Andre Girouard was seated in the well-furnished sitting room which belonged to his family, enthralled in a book which 'Zero' had suggested that he might enjoy. He hadn't been able to put it down all morning.
He looked up at a sound coming from the doorway to see his mother walk into the room, his gray colored cat running up behind her skirts to find a place on his lap.
"Mother."
"There you are Andre. I searched all over the palace for you, I worried that you'd run away."
"Why would I do that?" He laughed, placing the book down on the couch cushions as he petted the cat on his lap.
She gave him a look before making her way over to sit beside him, picking up the hardcover book. "Where did you find this? It looks old." Lady Girouard opened the cover, her eyes focusing on the blank page that lay before her.
'To Suzaku. From Lelouch,' was written in flowery text and faded from years of wear.
"Who's book is this?"
"What? Oh I don't know. I got this from the palace library. Probably who ever donated the book." He snatched it out of her hands, not daring to say it was 'Zero' who had given it to him.
"Oh , I see." She reached out, scratching the cat behind an ear as she continued. "Have you been thinking about what your father has asked you?"
Andre closed his eyes, letting his head fall back onto the head of the couch. "I have."
"He's even spoken with Empress Nunnally about you taking a position in the court; it's an honor that you've even been considered."
"He already told me I had been guaranteed a job."
"Who did? Your father?"
"No. Zero."
"Zero? When have you spoken with Sir. Zero?"
"I speak with him often actually. He introduced himself to me a long time ago when I was a kid."
"Why didn't you…"
He turned his head to the side to look at his mother's confused face, his once clear eyes now intense as he spoke. "I didn't tell you because I thought it wasn't necessary; and it's supposed to be our secret."
"Your secret…?"
"I probably shouldn't tell you anymore." He moved to stand up, taking the cat in his arms, his book held in an armpit. "But don't worry about me Mother. I've agreed to study and take on any position the Empress will allow of me. Father will be proud, I'm sure."
"Andre…" She looked at him with worried eyes. The idea that he'd kept such a secret as to be a close confident of Zero made her wonder if he held more secrets from her than he would ever choose to tell her.
"Oh Mother, I've wanted to ask you. What do you think of the Tyrant Emperor Lelouch?"
"The Tyrant Emperor? Why would you ask about him now?"
"Do you think it would be in ill taste to wish I could be like him?"
"Andre!"
He laughed loudly, stopping and turning at the doorway. "I'm joking. No need to be so serious."
"You're still a child, please stop acting so strangely." She had tears in her eyes, but he knew better than to worry about them.
"I'll return in time for dinner." And with that he left.
She bit her lip, feeling uneasy. What was it about her son that could have possibly have caught the attention of Zero himself? He was nothing but the second child of a lady in waiting and a lowly count. She let her mind wonder to less stressing things as her daughter entered the room, carrying yards to fabric for new dresses.
Andre found Suzaku asleep outside in the grass, far out into the garden where no one bothered to stray. He let Arthur jump out of his arms, running along the ground and stopping only a foot away from Suzaku's head. Andre smirked, walking quietly up to him, kneeling down so his face hover only inches away from Suzaku's.
Before he had the chance to steal a kiss, green eyes met his own blue; forcing him to jump back in surprise. "Good afternoon, Lulu."
He felt his face flush and sat back on his heels as Suzaku sat up, letting a hand run through his wild hair. "You shouldn't try and steal kisses from sleeping people, Lulu."
"I wish you wouldn't call me Lulu anymore, Suzaku." The former Knight of Zero looked taken back at the comment, unable to hide his dislike at the request.
"Why not?"
"I'm 14 now. Couldn't you call me something not so childish?"
Suzaku laughed, not expecting such a turn in the conversation as he moved closer to the teenager, letting his hand cup his chin. "What would you like me to call you then?"
"Lelouch."
"Very well then, Lelouch." Suzaku whispered, and his lips tasted just as they had fourteen years ago.