Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass.

Summary: C.C. is a lazy and gluttonous girl who only cares for pizza. And Lelouch is the man that may fall for her, ahem, charms.


Green Silk and Golden Orbs

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Chapter 8

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The day was perfect for horseback riding. The sky was free of any clouds. The temperature wasn't too hot nor was it freezing; just right with a hint of a cool summer breeze.

C.C. waited outside of the stable as Lelouch went to fetch two of the newly bought white horses from New Zealand. She's never been on a horse before; this would be her first time. Her stomach had a handful of butterflies fluttering about. However, C.C. didn't want to admit that to Lelouch. The thought of him offering to teach her or to accompany her, on the same horse, made the butterflies reproduce. She just fully accepted her feelings of adoration; C.C. wasn't ready yet to be in a close proximity with Lelouch.

He came out, looking like a prince as he led the two horses by their reigns. They were identical except for the mane. One had a greyer mane. Lelouch offered her the purest white one when he reached her.

C.C. hesitantly took the reigns from Lelouch's hand. Cliché, but when C.C. reached for the reigns, her fingers skimmed over Lelouch's, sending sparks to travel around in her nervous system. She prayed over and over again not to blush.

"Do you need help to get on?" Lelouch asked, speaking to her as if she was a student instead of his fiancée.

Lelouch was just trying to keep his cool.

She shook her head eagerly.

"No, I can manage. I'm not a child, Lelouch."

Placing her left foot on left stirrup, she grabbed onto the horn with her left hand to hoist herself up. C.C. swung her right leg over the body of the horse. She was quite pleased that she managed to successfully get on the horse without looking like an utter fool in front of a riding expert. She looked down at Lelouch, trying to be smug. Instead C.C. just realized how high she was from the ground.

"Are you alright?" Lelouch questioned when he noticed that her amber eyes slightly bulged out when the realization hit her.

She just nodded. C.C.'s voice was lost within her. If she spoke now, it may come out as a squeak. She didn't want that.

Lelouch didn't believe her; he knew something was up. Nonetheless, Lelouch wasn't the prying type. He would wait for C.C. to tell him if there was anything bothering her. Lelouch didn't want to force anything from her. That was how much he respected her.

"Okay then." It was his turn to hoist himself up on the horse; he did it flawlessly. "Let's just go for a short walk around the property. Just swiftly flick the reigns and lightly kick the sides of the horse to get moving." C.C. was frozen solid, the grip she had on the leather straps was stiff. "Don't be scared. Horses can tell whether or not you are scared. It makes them nervous."

That didn't do C.C. any favours. Nobody could just stop being nervous or scared. It wasn't a feeling that went away when you wanted it to.

"Let's get going..." Lelouch's horse moved a couple of steps before Lelouch stopped it. Looking over his shoulder, he noticed that C.C. hadn't moved an inch. It didn't even look like she was breathing. So, he had his horse turn around and retrace its' steps. "C.C., are you alright?"

She snapped out of it when Lelouch pulled up beside her.

"I'm sorry," she apologized, head hanging low. "But I don't think I can do this." C.C. looked at him dead in the eyes. Beyond the gold, Lelouch only saw fear. "I'm really scared."

Lelouch got off his horse, instantly worried. In the amount of time Lelouch had known C.C., he's never witnessed her feeling anxious. Seeing her scared, made Lelouch's heart rapidly beat with an immense amount of worry. There was a chance he was more worried over her well being than C.C. was scared of being so high up on a horse.

He stood beside her, arms open, ready to aid her when she would get off.

"C'mon, we'll find something else to do."

Her head shook stubbornly. She was scared but didn't want to get off either.

Lelouch arched a curious brow at her.

"I don't want to ruin the moment," she said, sighing at the end. "You prepared all of this. It would be a shame to waste a wonderful day of horseback riding."

He put the pieces together.

"Are you implying, that you want me to sit behind you?"

A nod.

They've never been that close before. They've kissed; once. It was forced on one end. When it happened, Lelouch considered it harassment. Other than that moment, the two have never been close in proximity. No hugs, no arm around shoulders or waist; nothing. To sit behind C.C. on one horse was probably the closest Lelouch will ever get to her.

Maybe.

"Are you sure about that, C.C.?" Lelouch wanted to be absolutely certain that this is what C.C. wanted. That she was right in the head when she nodded.

