Interlude 6-C: Heartbreaker

It's another beautiful sunny day at Ashford Academy. MY Ashford.

Grandpa has been working hard in his downtime when he's not running the Academy, to where even Lelouch has told him to take a few days off.

Grandpa said he hasn't felt this young and productive in years. And told Lulu to let an old man have his fun.

I giggle to myself. Lulu is so much like an old man sometimes, it's hilarious.

Then again...

I smile wryly, remembering a few nights ago. Nothing old about him in that area. And since he actually put a few pounds of muscle on, he's no longer the 7-stone weakling I used to tease for being all brains and no brawn.

I shudder as I remember his fat cock pounding into me.

I don't know exactly what happened to him in Shinjuku. He's never fully elaborated on that. What I do know is that he hasn't been this happy in years.

Oh, he whines and lets out bursts of frustration occasionally. But...he's acting, well... human again.

I wave hello to some of the other students.

Lelouch vi Britannia is crazy, make no mistake. No one could do what he does or go through what he has, without being at least a littlecracked.

But God help me...I LIKE IT!

Lulu has been my best friend since we were both around five years old. I've known him practically my whole life.

This new side of him, this confidence, this passion, this...DRIVE. It makes me wild. I'd actually be worried about not being able to have him for myself, except for a few things.

One: He loves me as much as I love him.

Two: I don't mind sharing. And sometimes I get a taste for clams instead of sausage.

And three: His 'wife' doesn't care, because it's her harem too.

That's one of the things I'm still getting used to, honestly. He and CC are so close, so in-sync, so suited to each other, they're married all but legally.

I let my famous 'Cheshire Cat' grin take over my face for a moment. Though I note someone apparently saw it and is now urging people to run away because in their words: "Run! The President has an idea!"

I pout, seeing my playthings fleeing in terror. You'd think they'd be used to me by now.

I shrug and flip my hair. I'm just trying to liven up their lives, let them experience what life has to offer.

Because the world outside Ashford is a much crueler place than we like to pretend it is.

I want people to remember the good times here fondly. And some people – like Lelouch, before he pulled the stick out of his cutelittle ass – really need to lighten up.

Of all the things I expected, joining Zero's war, though? Getting to intern under Diethard Reid, of all people, was not one of them.

I didn't even realize the executive producer of Hi-TV News was a Black Knight. He's kind of a loon, but he definitely loves his work.

The craziest thing, is that Lelouch said when the war is over? Reid would personally write me a letter of recommendation, for a job in the media and public relations.

I toy with a lock of my hair idly as I reminiscence about my reaction to that offer.

I had French-kissed Lulu and told him to flip my skirt and fuck me now.

After a quip that there wasn't much skirt to flip? We had sex for three hours, after which I told Lelouch that I loved him and that I'd beat his pretty face black and blue if he got himself killed.

I sniff the air as I near the clubhouse. Sticky, sweet, cloying. There are many words to describe it. But only a few to define it.

Marijuana. Hashish. Weed. Since his better half isn't on-campus right now? That means Lelouch is inside.

I frown, looking around outside. He's wasting time inside doing paperwork or something on a weekend when it's a gorgeous day outside?

I smirk. Time to remind him who's the boss around here.

I let myself in, walking to the Student Council meeting room, the smell getting stronger.

Huh. Do I hear music?

Now, when the day goes to sleep and the full moon looks

The night is so black that the darkness cooks

What a strange piece. I've never heard this song before.

Don't you come creepin' around - makin' me do things I don't want to

It's a haunting melody. I really should ask Lulu where he's getting these songs from. Aside from the heavy metal obsession? Most of his musical taste is actually very good.

Can't believe that you need my love so bad

Come sneakin' around tryin' to drive me mad

I walk quietly along the carpet inside, nearing the side door, the guitar in the song continuing to strum.

Bustin' in on my dreams – making me see things I don't wanna see

I peek through the door, and spot Lulu bobbing his head to the rock music, sitting at the council desk, writing out some forms.

"'cause you're da green manalishi with the two prong crown," he sings along softly, his chest visible from his unbuttoned shirt.

All my tryin' is up – all your bringin' is down

He leans back in the chair, sparking up a joint and exhaling a cloud of smoke as the song winds down.

Just taking my love then slippin' away

Leavin' me here just tryin' to keep from following you

I take a breath to march in, and startle him with a 'GUTS' spell when...

"Lulu! Are you busy?" a voice calls out.

He turns towards the door, one eyebrow raised, spliff on his lips.

"Something I can do for you, Shirley?"

Shirley walks in, her manner nervous and fidgety. Oh god, she's crushing so hard, it's adorable.

I smile deviously. Maybe I'll get to see her finally get a taste of Mr. Sexy Purple Eyes.

"Umm...my father gave me these because he's still recovering from being near the avalanche and told me to have fun."

She hands an envelope to Lelouch, who opens it up and looks at the contents.

