Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass. The only profit I make from this fanfiction is the joy of writing and sharing my headcanons.
Thank you to everyone who commented, left kudos, started following my Tumblr, etc. :D
Thanks to my lovely beta-reader, TheGeminiSage, for looking over this whale of a tale. She is love. Go read her Undertale comic, Refuse. :D
Please enjoy the slow burn romance and let me know your thoughts. I really want to know how the relationship-building is coming across. Or if you have a favorite part or quote, please share so I know what I'm doing right. If I could improve something, let me know that, too. x3
Warning for slight dry-humping beginning in this chapter. And fluff.
Chapter 7: Real
Damn, I miss him, Lelouch complained, crossing his arms over his chest. Looking down through the mask, he privately lamented how he needed to tear himself away from his boyfriend to make an appearance at the Black Knights mobile headquarters. His neck tingled where Suzaku had sucked his very first hickey, and racy memories of their afternoon together interfered with his ability to focus on Ohgi's report about Refrain dealers. It wasn't that Lelouch didn't want to bring justice to the powerless; he just wanted to do it with Suzaku by his side.
"And they're going to meet at a warehouse tonight," Ohgi finished with an expectant look.
Zero nodded, glad that he'd caught the tail end of the update. "We'll be there," he affirmed, executing his power as leader of the Black Knights.
Ohgi and his original resistance team grew excited at the planned raid, and Lelouch mustered up the charisma to be Zero. It was easier to put his heart into it when he discovered Kallen had a personal connection to this issue, and it helped him remember his priorities.
This is about more than just Suzaku and me, he recalled. This is about all of Japan and Britannia. This is about a better world.
Still, seeing all those desperate Japanese people addicted to Refrain got him thinking. A chance to remember the good of the past, hm?
"That was delicious," Suzaku sighed with an affectionate smile at Lelouch across the dinner table—which had been lowered to the floor, Japanese-style. A spicy aroma lingered in the air, wafting throughout the entire Lamperouge suite. "I can't believe you cooked me legitimate sashimi."
Lelouch returned the smile, finishing up his miso soup side dish. "I wanted you to have a little taste of home," he explained with a swish of his fingers. Never mind that they were in Japan; actual Japanese cuisine had been banned along with the rest of the culture since Britannia had taken over.
Suzaku's eyes glittered with emotion. "Lelouch," he said, a little choked up. "I have a taste of home every time I'm with you. I don't need all this." He waved his hand at the elaborate spread that Lelouch had prepared, even going so far as to arrange the food into a traditional artful presentation.
Lelouch looked to the side and adjusted himself on his pillow-seat. "I wanted to do it."
"Where did you even find the ingredients?" Suzaku asked, still moved to near-tears. "Supermarkets don't even carry wasabi anymore."
Lelouch's smile curled secretively. "Maybe Britannian supermarkets," he allowed.
Suzaku blinked and leaned forward. "You…you braved the Eleven ghettoes?" he asked in awe. "Just to buy some authentic Japanese food so you could cook me a real Japanese dinner?"
Lelouch reached forward to clasp Suzaku's hand between both of his. "I love you," he answered simply, staring into Suzaku's eyes. That was all the explanation needed.
"I love you," Suzaku returned. I'm not worth all this. He wiped at his eyes with his free hand. "I'm just…touched that you'd go so far for me."
"I'd go even further," Lelouch corrected with a somewhat dark smile.
Suzaku shivered pleasantly at the devotion and promise in his boyfriend's tone.
"This is why I'd do anything for you," Suzaku blurted with a smile, holding up a paper.
Lelouch tilted his head at the list, squinting at the tiny print across the dining room table (now a homework station before supper). "I thought you were doing a lab report for chemistry," he said, his face wrinkling into a puzzled frown. "That doesn't look like chemistry."
"Oh," Suzaku said, waving it off, "I got distracted, so I did this instead." He proudly brandished the paper at Lelouch with a pleased, "I told you what it was."
Raising an eyebrow, Lelouch reached for the page and almost dropped it when he scanned the heading up top: All the Reasons Why I Love Lelouch.
He's Lelouch.
He balances me perfectly.
He gets me.
He's a role model in how people should act.
He's literally a prince charming.
He's kind.
His devotion to Nunnally is inspiring.
He's Lelouch.
God, he's gorgeous.
Those eyes. Enough said.
His intelligence.
He is a lifesaver.
How he'll "stick up for the little guy."
His smile. Especially the one that lights up his whole face when he sees me.
He seems to instinctively provide what I need from him. All the time. He's that good.
The list continued, up to a reason 507 on the back; it seemed Suzaku had only stopped because, despite writing in the tiniest characters imaginable, he'd run out of room. It should be noted that over half of his reasons consisted of "He's Lelouch." To be fair, it was the most important point.
Jaw dropping, Lelouch raised his eyes to meet Suzaku's. "You spent the last hour doing this?" he asked in stunned amazement. At the first available opportunity, this list was joining Suzaku's numerous post-it notes in Lelouch's hidden "Suzaku Box" under the floorboards.
"I love you," Suzaku answered simply. "I just wanted you to know why. But, uh, I still don't think I've expressed my feelings well enough. That paper is so trite compared to what's in here," he said, thumping his chest, right over his heart.
Lelouch sat up straighter, his chest welling with love and pride from his boyfriend's efforts. "It's enough, Suzaku," he assured, his voice as soft as paper and his meaning clear as ink. "It's enough." He reached over the table for Suzaku's free hand, squeezing it gently with warmth and gratitude. "I love you, too." Despite his natural linguistic skill, he understood why the words alone felt underwhelming. Sweeping his thumb from side to side across the back of Suzaku's hand, Lelouch said, "I love your eyes and smile also, you know, how they're so expressive."
Suzaku blinked at the turn-around, looking a little flustered.
"I love how you treat Nunnally like the princess she is," Lelouch continued reverently. "I love the softness of your hair, and the way your nose curves. I love your inner strength, to endure all the insults and bullying you go through. I love the way you laugh, and I even love the way you whine when Arthur bites you." His voice seeped into all the cracked hollows in Suzaku's heart, filling and fortifying them with tender affection. Chuckling lightly, Lelouch said, "But most of all, I love the way you're truly yourself with me. How you love me back so fiercely." He ended with another hand squeeze and a teasing apology. "Sorry that's not 507 reasons, but off the top of my head…"
His whole face glowing like a firebird, Suzaku shook his head. "No, Lelouch, it's perfect."
Taking a deep breath, Lelouch concluded solemnly, "…I love you because you're Kururugi Suzaku."
Hitched laughter erupted from Suzaku's throat. "We really are a balanced match, aren't we?" he observed, voice filled with emotion.
"That we are, Suzaku," Lelouch agreed pleasantly. "In every way."
Milly elected to hold the Student Council meetings after-school again, which made lunchtime make-out sessions easier to partake in. When they weren't kissing, Lelouch and Suzaku were making vague plans for their future together, studiously ignoring reality's prejudices knocking on the outside of their rose-tinted bubble for as many stolen moments as they could safeguard for themselves.
Their playful competitive streak manifested itself in the most delicious new ways as their relationship progressed.
"I bet I can kiss you harder than you can kiss me," Lelouch taunted, violet eyes sparking with challenge as he seductively drew Suzaku in by the shirt collar. In the privacy of his bedroom, they were free to do whatever they wanted. Suzaku never complained about Lelouch's room being boring anymore.
Suzaku raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Right, because you're so much stronger than me. Physically, I mean," he shot back, tone frisky and gently mocking.
Lelouch just smirked and leaned in, and Suzaku met him with bruising force. They fell back on the bed and rolled around, both trying valiantly to outdo each other as they crushed their faces together and ravished each other's mouths. They scrabbled and tussled until their intense focus wavered and they naturally fell into their customary, mutually satisfying give-and-take, and they both forgot they were trying to top each other as they just concentrated on making it pleasurable together.
(This happened at least twice a week. Sometimes Suzaku would pull back at the end with the most dazed and loving expression that Lelouch felt like he'd won the world. Of course, he had to vocalize his triumph with a smug, "I win." And sometimes Suzaku would simply roll his eyes and let him have it, because he delighted in seeing Lelouch so cocky. Other times, he'd let Lelouch have it in a different way, with a soft and dangerously daring, "We'll see about that" as he captured his boyfriend's lips with renewed fervor.)
"Ah, Suzaku," Lelouch interjected between kisses, his fingers clenched helplessly in the folds of Suzaku's uniform. He could barely feel his bedroom chess table under his back. "N-not that I'm complaining, but…why…why are you…" His question fizzled into a moan.
Pulling back with a gasp, Suzaku guessed, "Why am I kissing you so much?"
Dazedly, Lelouch nodded.