"It's my first time riding a horse. And I don't want to ruin our plans." C.C. scooted over, to allow Lelouch some space on the saddle. The saddle was big enough for two people to sit. "We're wasting daylight, Lelouch. Stop being so shy and just get on."

Was this the same girl that admitted to being scared a few moments ago?

Lelouch hung his head and shook it before complying. He placed his foot in the stirrup and pulled himself of. He was awkward; at first he didn't know where to place his hands. Not the waist or the hips, definitely not. Lelouch snaked his arms around C.C.'s body and reached to hold onto the reigns himself. His grip was only a few spaces away from C.C.'s fists.

Let the butterflies begin.

"Are you ready?" His breath ticked her ear but C.C. kept her composure.

"Kind of."

"Kind of?"

"Yes, I'm ready."

He smiled down at her.

"Just wanted to make sure." Lelouch flicked the reigns, signalling the horse to move slowly.

He motioned one of the stable-man to round up the other horse. It was not needed anymore. When the man walked over towards the other horse, Lelouch looked towards C.C.'s grip on the reigns. She was still tense. Her spine was straight. And it barely looked like she was breathing.

Lelouch chuckled.

"Relax."

"Easy for you to say," C.C. mumbled almost angrily. It was the fear talking. "I've never been on a horse, an animate one at that. I've only been on the horses at the merry-go-round."

"Don't worry." Lelouch bit his tongue to stifle a laugh. "I won't let anything happen to you."

He said it almost in the tone of a lover. It was good Lelouch was sitting behind her or else he would have saw her cheeks turn a pale colour of pink.

"If I die, I will come and haunt you first," C.C. mildly threatened.

"Witches are immortal," he laughed with good humour, "You cannot die. And even if witches could die..." Lelouch's hot breath began to tickle her ear again. It gave her slight goosebumps. "... I won't let you. Like I said. I won't let anything happen to you."

C.C. frowned sourly.

"Don't make promises you cannot keep, Lelouch."

"I always keep my promises. Have I ever let you down?"

"No but you've never faced a chance to let me down yet..."

"And if the chance comes, I won't let you down." He was dead serious. "Trust me?"

"Fine," she agreed simply since Lelouch's princely charm was starting to affect her. C.C. began to feel light headed and such. "You're always kind to me, why? I'm always so mean to you? Why do you put up with me?"

Lelouch was taken back two steps with the questions. He hadn't expect to have a serious conversation with C.C. about their relationship; whatever their relationship was.

"You're not that mean," Lelouch confessed, "You're teasing but not mean. If you were truly mean, you would have declined my proposal. It takes an amazing person to marry somebody that does not..." He couldn't find it in him to finish.

So, C.C. did it for him, "love her?"

He nodded and felt guilty soon afterwards.

"You, why did you say yes? Why do you want to give up your entire life to be with me?" Lelouch almost choked on the last word.

"Because you're the most charming guy I've ever met. To ask someone to marry you, for the sake of your younger sister's happiness, is admirable." C.C. admitted she admired him. Just a few more steps and she could actually confess. If she wasn't stubborn. "So, I better snatch you up befor-"

His laughter filled the air.

"This is why I enjoy spending time with you. You make me smile."

Her heart was rapidly beating. C.C. prayed that the beating was only heard by her ears.

"And, you are my friend, C.C. I'm nice to you because we get along, at times." His own heart was thumping in his ears. It was deafening. Lelouch couldn't even hear his own voice as he spoke. "We understand one another... We make a good team." A part of Lelouch wanted to say couple but Lelouch wasn't brave enough to utter that word out.

Despite their friendly bickering. The two got along. They understood one another; they knew what each others' weaknesses and strengths were. That's why they were able to bicker in the first place. Even after all their pointless arguing, the two managed to move on from those and only strengthen their relationship; whatever their relationship was classified under.

C.C. opened her mouth to speak but the voice that filled the air didn't belong to her.

"Older brother!" It was Nunnally, calling from the deck of their manor. A phone was in her hands as she waved it frantically towards the two. "It's Rivalz. He says it's urgent. Do you want me to tell him you are busy with Miss C.C.?"

Lelouch grumbled before looking at C.C. He was asking for permission to leave while also asking for C.C. to tell him to stay.

"You can go talk to your friend. I'm perfectly fine. I can manage to get off without your help."

