Chapter II: Black Bird
Gracefully allowing the silk robe to fall from her porcelain shoulders and onto the floor, the green-haired woman stepped into the tub of bubbly, warm water and slowly submerged her weary body. Succumbing to the instant pleasures of relaxation and peace as the smell of lavender fill the air. A soft sigh escaped C.C.'s lips and her closed to further bask in the warmth that enveloped her. However, right as her mind was starting to clear from the daily stresses of life, she snapped back to reality when the sound of the bathroom door opened and the sound of footsteps cross the tiled floor until they ceased beside the tub where she rested.
"Good morning, sweetheart." C.C. heard her husband say before feeling his lips lightly kiss her cheek. Opening her eyes with a smile, she turned to meet his amethyst hue and a large eye patch with silver—one of his favorite from the collection.
"Good morning." she replied then took a moment to register his outfit which was a black suite and a white button-up t-shirt. An annoyed look crossed her features. "Julius, that's a bit too formal for breakfast with your mother, don't you think?"
"I won't be joining you ladies today."
"Julius! You promised that you wouldn't-"
"I know, dear." He interrupted and C.C. kept her silence. "But I have more important matters to tend to today. Things that must be resolved as soon as possible." Kneeling to be at eye level with his wife, Julius cupped her cheek and lightly brushed his thumb against her smooth skin. "Do you remember how I mentioned to you that my father suspected that someone within our inner circle has been selling our secrets?" C.C. nodded, remembering the night clearly months ago. "Well, last night, I was informed that we may know who the person is, so my father has asked me to go and take care of it."
"Julius... you don't have to do this."
"But I do."
Reluctant to accept his unwavering devotion to his family's business, C.C. decided that it would be best to drop the conversation and mumbled that she'll just have to take care and entertain his family on her own Praising for her understanding, the raven-haired man patted his wife on the head before rising to his feet and left her side to finish fixing his appearance in the grand bathroom mirror. C.C. glanced over to her husband, pulling her knees to her chest and rested her head on them, and thought about how her life has been since marrying into the Britannia family.
There's a lot about the family that she doesn't know about. More specifically, the darkest side of the darkness that lurks in each family member's shadow; those who participate to dirty their hands for the sake of the family's underground business affairs driven by their father's greed. And despite expressing from the very beginning that she much rather be oblivious to the wicked deeds that they do, unfortunately, she knows too much than what she's comfortable with.
"Julius..." she softly called to him and broke his attention away from the mirror. 'Yes, dear?' to which he replied and C.C. held out a wet hand to him and waited for him to come to her side and hold it in his own. "No matter how things may go with this traitor... tell me that you're not going to break your promise."
"C.C."
"Tell me, Julius." The woman said in a stern voice, gripping tightly his hand in hers. Looking down at their joined hands, Julius kissed the back of her hand and assured her that he will not go back on his word. A promise she begged him to make with a pleading heart when she found out just how cruel his family can be. And he understands completely as to why she made him swear. It's because she cares for him that she wants to keep him safe. It's because she loves him that she doesn't want him to fall down the rabbit hole of murder like the majority of his siblings.
Though he feels like he may have to break his promise to her one day.
"How long will you be out today?"
"I'm not sure. But I'll try to be home by tonight." Julius answered then left her side once more. "Just a heads up, Lelouch may come over as well."
Saying nothing to this new information, C.C. slid into the water until it reached her lips. She played with the bubbles that surrounded her as she began to reflect on the memories of the fiasco he and his twin had put her through. Although it had happened eight years ago and she'd somewhat gotten over it, sometimes she's reminded of the pain they've brought upon her when she foolishly fell into their trap. Her heart aches, and these memories threaten to reopen old wounds, but at the end of the day...there's nothing she can change about it.
Finished dabbing on squirts of his cologne onto his neck and wrists, Julius adjusted his black coat and pushed back his long hair before appearing by his wife's side to kiss her temple affectionately as he bid her farewell. C.C. sighed heavily once he left the bathroom and she stared at the edge of her rounded tub.
