A/N: Here's something I wanted to write for a while. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass. I do own all my original characters.
Setting: 19 years before the start of the story. The United States of Japan. Ashford Academy at night.
The young girl's eyes were filled with a murky haze as she looked down at the massive crater at the heart of the Tokyo Settlement. It was the crater she had made. Her heart felt heavy as she stared into it, remembering all the lives that were lost here as a direct result of her actions.
"They're making great progress on that, aren't they?" a playful voice said from behind the girl, alluding to the machinery that could be seen throughout the large crater, building everything back up, something the girl had initially ignored. She turned around, an old friend was smiling at her.
"President?" she started as she looked at the familiar blonde, smiling affably, as radiantly beautiful as ever.
"You don't really have to call me that, Nina. Those days are past," said Milly, smiling.
"Of course, M-Milly," Nina said evenly. After a brief pause, she started, "So what are you doing here?"
"I still live here you know, and my grandfather still runs the academy. It's no surprise I like to visit it on occasion," the newscaster said in a cool voice. "I'm more curious about why you're here, Nina."
"I don't know… I guess I just wanted to see all this again with my own eyes…" Nina spoke, looking back at the area of destruction than over at Ashford Academy behind her, which had escaped it.
"Well I'm glad I ran into here while you were here then," said Milly. "We haven't seen each other in a while."
"Not since that night in the Federation…" Nina said, remembering the encounter. "I'm sorry I went off on you then. It was stupid of me, I was just confused and acting like a child."
"I don't think so at all, Nina," said Milly, becoming more somber. "If you hadn't said what you said back then… I wouldn't be where I am now. Your words really got to me." Milly smiled kindly. "If anything, I actually should be thanking you for that night."
"W-what do you--?" Nina started, her brow quivering slightly.
"I was going to be married off to that earl and live the empty life of a Britannian countess. It was only because of you that I found the courage to step out and make my own way in the world," said Milly, smirking softly.
"I-I watch you… whenever I can…" said Nina, looking away.
"Oh? Well thanks! Whatcha think?" Milly asked with enthusiasm.
"You're very good at it. You'll go along way," Nina smiled and nodded.
"It's good to hear that from the one who put me up on that screen," Milly laughed.
"I really didn't…" Nina shook, she looked down, feeling guilty. Milly Ashford's hand found her shoulder, making her freeze.
"I know you've had nothing but troubled thoughts inside that little head of yours since this whole thing started; that doesn't change the fact that what you said to me was something I needed to hear," Milly gave a brief smirk.
"You're not shallow, Milly, not at all. Depth, warmth... you have everything that makes a woman attractive," Nina said in a very soft voice, remembering her comments that seemed to come from long ago.
"Well thanks, you've become quite the attractive woman yourself, Nina," Milly said almost teasingly. "I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't already have a girl on your arm."
"Milly, what are you--?" Nina started blushing.
"I know you loved that Princess, Nina. Isn't it only girls you notice?" asked Milly, catching the other off guard.
Nina looked down. She couldn't deny it. She had always found herself attracted only to women, even before Princess Euphemia ensnared her heart. "Yeah… I guess. But my heart still isn't ready for love yet… So no… I don't have someone..."
"It's hard to press on when our heart is broken… I understand…" Milly said, becoming somber herself.
"You liked Lelouch, didn't you?" asked Nina, remembering some glances exchanged in the Student Council room.
"I… guess I might have…" said Milly, smiling. "I guess that sounds pretty silly with everything he did."
"It wasn't… He did it because he had to... he wanted to set things right…" said Nina shaking as she recalled her part in Zero Requiem.
"You'd be surprised, but I'm pretty sharp, Nina." Milly laughed. "I know what Lelouch's game was. What he and Suzaku did to save the world. I know why he let himself die."
Milly now looked very sad and broken. Nina wanted to comfort her. It wasn't right seeing the strong woman in such a state. She let her arm find Milly's back.
"He wanted to do something to make up for his sins. I understood that perfectly, that's why I joined him in the end, in hopes of doing my part to atone for mine," Nina said in an easy voice.
"I know, Nina. That's all anyone can do," said the blonde, a sad glimmer in her eyes.