"I can't just leave you while you're scared."

"I was scared at the thought of moving. Standing is completely fine." She was stubborn. And a liar.

His eyes narrowed at her.

"Don't lie to me."

C.C. looked over at Nunnally, avoiding eye contact.

"Just go speak with your friend."

There was no such thing as winning over C.C. It was an impossible task. A task Lelouch tried to complete but failed all the time. Maybe he didn't try hard enough. Maybe he always gave in to the people in cared about the most. Which, in many cases, was a good thing. Even so, letting C.C. do whatever she pleased wasn't always a good idea.

"Wait here," Lelouch ordered, like the strict teacher he was. "Don't move. Don't do anything irrational. I'll be right back."

He got off and left in a hurry to end his conversation with Rivalz as quickly as possible. Before C.C. did anything without thinking. Before she did anything stupid. Marianne didn't allow the horses near her garden, so, Lelouch had to leave C.C. a bit farther away than he felt comfortable with.

It took him a short amount of time to reach Nunnally. Surprisingly, Lelouch wasn't out of breath. Usually, running that distance as well as going up a flight of stairs, Lelouch would have been gasping for oxygen. This wasn't the case. His breathing was normal, stable, controlled.

Unlike him.

"Thank you, Nunnally," he said, carefully smiling at his youngest sister before retrieving the phone from her hands.

She dismissed herself, "No problem, older brother. I'll be in the lounge if you need me." And she was gone back inside the manor.

Lelouch placed the phone to his ear, preparing himself for whatever Rivalz had to say: "Hey, Rivalz. Sorry for the wait. I was busy with someone."

"No problem, Lelouch. I was just calling to tell you that I finally have a date with Milly Ashford."

Lelouch felt his eye twitch with annoyance. Rivalz called him for this?

"Congratulations." Lelouch turned away from looking at C.C. in the far of distance for a second.

"Thanks, dude! I couldn't believe it when she said yes to me. I was surprised..."

He began to zone out of the conversation. Other more important things were filling his mind. Like the wedding. And since he thought about the wedding, Lelouch thought about his future spouse, C.C. Speaking of C.C...

His head immediately snapped back once a horse's cry filled the air. The horse's cry was scared, strained. It gave the type of neigh that horse's mostly gave off when it reared; when it stood on its' hind legs.

Suddenly, Lelouch's whole world seemed to shatter before his very own eyes.

"C.C.!"

x

He blamed himself.

There was nobody to blame but himself. Not Nunnally, who only kindly informed him of a phone call. Not Rivalz, who was only excited about his dream date. Not C.C., who was stubborn. Everything was his fault. Lelouch's fault.

It happened so quickly.

Lelouch didn't even know what happened. All his memory was enabling him to see was the horse rearing. C.C. was on the ground, still; almost lifeless. The lifeless thought sent shivers up Lelouch's spine. It was if a ghost and its' icy finger tips pitter-pattered up his back.

He ran as soon as it happened. As soon as the horse throw C.C. off its' back. Her eyes were closed, peaceful almost. The green strands of her hair was soaked with red. Blood. Lelouch didn't call for help. He picked her up and ran through the house, towards the garage, towards the car. There was no time to wait for an ambulance. Everything just happened too fast.

At the hospital, the doctors took her body away from him. He was covered in blood. Her blood. The nurse sat him down in the waiting area. She tried to calm him down. But Lelouch wasn't paying her any attention. He was too busy cursing himself.

He knew better not to leave her. She was scared, no matter how much she denied it after admitting it.

The feeling of seeing C.C., helpless, because of him was a new feeling for Lelouch. It was awful; something he hoped to never feel again. It was if his heart was wrenched from his chest and was repeatedly slammed with a mallet; over and over again. The pain was unbelievable - excruciating. It was something he wouldn't even wish on his mortal enemies. He almost lost her.

And it was that near loss that allowed Lelouch to come to terms with his feelings. He cared for C.C., more than he gave himself credit for. She occupied a large space within his heart. A space Lelouch didn't think existed within him. She was a big part of his life now. In the future, they were going to share a life. And in that moment, Lelouch couldn't picture himself without her... Without her witty remarks, sarcastic comments, endless insults, ability to understand him and love for her family...

So, why did he leave her?

Lelouch groaned at the remembrance. His head was in between his arms, almost his knees, as he awaited for any news of C.C.'s condition.