With a half-hearted shrug, Suzaku explained, "You finished your Student Council work for today. I thought that deserved a proper celebration."
"That's such a minor thing to praise," Lelouch said with a breathless snort.
Shrugging again, Suzaku countered smugly, "It's still an achievement, and you were successful. I want to honor that, Lelouch."
They were still at that stage where anything was an excuse to make out.
(They were always at that stage where anything was an excuse to make out.)
"Friends get ice-cream together all the time," Lelouch pointed out quietly, aiming a light kick at Suzaku's leg beneath the table. Suzaku had originally suggested pizza to celebrate Lelouch's latest chess win, but had changed his mind after Lelouch had blanched and stalwartly refused. "No one else knows this is a date. Relax."
Suzaku fearfully looked around the quaint little ice-cream parlor, only relaxing once his gaze rested on Lelouch's face. Their booth was small, and they were rather close together. No one was paying them any mind, but still. It was better to be safe than sorry. "Yeah, but I'm just worried something bad will happen." We're out in public together. It's dangerous.
A slim eyebrow rose over a violet eye. "There's worry," Lelouch conceded, "and then there's paranoia."
Sighing, Suzaku took a bite of his vanilla cone. "You were the one who said we needed to be careful."
"We are being careful," Lelouch insisted. Giving the establishment a once-over for safety, he leaned over the table and explained in a low tone, "For example, if I wasn't being careful, I would've already kissed you."
Suzaku squeaked and lapped at his cone with renewed vigor.
Lelouch sat back, folding his arms across his chest in a rather smug manner. "Besides," he remembered, "haven't we gone on a date before?"
Tilting his head, Suzaku wondered, "When?"
"Yes, we did," Lelouch answered his own question. "To that Orange Café."
That's right! We did eat out together alone in public, but we were—wait. "That wasn't a—!" Suzaku protested, feeling some of his ice-cream drip onto his hand.
Lelouch cocked his head. "Wasn't it? I thought it was."
Suzaku took another bite of ice-cream, hoping the cold would chase away the heat in his cheeks. "We weren't even together then," he mumbled.
Lelouch chuckled. "Maybe not officially," he granted. "But to me, by the end of that night, I was convinced we were inevitable."
Suzaku felt a thrill and clenched his free hand into a fist. "Lelouch," he warned, ignoring all the mixed signals that had come from Lelouch after their semi-date, proving Lelouch's words were not entirely truthful. "You're making it very, very hard for me to be careful right now."
Chest swelling, Lelouch smirked. "Maybe you'd better get me home then," he invited in a barely audible, suggestive voice.
Despite the ice-cream, Suzaku's mouth went dry. He was just about to respond when Lelouch's cell rang.
Lelouch secretively took out his phone, checked the caller ID, and frowned before looking at Suzaku. His eyes skimmed between his boyfriend, his cell, and the back door a couple times before he sighed and simply stared at the device in his hand for a long moment, letting it ring itself out.
Suzaku's forehead furrowed and he dared to ask, "Aren't you gonna get that?"
Lelouch looked back at him quickly and tucked the now-silent phone into his pocket. "No," he answered decisively, "I'll call them back later."
"Who was it?"
"It was… You know what? Don't worry about it."
"Was it Shirley?"
"I said, don't worry about it."
Rejected, Suzaku pursed his lips and remembered. This wasn't the first time Lelouch had received strange phone calls, yet Suzaku was no closer to figuring out this mystery than he was on that first day they became official. It had almost sounded like Lelouch would answer him for once just now, but he'd pulled back before divulging anything of substance. Just what sort of gambling heist was Lelouch caught up in? How dangerous was it? Should Suzaku be doing something more to stop it?
Still worried and lost in thought, Suzaku mindlessly looked up when the bell over the front door jingled and a few Ashford Academy students walked in. Suzaku's face paled a bit, his attention diverted to the here-and-now, and his ice-cream cone slipped through numb fingers; Lelouch took a quick look over his shoulder to see the cause of Suzaku's nervous behavior.
Corbin Dixon and Chloe Beck made their way halfway to the front counter before catching sight of them and changing course. They were holding hands, which made Suzaku feel a slight pang of envy. Farrell Fox and Jessica Moore followed a few steps behind their friends, the redheaded Britannian boy's arm draped casually around his girlfriend's shoulders. They were obviously on a double-date.
"Well, well, what's this?" Chloe scoffed, shooting Suzaku a critical gaze. "An Eleven daring to eat at a Britannian ice-cream parlor?"
Lelouch narrowed his eyes at their classmates. "Last I checked," he cut in icily, "Honorary Britannians were welcome to give their business wherever they pleased." The employee at the front register shot the group a warning glance, anticipating trouble by the look on his face.
Suzaku shot a helpless look at the other teen. "Lelouch, please," he hissed. Don't make it worse.
Corbin held up a hand. "Don't backtalk a Britannian," he commanded Suzaku sharply. Azure eyes flicked to Lelouch. "Please, continue," he said, tone suddenly polished. "I'm dying to hear what you have to say, Lamperouge." Chloe giggled obnoxiously next to him and leaned against his side. Farrell smirked and pulled his own girlfriend closer, looking like he was enjoying the show.
Lelouch schooled his glare into a mask of calm. "It's like I already said." He pressed his shaking ankle against Suzaku's underneath the table. "As a soldier for the Britannian Army, Suzaku has the right to eat wherever he wants."
Snorting, Corbin flashed a sinister smile at Suzaku. "Pathetic. An Eleven so-called 'soldier' can't even defend himself. Instead, he relies on weak little Lamperouge to do it for him." Farrell slapped him a high-five for the double-jibe.
Suzaku slammed his hands flat on the table and stood up, breathing heavily. "Don't insult Lelouch," he warned, voice dangerous. He could never justify standing up for himself, his father's dying scream always holding him back, but messing with Lelouch was one thing Suzaku just would not tolerate. I'm the one to blame anyway.
Corbin's eyebrow disappeared under black bangs. "Or what?" he challenged. "You'll hide behind him, like always?"
Suzaku opened his mouth—and then promptly closed it. He shut his eyes for a second and swayed a bit on his feet, trying to think. Anything I say or do is going to make this worse. His father's scream grew louder in his head, as if agreeing with his decision.
Lelouch frowned, sighed, and took a delicate bite of his mostly-forgotten ice-cream, smearing vanilla over his lips in the process. He obviously wanted to dish out a tongue-lashing—Suzaku knew his boyfriend well enough to pick up on that—but Lelouch was holding himself back for Suzaku's sake, because Suzaku had asked. Instead, Lelouch was irately going for the 'I'm going to ignore you because you're not worth my time' approach just to make his point.
Suzaku bit his lip, feeling a strong, ill-timed urge to lick that ice-cream right off his boyfriend. Remembering himself, he looked to the side and was confused to see Corbin eyeing Lelouch with a darkened gaze. Before Suzaku could say anything, Corbin turned his attention to Chloe and roughly hauled her up for a kiss. Chloe jumped when Corbin grabbed her ass, but dutifully spread her legs so he could thrust his hips more easily against hers, making her Ashford skirt flutter over the table and become stained white from Suzaku's spilled ice-cream.
Green eyes widening, Suzaku quickly tore his gaze from the intimate display. He looked at Lelouch and noticed that his normally pale ears were turning faintly pink at the tips. Wordlessly, Suzaku motioned to the door, and Lelouch gave a firm nod before silently excusing himself and power-walking to the street. On his way out the door, Suzaku was slightly mollified to find that Farrell and Jessica looked distinctly uncomfortable at their friends' sexual spectacle. Suzaku kept pace with Lelouch, but it wasn't until they were a couple blocks away that he dared to speak. "So, um," he began, rubbing the back of his head embarrassedly.
"Some people have no shame," Lelouch said with annoyance. He shook his head, clenching and unclenching his fists.
Suzaku sighed. "Still, it's nice that they can get away with it."
Purple eyes flicked to him in shock. "You want to dry-hump me in public?" Lelouch asked out the corner of his mouth in disbelief.
Suzaku choked, still getting used to Lelouch voicing such vulgarities, and felt a shiver rush up his spine despite himself. "No, I don't want to do anything to you in public. You're mine. No one else deserves to see you so disheveled," he growled, a note of possessiveness in his voice.
Lelouch smirked, eyes flashing with want and pride. "I agree. What we have is private and special, and it should stay between us." He glanced at Suzaku's hand before looking at the pedestrians on the street, and he huffed with obvious displeasure. He waited until they were clear of a white-haired Chinese man wearing oldschool headphones before asking, "What did you mean then?"