Once again she's left alone in the presence of his cold absence.
. . . .
Followed by a cloud of steam as she stepped out of the bathroom in a silky white robe, C.C. ran the towel through her long green hair before tossing it into the laundry hamper and stand at the foot of her bed where one of the maids had laid out for an outfit for today's breakfast. It was an off the shoulder, short white summer dress complemented with a matching summer hat with black trimming.
Looking at the outfit with disgust, "Couldn't they have picked something less revealing?" she mumbled to herself. Ironically, she has worn much less clothing than this beautiful dress that's been set out for her. But for this particular occasion with Lady Marianne... she much rather wear winter heavy clothing than wear anything that might provoke the woman and her odd obsession with her.
As C.C. studied the dress a little longer, her attention was quickly drawn elsewhere when the sound of laughter and voices came from outside. Moving to one of her many windows that faced the backyard, C.C. groaned at the sight of her early guests.
No doubt that Marianne suggested to show early.
C.C. watched as Marianne and the lovely Euphemia were being escorted by one of the maids to a table with an umbrella by the poolside. One of the servants came to tend to their needs and that's when she spotted a tall man with teal hair stroll into the backyard, keeping a far yet close enough distance to the women for protection in case of any sings of distress or danger.
Normally, a young man with emerald eyes and brown hair would be standing in his position. But the fact that Jeremiah's even here in the first place can only mean—
"Looking for me?"
Feeling chills of excitement run down her spine at the sound of his voice, C.C. smiled then turned around to see the composed Lelouch already wearing his signature smirk as he made his way to her. Facing back to the window, C.C. scoffed, "And why would you think that? Can't a woman look and admire her backyard? And besides, only a fool would bother wasting their time seeking the likes of you."
"Hmph... that's not what you thought last night." Lelouch snickered then appeared behind her, stepping so close inside her personal bubble that she could feel his cool breath on her neck that raised goosebumps along her arms after he pulled aside her curtain of hair. "I know you can't help but get excited when you see me."
"You must be referring to yourself." She teased, making her point by lightly pressing her backside against his groin. Lelouch's chuckle sent butterflies to her stomach and she couldn't help but let out a muffled moan of surprise when he gripped her hips and pressed her firmly against his body. Lelouch's hands daringly traveled down her sides until they wrapped around her waist, and as he held her close to him like a predator with its prey, he lightly brushed his lips alongside her neck until he reached the tattoo of a little black bird behind her ear.
Pulling away just enough to see clearly, a wave of melancholy surged through him as he admired the only piece of art on her body. It was a little black bird flying with a red thread in it's mouth that looped into a heart midway before straightening and disappearing behind her ear as it followed.
Uncomfortable with the acknowledgement of her tattoo, C.C. shifted in his arms and whispered for him to let go. Once he did, she saw a look of regret and pain etched onto his features which made her sad. But there's not time to reflect onto the past.
Refusing to let a moment of awkwardness form between them, she quickly asked, "So what are you doing in my room anyways? Shouldn't you be down there with your mother and sister?"
"Perhaps. But I told them that I would come and fetch you myself."
"What am I, a dog?"
"Maybe." Lelouch joked and C.C. rolled her eyes, slapping him in the arm.
Both gazing out the window for a brief moment of silence, C.C. turned to Lelouch. "Where's your noble steed anyways? I thought Jeremiah had more important people to protect?"
Lelouch looked at the small woman beside him. "He's with your husband. For whatever reason Julius has taken a liking to Suzaku as of late. I imagine that Julius is-"
"I don't want to know." C.C. cut him off with a raised hand. "I could honestly care less about what wicked deeds your family forces Julius to do."
"It's not force if he willingly chooses to obey Charles."