"I'm sometimes jealous of Lelouch. His path out was to embrace his sins and die for them, but I live on. I know I can't expect forgiveness, but I sometimes wonder if all I'll ever be is the creator of F.L.E.I.J.A., the girl who in her ignorance released a weapon of untold destruction upon the world. The vile girl who took the lives of countless in Tokyo and Pendragon..." said Nina, feeling broken. She began to cry. To her surprise, Milly was then embracing her snugly.
"There's more to you than F.L.E.I.J.A. Nina. If people can't see it then there's something wrong with them, because I see it and it's beautiful. You just need to put it out there and hold your head up high," said Milly emotionally as she held the younger girl. Nina looked up into the other's eyes, overcome with a strange but familiar feeling. The tears stopped.
"Thank you Milly, you're a wonderful friend," Nina said, feeling vulnerable.
"I'm glad I can offer you some comfort, Nina," said the blonde, stroking the other's hair. "Because you've always been my precious friend."
Nina felt comfortable, she felt loved. She knew she was losing herself. She couldn't stay in Milly's arm. She forced herself out."I'm sorry. It's really unbecoming of me to fall apart like that…"
"Oh, not at all," Milly giggled pleasantly.
"So, you'll be staying in Are--… Japan then…" Nina started, correcting herself mid sentence. She was trying her hardest to get rid of old prejudices. It was the least she could do in trying to make herself a better person.
"I'm not a national but I'm the most popular member of the crew now, besides, like I said, my family still has the Academy here. I don't plan to leave just yet," the blonde spoke softly.
"I see. I'm happy for you, Milly," said the younger girl, smiling.
"What about you? What does Nina Einstein have planned for herself now that everything has settled down?" Milly asked with a sharp laugh.
"I haven't even really thought about it. I've already made the right connection in Britannia, but I'm really not sure what I should do anymore…" said Nina looking down.
"You could always teach. I think that could suit you," said Milly, tilting her head. "Share your knowledge with the world, help people. I could see that for you."
"That does sound nice. I might keep that in mind… but before that…" Nina started, looking back at the crater.
"Yeah?" Milly started.
"I think I may want to help out here, however I can, if at all possible," said Nina, smiling.
Milly laughed. "I'm really glad to hear that, Nina."
"You are?" Nina was surprised.
"Yeah. If you stay around here, we'll be able to see each other again," Milly said, smiling.
"Oh. Yeah…" Nina said. "That'll be nice."
"So, you doing anything this Friday?" asked Milly suddenly.
"No, I don't think so," Nina shook her head.
"You want to join me for some dinner?" asked the blonde.
"Uh, sure," Nina gave a short nod.
"Awesome! The guys at the station will be so jealous when I tell them I have such a hot date." Milly giggled.
Nina blushed. "But this isn't that sort of--" she said, flustered. "I mean you like--"
Milly cut her off. "Love has no boundaries for me, Nina. If my heart points to someone, it points to them, it's as simple as that."
"Oh..." Nina blushed. She didn't know what to say.
"You really are a beautiful person, Nina," said Milly reaching for Nina's chin, forcing her to look at her.
"Could we have our date tomorrow instead of Friday, maybe? I don't want to wait to see you again…" said Nina feeling very shy.
"Sorry. I'm busy tomorrow," said Milly. "But maybe this will make the wait easier to bear…" Milly cooed before stepping forward. To Nina's ultimate surprise the other then kissed her softly at the lips. It felt somehow right.
"How cruel. That's going to make the wait less bearable, not more…" said Nina in a low whisper. Milly giggled.
"Sorry. Guess I better go then, before I get the urge to make it even harder for you," she said.
"If you must…" Nina blushed.
"I'll see you Friday. Bye," Milly said, smiling as she turned to leave.
"Good bye. I look forward to it…" Nina cooed as the other walked away.
Now when she looked out at the F.L.E.I.J.A. crater, all she saw was the hope scattered throughout it.
A/N: Awww, Milly/Nina romance. I almost wish I had a chance to write a full story about these two. This short little scene was pretty cute though. When I considered the extras I could do, I knew I wanted to do some stuff set in the past with the canon characters. These two stood out to me because they're yuri. you might actually see more Milly/Nina here. I'm not sure I'll do any scenes between any of the other characters as they're not yuri and they're mostly pretty typical pairings (who wants to read Guilford/Cornelia, Tohdoh/Nagisa, Ohgi/VIlletta or some such uninspired stuff), but if there's some interest, I'll try. I'm actually fairly open with ideas for these extras. Anyway, hope you enjoyed it.