Suzaku looked over his shoulder, even though the ice-cream parlor was long gone. The Chinese man was staring at them with disbelief, even though they hadn't done anything to give themselves away. Suzaku's chest constricted with hurt longing as he spelled out, "They're allowed to act like a couple in public. If I wasn't so…" He spread out his hands, looking down at his skin with distaste.
Lelouch frowned, reaching for his boyfriend but pulling back at the last second. He comfortingly bumped their shoulders instead. "Suzaku," he said with conviction, "there's nothing wrong with being Japanese."
"No," Suzaku agreed. "But there is something wrong with being an Eleven."
"There is definitely something wrong with Synclair Worth and his entourage," Lelouch huffed, extending a hand to help Suzaku off the floor. The bullies had scattered before Lelouch could make it down the hall. "What was it this time?"
Ignoring the hand, Suzaku jumped to his feet. "They didn't like that I bought a new gym shirt."
Lelouch blinked, processing that information and taking offense at a different point. "You bought another one?" he growled. Sometimes Suzaku drove him crazy in the worst ways. "You're paying your own money into replacing that damaged uniform?"
Shrugging, Suzaku offered weakly, "I get paid by the military, and the gym shirt doesn't cost a lot."
"You should have it replaced for free!" Lelouch snapped. "You didn't ruin your own uniform. Anyone with half a brain can see that, so you shouldn't have to pay for it." His livid voice was growing louder with every word, earning whispers from passers-by.
Suzaku was already shaking his head before Lelouch was done ranting. "No, Lelouch. I don't want to cause any trouble."
Purple eyes narrowed with contempt. "Is that also why you won't fight back?" This is getting too much to ignore. Lelouch was tired of watching Synclair Worth and the others target Suzaku day after day, ramping up their attacks, but he was even sicker of watching Suzaku let it happen without a fight. Lelouch thought again of Geass, and how it would be ineffective on two thirds of the main problem people. But if he used it on Worth, setting up the right conditions to avoid suspicion, maybe the two cronies would follow his lead and back off also? The idea was worth considering. But right now, Lelouch had a more immediate issue.
Dull green eyes stared fixatedly at the floor. In a paper-thin voice, Suzaku answered, "I don't want to talk about this."
"So that's a 'yes,'" deduced Lelouch with a blistering tone.
Suzaku took a large step back, pressing himself against the wall. Shaking his head, he said weakly, "It's easier to just go along with it."
"It's not right!" exploded Lelouch. He took a step forward, trapping Suzaku against the wall and getting in his face. "Don't be an idiot about this, Kururugi Suzaku!"
Suzaku jerked his chin up, eyes flashing. "Don't call me an idiot, Lelouch."
Scowling, Lelouch caught himself, taking a deep breath to gather a plan and patience both. Not what I was going for originally, but I can make this work. "Very good," he praised stiffly. "Now stand up to them. Just like that."
"I know what I'm doing," Suzaku insisted, sticking to his own stubborn path. He edged along the wall until he was free of Lelouch's looming presence. "They'll change their minds about me eventually, after I've proven myself. I'll win them over." He folded his arms defensively over his chest and maintained, "They just need some more time until they understand that I'm not a threat."
Lelouch snorted angrily and argued, "No, they need a good ass-kicking." He tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Since you won't do it, maybe I'll sic Rivalz on them—" Or the Black Knights.
Sighing, Suzaku shook his head sadly. "Lelouch, I know you mean well, but stop stirring up trouble for my sake."
Glaring, Lelouch retorted, "I wouldn't have to if you'd just take care of yourself!"
"Your methods are only going to cause more problems in the end!" Suzaku snarled.
Lelouch froze instinctively at the familiar line and tone. He's not talking to Zero. He couldn't possibly know.
Continuing, Suzaku exclaimed, "Anyway, Lelouch, it's my burden. Don't get involved!" Without waiting for a response, Suzaku darted off down the hallway—too fast for Lelouch with his low-stamina to keep up—and willfully avoided Lelouch for the rest of the day.
The following morning, they awkwardly greeted one another as if nothing had happened.
From then on, Lelouch cut down significantly on calling Suzaku an idiot.
At least outwardly.
Except when Suzaku really deserved it.
They couldn't stay apart for long, and that afternoon found them horizontal on Lelouch's bed like usual. There was still a slight sense of uncomfortableness in the air lingering from their minor argument, but instead of addressing the problem, they each tried to reassure one another with wordless apologies—in the form of soulful looks, extra cuddles, purposeful petting, intense kisses, and affectionate ear nibbles. They were moving on, trying to get into the swing of normalcy, pretending their heated exchange had never happened.
"I, ah, love you, Suzaku," Lelouch gasped, squirming as his boyfriend teased the shell of his ear with his tongue. He turned his head, giving Suzaku better access. "I just want you to—ha, that tickles!—Mmm…"
Suzaku gently held Lelouch's face and kissed him square on the mouth, swallowing Lelouch's words, grunts, and gasps for a good ten minutes nonstop. "Shh, Lelouch, it's okay," he finally whispered, nuzzling Lelouch's cheek and neck. "I know, I know…"
Lelouch moaned his acknowledgment of Suzaku's hushed assurances, his vision hazy from the ardent attention. His pliant body almost melted into the mattress underneath Suzaku's, and his eyelids slipped shut in pure bliss as Suzaku returned to sucking and sometimes gently nipping at the tip of his ear. "Oh, Suzaku!"
"You're the best boyfriend ever," Suzaku asserted, his tone poignant as he pressed loving kisses all over Lelouch's face, dropping light kisses on both closed eyelids as he went. "You're always—oh, Lelouch!" he panted, arching his body further down into Lelouch's as Lelouch swept his hands teasingly up and down Suzaku's back, dipping too far once and brushing over the curve of his clothed rear end. Suzaku sighed with pleasure and found his voice. "You're always thinking about my best interests." It was the closest either of them had broached the subject from yesterday. Somehow, burying the awkward topic under kisses and touches was helping them reconnect. For the moment. "I love you, too," Suzaku returned, pulling back to stare into Lelouch's eyes with all the emotion he had in him.
Exhaling softly, Lelouch lifted a hand and cupped Suzaku's cheek. He gazed back just as intensely, slowly sweeping his thumb back and forth beneath Suzaku's forest green eye. "I want you to be okay," he breathed. "I want us to be okay."
"We're okay, Lelouch," Suzaku promised, turning his head and planting a kiss in the middle of his boyfriend's palm. "Let's just…keep moving on, yeah?" he suggested. Instead of talking through their sides, he wanted to skip straight to forgive-and-forget—emphasis on forget. He ran his fingers through Lelouch's soft hair, lightly massaging his scalp.
Lelouch listlessly nodded his agreement, tilting his chin up in invitation. "Kiss me," he urged.
"As you wish, Your Highness," Suzaku teased, complying expertly, and their argument became a little less important in the here and now.
That night, their argument over, Lelouch considered—for the first time—not using his Geass on the bullies since he knew the underlying tactics would go against Suzaku's wishes.
Suzaku so wanted to prove that he could win them over, and how could Lelouch deny him that chance? Even though it made his blood boil to think of anyone harming Suzaku...
It was just like how he couldn't force Suzaku to join the Black Knights. Though he disagreed with Suzaku's choices, he had to respect Suzaku's right to follow his own heart in the battles he faced.
"We're going to host a talent show!" Milly revealed, spreading her arms wide. "Everyone will be invited to contribute. It will bring the whole student body together!"
Kallen looked relieved that it sounded relatively normal—for Milly—and Shirley was excited. Rivalz's eyes were shining, and it was clear he was trying to decide how best to impress the blonde president. Nina looked up from her computer, smiled, and went back to typing. Suzaku grinned boyishly and leaned forward over the table. Lelouch yawned.
Milly almost skipped around the room as she laid out, "First, we need to set up the stage and arrange the room. Rivalz and Suzaku, I'm putting you on furniture-moving duty." Both boys nodded. Milly continued, "Then we need to make all the food for the event. I think Lelouch is the best cook we have for that." Lelouch sighed but didn't protest. The president went right on organizing, "We need people in charge of advertising—flyers, announcements, school radio broadcasts, that sort of thing. I'll be in charge of that. Shirley, Kallen, I'd like you to help."
Without waiting for them to agree, Milly plunged on, "We'll need someone to coordinate people's entries and order any special equipment some of our participants might need. Nina, can you do that?" As the shy girl agreed, the boisterous president rolled on, "Then we need someone to take all the entries and devise a schedule, write up an event program detailing the students behind the acts, and draft a letter inviting families to attend. I think Lelouch can do all that. Lastly, we need to decide on judges. Naturally, I nominate Lelouch for head judge, too."
At that, Lelouch sat up straight and stared at her. "What?" he asked incredulously. "Why do I have half the jobs? And why do I need to be head judge? Then I'll have to sit through everyone's entries!"