"What? Through manipulation? You call that willfully obeying?" C.C. tisked then turned her back to Lelouch. "Don't make me laugh."
Lelouch said nothing but stepped away and idly began to wander around the lavish bedroom, admiring the pieces of art that decorated their walls. "See it however you want, C.C… but my brother is really good at what he does, and I know he enjoys what he does because to us… it's like one big chess game." Picking up an eye patch from their dresser, Lelouch couldn't help but smile. "And it can be so thrilling."
Whipping her head, looking at the midnight-haired man in disbelief, C.C. felt a flash of anger form inside her as she quickly made her way to his side and snatched the material out of his hand. "If you think the business is damn thrilling, then why don't you run it instead?" she raised her voice, slamming the eye patch onto the surface of the dresser.
Lelouch looked at the woman who had pain and rage in her eyes, and he knew exactly why they were there to begin with. Taking a step close to C.C., Lelouch cupped her chin and leaned in, leaving only a couple of inches between their faces. "The reason why I don't run the family business is because you know how well I can do my job. After all, you've personally experienced it first-hand."
C.C. stared deep into his violet hues. Even though he no longer has a part in running the underground business and has made it clear that he has no interest in it... she can't deny that he's scarily good at his job.
"Touché." She said before pushing him away from her.
Impassively staring at the green-haired woman who walked to her bed, he watched in silence as she began to loosen the knot of her robe. When the silk began to slip off her slim body, Lelouch averted his attention out the window as she changed into her dress. His eyes were becoming vacant as he thought about all that he did to get here along with what he did to C.C. years ago that hurt her and himself in the process.
Over the years he'd always wondered if she could ever forgive him for his betrayal and deceit that put her in the position that she's in today.
"I'm ready." C.C. announced then held Lelouch's arm when he offered. "Let's get this over with."
"You look beautiful by the way. White looks really good on you."
"Can't say the same for you with that black heart of yours."
"Haha... you just may have a point there."
. . . .
"Ahh, my beautiful C.C., you look stunning in that dress!"
"Thank you, Marianne."
"You can all me, Mother, if you want. As I've told you many times, I have no problem with it." The raven-haired woman uneasily smiled at the young woman who in return gave her a strained smile- hiding how uncomfortable she's truly feeling.
"That's a bit too much, Mother." Euphemia chimed in then stood from her seat at the table to hug her sister-in-law before taking a seat back down with C.C. sitting beside her and Lelouch on the other side.
"I apologize for the absence of Julius. Unfortunately, he had important matters to handle."
"Aww, that's okay. Our father has been busy as well. Apparently, there's been a lot of things happening, so I know they're trying to get to the bottom of it as soon as possible." Euphemia said with an oblivious smile. "Too bad Lelouch doesn't want to get off his lazy butt to help." She giggled and Lelouch chuckled.
"In case you forgot, sister, I also run the smaller business at the club." Lelouch answered then looked at C.C. "Sometimes it can be a bit crazy with customers getting handsy with our dancers. Right, C.C.?" The women looked at the green-haired girl who shifted uncomfortably, taking a sip of her juice. "C.C. had a nasty fall the other day, and I'll admit... it was quite a scare."
"I wouldn't call it a scare- it happens more often than you think. Men getting a bit too anxious to the point where they feel the need to drag me or any of the other dancers off stage." The green-haired woman took another sip of her drink. "Lelouch is just being dramatic."
"Are you really, big brother?" Euphemia asked to which Lelouch just shrugged his shoulders. The siblings began to laugh and pick on each other and as they did, C.C. wondered how they could be so careless in their life when their family are one of the most brutal people around.
"They get it from their father. Being a little dramatic and playful, I mean… He used to be like that when we were younger." Marianne ridiculed lightly then gently placed her hand in C.C.'s lap, forcing the woman to suppress visual discomfort. "You, my dear, are extremely beautiful. I'm grateful my beloved son has you for a wife." Her hand traveled an inch higher along her legs as she lightly brushed her long fingers against C.C.'s ivory skin. C.C. just gave her a thin smile and removed the woman's hand from her leg.
