Snapshots

by DnKS-giRLs

A collection of one shots following the event of Pure Hearted Love. Some mere snapshots portraying the live of Lelouch vi Britannia and Kururugi Suzaku as the royal couple of The Holy Empire of Britannia.

7. Chapter 7

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Title : Snapshots

Author : DnKS – giRLs

Rating : PG13

Pairing : SuzaLulu

Disclaimers : Not ours… simple, right?

Warning : Remember 'Pure Hearted Love'? Remember the sap? Good…

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Instalment 7 – Over My Dead Body

April, Britannia Mainland, 2023 a.t.b.

Kururugi Suzaku had already suspected to see an irritated Lelouch before he even raised his face from the documents he was reading to look at the approaching young man. It was the sound of his boots—how there seemed to be a hint of haste and a tad more force in the every clicking sound those expensive boots made in contact with the floor. He smirked a little and looked up, just in time to see Lelouch finally arrived at his side. And his expectation did not come to waste for there was surely a light frown gracing Lelouch's forehead.

"Good day, dear Sir," he said endearingly. "What could I possibly do for you in this lovely day?"

Lelouch's lips twitched and the smile he gave looked so feigned that Suzaku needed his every ounce of self control to hold his laughter.

"Good day to you to, My Lord," Lelouch said sweetly. "There are so many things you can do for me and for a start, perhaps you'd care to shed that useless act of forced formalities between us."

He let out a chuckle and took Lelouch's hand in his, guiding him to take a seat on his side. Those open documents on the desk in front of him he pushed aside, there would be time to continue his observation on them. That thing being done, he focused his attention back to Lelouch who seemed to continue seething in silence.

"So I guess," he began. "Your meeting with His Majesty was not entirely pleasant."

"Not really," Lelouch said scathingly. "It will be more apt to say that my meeting with His Majesty was entirely not pleasant."

He only hummed in response, letting Lelouch knew that he was listening and urging him to talk further. He knew that there was still more to it that Lelouch wanted to say. Being married to His Highness Prince Lelouch vi Britannia for nearly five years made him know that when Lelouch got annoyed, he would hardly get satisfied before he vented his annoyance in the way that stage players used to employ when they were acting in a tragic drama and, in several occasions, planned his revenge in such a cunning way that made his brother, Prince Schneizel, really proud.

"My father, His Majesty the Emperor," Lelouch started, his voice was calm and his tone was cynical. Suzaku started to get a bit worried—Lelouch usually only used that voice when he was terribly irritated. "Has just decided to hold a Grand Ball on Aries Imperial Villa next month."

He eyed Lelouch cautiously. Usually he was fine with all those dance parties and celebrations that the Royal Household used to conduct. If he suddenly behaved like that toward a seemingly typical dance party, there had to be something more in it.

"A Grand Ball," he said. "For what occasion?"

And it was definitely a murderous glare that Lelouch threw at him when he hissed, "What occasion? Oh, it's merely a Grand Ball held to search for a proper suitor for my dear little sister Nunnally."

Ah, Suzaku thought, that really explained the surly mood and near-lethal look Lelouch had at that time being. When something concerning Nunnally's well-being was mentioned, Lelouch would always get protective over his little sister. Even after so many years, it seemed that in Lelouch's eyes, Nunnally vi Britannia still remained to be his little baby sister to protect and cherish.

Suzaku knew that extent of sister complex might not be healthy. But it was kind of cute.

"Nunnally has grown into a very beautiful young lady," he noted, being entirely sincere in his statement. "It would be hard trying to find a perfect suitor for her."

Lelouch narrowed his eyes at him. "And why do you sound like you are supporting this notion?"

He blinked. "What notion?"

"The notion of putting my dear sister to a political marriage," Lelouch screeched. "By God Almighty and all the Saints, she is just a little girl! How could they think of handing her to marriage just yet?"

Suzaku stared at the fuming Lelouch. He was so very close to laughing, but one look to Lelouch's direction told him that it would be the most unwise movement for Lelouch looked every bit serious and high-strung.