Suzaku carefully withheld a snort at his boyfriend's ridiculous complaints. Rivalz guffawed. Kallen had a look of disgust on her face, most likely related to Lelouch's depicted lazy attitude.
Shirley folded her arms across her chest, but before she could launch into her predictable speech about taking responsibilities more seriously, Milly wagged a finger at her vice president and explained, "You've missed a lot of meetings recently, Lelouch. Consider this the workload you've been skipping."
Lelouch glared at the table.
Suzaku hid a wince. It was true that Lelouch was inexplicably missing or sleeping through more classes and Student Council meetings, but a lot of his time was secretly eaten up by Suzaku. Inwardly wincing, Suzaku couldn't help but feel guilty; all the same, he couldn't truly regret their 'alone time.' He loved making out in their underwear on Lelouch's bed.
"Alternatively," Milly said slyly, "you could participate in the talent show yourself."
Suzaku's attention jerked back to the present, and he hoped his face wasn't as red as it felt. Maybe the Student Council meeting wasn't the best place to daydream about licking Lelouch's nipples…
Shirley tilted her head and leaned in. "Oh, Lelou, what would you do if you entered?"
Lelouch drummed his fingers on the table. He sighed, "Probably play the piano."
Milly clapped. "Wonderful!"
Suzaku blinked and turned to Lelouch with a shocked expression. "You play?" he asked admiringly. How could he not have known that about his boyfriend? He thought he knew Lelouch inside and out, but Suzaku was excited to discover that there were still things to learn.
Boredly, Lelouch nodded. "I started lessons when I was small," he said. "I haven't kept up with it in a while, though."
Suzaku smiled, proud of his boyfriend's talent. It took patience and skill to play the piano. "I'm sure you'll sound great," he reassured, trying to keep his voice on the right side of friendly.
"I'm rusty," Lelouch repeated. "Still, I'll play for the talent show if that's what it takes to get out of judging."
Everyone on the Council cheered, making Lelouch groan at the attention.
(Later that afternoon, as Suzaku acted out his fantasy, Lelouch whined in a high octave and promised to play him something special.)
Suzaku blinked open his eyes and stared blearily around. He was disoriented for a moment before his brain kicked into gear and he recognized Lelouch's bedroom. Sighing deeply, he pressed his face back into the pillow and inhaled his boyfriend's unique scent. Nothing could relax him as much as feeling surrounded by Lelouch, and his bed had become a safe spot as well as an adventure zone. Slowly peeking out at the dim-lit room, he noticed Lelouch sitting at his desk. Sewing. Suzaku must've let loose a startled noise at the observation because Lelouch glanced up, his gaze soft as it met his own.
"Good morning, sleepyhead," Lelouch teased. "Or should I say, good night? It's about time to settle down." His fingers deftly pulled the needle and thread through some pieces of patterned fabric, even as his eyes never left Suzaku's.
Blinking again, Suzaku unsuccessfully tried to swallow a yawn. "How long was I out?" he asked, his voice almost slurring with sleep.
Lelouch cocked his head to the side as he thought back. "Maybe around five hours," he said with a minute shrug. "You seemed like you needed the rest."
Suzaku nodded sleepily, still halfway out of it. "Yeah," he mumbled, remembering now what had happened. For the first time, he'd fallen asleep in class; luckily, it had been at the end of the day. A concerned Lelouch had firmly guided him to the Lamperouge suite and tucked him into bed, sternly ordering him not to worry about anything for once. Suzaku had fallen back asleep before Lelouch could even finish talking, and he'd slept like a rock until now. The military was taking more out of him ever since Zero and the Black Knights had started being increasingly active, but he wasn't going to burden Lelouch with his mundane work woes. Besides, Suzaku thought that Zero didn't have a place in his relationship with Lelouch. Work was for Zero and terrorism, Knightmare piloting, and redemption for his past sins; Lelouch was for love, friendship, and kisses. "I guess trying to keep up with school and the military is even more tiring than I realized," Suzaku fathomed around another huge yawn.
"You push yourself too hard," Lelouch said fondly. "At least I can catch you if you fall here at school." Looking down at his sewing and then back at Suzaku, Lelouch suggested, "You're already here, so you might as well stay the night. I'll reheat you some dinner if you're hungry."
Smiling sappily, Suzaku shook his head and burrowed under the covers. "Too tired," he explained. "I'll eat t'morrow."
Smirking, Lelouch verified, "But you're spending the night?"
Suzaku nodded. "Can't get rid of me," he joked.
"I'll never want to get rid of you," Lelouch said, his tone open and honest. "I love having you here. I love having you in my bed."
With a tinge of pink in his cheeks, Suzaku protested, "Lelouch!"
Shrugging again, his smirk growing, Lelouch turned his attention back to his sewing project. "I like not having to send you off at the end of the day," he remarked casually, the word 'home' pointedly missing. "Have you given any more thought to moving in fully?"
Suzaku squirmed. "Uh, not yet," he said. "I kinda don't…Lelouch, I mean, it's a little soon for that step, isn't it? I don't want to go too fast and lose you, remember?"
"You won't," Lelouch said, yet again. "But if you're not comfortable with the idea, then let's wait." He was obviously focused very hard on his tiny stitches.
Swallowing, Suzaku put forth, "I want to give it a little more time, Lelouch. Just to be sure it's the right thing for us." A part of him desperately wanted to spend every night in Lelouch's bed, but Suzaku knew rooming at the university was more convenient for his secret Knightmare piloting. Hiding the truth of his job would be harder if he couldn't retreat to his own space, and as much as he loved Lelouch, Suzaku also valued his alone time; he was sure the reserved Britannian prince cherished his even more. "I'll still spend the night occasionally," he offered, trying to compromise.
Lelouch looked up again with a warm smile. "Any time," he invited.
"Are you going to join me now?" Suzaku murmured, just a hint of seduction in his tone.
Lelouch blushed and for the first time, his fingers faltered with the needle. "In a moment," he answered. "Let me finish this seam."
With a slightly puzzled expression, Suzaku wondered, "What are you doing anyway? Madame President is in charge of getting costumes ready for the next event."
"Oh, this isn't for the Student Council," Lelouch clarified, his blush darkening a tad. His eyes flit to Suzaku's and back down. "I'm just sewing myself a new shirt. It's…sort of a hobby."
A look of amazement crossed Suzaku's face. "You make your own clothes?" he breathed, impressed.
Lelouch nodded. "Sometimes," he mumbled.
"That's so cool!"
Lelouch jerked his head up. "What?"
"That's awesome, Lelouch," Suzaku gushed. "I didn't know you were so talented at that. I mean, Milly said you sometimes fixed some tears in cosplay costumes, but to sew your own clothes by hand… That's really something else!" His proud grin covered his entire face.
Lelouch cocked his head again. "It doesn't bother you?" he asked, a little hesitantly. "I mean, Suzaku, it's not exactly a manly hobby when looking at societal gender norms. Not to mention my cooking and cleaning…" While most of the time Lelouch didn't care for such conventions, clearly he sometimes worried about the portrayal of his masculinity; it might have had something to do with how Milly constantly tried to force him to cross-dress for her own perverse pleasure.
Snorting, Suzaku rolled his eyes as he dismissed his boyfriend's worry. "Please, Lelouch," he said, "I think we both go against the norm in everything we do anyway. You're a Britannian guy kissing an Eleven guy on a regular basis, aren't you?"
"No," Lelouch countered confidently, his lip twitching. "I'm a Britannian guy kissing a Japanese guy."
Suzaku inhaled sharply at the significant change. "Lelouch," he said, his voice full of adoration. Taking another deep breath, he insisted, "I love you for you. If sewing makes you happy, then I want you to sew, dammit." He gave his Britannian boyfriend a thumbs-up from beneath the covers.
Chuckling, Lelouch visibly relaxed in his chair. "Thank you, Suzaku. I'm glad you don't think less of me."
"I think more of you," Suzaku pointed out, his green eyes dancing in the low lamplight.
Lelouch's expression softened further. "Suzaku," he breathed happily. Shaking himself out of it, he promised, "I'll sew you an outfit one day."
Suzaku beamed, completely supportive, and enthused, "I can't wait, Lelouch."
Two days later, Lelouch found on his bed a swatch of royal purple fabric and a set of purple and yellow threads in various shades. On top was a large post-it note (which was destined to go straight to his "Suzaku Box" under the floorboards) which read: Saw these and they reminded me of you. I know you can make something spectacular out of them.
The day after, Lelouch played a stirring original piano composition for his enraptured audience of one.
"You missed today and yesterday," Suzaku noticed, staring at Lelouch with an anxious frown. "Is everything okay?"
