Merry Christmas or whatever you guys celebrate! XD I WISH YOU GREAT HOLIDAYS!
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Chapter two:
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Gino was aimlessly walking through the gardens of the palace, it was late but he couldn't sleep so he decided to walk around and try again to sort his thoughts and feelings out. Ever since the last meeting with Emperor Lelouch he had felt like his whole life had been thrown to the ground and trampled upon. Not exactly because of what Lelouch had said but more because he had never really thought what he wanted to do in his life. When he ran away from home he was still young and idealistic not believing that his parents had the right to treat the girl he loved in the way they did. After that they had tried to make him into the person they wanted him to be but he just couldn't accept them and their way of life anymore.
They had tried to shape him into the perfect noble heir they desired but he had taken the first way out that he could think of – running away and joining the army, cutting ties completely. And despite slowly learning that his parents weren't the exception in their thinking but the norm, he discovered something that he loved, in which he felt free from pressure and concentrate fully on the one skill he had that no one could take from him and he wasn't born into. Piloting.
Piloting had come to him as easy as breathing. And he had never been happier during basic and afterwards when he became part of the Knightmare Corps. But of course good things never lasted long. Soon after he became a Knight he was approached by Bismarck who had come personally to the base he was stationed at. After that many things changed. As much as he despised it only his upbringing had rescued him when he had been thrown into the innermost circle from the emperor. Dealing with nobles, royals and the emperor himself had still been difficult after he had gotten so at home at being a normal boy in the military.
Everything else that came with it had been even harder accept. The things he had seen and done… But piloting and especially the rare times that he had a good enemy on the battlefield had still brought him happiness. He just didn't think on the bigger picture and just followed orders. This way he had been able to still enjoy being in a Knightmare and all it entailed.
But Lelouch had been right. When he allowed himself to think too much about what Britannia did and how they were going about it he became conflicted. He hadn't viewed Nagisa as different than himself. Not anymore than he thought anyone from Britannia different than himself. She had been born in Japan, was now a number, but apart from that she was normal. There had been nobles of lower rank his parents hadn't liked but still been friendly too and forced him to play nice with their kids even though he didn't like them. There always had been a reason why they were playing nice with them but he hadn't much cared as a child.
So why shouldn't he be nice to their maid? While not of high standing she at least had been caring and nice. And nothing had hurt him more than being forced to witness his father beating her. He had been held back by one of the bodyguards of their family, not being able to escape the harsh grip and help Nagisa.
Maybe that had also played into his decision of joining the army. Believing that he would get to help and save people.
Now that Lelouch had started it, he couldn't stop thinking about all the repressed feelings and thoughts he had since that day. But dealing with it was just one way to spend his days, what he actually wanted was to find out where to go from here.
The emperor had indicated that he could get a place in his new Britannia or decide on something completely different. But he had never really thought about it. For most of his life he had been raised to follow in his father's footsteps, the pressure had only increased after Nagisa and after deciding to run away and leave his family the military had been his only real chance. He had only visited school until he was sixteen, so he had no real education. He never had a real interest in his life, not before he was placed in a Knightmare for the first time. It was not only his best skill but also the one thing he enjoyed most. But Lelouch had cautioned him to make a rash decision again.
He had told him that while his Britannia was different he would still encounter things he may not like or believe in. He had hinted that there was more going on and he had to decide if he believed in him enough to follow him. That's how he had understood it at least.
He knew that he was missing a lot. There was more going on than he knew and could see and there were the things he had noticed that didn't add up. The presence of the Shinkiro and Gottwald for instance. But Suzaku was also here and he trusted the other to a certain degree, he had been shaken when he volunteered to assassinate Charles zi Britannia. But he had also often showed a compassion for the people not many dared to reveal. He too hadn't been overly open with it but he had tried to get to know the Japanese, tried to get behind the stoic mask so he had seen more than anyone else.