"You must be the young man that brought in the young woman with the head injury?" A doctor stood in front of Lelouch, mask hanging around his neck instead of his mouth. Lelouch nodded dryly. "She's stable right now. Though she lost a bit of blood, she'll be fine. No serious injury. There was no damage to the skull or brain. Her skin was just gashed from the contact of the ground. No concussion either. However, she'll be definitely sore for about a month. All she needs is some rest and she should be back on her feet before she knows it."

Lelouch got up, relieved. His eyes were wide with thanks towards the doctor.

"Can I see her now?"

A nurse interrupted, "Can you fill out the paperwork first? You can see her right after."

He nodded before thanking the doctor, "Thank you so much, sir. Thank you. She means a lot to me."

"It's no problem," the doctor smiled before heading back in through the doors he came out of.

The nurse got Lelouch to fill the mandatory papers while C.C. was transferred to another room. A room allowing visitors.

"Is there anyone you would like me to call on behalf of you and Miss Celeste, Mr. Lamperouge?" The young nurse asked as she collected the completed forms. She was eyeing the phone number section of C.C.'s papers, seeing if Lelouch had placed the number of her legal guardian.

Lelouch gasped. He forgot to contact C.C.'s family.

"Yes, I left the number of her father."

"Alright. Miss Celeste is in room 204. Just take the elevator on your right. When you get to the second floor, go left. She is in the first door to your right." The nurse bid him farewell with a kind, nurse-like, smile before walking off behind the counter to call C.C.'s father and inform him about the state of his eldest daughter.

The path towards C.C. room was brutal. He didn't know what he would see when he got there. Lelouch didn't know what to say. Was she even awake? And would she even speak with him? C.C. isn't the ignoring type, well, she's never ignored him...

He peaked in.

She was awake, sitting on her bed, watching T.V. There was a white bandage wrapped around her head. The injury was nothing serious. Her head did land on extremely hard terrain. The skin broke at the contact with the terrain and several rocks; that's why her head bled.

Her amber eyes darted towards him.

"I don't bite," she murmured, "And I'm not angry with you."

A huge boulder was lifted off of Lelouch's shoulders as he entered the room.

"I'm really sorry for leaving you!" He cried out, bending over so that he was bowing to her.

C.C.'s eyes widened.

"You don't have to apologize," she flashed him a small smile when he looked up at her. "Anyway, it was my fault for being stubborn. I forced you to go."

"No, it's my fault. I should have tried harder to force you off the horse." Lelouch's head shook, sighing. He reached out and placed his hand on top of C.C.'s. "I'm really sorry."

In return, C.C. placed her other hand on his.

"It's okay." They looked at each other for a moment before C.C. realized that Lelouch looked like a mess. His clothes were covered in her dried blood. There wasn't a lot of blood but still, Lelouch's clothes were forever stained. "You should probably go wash up; you're a mess."

Looking down at his outfit, Lelouch realized it as well.

"I'll be back shortly."

x

Lelouch tried to wash the blood out of his jacket but it was no use. The stain was there to stay. A forever remainder of what happened that day. He cursed as the memory showed up in his mind again; the neighing, the thud, C.C. on the ground. It was a nightmare within his own reality.

Leaving the mens' washroom, Lelouch walked towards the hallway that led to C.C.'s room.

But before he step inside, he was stopped.

"Ah, Mr. Celeste." It was C.C's father, with Kallen and Shirley by her bedside, doting on her.

The three sisters noticed their father blocking the Lelouch's way. They were all wonder what was happening.

"Father..." C.C. spoke.

Her father raised up a hand. They've never seen him so stern; so angry. He was always happy and funny. This was a new side of him. No, this was his side when his daughters were hurt.

"How could you let this happen to my daughter?" He snarled at Lelouch, sending the boy two steps back. "Aren't you supposed to be her fiancé? What kind of fiancé goes to answer a damn phone call when my daughter was on a goddamn horse?"

"Let me-" Lelouch tried to speak but C.C.'s father wasn't going to allow him utter a word.

"How can I ever trust you with my daughter again?" Their father was fuming; face scrunched up and red. "You know what, I won't ever trust you with my daughter again!"

"What are you saying?" Lelouch managed to say between the father's breaths.

He glared at Lelouch with such anger, Lelouch felt like his life was threatened.

"The wedding is off!"

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