Lelouch stepped aside to let him inside the Lamperouge suite proper. He was silent for a couple moments, considering. "I just feel a little under the weather," he mentioned at last, mustering up a weak smile for Suzaku's benefit. "I'll be fine in no time." I can't tell him that I was out being Zero.
Green eyes narrowed in determination, unquestioning and blindly trusting. "You're feeling sick? Let me help you!"
Lelouch took a hasty step back. "It's okay, Suzaku," he said hastily. "I don't need help." I really, really don't.
Suzaku's frown deepened, worry lines creasing his forehead. "I know how you are," he reminded Lelouch, taking a step closer. "I know you don't like accepting help because it makes you feel weak." He took another step closer, resting the back of his hand against Lelouch's fever-free forehead. "I know you like to do things on your own. But I'm your boyfriend, and you should let me help you in your time of need."
Lelouch blinked, literally backed up against a wall. "Suzaku…"
"You don't feel feverish," Suzaku noted, "but that doesn't always mean anything. How are you feeling sick?"
I'm not. I just lied to you. "My throat hurts," Lelouch mumbled, closing his eyes to hide the truth. It was better at this point to just play along, see his lie through to the end.
Suzaku nodded and wrapped an arm around Lelouch's frame for support. "I've got you," he cooed. "Let me put you to bed. Then I'll make you some hot tea. Or do you want soup?" He started steering Lelouch towards his bedroom, then made him wait a minute while Suzaku fluffed the pillows just right.
Quickly, while he was busy, Lelouch stowed his personal gun in the dresser drawer. I really need to get in the habit of putting away all of Zero's props as soon as I get home from the Black Knights, he resolved. I can't have Suzaku finding a gun on me when he undresses me. The thought made his cheeks burn. Lelouch opened and closed his mouth a few times, which Suzaku apparently took to mean that his throat suddenly hurt too much to talk.
"It's okay, Lelouch, you don't need to say anything," Suzaku assured him, gathering Lelouch's sleep clothes and tucking him into bed once he was ready. Lelouch let himself be guided through the motions, raising an eyebrow at Suzaku all the while. Smiling lightly down at him, Suzaku dropped a kiss on Lelouch's forehead. "I'll be back soon with that tea and some medicine," he promised. "If you need to sleep, then go ahead. I'll be here when you wake up."
Burrowing into the covers, Lelouch trained his eyes on Suzaku's retreating form. He heard Suzaku's muffled curses from the kitchen as he fought with the teapot, somehow losing. Lelouch rolled his eyes and shifted in bed, trying to get comfortable as he prepared himself to play the role of sick boyfriend. I can't believe he fell for it. Really, Suzaku can be so gullible at times. Sweet, but gullible.
"Oh, Nunnally!" Suzaku's voice echoed from the hallway, earning Lelouch's attention again. "Lelouch is a little sick, so I'm gonna stick around and help him feel better. Let's try to keep it down for him." There was a loud whistle from the kitchen, making Suzaku freak out because the noise 'might disturb Lelouch.' "Sayoko," Suzaku asked then, a bit frantically, "where do you keep your medicine for sore throats?"
A few minutes later, Suzaku burst back into Lelouch's bedroom, trying to balance a tray of tea, medicine, a glass of salt water, cough drops, and a wet washcloth. Lelouch felt the corners of his mouth turn up at the sight despite himself. He really is too precious. Arthur followed Suzaku into the room, hopped onto the bed, and padded over to sniff Lelouch's face. He meowed before curling into Lelouch's neck, his black tail flicking. Lelouch smiled and rested his fingers lightly on the cat's back, thinking, I'm glad Arthur can't talk or he'd tell Suzaku the truth. Cats always know. Then again, maybe Suzaku would be too busy trying to escape Arthur's teeth to pay much attention to my lie.
"Here you go," Suzaku said in a sing-song. "Let me know if there's anything else I can do for you. How are you feeling?" He set the tray down on the dresser by the bed and leaned over the fallen prince, resting his fingers on pale cheeks.
Lelouch felt himself flush at the contact. He sighed as a light, bubbly feeling swelled up in his chest. "Better," he said truthfully, "now that you're here." I can't stay upset when Suzaku cares about me so much, even if this is all annoyingly unnecessary.
Suzaku blushed and smiled, green eyes twinkling with affection. "You'll feel even better once you take some of this," he said, swishing the contents of the medicine bottle.
"You're all the medicine I need," Lelouch interjected, playing along. Suzaku is so enthusiastic. It's adorable. Eyes glazing over, he lifted his chin meaningfully and told Suzaku, "Kiss me."
Suzaku shook his head with regret. "You're sick," he reminded Lelouch. "I can't kiss you since you might be contagious, but I will stay with you and help you get better." He affectionately brushed black bangs off of the older boy's forehead.
Lelouch groaned in disappointment. Figures. Next time, I should just tell him I broke a bone. At least then I could get something out of it.
"I love you."
Okay, Lelouch realized, heart melting at the 'more than kisses' he was privy to, this is definitely more than enough.
Lelouch skipped out on the talent show after all, despite his speedy recovery, and Suzaku wondered just where the hell his boyfriend was hiding.
It had been about five and a half days since he'd seen Lelouch, and Suzaku was about ready to pull out his hair in frustration. He'd been kept from school due to military operations, particularly because Zero had been on the move. The masked terrorist had been extra busy issuing out his brand of 'justice,' targeting all sorts of corrupt individuals, both Britannian and Japanese alike. Most times, Suzaku arrived in time to help with the clean-up, but there were those few occasions where he'd been able to let loose his piloting skills to engage the Black Knights in the middle of their plans. Suzaku felt his chest tighten at the remembrance of all those strung-up corpses, displayed as a warning against the abuse of power.
As soon as Suzaku made it back to Ashford Academy, he immediately searched for his boyfriend. His blood pounded when he finally caught sight of Lelouch, especially because Lelouch looked as haggard from their separation as Suzaku felt. Just as they retreated to a private niche and began to reach for each other, the deputy headmistress tracked them down and gave them detention for missing so many classes. She marched them to her office, lectured them for half an hour (mostly about how they were barely skating by enough to advance to the next grade), and then got called away to handle other disciplinary problems. "Don't leave," she ordered before attending to her duties, and Suzaku was determined to abide by authority's rules.
Lelouch yawned and leaned back in his chair. "We're not even being supervised," he complained, waving a hand about lazily. "We could easily ditch this detention."
"No, Lelouch," Suzaku argued, voice tight. "She told us to stay." He shifted a bit in his seat. "Besides," he said, "we kinda…we kinda deserve this." Punishment had been too long in coming concerning their skipped classes—he really should have had better self-restraint than to give in to Lelouch's near-constant summons to make out on the roof during classtime—and the current school year was about to end. It was time to reap what they'd sown. His eyes met Lelouch's for a second before he looked away, staring too hard at all the books on the other side of the room. His nerves buzzed from their proximity after so many days apart, and he didn't trust himself not to jump his attractive boyfriend.
Lelouch raised an eyebrow. "…Fine," he acquiesced. He got up and stretched, offering a reassuring smile in response to his boyfriend's reactionary frown. "Relax, Suzaku," he soothed. "I'm not going anywhere." That said, he stepped purposefully over to Suzaku and leaned over him, pale hands moving to clutch his chair and cage him in. Suzaku's breath caught as he looked up at his prince, and Lelouch lowered himself slightly for a kiss.
Suzaku's eyelids fluttered shut in contentment before he caught himself. Gasping, he jerked his head away, banging it against the back of his chair. Wincing, he glared at his boyfriend. "Lelouch! This isn't the time for that." But as soon as I get you alone…
"Would you rather just sit here?" Lelouch prodded.
Suzaku worried at his lip. "She…she could come back at any moment."
Lelouch chuckled. "She's dealing with Synclair Worth. She'll be awhile."
Temptation burned Suzaku's insides, and the built-up need from their separation made him reckless. Before he realized what he was doing, he was reaching for Lelouch. "Come here, then," he said, and Lelouch surprised him by climbing right into his lap. They both let out low moans as Lelouch settled his hips over Suzaku's before kissing him again, and Suzaku turned his neck, giving Lelouch better access. His hands moved to clutch the older boy's uniform. Lelouch held onto the chair with his right hand, but his left moved to its customary place on Suzaku's lower right back. Humming into his boyfriend's mouth, Lelouch rolled his hips and pressed his clothed cock deliberately against Suzaku's, making him cry out. Tan hands held tighter to black fabric as Lelouch did it again.
"This okay?" Lelouch rasped, rocking against him with a more frenzied pace. The chair wobbled beneath them from their movements.
Suzaku tried to focus, but it was too difficult with his boyfriend's awakening erection rutting snugly against his own. This was their first time attempting something below the belt, and he was so desperate for it that he barely cared that they were in a school office. He'd care later. "God, yes," he groaned, lifting his hips up to meet Lelouch's thrusts.