And Lloyd was also here. While the eccentric scientist cared more about his frames than people he too had decided to leave Schneizel for the new boy emperor despite the fact that the Prime Minister had always been his benefactor. He had asked the earl when he had taken the Tristan out for some testing yesterday. Surprisingly he had gotten a rather straight answer from the unusual man.
"Not surprisingly, I'm a man of warfare. But even I can't condone a weapon that takes away the beauty that happens on a battlefield."
And just when he thought that he may finally come to a decision he saw something, or someone.
Further ahead walked the emperor, accompanied by the green-haired woman he had seen a few times. In a spur of the moment decision he decided to follow them discreetly.
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Nearly half an hour later the two reached their destinations and Gino was suddenly not sure anymore that it had been a good idea to follow them. He had watched as Lelouch stood undecided before a door for quite a while until the woman lay her hand on his shoulder and whispered something to him which made he emperor square his shoulders before unlocking the side door that would lead him into the Aries Villa.
There wasn't much information about the vi Britannia family, but he knew that this was the place of Lelouchs childhood, where he lost his mother and his sister was injured due to a terrorist attack. Which made this personal and he felt like he was intruding on something he shouldn't. He had followed because of the small chance of learning something about the new emperor that would maybe help him decide or unravel some of the mysteries he had encountered these last days.
And just as Gino was about to leave, the woman looked right to his hiding place and addressed him. "You can come out now."
CC watched as the boy stepped out of the shadows he had been hiding in and threw her a sheepish look which she met with one of her usual emotionless ones.
"I'm sorry. I was just curious, I swear! I didn't have any dubious intentions with my following!"
"I know that boy. Stop worrying. But it's unlikely that you will find answers to your questions here, Lelouch just wanted to visit his childhood home."
"Yeah… But I'm sure it's not easy for him" She watched as he gazed at the building with the most curious expression on his face. She knew of course everything that had been going on with the blond but knew very little more than what had been told to her through others. Lelouch had a hard time understanding him which made him more interesting than the average knight. But a person without a real goal was always difficult for her contractor to decipher.
As her continued staring seemed to make the other uncomfortable he tried to start their conversation up again. "I don't think we have been introduced yet. I'm Gino Weinberg, a pleasure to meet you." Accompanied with a perfect little bow, he really couldn't deny his upbringing.
"I know who you are. You're the one giving Lelouch headaches these last days as you don't seem to know what to do with yourself now that the master that held the end of your leash is gone."
She enjoyed the flinch and the short hurt in his gaze more than she probably should, but there wasn't much for her to enjoy now that Lelouch worked tirelessly towards his grand plan. But as an uncomfortable silence descended upon them she tried to make the other comfortable again, standing here together for who knows how long would probably be easier without the awkwardness her scathing comment had brought upon them.
"I'm CC by the way."
The smile she received, while a bit strained, seemed genuinely happy for the peace offering. What a dunderhead.
"So… are you and his Majesty..." Gino couldn't stop the question even if he tried. Whenever he had seen this woman in the company of the emperor he had always wondered… and now that he had the opportunity…
"No. We are accomplices."
"You seem very close."
"One doesn't mean the other. We're close because we have faced some hardships together."
Another uncomfortable silence fell upon them and she watched the blond as he awkwardly shifted around, clearly not knowing what to do with himself. After some time his glances towards the villa got more frequent.
"Will he be alright in there alone?"
"No one has lived in there since the attack and the building has been searched. No one will attack him."
Seemed like she hadn't given the other enough credit as the look she received clearly showed that her evasion of the question had been detected. But she would definitely not reveal anything about Lelouch to this boy and continued with her silent observation of the other.
The minutes tickled by and she was now watching Gino pace around, still watching the door and the building in general and suddenly she couldn't stop the laugh as she finally understood what made the other so agitated.
"You LIKE him!"
"What?"
"Oh… that's too funny! You have no idea and you still care!" She couldn't stop her chuckles. Here they were, at the end of all and Lelouch still managed to find a fanboy!
The glare she received didn't face her the slightest, she just smirked and walked closer to him, stopping a short distance from the Knight and peering up at him.