"It's always an honor to hear such approval. He truly makes me a happy woman."
"Hmm, I'm sure he does."
Filled with internal relief when the butlers came with their entrees, C.C. used the distraction of the food to scoot further from Marianne and to have a moment to take a deep breath to calm her winding nerves.
She'll only have to tolerate Marianne for the next two hours.
For the next painfully two hours.
. . . .
From the front door of her house, C.C. waved the two women goodbye as Jeremiah escorted them to their luxurious car. Then out from the corner of her eye, Lelouch appeared and all the discomfort she endured with Lady Marianne for the past two hours swept from her mind and became nothing more than a memory not worth going back to.
"Will you be joining me tonight?"
"Don't you have some other lover of yours to take care of?"
"No." He answered then took her hand in his. Slowly lifting it to his lips, he lightly kissed the back of it, never leaving his gaze from hers, and C.C. couldn't help but admire his efforts to gain her attention. Even though she has been hurt by him in the past, out of all the members from his family, surprisingly enough he's the one she trusts the most and get along with better.
"C.C., I would appreciate your company some more later."
"And do what? Give you another private dance on my day off?"
"Maybe." He answered with a teasing wink then walked away from her. After taking a few steps down her grand porch, he stopped midway to look back at her and said, "Let me know if you change your mind. I imagine being stuck in a mansion all day, every day can get… a bit lonely. I'm just trying to ease your boredom while your husband is away."
"I don't need your help."
"I never said you did."
Leaving with those words hanging in the air, Lelouch gave C.C. a slight bow before descending the remaining steps and getting inside the car. She watched the black vehicle leave her driveway then pass through the property gates.
Closing the door behind her, C.C. ascended the stairs to her room.
Despite having a home full of maids, butlers, and bodyguards… once more, as Lelouch had pointed out, she found herself feeling incredibly alone. Under normal circumstances and without hesitation, she would gladly take Lelouch's offer and spend the rest of her day running around with him. But today, she just wants to be at home and rest.
She just wants to wait for Julius to come home and ease her mind knowing that he's safe and sound.
. . . .
"If you had to guess what my favorite part of the human body is, what do you think it would be, Mr. Kururugi?"
Puzzled at the bizarre question, Suzaku tore his fixation away from the scenery they were passing by in the moving vehicle, and met the eye of the man who sat in front of him. A smirk was already on display across his lips and his amethyst hue gleamed with sinister that made him feel a tad bit unsettled.
"I'm afraid I wouldn't know how to answer that, Mr. Kingsley."
"Ahh, come on. There's nothing to it. Just try and guess."
Taking a few seconds to come up with an answer- simply judging by the character Lelouch describes his twin to be- Suzaku cleared his throat and answered, "The head." Julius looked at him in amusement and asked why. "More specifically, I think it would probably be the brain. From the observation that I'd done in service to you and your family, and the many stories that master Lamperouge has told. I think it might be safe to say that you're fascinated with the way a person thinks; you love mentally challenging them and cutting them off at all corners when they try to outsmart you. You're very cunning and intelligent like your brother, Lelouch. So, that would be my reason why."
Impressed, Julius smiled and gave a taunting round of applause for Suzaku. "Good answer. I really like that and perhaps on most days, yeah, the human mind is what fascinates me the most. But today, it's different. Would you like to know what it is?" Suzaku hesitantly nodded then the raven-haired man gazed out at the window. "The human tongue. That is what I'm most keen about today."
"May I ask why?"
"That's an easy answer—It's because the tongue is capable of so many things. It helps you chew your food, taste, and brings pleasure." Julius chuckled then peered downwards at the silver band around his ring finger and idly began fiddling with it. "More importantly, with it you're able to speak. Speak one or many languages as you wish. You can tell bad or good stories. You can give advice or encourage others with it. You can also tell lies or secrets... And unfortunately... some people talk too much in this family."