"Kami-sama, hai," Lelouch corrected, tugging harshly at brown curls.
Eyes tearing up from the overwhelming sensations, Suzaku only nodded. "That a turn-on for you?" he asked, trying to tease but so frantic for friction that his voice came out breathy. "When I…ah…speak Japanese?"
Lelouch's lips curved into a smirk as he wrenched open his boyfriend's uniform and kissed down his neck. "When you…oohhh…let yourself go and…be true to your roots…yessss…"
Their hips thudded together as best their position allowed; frustrated, Suzaku had half a mind to lay Lelouch on the administrator's desk and continue dry-humping under more favorable conditions. Without thinking it through, he stood up with an armful of Britannian prince and moaned when Lelouch's legs automatically wrapped tight around his waist. The inherent trust in that reaction wasn't lost on Suzaku despite the fogginess of his mind. He felt dizzy at the overwhelming feelings, and he swayed and sat back in his chair to keep them both from falling; Lelouch only barely saved his legs from being crushed. Suzaku yanked Lelouch's mouth back to his, and somewhere behind the roar in his ears, he heard footsteps clacking down the hall. Lelouch abruptly tore himself off Suzaku's lap, gasping for air, and sat on his own chair. He crossed his legs and covered himself with his backpack, motioning for Suzaku to do the same. Suzaku mindlessly followed the suggestion, hardly registering why until the deputy headmistress re-entered the room.
She cast one long, scrutinizing look at their flushed faces, rumpled clothes, and messy hair.
Having crashed to Earth, Suzaku sank a little further in his seat, unable to meet her eyes. We're dead. There goes our future. He held his backpack tightly over his hard-on, watching Lelouch do the same out the corner of his eye. What's wrong with me? Why did I let us…?
"I can explain," Lelouch managed with a gracious smile, despite his unusually unkempt appearance. He waved his boyfriend towards the door. "Suzaku, could you please wait outside? I think this might go better with only one of us in here."
While that might have been true—seeing them together was only a reminder of the whole sordid affair—Suzaku opened his mouth to protest. They were both to blame for getting carried away.
"Please, Suzaku," Lelouch said before he could object, and Suzaku stopped. Lelouch never said 'please.'
Sighing, Suzaku glanced at the stony face of the school administrator and scuttled out the door. She didn't try to stop him, probably still too in shock at what she'd walked in on, and Suzaku heaved a sigh as he waited outside the door. Lelouch is great with words, but how can he wriggle us out of this one?
A couple minutes later, Lelouch sauntered out with a smile and declared, "Trust me, she's agreed to forget all about it."
Suzaku blinked. "How did you manage that?" he wondered.
Lelouch's only answer was to touch his fingers to below his left eye and laugh.
"Don't worry, Lelouch," Milly cheered. "I saved the perfect costume for you!" She pulled something stretchy and lacy from a cardboard box and slid it across the table to a mortified-looking Lelouch. "I made sure to get it in your size."
Coaching himself to breathe through his nose, Lelouch stared at her, completely deadpan. "Is this a dress?" he growled, aghast. He knew Milly meant well, but she had a habit of pushing him too far in some of her outlandish plans. The cat chase came to mind, as well as the scheduled cross-dressing festival that he had very specifically vetoed. "No," he swore. How many times do we have to go through this? "I refuse."
Rivalz sent him a sympathetic glance but dared not contradict his crush's plans. Arthur leapt up and started pawing at the material, and Lelouch hoped the cat would slice it into ribbons—though he knew Milly would still insist that he wear it.
Tutting, Milly said, "Yes, yes, Lelouch. You're the only one who can pull it off. You have all summer to get used to the idea because this is going to be part of the Open House event next year. I already promised the drama club."
Violet eyes flashed with ire. "Perhaps you should have checked before making promises you can't keep."
Milly winced. "Ouch, Lelouch. That was uncalled for, don't you think?" She sent him a pleading look, to which he only turned away.
Suzaku tilted his head, eyes bouncing between Milly and his boyfriend. "Madame President," he piped up, catching her attention. "Lelouch and I are around the same size. He's only about an inch taller than me. So if you want, I can take his place?" He looked between them again. "Everyone wins."
Lelouch swirled around and gaped at him, disbelief and gratitude warring in his expression. "Suzaku," he said. You'd really do that for me? He wanted to jump Suzaku and slip him the tongue, but he couldn't with their current audience. It hurt to hide from their friends, as if their love was somehow shameful, but the risks were too great to come out. Just like with his royal identity, Lelouch knew the danger increased the more people knew. He trusted his friends not to judge them (aside from friendly ribbing) but they could easily slip up, and other people weren't as tolerant. He caught sight of Synclair Worth and his gang riding by the windows on horseback, as if to prove his point.
Milly raised an eyebrow. "Thank you, Suzaku! It's great to see someone commit to school functions. You obviously understand how to be a team player."
Squirming, Suzaku raised his palms up in a placating gesture. "Come on, Madame President," he cajoled. "Lelouch does a lot for the Council. He just doesn't want to be forced to cross-dress." He sent an easygoing smile in Lelouch's direction. "You can't blame him for that."
"Sure I can!" Milly said. "But since he won't cooperate, I suppose I'll have to go with you. You might be the same height, but you have completely different body structures. I'll have to do some fitting…"
Lelouch heaved a sigh. "I can do that part." You're not running your hands all over my boyfriend to get his measurements. Grimacing, he reluctantly rescued the dress from the black cat's claws.
Milly jutted her hip to the side, staring at her favorite Council member with narrowed eyes. "Oh, so now you want to get involved?"
Lelouch narrowed his eyes right back at her. "I won't be the humiliated one wearing the dress. It's different."
"All right, all right," Rivalz cut in with a nervous little laugh. "No need to get testy. Suzaku already promised to take care of it."
Reminded of that, Lelouch turned to his saviour. "Suzaku, are you sure?" He leaned back in his chair, expression thoughtful. Rescuing me from Milly's schemes? How romantic. Lelouch's eyes flitted to Suzaku's lower back, where he knew lay the scar tissue that forever proved Suzaku's loyalty to him. His gaze moved to the dress, and he shook his head, clamping down on a smile. Always taking bullets for me.
Suzaku only shrugged, still wearing a shaky grin. "There are worse things, Lelouch."
Sighing, Lelouch caught sight of Worth and his friends making their way back around. Yes, Suzaku, yes there are. His hand fisted beneath the table as one of Worth's followers, Anthony Bristol, looked through the window at Suzaku and made a punching motion. Lelouch was reminded of his earlier promise to himself about bending Synclair Worth's will for Suzaku's sake. Between being Zero and actively building his relationship with Suzaku, Lelouch hadn't given the idea further thought beyond those moments he'd caught the bullies in action—in public, when Geassing Worth was too risky. That would have to change. But then again, even if Suzaku knew nothing of Geass, Lelouch knew his boyfriend well enough to know he would disapprove. Torn, glancing at Suzaku and careful not to let his feelings show on his face, Lelouch made another solemn vow in his heart. No matter what, I will make all this up to you, and more, in the new world I'll build.
"Give me your foot."
Lelouch looked up from his rebellion recruitment plans, startled at the gentle order. Sayoko and Nunnally were just outside on the veranda, and he hoped his boyfriend didn't have anything dirty in mind. Did Suzaku have a foot fetish he needed to know about? It hadn't cropped up in any of the data yet, but sometimes— He coughed and shifted on their couch, forcing himself to redirect his attention. "What?"
Laughing, Suzaku made a 'come on' gesture before holding out his hands. "You're looking really stressed there, Lelouch," he noticed, an empathetic look gracing his eyes. "I'll give you a foot massage. I've heard they work wonders." Cracking a confident grin, he flexed his fingers and nodded with his chin to Lelouch's shoes. In a teasing tone, Suzaku bribed, "If you're a good boyfriend, I might even rub both your feet."
A slight blush bloomed on Lelouch's pale cheeks as he processed the offer and came to a decision. Mechanically, he stood up and promised in a rush, "I'll be right back." Leaving Suzaku in the empty sitting room, Lelouch hurried to the bathroom, slipped off his shoes, rolled up his school pants, and washed his feet three times each for good measure before toweling them off. If his considerate boyfriend was going to give him a foot massage, then dammit, he was going to be as clean as possible. Suzaku shouldn't have to deal with smelly, sweaty feet. Not that the overly-hygienic teen had reeking feet in the first place, but he needed to start off with a clean slate. For his own perfectionistic sake.
Upon returning to Suzaku, Lelouch flopped down on the couch and rested a bare, damp foot in his boyfriend's lap. "I'm ready," he announced, leaning his head back on the armrest and closing his eyes.