"I really hope you stay. That could be fun. And I'm really looking forward to your reaction when Lelouch reveals all to you. Maybe I should invite myself to this meeting? Or maybe he will allow me to do the honour, that would be even more entertaining. Tell me Gino Weinberg, what would you think..."
She was interrupted by the door opening and both of them immediately looked towards it.
Lelouch stepped out, white as a ghost, shoulders hunched forward like he wanted to hide himself away while he leant back against the door he had just closed. CC forgot all about what she had wanted to say to the other boy and made her way towards her contractor.
Gino watched as the girl took the head of Lelouch in both her hands before pulling him forward so he rested it against her shoulder. He could see her whispering to him and when she motioned for him to go he didn't hesitate and slowly crept back into the shadows.
He was thankful that the emperor was too out of sorts to detect him as he was sure that he would not be happy that he had seen him in this moment of weakness. But it was the push that he had needed, for now he knew what he wanted.
He wanted to protect this boy. He had looked defeated and the deep pain and sadness he had detected in the other was hurtful to see. He had just become emperor of the worlds greatest empire, accomplishing something few had thought possible and he shouldn't look like he had a burden on his shoulders.
He wanted to help him change the empire for the better like he had already begun and then protect it from its enemies. Lelouch would be the one to lead Britannia into a better future he knew that and whatever else was going on he vowed that he would help him in any way he could and protect him from everything.
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Telling Lelouch of his decision had been easy. As was deciding to meet in the evening in his set of rooms. Receiving all the information he had been missing was not.
Gino still sat absolutely speechless in his rooms, staring into nothing while he tried to process everything that had been thrown at him.
Lelouch had left after CC volunteered to wait until the other came out of his shock and to answer any remaining questions and she was really looking forward to it. It had been easy to get into this meeting and she was now waiting for a reaction from the other as she made herself comfortable on the couch.
Of course her contractor had known that something was up when she had shooed him out of the set of rooms that Gino lived in. But he had still left the two when it was clear that the Knight had a hard time processing everything and he did have a lot to do and she had been more than happy to kick him out so that she could deal with the fall out. Lelouch had only told her not to break the other further.
The whole thing had been quite entertaining. Lelouch had told him that he would not tolerate any interruptions until the end of the tale before he started. Whenever the blonde opened his mouth it would only take a glare from the emperor to shut him up. Amusing indeed.
And then the poor boy finally got his mind in order.
"No."
She only threw him a questioning look and suddenly he jumped up and started pacing around.
"No, I will not go through with this plan. It's insane!"
Ah, she loved it when things worked out the way she thought. But best not to show her plans too soon. "You swore loyalty to Lelouch, you don't really get a choice. Well he could imprison you the moment he shows his true colours at the UFN meeting in three weeks to save you from further repercussions..."
"That's not what I meant! How can you all accept this? Why is no one trying to talk him out of this stupid idea?"
"It's not totally stupid, it's Lelouch we're talking about. Things tend to work out the way he wants them too. So that means his death will give the world at least a few decades of peace."
"But he doesn't have to die for that! He is slowly changing Britannia and he has build the UFN, that shows that he can accomplish world peace differently, he is already on a good path!"
"Lelouch doesn't see it that way. He has lost the trust and loyalty of the Black Knights so they will never again work with him, they will only see him as working for his own goals. It's his own fault really. On the other hand no one will ever really trust Britannia and a lot of Britannians will always be against him and try to recreate his fathers empire.
This plan of his is the best shot to show them all the worst the world could be so that they finally all work together for a better future."
"And you're really ok with that? To lose your friend, your accomplice? I thought he had to fulfill a promise to you too? Does that include him dying?"
"Not really no. But after I betrayed him I lost my right to demand he keep his end of the bargain. Also, one of our promises entailed that I would help him reach his goal and his goal right now is the Zero Requiem and the world peace that will follow it. This way he can keep his promise to his sister and the vow he made to Euphemia after he killed her."