Suzaku sat back in his seat straightly, wondering if he should pry more or keep his mouth—
"Mr. Kururugi, you're not one to ask many questions so I'm going to tell you why I asked my brother to lend me you this evening." Julius stared deep into his intimated soul. "I praise your loyalty and I give thanks for the service you've given my brother over the years. And I think it's time for you, Mr. Kururugi, to see a glimpse of the full extent of what this family is capable of."
"How?"
"By making an example of what happens to rats in our family."
. . . .
It wasn't until they walked through the Casino- owned by the well-known Charles zi Britannia- had he truly realized the power this family had over its staff. At least, the fear that came with it. As they strolled to the back of the busy place, many employees ceased the task they were doing and gave the young master a slight bow in respect.
Pushing past the restricted, large black doors that lead further back into the Casino, the music, cheering and voices of customers became eerily low as they continued to walk further and further away from the happy place and deep down the grey hallway of the building. Once they made it to the silver elevator doors, there stood two nameless and unrecognizable guards he'd never seen before.
Julius greeted them as if they were friends and introduced Suzaku to them, but neither of the men bothered giving him the light of day. Their faces were so strict, it could almost be presumed that they never smiled or laughed a day in their life.
When the elevator doors opened, all four men huddled inside together and Suzaku watched as one of the men press the last button which lead to the basement. The entire ride down was uncomfortable. Only Julius enjoying the intense atmosphere, and whenever they arrived on their floor, Suzaku nearly froze at the sight.
Before him was another long hallway, but this time it was heavily guarded. And at the end of it all was a large room with a glass window with a slim man inside. But wasn't until they walked up to it had he truly seen what was inside the room.
Suzaku's stomach flipped, twisted, chirred- he wanted to act out in rage at the sight. Especially when was able to identify who the slim man when he saw his silver hair and uneasy sinister smile as he stood over a defenseless man on the ground. This poor man... how unfortunate it is for him to be tortured by the notorious Mao.
"Remember that question I asked you back in the car, Mr. Kururugi?"
"Yes, Sir." Suzaku meekly replied.
"You see, I never liked liars. I see no point in lying- at least not to family." Removing his wedding band, Julius slipped it into his pocket. "Wolf in sheep's clothing, snake in the bush— both perfectly describes the man you see in front of you. A piece of shit that has made himself lower than a filthy rat."
Suzaku viewed inside the room once more to look at the badly beaten man. His arms and feet were constricted with tight ropes. His face had become bloody and swollen; cuts were on his lips and brows and half of his clothes were stained in red. This man was clearly weakened. He whimpered, begging for forgiveness, but his pleas fell on deaf ears.
"Mr. Kururugi, I would like for you to watch and see what exactly we do to traitors in this family."
Without giving him a chance to oppose, Julius stepped inside the room and all Suzaku could do next was watch and fight against his urge to help the poor man. Once inside, Julius walked up the tall man and gently patted him on the shoulder where splats of blood hadn't yet stained him. "Good job, Mao. You make me proud."
"Thank you. D-Do you think Lady C.C. would be pleased with my work today?"
"Oh- most definitely." He chuckled then knelt in front of the bleeding man and tightly gripped his face to force him to look at him. Julius' eyes turned in disgust. "The bastard of my father- my dear younger brother. How could you betray this family after we welcomed you with open arms? Schneizel, Clovis and even Odyssues did whatever in their power to clean you up and train you to run your part in this business."
"Julius, I—"
"And this is how you repay them? By selling our family's secrets in a futile attempt to bring us down? Honestly, if you didn't want the darkness that lurks in our shadows, then why didn't you join, Lelouch? Or even one of our many sisters? Huh? Do you have an answer that isn't full of bullshit?"