"Did you…seriously just go clean your feet in the bathtub?" Suzaku wondered, his voice incredulous.
With a slight frown, Lelouch defended himself. "Of course. Isn't that the respectful thing to do?"
Suzaku chuckled and positioned Lelouch's foot better in his lap, starting to press in on some pressure points. "You didn't have to go through all the trouble," he said softly. "I would've massaged your feet no matter what." He squeezed and rubbed the sole of the stressed boy's foot before lightly twisting each long toe between his fingers.
"O-oh," Lelouch gasped, his leg jerking at the sensations. "That…."
"Hurts?" Suzaku asked worriedly. "Sometimes the muscles tighten up and it hurts before it gets better when they loosen." He started massaging more gently, ever mindful of Lelouch's comfort.
Moaning softly, Lelouch sighed and relaxed back into the couch cushions. "Maybe a little," he said, "but it feels good. Don't stop." He pressed his foot further into his boyfriend's grasp. While he'd never received or even thought about foot massages before, suddenly he was extremely grateful that this was happening. Suzaku's fingers on him were magical.
"There we go," Suzaku said, kneading his fingers along pale skin. "I can already feel you relaxing." Devotedly, he worked Lelouch's tense foot as they both lost track of time, interspersing the actual massage with loving strokes and caresses. Moving his attention up a bit, he started rubbing around Lelouch's ankle. "Does it still feel good?"
Lelouch managed a nod in his dazed and blissed-out state. "Yes. Keep going."
Snorting lightly, sounding pleased with himself, Suzaku gingerly placed Lelouch's foot back in his lap and picked up the other one. "I can do this one, too," he offered, already starting to massage it.
Smirking, still with his eyes closed, Lelouch supposed, "I must've been a good boyfriend after all to deserve such special treatment."
"Yeah, Lelouch," Suzaku answered warmly, his fingers never ceasing their calming ministrations. "You're always a good boyfriend."
After Lelouch gleaned Suzaku's measurements for the purpose of tailoring Milly's dress, he took the opportunity to start sewing Suzaku a traditional Japanese kimono.
Suzaku frowned and pretended not to notice that Lelouch took his third strange phone call of the night, leaving him alone to finish the dishes. He painstakingly ignored that Lelouch was mysteriously unavailable for the following four days afterwards.
It was hard to stay annoyed at Lelouch when he pulled out all the stops like this.
"Do you like it?" Lelouch asked, gesturing to the picnic basket and fishing rods on the bank of the river. It was July 10th, Suzaku's seventeenth birthday, and they were at the Kururugi Shrine and making a day of revisiting their old haunts—or at least as much as remained of the grounds from before the war. Lelouch seemed determined to make out with Suzaku at all of their memorable stomping grounds, from the severely dilapidated Kururugi storehouse where the vi Britannia siblings had lived to Suzaku's old secret base where they'd first started to transition from enemies to friends. (And Suzaku had breathed the same words he'd uttered at that very spot so many years ago: You're amazing.) Now they'd cut through the trees to the river where, as children, Suzaku had first taught Lelouch how to fish and swim.
Suzaku nodded happily, taking it all in with glowing eyes. "It's perfect," he praised. He couldn't remember a better birthday celebration. Not even Tohdoh-sensei, let alone his father, had put so much thought or effort into planning something so meaningful for his special day. "Are you really gonna go fishing with me?" he asked, sounding hopeful, yet skeptical.
Lelouch groaned but nodded. "I did it for you when we were boys. I'll do it for you now."
"Geez, don't sound too excited there," Suzaku joked with an eye-roll, earning himself a kiss.
Pulling back, Lelouch offered with a sultry smirk, "Or we could just keep doing this." He pressed his mouth to Suzaku's a little harder.
Suzaku moaned and gave in for a moment before lightly pushing Lelouch away. "I get to kiss you all the time," he laughed. "We don't always get to go fishing. Points for effort, though, Lelouch." He really is crafty, that boyfriend of mine.
"You can't blame me for trying," Lelouch remarked with a disappointed sigh. He begrudgingly picked up a fishing rod.
Snickering, Suzaku reminded him, "Don't get tangled up in the line this time, all right?"
Nostrils flaring, Lelouch protested, "I'm not ten anymore!"
Suzaku shrugged exaggeratedly with a playful grin, as if his boyfriend's point was invalid. With an innocent whistle but dancing eyes, he noticed, "You forgot to put the bait on."
"I didn't forget," Lelouch said hurriedly, an embarrassed look crossing his face. "I was testing you. Making sure you were paying attention. You passed. Good job, Suzaku."
Rolling his eyes again, Suzaku snorted, "Riiight." He gently took the fishing rod from his outdoors-inept boyfriend and prepared it with a confident, "Let me." It felt satisfying to be the one giving the help for a change; he worried that he was always pestering Lelouch nowadays for tutoring, particularly for the extra summer school work he had to complete in order to qualify for the next grade. Of course he usually ended up on his back afterwards, but that was beside the point.
Lelouch huffed and crossed his arms, but allowed Suzaku to string up the bait and get everything ready. Taking it back, he determinedly tossed the hook into the water and sat there patiently, purple eyes narrowed in concentration.
"It means a lot," Suzaku said with a sideways glance at his boyfriend, plopping down beside him. Lelouch tilted his head to show he was listening, but never took his eyes off the river. Clearing his throat as he threw out his own line, Suzaku continued, "That you'd set all this up and actually go fishing with me. I know it's not your favorite thing to do."
With a halfhearted shrug, Lelouch countered, "You play chess with me."
"I'm barely a challenge," Suzaku pointed out with a laugh.
Lelouch finally turned to look at him, one eyebrow arched. "And my lackluster fishing skills impress you?"
"Well, no," Suzaku responded after a short pause, deciding honesty was the best policy here. "But I am impressed that you're here and not even complaining!"
"How could I complain?" Lelouch asked, partly indignant. "My objective now has been achieved."
Suzaku raised his eyebrow, mirroring Lelouch. "Oh, your objective?" he fished teasingly. Always some ulterior motive, huh Lelouch?
Smirking, Lelouch elaborated, "You're happy. That's all I wanted."
Oh! Suzaku's eyes took on that emotional shimmer again. "Lelouch…" A soft breeze rolled by, cooling his heated cheeks and sweeping away any last traces of irritation about Lelouch's secretive phone calls. Without any bite, Suzaku tried to clear the air with, "You always make me happy. I just don't like being in the dark about what you're up to." When he was unaware of what was happening, his mind jumped to all sorts of shadowy possibilities that he just couldn't make himself entertain.
"I get it," Lelouch answered, his voice carefully neutral as he stared out over the river. After a moment of contemplation, he added, "I wish I could shed some light on the situation for you, Suzaku, but that's just not possible at the moment."
Frowning lightly, Suzaku reeled in an empty fishing line. "Not at the moment?" he repeated. "So when can you clue me in?"
With a practiced shrug, Lelouch shared, "After I reach a few more key goals." It was still vague, but it was the most he'd promised on the subject to date. He sighed, finally turning to look at Suzaku, and claimed, "It has nothing to do with you, okay? You don't need to worry."
"I worry about you!"
Lelouch's smirk gentled into a true smile. "Trust me, Suzaku," he said lowly, "I can handle myself." He leaned in and pressed his shoulder against Suzaku's, making the fishing line go wide as it was tossed back in. Clearing his throat, Lelouch suggested lightly, "Stop letting this hang over us. When you dwell on my secrets, you miss the fun we're having in the moment. I want you to have a magnificent birthday."
Suzaku took a deep breath, then let it out. He's trying to redirect me again. Even so, Lelouch had a point. Suzaku didn't want to spoil their momentous trip to the Kururugi Shrine with persistent grudges and worries. Besides, Lelouch had just said that he'd fill Suzaku in at some point, and that concession was better than nothing. And the enigmatic prince had gone out of his way to wow Suzaku with a personally meaningful day-long birthday date; it was doing the trick of turning Suzaku's insides to mush.
Finally forcing the phone calls from his mind, Suzaku agreed, "You're right, Lelouch. Let's just forget it and move on." He beamed at his boyfriend, replaying in his mind Lelouch's confession from a few moments ago: You're happy. That's all I wanted. Despite any secrets, Suzaku did believe that Lelouch's words were at the core of their relationship. He could feel it, and Suzaku's swelling burst of love and gratitude for Lelouch pushed away all his resentment and fear. With a wide, open grin, Suzaku said, "I want to enjoy today with you."