The other slumped down on the couch again and pulled at his hair and she smirked at him when he finally looked up again. Maybe she should be a bit more careful, she had promised Lelouch not to break the blond further and she wasn't sure if she was keeping it.
"And Suzaku?" Great now he sounded defeated, that was not good.
"Suzaku has always hated the emperor so it wasn't that surprising that he helped Lelouch defeat him. But after that he was more than ready to kill him, to avenge his princess. Only the promise that he would be the one to kill him at the end has stayed his hand and kept the boy here. Should Lelouch show that he will not keep his promise Suzaku would likely kill him."
"I would never have thought… How can Suzaku...all of this is completely insane."
"It's the way it is. No one can go against Suzaku and Lelouch wants to keep his promise. It's his way of paying for his sins. And despite everything, Lelouch always does his best to keep his promises and mostly succeeds in it. He promised the Black Knights a free Japan, which it now is. He promised to destroy Britannia which he has kind of done and after the Zero Requiem it will either fall apart or whoever takes the throne after him will have to follow in the new way. He has promised his sister a peaceful world which will be achieved with his death."
"So… it's mostly Suzaku that stands in the way?" Ah, she may have underestimated the blonde again. While not one for the bigger picture he certainly understood emotions and humans well enough.
"I have lost my right to go against him. Gottwald believes he has failed the vi Britannia's enough and while he too doesn't like it, would never go against an order. I'm not sure on the two scientists. They are more accustomed to Suzaku so they may take his side but at least the mad one seems to enjoy working with and for Lelouch."
She watched while the other thought some more about everything.
"How can Suzaku even stand the thought of killing his friend? I understand that he still mourns Euphemia, but… to kill him?"
"As far as I have observed it, while Lelouch still considers Suzaku his best friend, despite everything that boy has done to him, Suzaku has turned his life over to revenge. It's his only driving force and the only thing that defines him anymore."
"This is really fucked up."
She couldn't agree more. Her hands were bound, she couldn't really do anything herself… But this boy, this boy that has been brought here because of Suzaku and Lelouchs kindness towards his friend, he had the possibility to turn things around. An outsider with an interest in both of them.
"I agree. But it's not my place to go against Lelouch. I will follow him wherever he goes, fulfilling my promise after I failed him."
"And if he suddenly decided he wants to stay emperor and continue to change the world while alive?"
She hid the winning smirk she wanted to throw at him, just for a while longer. "Then I would do everything in my power to help him of course."
Unexpected was that the other suddenly came to her, taking her hands and gazing at her with determination.
"I will do everything I can to change their minds. But you have to help me. Tell me more, help me find the right words!"
Despite her planning the other had still managed to surprise her. He had been faster on the uptake than expected so her response was only a small nod. That gained her a huge grin from the blond and she couldn't help but hope. Hope again that there would be someone who could pull Lelouch back to them, who was able to see past his sins and beneath all his masks to discover the outstanding person she knew him to be. He had accomplished so much in such a short time, what could he achieve if he stayed in this world?
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CC was in the middle of a staring contest that amused her more than the other probably liked. But she couldn't help herself.
After Gino's announcement they had spent a few hours talking and planning. She had revealed as much as she dared to the blond so that he had the best chance to change things but some parts of Lelouchs story just weren't hers to tell and she didn't want to betray his trust too much, not after the whole fiasco at Kamine island.
Not that Lelouch hadn't forgiven her, but it had taken him a bit but he also understood her better than anyone else she had ever met, but it had still surprised her. After he had gotten over the initial betrayal he had clearly thought things through and it hadn't taken long for them to get back to their strange but easy comradeship.
But this short time had been enough for him to finalise this ridiculous plan of his and she had been unsure of her place in his life after the betrayal that she hadn't had the right to veto it.
But now….
"What is the meaning of this?" She threw a smirk at their newest prisoner. Really, the boy was still too trusting. It had been fairly easy tricking him.