"Lelouch…" he said carefully. "I don't think that Nunnally can be described as a little girl anymore. She would be nineteen years old this fall."

"She is just nineteen years old," Lelouch protested. "It's too soon to think of such unnecessary thing like her marriage."

Suzaku could not help it. He chuckled. "When you were nineteen years old, I remember you're already married to me."

Lelouch huffed, "That's different."

He raised one eyebrow, "How so?"

Lelouch gave an exasperated sigh. "For one thing, our engagement is the result of our fathers' drunken conversation and my father's paranoia combined with his pureblood supremacy principle," Lelouch said. "And second, you can hardly use us as an example for our marriage is not really something that might fall into the category of conventional."

Suzaku's chuckle turned into snorts. As if absently, he caught Lelouch's hand and held it within his own. "Not conventional, eh?"

"But of course," Lelouch blinked innocently at him, but his hand in Suzaku's hold squeezed back. "Let's see, how about the fact that we were merely two boys who have never met each other before we got engaged at ten? Or the fact that one of those boys, namely you, disappeared on his fiancée, namely me, for years before he proposed in such an obnoxious way previously untapped by human kind? Oh, and let's not forget about the wedding ceremony and the wedding dress the 'bride' was forced to wear, regardless of the fact that there was no bride involved in the wedding."

"When you say it like that, it does sound really unconventional," Suzaku said with a good-natured grin. "But that does not change the fact that you still love me."

"Aren't we being overly confident today?" Lelouch said with mock haughty tone, but the smile he sported on his lips belied his words.

"I have you as mine and for me it's enough reason to be confident," he said playfully.

"Oh, please stop with those corny lines, Suzaku, I'm currently in my infuriated mood and you are trying to convert me into a blushing, lovesick, mortified person with your lame pick up lines."

"You love those 'lame pick up lines', nonetheless," he remarked. But then, realizing that there was still a problem needed to be solved, Suzaku's gaze turned solemn though still gentle. "Come on, back to our main topic. What is so bad, actually, in having a ball for Nunnally?"

Lelouch still gave him that incredulous look, but he seemed to be calmed down a bit. At least, Suzaku thought, he did not have that murderous and manic glint in his eyes anymore.

"I just don't feel comfortable with the idea of using this ball to search for Nunnally's future consort. It makes it sound like they are holding this merely to secure political ties," Lelouch explained. "I know that as royalties, we have limited choices in our future partner. I know that for us, marriage means more than the joining of two people in love. I know we should always think of the political aspect in the royal marriages, how it should benefit the empire and our people. But I don't want my little sister to be a bargaining chip, a mere tool to satisfy our political agenda. Nunnally deserves to fall in love, to pursue her own romance, to make her own choice."

Throughout the explanation, Suzaku kept his silence. Yet he still kept his hand clasping Lelouch's hand, letting him know that he understood what he was trying to say.

In a way, Suzaku did understand. His position in court, back in his homeland, might be not as high as Lelouch's, but he understood the working world of aristocracy. He could also understand Lelouch's protective nature toward his sister. He understood quite well and because of it, he dared to speak up his mind on the matter.

"I agree that Nunnally deserves to make her choice," he said. "And that's why we're having this ball, right? If this marriage is going to be a mere political liaison, neither The King nor The Queen would come up with this ball idea, don't you think? It would be easier to just pick one very influential earl or something and force Nunnally into the marriage. They still give her the choice. I still want to give her the choice. Don't you also want to give her the choice, Lelouch?"

Lelouch was silent, and Suzaku could somehow see how dejected he looked. "I seem to have… a hard time letting her go…"

"Now you sound like an old mother."

The patented sharp glare being thrown to his direction did not scare Suzaku even a bit. Years of being the receiving end of such glare somehow made him immune to it, something that Lelouch oftentimes told him as the grand injustice of the universe.

"It won't be that bad," he said, "You love dancing, don't you? And I think Nunnally would love it too to meet up with her friends. Didn't you say you could not wait to try on that new formal suit you bought last month?"

"Are you trying to persuade me to warm up to the idea of holding that ball?" Lelouch asked in incredulity.