"N-No, Julius I didn't mean—I'm sorry. I thought I was—"
"What? Thought you were doing the right thing?" The man trembled under Julius' wicked gaze and. "Unlike my father who wanted you dead, even after you came clean to him... you're lucky that I am a forgiving guy. I'll give you a second chance. But—" Julius tightened his grip on the man, bloodying his hands further as the man wept in pain. "There's a price to pay for betrayal in this family… Even I had to pay it for someone else's wrong doing."
Julius emphasized his point with the tap of a finger over his eye patch and the man's eyes widened in horror. He has heard many rumors about what happened that day… but because the stories varied in detail from person to person, it was hard to know which one was real.
Letting go of the man, Julius wiped his hand with a handkerchief from his pocket then turned to the double-view mirror where he knew Suzaku was still standing. "Suzaku… whether you decided to watch what happens next is up to you. Either way, you will report this to Lelouch after we're done here. Understand?"
Suzaku nodded in understanding. Every fiber in his body tensed and begged him to plea with Julius about sparing this many any more pain. But he couldn't. He shouldn't. And it pained him greatly to look in silence and fight against his greater judgement.
This isn't right.
Unable to hear what was being said when Julius whispered in Mao's ear, Suzaku took one final look at the man in torture and turned away when he looked back at him with pleading eyes- silently begging to be saved. And as much as it hurt him to turn his back on someone who needed him, he kept his head down.
"Mao, I want you to make C.C. very happy by teaching him a lesson."
The man's eyes filled with bloodlust like lightning striking the ground and he asked in a childlike tone, "Will I be able to see her again? I-I saved her life by stopping this man from doing bad, right? Do you promise I get to see her again?"
"Of course."
With a wide grin stretching from ear-to-ear, Mao cheered and began to creepily laugh- his greatest desire to see his beloved C.C. once more is promised, so he'll do anything to make it come true. Jumping the helpless man, never ceasing his laughter, the man screamed, crying as he called for help- thrashing all around to avoid being ceased by the crazed Mao.
"Stop moving!" Mao grumbled and managed to hold the man's head still. Looking for approval from the boss who stood off at a distant across the room, Julius nodded and immediately, Mao utilized his free hand to fish the blade from his pocked and reached inside the man's mouth.
The man's screams echoed loudly down the hallway and Suzaku clenched his fists tightly. He felt weak, stupid- why is he so afraid to suggest sparing the man's life? The screaming continued on for what felt like a century before it was soon replaced with gagging and gargling noises and then complete silence a moment after.
Allowing curiosity to get the best of him, Suzaku daringly raised his head to see the scene and when he saw the horror of the passed out man laying in his own blood and saw what Mao had accomplished in his hand—
Suzaku fainted.
. . . .
Hips swaying side-to-side as much as her body allowed her too, Kallen did her best to cancel out the vulgar words of onlookers that tossed them at her. If she weren't at risk of losing her job, she would have easily hoped off the stage and punched one of these bastards for speaking to her as if she were beneath them. But she couldn't. She can't afford to act out, complain, or even quit her job due to her family's debt with the boss.
Focused on the music to match her dancing with the beat, she closed her eyes and swung around the pole. She may not be a professional dancer or the most talented one among the girls she worked with, but she knew just enough to make her audience rain their money onto the stage. After a couple more swings underneath the dim lights, she peered over the crowd to find him- in his usual place at the bar where he sat night after night drinking in the view of half-clad women.
Most nights he wouldn't look in her direction, but tonight he is. His eyes are glued on her and she'll do anything just to make sure his attention stays on her. Surprisingly, it gives her a rush of adrenaline… it makes her feel sexy as her body flushes and gets her high off the idea that he may think she's the most desirable woman in the world.
"Is this how C.C. feels night after night when he looks at her with those deep amethyst eyes?"
Not like it really matters. The witch isn't here tonight, and she's grateful. It's her time to gain the attention of the boss who is shrouded in mystery.