While there was no trust between them, she only had to say that there was a new prisoner and that she wanted him to speak to them first as she didn't know how Lelouch would take it. It was the one thing that the other trusted in, that she always was on Lelouchs side and would do everything for him. So it hadn't been too far-fetched that she wanted to protect her accomplice from emotional pain because of a captive that was once dear to him.
With that understanding it had been easy to lead the other to the cells and before he knew what was happening she had pushed him in and the doors closed before he got his bearings back. After the initial rage and trying to break the door they had descended to their staring contest. The other trembling with anger while she wore her usual blank expression. Doubly amusing for her as that seemed to enrage the other even further.
Now Suzaku Kururugi had calmed down and she could start with her mission.
"It's your own fault really"
"What?"
"Well you were the one to spare Gino Weinberg and that's what started all this."
"What has Gino to do with all this?" That he immediately go defensive about the blond spoke much.
"Well, you do know that yesterday Lelouch had a meeting with him and told him everything about the Zero Requiem, right?"
"Yes. I met him this morning and asked if he wanted to talk about it, he said he was still trying to work some things out but would come to talk when he was ready."
What a carefully crafted answer. Truthful but evasive enough that the true meaning was hidden. As previously arranged, the next meeting with Lelouch would be this evening, to give the Knight time to come to terms with the plan, so Gino had time to bring the others into his plan. He had used the day while Lelouch and Suzaku were occupied with duties to talk to Lloyd and Jeremiah.
It hadn't been possible for her to get the full details but Gino had told her that both were on board, which wasn't really surprising. Gottwald was obsessively loyal and as long as it was Lelouchs decision he would follow him but he too would of course prefer the emperor to live.
They had decided to only talk to Lloyd as he had had an infatuation with Zero while still working against him and seemed to kind of enjoy working with Lelouch. Cecile would probably be more on Suzakus side but the two came as pack and Lloyd was the more important one, so she had pointed Gino in his direction. As it was quite possible that Britannia would crumble after Lelouchs death it was also in their interest to keep him alive as that meant that Britannia would definitely survive and even flourish.
So now she had to do her part. After Suzaku finally left Lelouchs side she had immediately approached him so that the other couldn't vanish in the depths of the palace. It was important that he was in a cell the moment Gino had his meeting with Lelouch and while those two talked, she had the misfortune to try and talk some sense into the Japanese. They hoped that even when Gino failed that they may bring Suzaku around to their thinking.
While she would like nothing better than to just get rid of the Knight of Zero she knew that was not something Lelouch wanted. Her dislike for the boy wasn't really a secret but Lelouch cared for him still despite everything and she would try to bring the idiot out of his nutty shell.
"Gino Weinberg is currently trying to talk Lelouch out of the Zero Requiem."
"What? Why?"
"You really are an idiot. Because he doesn't like it, what else? You know the boy better, is it really such a surprise for you?"
"He doesn't know the sins Lelouch committed, let me out and I tell him why he deserves to die, that will certainly make him see that the Zero Requiem is the only way!"
"Idiot. Again. He does know everything, in some cases even more than you or do you think I would send him there uninformed? It is his wish to change Lelouchs mind and I only gave him the means to do so." Really, did he think she would send the boy only half prepared? She wasn't as dumb as Suzaku, she planned ahead.
"I don't believe you." His glare would be more effective if he weren't locked up.
"Of course you don't because you don't want to see reason. We're not all as happy with that plan as you and Lelouch want to think, but we all have our reasons why we don't do anything against it. Gino doesn't have one of those reasons and has decided to try and change everything."
"So you will imprison me for your own gain and against Lelouchs wishes?"
"Not exactly. You are here so that I may talk some sense into you, Gino's wishes of course. No one can force Lelouch to change his mind but we will try and you're here so that you can't interfere."
"I don't believe you. This is just Lelouchs way of breaking his promise!"
"How Lelouch can still put up with you is beyond me. You always only want to see the bad in him. Despite everything you're still a selfish bastard." Suzaku clearly had something to say to that but she raised her voice and went on.
