Chapter 1 Summary: The Holy Britannian Empire has finally conquered and stabilized Area 11. In a faraway island, called Kamine Island, a 9-year old orphan named Suzaku has met a mysterious boy, who was alone and was apparently suffering from amnesia. Forming an instant connection with the nameless boy, Suzaku started calling him 'nii-chan' , eventually filling up the void and longing in his life ever since his family died. Little did Suzaku knew at the moment, his 'nii-chan' was also Lelouch vi Britannia, 11th Prince of the Holy Britannian Empire. AU. Drama/Friendship
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Chapter 2: Welcome Home, Nii-chan!
Suzaku and the older boy walked side by side in peaceful silence towards the cave where Suzaku resides. The melodious chirping of the birds, the splash of water hitting against the rocks, and swaying of the trees blown by the fierce winds all together played a very relaxing music on the background.
Suzaku timidly glanced up at the older boy beside him. 'nii-chan'. The very thought of his big brother put a smile on his face. He had lived alone for a very long time and had been drowned in endless sufferings and misery, that finding someone to call family once again was something he never considered. Nor had he thought or dreamt of having a big brother. True, he envied the Elevens who still had their parents alive, he longed for a family, he longed to be loved and hugged like them. However, 3 years living alone made him pessimistic about finding a family, he was resigned to the fact that no one could love an orphaned Eleven like him, who could be nothing more but a burden. From then on, the possibility of finding a family or someone to love him became less and less with each passing day to the point where he stopped even considering it.
However, right now was an entirely different story, he felt like he was in a dream, and, in this dream, he was in a paradise island where everything was perfect and he was no longer the sad lonely boy he once was—he was granted with a big brother he never wished for yet somehow the source of all his happiness and hope for a better life at the present. It was the kind of dream he never wanted to wake up from.
As he leisurely walked side by side with his nii-chan, Suzaku noted that the elder boy had never said another word ever since he agreed on being called his 'nii-chan'. His amethyst eyes were directed straight ahead of them, he appeared as if his thoughts were in a faraway place.
The silence had stretched for minutes yet it was strange how it never felt uncomfortable, silence never seemed to matter with this stranger, in fact he liked it. Suzaku, by nature, was a shy awkward boy even with Elevens or children same age as him. However with this boy, who was probably several years older and a Britannian, it brought huge wonder how he managed to feel at ease with him. Although there are still times he felt intimidated by the boy's presence, it can't be helped since it's not often Suzaku encountered Britannians who were nice enough to make friends with a Number or allow random people to call them 'nii-chan'. However, whenever the calm and reassuring voice of his nii-chan replayed on his head:
(flashback) Suzaku froze when he felt strong arms wrapped around his petite frame, his face pressed against the older boy's chest, while a hand was soothingly make circular motion at his back, providing him great comfort. "Please don't cry. I apologize for anything I have said or done to offend you. And don't be afraid of me. I'm completely harmless."—his worries lessened and he felt safer.
Suzaku continued to busily yet indulgingly study the older boy beside him. The look of admiration was visible on Suzaku's big emerald eyes. The older boy was truly beautiful, elegant and majestic. He was wearing a lavender suit with sleeves that reached up to his wrists, adorned with white ruffles on his chest, and dark pants. He seemed like he was about to attend a grand ball and his outfit was so out of place in this tropical island. His long legs moved in confident and calculated strides. He probably could have longer strides however, he seemed to match his pace with the younger boy with him. He walked with his back straight, but not too stiff, his posture was effortlessly perfect as if he was trained to walk this way ever since the day he learned to walk.
Suzaku's thoughts drifted to the true identity of this stranger with him. Who is nii-chan? Why can't he recall anything? What happened to him? Why was he on this island? Those were the basic questions that began floating on his head.
Suzaku had once seen a nobility, the owner of the Sakuradite mine he was working at, who visited Kamine island to personally oversee the mining operation. It was the very first time he'd seen a nobility and it left a lasting impression in his mind, how regal the nobleman looked as he disembarked from his huge aircraft carrier, flanked by equally imposing body guards making the nobleman looked even more intimidating. Judging from what he had witnessed so far—the elegant expensive clothing to his actions—Suzaku strongly speculate the possibility that his nii-chan, minus the bodyguards and an aircraft, was a nobility himself, although there was still the possibility that he could just be an actor donning the role of a nobleman or a model of a high end clothing line. Though, it was still a wonder, how he got there and why on Kamine island.
Suddenly a strong gust of wind blew against their direction, interrupting Suzaku's train of thoughts. Suzaku shivered, the wind was not only strong but also freezing cold. He felt his cold hands and he rubbed both together, basking in whatever little heat it can provide. The thin fabric of his shirt was not enough to shield him from the freezing midmorning winds.