He's very handsome. Dark raven-hair, gentle smile, and dreamy violet eyes. She always wondered if he ever had a girlfriend or if he's a one-night stand kind of guy.
A lot of the strippers here are fond of him. They throw themselves at him at every chance they get. But none lights his eyes as much as C.C. does. Is it safe to assume he likes her? Or are they just friendly because they're in-laws? But they go into the back room every night. Just what they hell do they do back there?
A mystery those two are.
As he continued to occasionally glance over to her and fill her mind with the mystery behind his persona— she felt a little upset that their connection broke when a young man with brown hair, someone she noticed that occasionally accompanies him, approached him and whispered something in his ear. The brunette looked disturbed and she saw how Lelouch's face fell in deep disappointment before he abruptly got of his seat and stormed into his office with the man.
Left with the question of what could have upset the boss, Kallen pushed the thought away as she continued to dance for another fifteen minutes until it was time for her first break of the night. Swiftly collecting her money off the stage, she stepped down the stairs and into the backstage dressing room where she sat at her cluttered vanity and removed her ridiculously long pair of stilettos that threatened to twist her ankles every time she put them on.
Too bad she can't work barefooted.
Neatly stacking her money after setting aside the sum that belongs to the boss and club, she stashed it away in her bag and put it away. Kallen propped her elbows onto the table and dropped her head with a deep and tired sigh.
"Ah, what's wrong? The night has only just begun." Hearing heels clacking towards her direction, Kallen lifted her head to look at the woman approaching her. "Surely you can't be that tired already, Kallen."
"I'm still getting used to it, Milly." The red head grumbled with the roll of her eyes. "And besides, how about you try dancing in those stupid heels for a night and tell me that you won't be tired, or your legs won't feel like noodles at the end of your shift."
"Oh, darling…" The woman chuckled as she took a seat next to the new dancer. "I've done my time dancing. Do you really think the boss will let an inexperienced person run the show behind the scenes?"
"You used to be a dancer?"
"Mhmm." Milly smiled as she made herself comfortable in the seat, crossing her legs and arms. "I've been working with the boss for a very long time. I've actually known him since we were in high school believe it or not."
"Really?" Kallen eyes widened. "What was he like?"
"A stressed weakling." Milly said nonchalantly and laughed when Kallen eyes widened in surprised, looking around to see if anyone had heard the woman insult the boss. "Ah, lighten up. I know the boss seems so mysterious and serious, and well… he is, but he's a nice guy. Once you get him to let his guard down, you'll see why he is the way he is and just how fun it is to pick on him."
Milly's bright smile turned sad for a brief moment before she took out a pack of cigarettes and handed it over to Kallen. "How about you go outside for a bit."
"What? But why? I—"
"Trust me." Milly winked then stood up from her seat. "Smoke don't smoke… you can do whatever you want. But I want to hear a 'thank you' when you come back for your second shift." Making her way out the dressing room, Milly smiled at the redhead. "I've been watching you really close, new girl, and I caught scent that you might be crushing on someone. And that…" she eyed the pack of cigarettes in front of Kallen, "will get you a step closer to the boss."
"W-What?! What sort of dumbass assumption is that? I don't have a crush on him."
"Haha, I didn't know you were funny." Milly giggled then blew a kiss to Kallen, leaving the girl speechless.
"I'm not going outside…" Kallen mumbled, looking at her reflection in the mirror. After a few minutes passed of listening to the heavy beats of the music in the club, her eyes wandered to the pack of cigarettes and thought about Milly's words. She wasn't sure if she do as she said or not… however, it didn't take her long because next thing she knew, she grabbed the box sitting in front of her and quickly threw on a silk robe to head out the back for a smoke.
. . . .
The summer night air was surprisingly crisp- almost cool enough to make her want to go back inside and put on a pair of sweatpants. She closed the backdoor of the building and moved to the side where she removed a single white stick from the box and lit it with the lighter from the pockets of her robe. Stuffing them back inside, she drew in a long breath before releasing the white puff of smoke heavily. Every fiber in her body jittered and her mind cleared fast from stress.