"You are. Whatever you claim to have been your goals, you first and foremost did things for yourself. Dying protecting the people? You just wanted to die and were not man enough to just slit your wrists. Avenging Euphemia? You only wanted to kill Lelouch. Protect Nunnally? You used her against Lelouch and didn't care how much you hurt her in the meantime. Becoming Knight of One so that you can make Japan a protectorate? As if the Japanese wouldn't revolt against you as they did against Britannia as a whole? If given the chance they would lynch you. And now? You may also wish for World Peace but you initially only agreed because Lelouch promised to let you kill him. You're here because of your own selfish wish!"
Suzaku stared at her for a long time and she just stared back at him. It was all those things and many more that made it difficult for her to understand why Lelouch still liked this boy. Lelouch was no angel of course but he at least had goals that were more than personal wish-fulfillment. He too did the things he had done more for himself or his sister than anyone else, but he did it in a way that brought more than his own wishes. Zero Requiem was the perfect example. She understood his wish to die but he could have just let Suzaku kill him in he cave and be done with it but he still cared about other people and while his sisters weren't alive anymore, he still wanted to bring the world to peace in their name. While fulfilling his wish to die he would give the world much more. Give the people the peace they deserved and longed for and he would accept everything to reach that goal.
"Lelouch killed Euphy! He doesn't deserve to live!"
"Yes, yes. It's old news by now." Suzaku attacked the glass between them again in rage. Maybe she should have formulated that differently.
"You killed Nunnally." That brought him to a halt. Good, he had to listen if she was to accomplish anything.
"I didn't want… The geass! It's.."
"Stop it! Why can't you take out a page of Lelouchs book and admit a fault for once or at least accept that you were wrong? Yes, it's partly Lelouchs fault for giving you that damn command. But he didn't finance the project nor did he invent the Fleja. He wasn't the one to give it to you and no one can fault him for not believing you when you warned him on the battlefield. But it was you who engaged your equal on the battlefield, ignoring the possibility that Kallen may activate your geass, forcing you to fire that despicable weapon. Because the only thing you cared for at that moment was defeating Lelouch. So yes, one could blame Lelouch partly for it but you are much more to blame."
"Anyone else would have immediately fired the Fleja! That's why I accepted it!"
"Then you shouldn't have been in the middle of the most destructive part of the battlefield! But the only thing you cared for at that point was your revenge against Lelouch, you let your emotions get the best of you and stopped thinking. You had enough time with the geass to understand it, so if you had thought things through you would have realised that it is quite possible that you would fire the Fleja when your life is in danger."
Finally she could say some of the things she had been dying to unleash on the other. She really disliked him, more because he was the one to separate her from her accomplice but also for all the grief he had brought to Lelouch. While he may have forgiven him for the most part, she definitely hadn't.
She would use this time to make him understand a few things. Not because she wanted him to but she wanted to do it for Lelouch, as always. While she didn't care for the Japanese, Lelouch certainly did.
She would show him all the errors of his thinking from the beginning until now. Because after everything he had seen and done he still was blind to certain things, maybe because he didn't want to see them or because he just couldn't.
He wasn't looking at her anymore, she had definitely hit something that he at least accepted in the deepest depth of his mind. It was mostly his fault that Tokyo had a big crater now.
"You say Lelouch has to pay for his sins and while you may not accept it, he has done so already in some ways. But what about you, boy? You have your own share of sins and you think the only way to pay for them is by dying and you hate Lelouch because he has taken away your ability to do so. You think he did it for his own selfish reasons because you don't want to look further than that. Let me tell you that he gave you that specific command because he didn't want to see his friend die, didn't want to watch you throw away your life for Britannia.
Your wish to die is your way of running away from your sins.
Your goals were always out of reach. After everything you have seen you still believe that you could have changed anything? You followed Charles because you thought he would help you reach your goal. Let me tell you that he would have never let you become the Knight of One and even if you had managed gaining that position, Charles would have never let you do what you wanted with Japan. You would have had to answer to him still and if the Japanese revolted against your rule, which they most certainly would have, he would have demanded you put them down. It would have been expected that you look out more for the Britannians residing in Area 11 than your own people. You knew Charles better than most so even you must see that.