Lelouch's smile mirrored his own—heartfelt and genuine, an expression so rare on his normally guarded face, except in Suzaku's presence—and he continued indulging Suzaku with his childhood hobby. They ate their picnic lunch and chatted about everything under the July sun while they waited for the fish to bite. The open country air between them felt less tense now that they'd semi-addressed the problem between them, and their close conversations reflected none of the negativity that might have popped up between them had they not talked things through and decided on a course of action together. Lelouch didn't catch anything and, in the end, he did get tangled up in the line.
Suzaku fell back on the grass laughing, but dutifully went to work freeing Lelouch from the fishing wire. I wish I had a camera! But then, Lelouch only lets himself be seen less-than-perfect around me. I'll just have to cherish this memory. "I warned you," he quipped with a grin. His eyes were shining with mirth.
"I suppose," Lelouch grumbled good-naturedly. He scooted back from the mess of line once free, avoiding Suzaku's plentiful catch on the bank, and asked, "What now? Do you want to go see your old house?"
Immediately, Suzaku's face pinched. "N-no!" he almost yelped. I can't go back there. He knew his father's body was long gone from the study, but he'd feel it there. Panic made his heart race. Taking a deep breath, he tried again, "I'd rather stay outside. You know I love the outside! Since we're already here, let's go swimming." He offered a big smile, trying to ignore the sweat sliding down the back of his neck.
Lelouch eyed him suspiciously but peeled off his shirt nonetheless.
Suzaku felt his breath catch, and he stared, mesmerized, as his stunning boyfriend stripped out in the open. He always loved seeing sunlight slant across Lelouch's skin directly like this; he wanted to kiss everywhere the light touched and then venture into the shadowy places. He licked his lips and only came back to himself when Lelouch lightly pushed his shoulder.
"Are you going swimming in your clothes?" Lelouch asked amusedly. He'd finished meticulously folding his clothes while Suzaku was lost in fantasies.
Quickly, Suzaku shook his head and tore off his civvies in record time. He kept his boxers on, remembering his boyfriend's boundaries (no birthday suits on his birthday), and took off for the river. Lelouch joined him shortly, wearing only his black briefs, and Suzaku grabbed his hand and pulled him deeper into the current.
"H-hey, watch it!" Lelouch ordered, moving to wrap his arms tightly around Suzaku's shoulders. "This water's moving kinda fast."
Grinning, Suzaku hugged him closer. "Don't worry, I've got you." He didn't seemed phased by the rushing water, having swum in this river for most of his childhood. This is home. Even the memory of slicing himself on some rocks as a child didn't shake his aplomb.
Lelouch relaxed slightly, bracing his body against Suzaku's so he didn't get swept away. "Show off," he groused.
"Maybe," Suzaku agreed readily. He leaned in for a kiss, and was pleasantly surprised when Lelouch wrapped those long, pale legs around his hips under the water as he eagerly returned it. God, yes, I love it when he does that. He moaned wantonly as Lelouch tightened all four limbs around him, securely attaching them together in the wild river. The sun sailed across the sky as they got swept up in each other, kissing and touching and moving against one another with increasing ardor that even the cold river water couldn't quench. Suzaku finally tore his lips free with a shuddering breath and prompted, "We should probably get some swimming done, since we're here."
"This is your trip," Lelouch reminded him, panting heavily. His hair was as tangled as his fishing line after being subjected to Suzaku's hands, and his lips were red, swollen, and tempting as ever. "Just…make it up to me later."
Suzaku bobbed his head, pulse racing. "Gladly." They separated reluctantly, Lelouch moving closer to the bank where the current wasn't as strong. Suzaku smiled and fell back in the water, losing himself in the river as if the war and all the years since had never happened. He felt free and comfortable in his own skin for the first time in too long, and that was thanks to Lelouch. As always.
Eventually, Suzaku followed his boyfriend out of the water and plopped down on the grass, letting the afternoon sun and air dry his skin. Grabbing hold of Lelouch's hand, Suzaku said warmly, "Thank you, Lelouch." Hidden from civilization, he didn't feel the pressure of being an Eleven amidst Britannians; way out here, he and Lelouch were removed from those senseless societal doctrines. Expression relaxing further, Suzaku added, "This whole day just brings me back."
Lelouch clasped his hand tightly. "That whole summer with you was one of the best times of my life. The only thing I can compare it to is having you with me again."
Heart thumping, Suzaku caught Lelouch's eye and moved in slowly for a kiss. He teased Lelouch with his lips before nibbling softly down Lelouch's jawline, running his free hand suggestively up Lelouch's wet chest. Lelouch raked his fingers up Suzaku's neck and through his bedraggled hair, lightly scratching his scalp and making Suzaku shiver as he hovered above him. Sighing blissfully, Lelouch slanted his head down and redirected his boyfriend's attention to his lips. Suzaku smiled against them and squeezed Lelouch's hand as he dipped his tongue inside. He pulled back for a moment, pausing just long enough for Lelouch to stare impassionedly into his eyes in the lull, before diving back in with increasing passion. Lelouch moaned and pressed on Suzaku's shoulder blades, and Suzaku made him wait and writhe for it before languidly sinking down and plastering their naked chests together. It felt surreal, lying mostly bare-skinned by the river of his childhood home, making out with his equally-undressed boyfriend. Retreating to let Lelouch catch his breath, Suzaku asked fondly, "Do you remember the last time we came here?" His thumb brushed back and forth across Lelouch's hand.
Thinking back, Lelouch nodded. He looked thoroughly kissed and it took him a few moments to remember how to string words together. "I fell in the river upstream, didn't I?" he recalled with a darkening blush.
"Yeah," Suzaku agreed. He shifted and pressed his chest against Lelouch's side, raising himself on his elbow so he could look down warmly at his boyfriend's face. "I had to jump in and rescue you."
Lelouch's flush deepened, but he managed to articulate, "My perfect knight, even then." His serious gaze locked on Suzaku's.
"Your knight?" repeated the Japanese soldier wistfully. "That makes you my prince."
Lelouch nodded solemnly. "That it does, Suzaku." Violet eyes shone up at him. "I'll bind you to me in any way possible."
"Lelouch," breathed Suzaku. A giddy feeling swept over him all the way to his bare toes.
The Japanese boy's prince continued, "It is quite the convenient arrangement. You know, a lot of royals have relationships with their knights." He paused thoughtfully, eyes tracing Suzaku's awestruck face. "I can't do anything official since I'm disinherited. But of course, I'd rather bind you to me as an equal anyway…"
Suzaku sighed softly and pressed closer, green eyes shining and hopeful. Is he proposing what I think he is? Feeling dizzy, he ventured, "You know, I think the Kururugi Shrine is a great place to get married." He held his breath, hoping that hadn't been too forward—but it felt right somehow, defining their future together in the root of their past.
Lelouch's eyes widened, but a heartfelt smile curled his lips. "I couldn't agree more. Would you like a summer wedding?"
Releasing his breath, Suzaku grinned shakily. Lelouch was going along with it. Thinking a moment, he slowly suggested, "How about August 10th?"
Purple eyes blinked. "August 10th?" Lelouch repeated, catching on easily. "The date the war started?"
"Yeah," Suzaku explained. "But we'll turn it into a day when a Britannian and a Japanese person move forward into a new life together." I want a life with you, Lelouch. I want everything with you.
Lelouch's eyes glinted. "Poetic," he mused. "I'm impressed, Suzaku."
"I do have a brain, you know," Suzaku said, disgruntled.
Lelouch sighed and squeezed Suzaku's hand again. "Of course you do," he agreed. "I don't think we'd be compatible if you were truly an idiot."
Eyes widening, Suzaku rolled almost on top of his prince. "So you think I'm smart," he declared triumphantly.
"Stop putting words in my mouth," Lelouch said hastily, his tone transparently bantering. "I said no such thing."
"But you do think so," Suzaku discerned with a light smile.
Lelouch sat up and fidgeted, pulling free and beginning to wave his arms in wide, crazy gestures as he always did when he grew passionate about a topic. "Of course I don't think you're downright stupid, Suzaku, but you do make idiotic decisions when it comes to your own well-being." His hands cut across the air in some random but mesmerizing pattern. Stray water drops went flying. "I love you anyway and at least I'm here to challenge some of those ridiculous choices—" One hand clenched into a fist and shot straight up. "—and if you'd only listen to me more often—"
Suzaku instinctively caught one of Lelouch's hands during its next outward sweep and brushed a light kiss across Lelouch's knuckles. He cares too much. Oh, Lelouch.
Blushing again, Lelouch froze for a moment before seeming to come back to himself. "Why did you…?"
With a mischievous glint in his eye, Suzaku said warmly and set the tone for the rest of their afternoon: "Because I love you, and because that's what a knight would do to his prince, right?"
A/N: Story completed on AO3. Chapters get progressively more mature, so I'd feel weird posting them here also with this site's content rules.