He puffs out a smoke cloud, "I wasn't aware you liked opera, Shirley."

Shirley coughs at the smoke and glares at the offending object, just realizing where the smell is coming from.

"Lulu, what is that disgusting thing? Are you smoking in our clubhouse?"

I facepalm. Oh Shirley, why do you have to be so naive?

"It's gangja. And yes, I am. Your point?" he says with a flat look, tapping the joint to knock out the ash.

She snatches the joint out of his lips and throws it in the trash, giving him a stern look.

"I won't let you ruin your lungs with tobacco! Your health is too important to risk like that!"

I gape at the complete obliviousness she's displaying. Does she not know what that is? More importantly, does she not see she's annoying him by doing that?

He puts down the envelope, marches past her without saying a word, calmly reaches into the trash can, and pulls out his joint, then sits back down. All the while giving her a flat stare of barely contained annoyance.

"First off? Gangja is marijuana, not tobacco. As such, those are a great deal more expensive to acquire than cigarettes."

He relights the J and blows a cloud at her face.

"Second? My personal habits and vices are not your concern. That includes any gambling I'm doing, Shirley."

She gets steamed at that statement and is about to respond when he interrupts her.

"No. Don't waste your time or mine with another tirade about my gambling habits. Most of that money is for myself and Nunnally for the future, anyway, so you have no cause to scorn me so," he says in a commanding tone.

This is just wrong. Yes, Shirley is a ditz extraordinaire. But she's completely without malice of any kind. Lulu is going too far.

She visibly deflates at his tone, flinching. "But Lulu...I'm just trying to help..."

It's like watching a puppy look at you. Just too cute.

Lelouch sighs and rubs his forehead. "I know you mean well. But that's something else I need to say."

He ashes the joint and looks her in the eyes.

"I don't like you THAT much. You're a good person. But I really have no interest in you in any sort of romantic way. I'm sorry, Shirley, but you're just a friend."

...What. I blink at his statement.

Shirley, on the other hand? She looks like a child who was just told Santa Claus is dead.

"Lulu...what are you saying, this isn't like you," she whimpers.

He sighs, "I've had time to reflect on my life and the way things are going. And I realized I cannot continue to coddle your mistaken beliefs about where we stand."

He stands and goes to look out the window, arms behind his back.

"Do you really know me, Shirley Fenette? Do you have any idea what I'm really like?"

She starts at the blunt accusation.

"What? Of course I do! You're—!"

"A what? A gambler? A wastrel? A man who's wasting his potential?"

His shoulders are shaking.

"Heh heh heh..."

He turns around, laughing quietly.

"Hahahahaha..."

He strides forward, his expression of mirth not meeting his eyes.

"You truly have no concept of who and what I am, you fool," he hisses at her.

Shirley flinches backwards, her eyes tearing up. "Lulu, why are you being so mean?"

He shakes his head, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Mean? So the unvarnished truth is considered cruel now? Come now, Shirley. Surely you never thought you were my equal, did you?"

What the hell is he doing? He's systematically tearing her apart, saying this!

"You aren't capable of meeting me on an intellectual or emotional level. And you're too willfully blind to the way the world is for me to ever want to speak to you seriously about anything."

He smiles cruelly as he cups her chin gently. "Really, what could a naive little girl like you offer me?"

I'm two seconds away from coming in and slapping him silly for this. The only reason I haven't is...

He's lying.

I know Lelouch. I know what his tells are for when he's lying. I'm fairly sure Suzaku does, too.

And right now? He's deliberately going out of his way to be a complete dipshit.

Shirley flinches at his touch like his hand is made of ice.

"Perhaps your body? I admit you are attractive and very fit."

She flushes red, "What?! But that's perver—!"

He sighs and pulls his hand back, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"But even that is useless, because you don't actually want to enjoy the carnal arts. Your 'perfect ten' body, as Milly puts it, doesn't make up for your failing personality."

He smirks devilishly, "In other words, Shirley, you never had a chance. Run home to Daddy."

Shirley walks towards him, head down, till she's standing in front of him.

"You bastard..."

"Pardon?"

She slaps him cleanly across the face. Her eyes flashing with anger and despair.

"I thought you were different. A boy with potential. Someone who could do great things. A man I fell in love with..." she mutters in an almost sotto voce tone.

Oh god, Shirley, don't fall for it. It's obvious Lelouch is running a con on you...

"But now I know I was wrong! You're just a cruel, heartless person!"

Her lip quivers as she slaps him on the other cheek.

"I HATE YOU, LELOUCH LAMPEROUGE!" she screams at him, and then runs off in tears, wailing.

I slump down against the wall, shell-shocked by what I witnessed.

"やれやれだぜ。面倒くさい女、" (Give me a fucking break. Troublesome girl,) Lelouch's deep voice says with a sighing breath.

I look to see him slumped in a chair, head down.