Then you threw yourself behind Schneizel who promised you the position you longed for and might even have you let more freedom in governing Japan. You pledged yourself to the man that made the Fleja even possible and played with you from the start. Just for your own selfish wishes again.
And when Lelouch succeeded where you failed, you helped him defeat his father just to attack him again the first moment you could, ignoring everything else again and only following your own goal.
You did everything only for your own reasons, no matter what you had to do to accomplish it. The things you accuse Lelouch of, you have done yourself. But he at least has the bigger picture in mind. Even now he is working for more than his own wishes. He is working for Nunnally and for Euphemia and for all the people he has left behind and you are only here because you want to kill him and he has even promised you that so that you finally get your revenge.
Tell me boy, who is the better person between you both?"
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Gino was a mess of convoluted feelings when he finally arrived at the door to Lelouchs office. He was nervous, determined, scared, resolute and many other. This was just so important and everything hinged on this meeting.
Lady CC had told him to be confident in his feelings and to use his understanding of emotions in his talk with Lelouch. That while Lelouch was doing all this for other people he has begun to shut off his feelings to be able to go through with his plans. Her understanding of Lelouch and all the things she had told him that the emperor had not mentioned when he revealed his past and future to him the day before would help him greatly in the following discussion.
The others had all told him the same thing, that he was probably the only one able to do this. He had no real connection to Lelouch and came out of the blue, at least that was what CC had said. He just hoped that he would be able to do this or he would probably switch places with Suzaku really soon. He hoped his friend would forgive him but this was more important. Lelouch had the ability to finally change Britannia into a good country.
A man who had thought up and build the UFN shouldn't be put down because of a few bad decisions. If they started like that many of the well known people should get the same fate, Suzaku and himself were not except from that. He understood the reasoning of the Japanese but Lelouch had just so much potential and was in essence a good guy that he just couldn't accept this fate he had decided for himself.
A man that was ready to shoulder the hate of the world just to finally bring peace deserved more. It was this willingness that brought forth the true character of the new emperor.
His anxiousness and the fear of failing kept him going on despite not getting enough sleep the night before.
The massive load of information heaped on him in a few hours was hard to sort through and there were parts he still had troubles with, but once he had decided something it was hard to change his mind. He wanted to protect Lelouch and additionally see Britannia rising in an entirely different light. Suzaku had no real attachment to Britannia but despite all he himself certainly did. The thought of finally service a Britannia worth protecting was too good to mess up.
He took a deep breath and knocked, no time like the present, he had thought about everything since being left alone with CC yesterday, now was the time to act. Not even his own nervousness would stop him.
"Enter"
Concentrating on the determination he was feeling he opened the door and spotted Lelouch at his desk typing at a fast pace on his computer, making the grin he was throwing his way absolutely useless as the other didn't move his gaze from the monitor.
"Help yourself to something to drink while I finish this."
As Lelouch never stopped working he did just that, better to get comfortable and wait until he had the full attention of the emperor. The cabinet was filled with a good assortment but he went for the same as last time, filling two glasses and depositing one on the table before taking a seat.
It took nearly ten minutes until the sound of typing finally stopped and he had used the time to calm himself down watching the other work concentrated.
When Lelouch finally stopped he saw the sigh more than he heard it and watched as the other moved his shoulders to probably try and get the stiffness out of them that he had likely gotten during the last hours of working. When the amethyst orbs finally settled on him he met them with a cheerful little wave gaining him a slight smirk. CC had assured him that Lelouch would have no problem with him treating this more informal and that he would probably have a better chance if he didn't completely play the subservient Knight.
"Good to see that you've finally gotten a bit of your cheerfulness back. I had feared that leaving you with CC was not the best idea but apparently she got you out of your shell."
