father's present to open."

"I don't think I can top that," Genbu murmured, making both Tamaki and Rivalz laugh.

After the party, Suzaku followed Lelouch to his apartment, silently preparing for bed and snuggling close to Lelouch once they were under the covers. "Lelouch?"

"Yes?"

"I… it's okay that you have to go. Thanks for taking such good care of me."

Lelouch wrapped his arms around Suzaku. "I should really be thanking you."

"I still love you," Suzaku said steadily. "More than anything else in the world. But I think… I'm going to try to be with Gino. 'Cause that's better right?"

Lelouch nodded. "We'll see, I suppose."

"Right." Suzaku pressed closer. "Doesn't mean I don't love you."

"I love you too."

Three hours later, Lelouch woke up and untangled himself from Suzaku's limbs before padding to the door.

"Suzaku's in bed. You can take the couch."

C.C. smiled. "It's good to see you too, Lelouch."