He began wondering whether his nii-chan was feeling cold the same way as he did. Maybe, holding hands together would provide heat to both of them. Suzaku tentatively looked at his older brother, the older boy's eyes were looking straight ahead, no visible signs whether he was cold. They were halfway down their path towards the cave, when Suzaku consciously took the right hand of his nii-chan with his left. No words were exchanged between the two of them. Suzaku was glad when his nii-chan allowed him to hold his hand, sharing the little warmth they both had. Suzaku stared at the hand he was holding—it was hard and calloused, but never the less smooth and seemed well taken cared of. Suzaku looked up again at his nii-chan.
Suzaku smiled from ear to ear, he was overflowing with unexplainable happiness just holding the older boy's hand. He has never been this happy ever since his family died. He never imagined he could be this happy again. In one day, he had a big brother! He was like he was fallen from the heavens to be gifted specifically for him. Plus, he was extremely handsome and even more so, he was very nice! He couldn't ask for more!
All of a sudden his musings were interrupted when violet eyes locked into his, with a curious expression plastered on the older boy's face. Clearing his throat, he hesitantly asked, "May I ask why are you smiling? It makes me wonder whether there is something wrong on my face…"
Suzaku let out a small giggle seeing his brother's worried facial expression with his eyebrows neatly close together, his free hand randomly touching his face feeling for any sign of dirt or anything unusual.
"I am just happy I met you, nii-chan!" Suzaku explained, simply. "And thank you for allowing me to call you 'nii-chan'" He said sincerely no words could express how grateful he was for his presence- his nii-chan gave him another chance to hope in life and another chance to live happily.
"You're welcome, Suzaku." The older boy chuckled, the sun rays hitting against his amethyst eyes giving it a more gorgeous sheen. "And why 'nii-chan', I mean, don't you have a brother of your own who would mind if you call me that name?"
"Don't worry, no one would mind it. I live on my own and by the way, there's my home!" Suzaku said excitedly tugging the older boy's hand towards the cave entrance. He was excited to show to his older brother, his home, or rather 'their home'.
They stopped in front of a huge, several feet high, cave adorned with different forms of earth-colored rock formations. There was a narrow inconspicuous entrance before them, which from the outside looked dark, almost pitch black. A good walking distance from the cave, there was an old Well, built also from stones, a wooden pail can be seen perched on top of it. There were a variety of plants and trees surrounding the cave. Before the entrance was a huge clearing of soil with few grasses. There was also a small portion littered with burned branches of wood and ashes, where the fires were lit for cooking or just to provide light or heat during the night.
"Welcome home, nii-chan! It's not any grand but please make yourself at home." Suzaaku made an over exaggerated bow, as he outstretched both his arms to make a welcoming gesture. His nii-chan's expression was filled with awe and wonder, his mouth slightly hanging open, his eyes scanning the entirety of the place. Suzaku guessed he probably hadn't been in this kind of place nor lived in a cave before.
There was a long pause. He waited for a response from his nii-chan but none came, it was hard for him to gauge whether his nii-chan liked it or not. A part of him feared that the lack of response could mean that his nii-chan was dismayed at this place. He probably lived a perfect life somewhere, in a mansion perhaps where he had his personal servants, now he was forced to live in a desolate place like this. A cave? Who would be excited to live in a place with no electricity, no potable water source, no domestic appliances to entertain or at the very least make their lives comfortable? He had been so excited to share his home that simple things like these escaped his mind. He should have at least warned the older boy. His nii-chan was just probably trying to be polite by not saying anything. Suddenly, Suzaku's shoulders visibly slumped, his eyes downcast, he was afraid to look at his nii-chan's eyes and see the look of disapproval.
"Suzaku, this place is beautiful." The deep sincere voice of his nii-chan was like magic that immediately lifted the little boy's spirits up. He felt his hand was squeezed by his big brother, followed by a gentle tugging of his arms towards the cave's entrance, "Come on, I can't wait to see what's inside."
Suzaku's heart swelled with unexplainable happiness. One moment he was excited to show his nii-chan his home. The next, not having anticipated or considered his reaction, he felt down thinking he would not like it. But when his nii-chan expressed his approval, Suzaku felt overjoyed.
Even though it wasn't his original home; this cave, which he now considered as home, has been a part of him ever since. Suzaku was overjoyed not just because of the compliment or the approval he got from his nii-chan, but most importantly, the acceptance of his big brother to his humble home—which also meant the acceptance of a big part of him, one that he held dear to his heart. This cave has been sheltering him for almost three years, and now he was glad to share it not just with anyone else but with the most wonderful boy he ever met in his life—his nii-chan.
Suzaku let his hands be tugged and the two boys run towards their home.
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A/N: I just finished outlining the entire story, which I divided into three parts according to the main theme. The first part which where we are at now will be purely cuteness and brotherly love between Suzaku and Lelouch which will take place majorly in Kamine Island. The second part will be the most dramatic and my favorite part haha, this will take place mostly in Britannian homeland, Pendragon palace etc. And the last part is supposed to be the happiest part for our brothers. I have estimated around 30-50 chapters, it's really quite long but I don't really mind, I really enjoy writing the story and I have so many plans for it and scenes playing in my head, which makes me confused how I'm going to weave them into a story. Wee I'm so excited! I'm so into this story, it's my baby right now J
See you next chapter! =)