"You know, Lelouch, if you only realized that now, I think you should take some rest from your work because I can see how it affects you," he half-joked. "Besides, this way, you will have a better chance to observe Nunnaly's suitors, won't you? She would never go against your words and you can judge for yourselves, among those gentlemen invited to the ball, who might be the one… suitable enough in your eyes to be your future brother-in-law."

"You got really good at this diplomacy talk," Lelouch noted with a hint of distaste.

"You taught me well," Suzaku responded calmly. "So, there's no harm in coming to the ball, right?"

The sigh that Lelouch gave let Suzaku know, even before Lelouch gave his 'yes' verbally, that he had succeeded in coaxing him. He grinned. It was a good thing, too, that he succeeded, because he knew the fight that would erupt between Lelouch and His Majesty regarding the whole Grand Ball issue.

And just like that, Suzaku thought with an amused smile, he managed to get them out of a possible destructive fight. And just like that, two weeks from that time, he was standing with Lelouch and Nunnally in the Grand Ballroom of Aries Imperial Villa, watching over the many lords and ladies populated the hall.

Or, in Lelouch's case, criticized the many lords who happened to be within his field of vision.

"Oh, you cannot be serious," Lelouch said in incredulity. "That man is wearing a yellow frock coat to a ball, Suzaku! Yellow frock coat!"

Suzaku frowned slightly, "I think it suits him."

Lelouch promptly pressed two fingers to his temple, looking very much distressed for all the world to see. "Oh, for the love of Heaven," he said. "I'm almost insulted at the thought that someone with such terrible taste in fashion like you can be my husband."

Suzaku only snorted and looked aside, meeting Nunnally's amused eyes. He had learnt not to take Lelouch's words to heart when his dear spouse was letting his histrionic side run free.

"Well, I believe that my taste is not that bad in general," he said.

"I have to agree with Suzaku, brother," Nunnally said sweetly. "After all, he chose you to be his bride, and I think it shall confirm what a good taste my brother-in-law has."

Lelouch blushed at that and Suzaku chuckled. "See, even Nunnally agrees with me."

"You are just having fun teaming up against me," Lelouch muttered. "Heaven forbids if brother Schneizel is also here; you all would someday be the death of me, you know?"

"You are just a bit too gloomy, brother," Nunnally chided. "Cheer up, it's a ball and people should be making merry, not being miserable in the corner. It's time for dance and merriment and I would be damned if I let this night pass without having a dance or two."

Lelouch sighed, "Yes, I think… wait, Nunnally, where are you going?"

"To the dance floor, surely."

"No! I mean… Suzaku!" Lelouch all but shoved Suzaku to Nunnally's general direction then he glared, really glared, at his spouse. "Escort her!"

"Why don't you, yourself, escort her if you are so persistent?" Suzaku asked, amusement was apparent in his voice.

"I need to tuck Rolo to bed first," Lelouch huffed, eyes darting to take a glance at his pocket watch. "So I hope, Lord Kururugi, that you would protect the virtue of my dear sister while I'm away and do not let anyone suspicious get near her, understand?"

Suzaku humored his Lelouch by straightening his back and straighten his posture. "Yes, Your Highness. And I presume 'anyone suspicious' also include those gentlemen with dubious fashion sense?"

"Why of course," Lelouch said in a serious tone though he was smiling. "Now go hit the dance floor, but remember you still owe me a dance."

Suzaku chanced a brief kiss to Leouch's lips before he took Nunnally's hand and led her to the dance floor. There were already several people there, dancing happily to the music. But somehow, when his gaze landed on Nunnally's youthful face, he knew that there was no woman there more beautiful than his beloved sister-in-law.

"I almost think that Lelouch is right," he said when he led her dancing to the music. "You are really beautiful, Nunnally, that I want to protect you from anyone trying to woo you."

Nunnally giggled in front of her, "Oh, Suzaku, you're really a flatterer."

"But it's true," he said as he dipped her body slightly, supporting her slim waist with his sure arm. A step here, another there, and they danced faster, slipping amidst the so many pairs dancing on the floor. "Though perhaps I'm not as paranoid as Lelouch is toward some guy with yellow frock coat."