"計画通り。" (Just as planned.)

I march in and spin him around to face me.

"You saw that, I take it?" he whispers in a dead tone, head still down.

I slap him as hard as I can, making the swivel chair spin. "Give me one good reason I shouldn't ask Grandpa to tan your hide after I drag Shirley back in here, AFTER telling her how you're lying through your perfect teeth, vi Britannia," I snarl at him.

He rubs his cheek, flinching.

"You really don't know why I did that, Millicent?"

I pull him up by his lapels. Nose snorting as I glare at him. "I know you just broke the heart of one of my friends, and that you did it in thecruelest way possible. The only reason I haven't dragged her back here so you can grovel at her feet is because I know you were lying as you said it. So WHY?! SHE LOVES YOU, SO WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT TO HER?!"

He looks up slowly and I'm struck back seeing the sorrow reflected in his eyes.

"Of course I know she loves me. Tell me, Milly...you've seen how innocent, how clean she is. Could you honestly live with yourself if you were responsible for destroying that?"

My blue eyes widen as it suddenly fits together.

And I slap him again. "And what gives you the right to decide that for her? She's utterly devoted to you, you egotistical prick!"

He stays limp in my grip, eyes sorrowful and crestfallen.

"Milly, I had her father beaten halfway to death."

What?

I drop him out of surprise, "But...you said that you saved his life..."

"I did. And he even agreed to the beating as a part of it. Otherwise, the backers of Code-R would have hunted him down, and his family with him."

He shakes his head as he stands up and dusts himself off.

"Joseph Fenette wanted to be punished. He kept getting back up, even when he was bruised, bleeding, and aching.

"But not broken."

He leans back against the table, hands gripping it hard, knuckles turning white.

"And yet that does not excuse my culpability. Nor does it ever justify me, bringing Shirley into this war."

He collapses into the chair, looking exhausted.

"Better she hate me. Better she runs far, far, away from this oncoming storm."

He looks up at me, "I meant what I said, Milly. It wasn't entirely a lie. She really doesn't interest me in that way. And what you're doing right now? That's one reason why I'm right."

I pit my hands on my hips, glaring at him, "By telling you off for being a lying piece of shit?"

He smiles and nods, "Exactly. I need people who CAN stand up to me. Who can tell me to stop, when I go too far. Can you honestlysay that Shirley is capable of standing up to my full force of personality? Can you, Millicent Valerie Ashford?"

I sit on his lap, cradling his head as I weep softly. "No. I don't believe she could..."

"And do you think I could live with myself if I was forced to make Shirley choose between letting someone she cares about get hurt, or killing the one attacking them?"

I stroke his hair and shake my head.

"That's why, Milly. What are a few months of heartbreak, and a lie with good intentions, compared to a lifetime of regret and the ruination of a soul?" he whispers in a heart-wrenching voice.

This is what CC had meant. She said he needed to be protected from himself. Self-sacrificing idiot...

I smile softly. Some things haven't changed about him at least.

Speaking of which... "Where is CC, by the way?"

He wipes his eyes as we lean back in the chair, "She's busy with something in the Chinese Federation. Arranging a potential future alliance for later."

"You're allying with the Chinese? I thought you hated how corrupt they were."

He sighs, "Milly, the leadership of the Federation is indeed horribly corrupt. However, not everyone is happy with the current state of affairs."

Huh. I didn't think there even was a resistance movement there against the Eunuchs.

"So who's your connection?"

He nuzzles himself against my chest as I straddle him, "General Li Xing-ke. Perhaps the greatest general in China's modern era."

I raise an eyebrow, "How highly would you rate this guy against other commanders?"

"He's a Rounds-class pilot, and almost as good a commander as myself or Schneizel," he says, his tone dead serious.

I blink at that statement. But, wouldn't someone like that be more well known? If he was the Chinese Cornelia, surely he'd be in the news, right? "Why have I never heard of him, then?"

Lulu sighs, which causes me to giggle at the feeling on my breasts.

"The Federation isn't interested in expansion, nor are they fighting any active wars, the way Britannia and the EU are with each other. As such, there hasn't been opportunity for him to get into the public eye. Make no mistake, though, Li Xing-ke is the Federation's greatest general. He's largely stymied, though, by that self-same corrupt leadership you just mentioned," he finishes with a smirk.

I flick him in the forehead out of annoyance.

"Ow. Why did you do that?"

I pull his head to my chest, letting my breasts smother him for a moment.

I think someone called this 'marshmallow hell'? Having experienced it myself, I don't see where the hell comes from.

Breasts are AMAZING.

"Because you're too smug for your own good sometimes, Lulu," I smirk at him as I push his face to my chest. I love him, but he really does have a swelled head sometimes.

When CC gets back, she and I should talk. Granted our first meeting was a bit hectic, but I think she'll agree with me about my idea of getting Lelouch to be less dickish.

And I think I know just how to do it.