Normally she's not one to smoke—she rarely liked doing it. But being curious to know what Milly had up her sleeves, she was willing to participate.
'I wonder what Milly has planned.' She thought to herself.
"Mind if I join you?"
Surprised to see the raven-haired man come out to the back, Kallen accidentally sucked in a breath and began coughing—choking on the smoke.
"Sorry. I didn't know I was that terrible of a sight." He chuckled and Kallen shook her head no, and he smiled as she began to gain her composure. "Are you alright?"
"Fine." She answered quickly. Her heart skipping a beat as satisfactory chills ran down her spine at the sound of his voice. "You surprised me, that's all. I didn't expect any one else to come out here."
So, that's what Milly was up too—how sneaky.
"I didn't know you smoked." He added and Kallen blushed. She started to stammer with her words to find an excuse as to why she's smoking but then- her words caught in her throat when he leaned close with a smirk. "Do you mind? I could really use a smoke right now."
Clumsily, she put the stick back into her mouth then reached in her pocket to give him one and right as she was about to fetch the lighter, he mumbled 'no need' and instead used her burning stick to light his own. Their proximity was close, and she only imagined how from a different angle- they might appear as if they were… kissing.
Lelouch pulled back, sucking in a breath and gave her a silent nod of thanks before leaning against the wall close to her as he blew out the smoke. Kallen watched in amazement. He looked so calm and collected as he smoked with his eyes closed and head leaning back. His appearance seemed calm but given the aura around him, he does in fact feel a bit tense, stressed or overwhelmingly both.
"My first cigarette was when I was 18 years-old. My girlfriend wanted to try it but didn't want to do it alone, so… I smoked my first and it was something that I grew a liking to."
"Really?"
Lelouch nodded his head without looking at her then flicked the ash of his cig before sticking it back for another smoke- inhaling, exhaling. "I stopped two-years ago, but… you know, old habits die hard. Especially when you get back into them."
"I see." Kallen took one last inhale before dropping the small bud to the ground and putting it out with her shoe "So… your girlfriend… are you two still—"
"No. She and I broke up a long time ago."
Oddly relieved, she smiled to herself then glanced up at the starry night alongside him. Then out of nowhere he asked, "What about you? Do you have a boyfriend I should be worried about?"
Kallen frowned, "Absolutely not. There's no guy worth wasting my time over. Especially some of the men here."
"Independent and feisty. I knew there was something about you that I liked." The woman blushed and was about to protest but didn't when he suddenly placed a gentle hand on top of her head and genuinely said, "I hope, one day, you'll find someone who can make you happy." His smiled lingered when his hand left her head, and then he turned away to look back into the night sky.
Fixated and unable to stop the heat flowing throughout her body as her heart erratically thumped against her chest, her cheeks darkened and for the first time in her life, she felt speechless and somewhat- touched and flattered by mere words. By his words. She continued to stare at him wondering why he moves her the way he does and that's when she decided…
She wants to know more about him.
A few minutes passed and the wind began to pick up a bit more. Kallen studied how his raven-haired danced in the wind and then that's when she noticed something she'd never noticed about him.
Behind his left ear was a black bird, flying towards his hear, holding a red string in its mouth. And midway along the red string, it looped into a heart before it continued straight until it disappeared behind his ear.
Strange. She thought at first. She never really took him as a guy to have tattoos. Especially ones that seems symbolic. Yet for some reason, this tattoo seems oddly familiar.
But where?
A/N: It's been two years since I posted this story and now it's finally getting a second chapter. I hope that as I try to get back into writing, more chapters will come for this and my other stories as well. Anyhow, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Feel free to let me know what you think, comment, ask questions, review, etc. Until next chapter!
Thatsoneperson