"My brother was at first so very paranoid toward this strange Japanese boy who showed up with several uprooted sunflowers on our palace one day," Nunnally said. "But we all know how that particular episode progressed, don't we?"

He smiled, remembering that day when he first met Lelouch. It was already years ago. Time really did pass in an alarming speed.

"I want you to find your love, Nunnally," he said earnestly. "Lelouch and I want nothing but your happiness. I guess that's part of the reason why Lelouch is so hard to please toward this ball thing. You know how much of a worrywart he can be when it involves you."

He saw Nunnally sigh in his arms. "My brother has the right to worry and I appreciate his concern," she said. "But I wish he could take it to his mind that I can make my own decisions, that I can speak for myself and take the responsibilities for my action. I am Nunnally vi Britannia, after all."

On that moment, when he gazed into those blue eyes, Suzaku saw nothing but determination not unlike what he always found in Lelouch's eyes. Those two royal siblings did have such strength in them, such fierce passion and determination that always awed him.

Nunnally was right, he thought as they ended the dance. He believed her when she said that she could make her own choice, when she said that she was willing to take the responsibilities for her action. She had grown up to be a perfect lady of the court and perhaps, it was time for him to give her the trust, the freedom to do things as what her heart desired.

He bent down to kiss her hand and with a smile, he told her, "I have done my part, so now you do yours."

She looked at him in mild puzzlement, but before she had the chance to say anything, a young man in deep maroon suit approached them and asked for the lady's hand for the next dance. Without hesitation he released Nunnally's hand and let the man—the young Viscount of Montague if he was not mistaken—took her hand. He nodded at them both, but he kept a stern gaze toward the young noble when he told him, "Take care of the lady."

Suzaku let them go after he received the affirmative of his request. He managed to catch Nunnally's thankful smile before they were swept away amidst the many dancing pairs there. He knew Lelouch would probably skin him alive when he knew that he had just let Nunnally go with a stranger, but he dared to take his chance. At least the young viscount did not wear yellow, he thought with an amused smile. And at least even if Lelouch indeed became angry at him, he felt it was worth it only to see Nunnally's grateful smile.

But now, he had no partner for the next dance and Lelouch was not back yet. He started contemplating of going to the banquet table to get some drink when and he caught the sight of a lone lady standing on the side of the dance floor. He smiled as he recognized her. It was a ball, after all, so—like what Nunnally had said—he would be damned if he did not get a dance or two.

He approached Her Highness Princess Euphemia li Britannia and bowed in front of her, "May I have the next dance?"

Euphemia smiled at him and offered her hand, "That depends, I'm afraid. Would I find myself subjected to the wrath of your spouse afterward?"

"Like Lelouch would get angry at you for dancing with me," Suzaku said, taking the hand. "Chances are, he would get angry at me for not behaving courteously enough to you."

The princess laughed heartily but she let Suzaku lead her to a slow waltz. "I can somehow sympathize with Nunnally tonight."

He only raised his eyebrow. And under his silent inquiry Euphemia continued, "Lelouch could really be a protective brother at times… or perhaps I should have said all the times."

"Ah, yes," he said as a memory resurfaced to the forefront of his mind. "I remember how Princess Cornelia also threw a fuss at your betrothal."

"Nunnally and I, we are both blessed and cursed with protective older siblings," she said with a small chuckle before her smile turned somewhat mischievous. "But Nunnally has you as her brother-in-law."

"What about me as her brother-in-law?"

"Well," Euphy seemed to consider her words for a moment. "You did let her go to dance with other men; I needed to persuade my sister for a constant two hours before she finally conceded."

"I just think it's fair to give Nunnally the chance to choose for herself," Suzaku said. "Even though I'm afraid Lelouch would throw me away from his bedroom when he knows what I have done. That, if he did not decide to strangle me to death first."

"Oh, well, he does look a bit annoyed right now," Euphy commented playfully.

"Huh?" Suzaku said and when they turned a circle, he could see Lelouch standing on the side of the dance floor, observing him. He did seem annoyed, and it made Suzaku gulp nervously. "Right. Well… if this be my last memory of the earthly world, at least I can die happy knowing that the last thing I did before my death was dancing with a beautiful princess in a royal ball like in those fairytales."

"I think Lelouch loves you too much to actually strangle you to death. Though it's highly possible that he throws you away from his bedroom," Euphy commented.

The music ended then and they finished the last step of their dance. Suzaku gave one last bow before he turned his body and came face to face with his frowning spouse.

He gulped. On his side, Euphy gave a curtsey before she dashed off with a somewhat amused chuckle. And seeing that he was alone to face what he supposed to be Lelouch's imminent wrath, Suzaku tried to keep his calm. And somewhat failing for he could feel his eye twitch.

"I see that someone has neglected his escorting duty," Lelouch remarked with a rise of eyebrow.

"Ah well," Suzaku tried to say with a chuckle. His eyes searched for Nunnally's graceful form and he caught her dancing with a particular gentleman he remembered so well, the very same gentleman in yellow frock coat. He flinched. Damn it. "Yes… I mean… I swear I did not… Nunnally deserves to dance, you know, and I… only let her have that freedom…"

Lelouch shook his head softly and snorted. "This place starts to suffocate me. Care to join me on the balcony?"

Without waiting for his answer, Lelouch already walked away. Suzaku had no choice but to follow him, so follow him he did and they found themselves in one of the open balconies that Aries Imperial Villa had.

Lelouch walked until he rested his back against the railing. He was looking at him, but Suzaku was surprised to see him smiling slightly.

"So, care to explain how come you misinterpret my order of 'do not let anyone suspicious near her'?" Lelouch asked.

"Er," he said. "I did not hand her over to that gentleman, I swear."

Lelouch chuckled, as if having his husband being nervous in front of him was an amusing thing. Then again, perhaps for him it indeed was.

"Oh, never mind," he said. "I don't think I can stop her from having her dance now even if I try. Let her have her fun."

Suzaku let out a brief sigh of relief. "Well, I'm glad that you can think that way."

"Hm?" Lelouch eyed him. "Oh, true, I don't want Nunnally to get… how do I say it, I want to protect her and I only want the best for… oh Heaven I can't believe I actually say this, her suitor. But she looks so happy, and I must be someone very cruel if I try to stop her now."

Lelouch had a contemplative look for a moment before his expression turned sour. "But I would never agree to it if that yellow frock coat gentleman tries to woo her hand."

Suzaku could not help it, he laughed, hard. He stared at Lelouch, who had a smirk of his own, and for the umpteenth times in his life felt amazed toward that amazing and beautiful man whom he had taken as his spouse. He shook his head, trying to stop his laughter, and gently took Lelouch's hand on his own.

"Let's get back inside," he said, "I still owe you a dance."

"I nearly thought you forgot," Lelouch said, easily falling into step beside him.

He stole a quick kiss to Lelouch's cheek, whispering, "I wouldn't forget."

"And you wouldn't stop being corny, yes, I think we all have known about that," Lelouch said. "Come on, perhaps we could get close to where Nunnally and that gentleman are dancing. Perhaps I can accidentally step on his foot so he knows that his hideous costume does not meet my approval."

Suzaku shook his head in mock-despair but he grinned. "Whatever suits your fancy, Your Highness."

Together, they entered the Ballroom again, where Suzaku did finally take Lelouch to dance. And somehow they were able to get near to Nunally and her partner. But as to whether Lelouch did step in the poor gentleman's foot or not was a confidential matter that Suzaku preferred not to talk about. Yet it sufficed to say that His Highness Prince Lelouch vi Britannia had a very disconcerting—and some people might even dub it as downright evil—smirk on his lips somewhere during his dance that night.

End

(A/N: …you'd have thought we already forgot about this fic, no? Tough luck. This is the first time for us to write for this universe using Suzaku's perspective, hope we did well. Thank you for reading, and, like always, your reviews would be very much appreciated.)