"Ah, yes, it was a bit difficult to acclimate to the new way of things."
"I can imagine. Well good to see you back to normal then."
In the meantime Lelouch had left his desk and settled down across from him, picking up his wine glass and taking a sip before relaxing back. While carefully hidden, Gino could still see the tiredness radiating from the emperor and now that he knew more and knew what to look for he may also detect a slight look of defeat in his eyes. Or maybe he was interpreting too much into that and all he had learned was screwing with his mind.
"So CC has managed her part, excellent. Now we just have to intricate you into the plans of the Zero Requiem, I thought maybe - "
"I don't agree with it." Interrupting the emperor would have lost him his head in the past but he would not sit here listening to what Lelouch had cooked up to give him a future while still working for him.
"I beg your pardon?" The sharp glare he received would have normally made him shut up but now it only spurned him on.
"This great plan of yours, I don't like it and will not follow through with it."
"You don't have to like it but you did say you wanted to serve me and this is where we are going."
"I don't care. I don't want to see you dead! You're a good guy and you have the potential to be a great emperor, I will not allow Suzaku to kill you!"
"Has CC put you up to this?"
"No, it was my own wish. I decided this the moment I worked through everything you told me yesterday."
"Well, while that may be so, it isn't your decision. The path is set and we're already walking to the end. If you're not comfortable with the Zero requiem, fine, we can stage something after the meeting with the UFN that will show the world that you don't approve of my choices and you can play prisoner until the day of my death."
Lelouch really was a stubborn individual. He leant forward and gave the other a hard stare.
"You misunderstand me. I will not allow you to die." He said the last part slowly, carefully and with as much conviction as he was able to put into his voice which gained him a calculating look.
"Interesting. Why?"
"You have changed Britannia and you could change it even further, make it a good country to live in. And I like you, you're a good guy and don't deserve to die!"
The laugh that followed had a hysterical edge to it that worried him a bit. It was hard not to look away from the next glare he received as this one had a dangerous glint to it.
"You have no idea. I'm so far away from being good as one can get. You may believe you know me but you really have no idea. Stop assuming the Lelouch Lamperouge you met in Ashford still exists."
"I do know who you are. I have listened yesterday and I'm not deluding myself. Yes you have done terrible things as Zero but that doesn't mean you have to die or you could just kill me too because the things I have done for your father where as bad as everything you have done. If you go down this path none of us here deserve to live, not Lloyd and Cecile or Gottwald. Jeremiah was part of the purging of the Shinjuku Ghetto and you've still forgiven him and plan to give him a future."
"That's not the same." Now that sounded a bit petulant, he seemed to finally be getting somewhere.
"It is and you know it. With your reasoning even Suzaku deserves death especially considering all the things he has done to you while still calling himself your friend."
"Suzaku has his reasons and they are understandable."
"Maybe. Doesn't give him the right to lord it over you. Yes you killed Princess Euphemia, but it was an accident and you didn't want to do that. But despite all that you truly regret it and that has to mean something in my book."
"So CC told you more than she should..."
"Yes, but I asked her to. When I decided to talk you out of this I needed more information."
"That's all well and good Gino, but my path is set and nothing you say can change my mind."
"Let me at least try! You still have so much to live for!"
The sound that left Lelouch could not be called a laugh because it sounded way to broken. He watched as the emperor stood up and moved to the window, gazing out into the evening.
"There is nothing left for me in this world. I wanted to change the world and have brought only pain to the people dearest to me. The only path left for me is the one of redemption. I will give the world what it longs for, peace. I will leave this world to create the kinder and gentler world my sisters wished for."
He joined Lelouch at the window, stopping slightly behind him and studying the reflection of the emperor. There was a certain deadness in his eyes that really scared him. Lelouch was only a bit older than himself and had an expression like an old man who had lived through too much.
"You don't have to die to create this world. You've already changed the world by creating the UFN and you're changing Britannia to something better as we speak. You would only have to stay on this path to bring the peace you wish for."
"It's not as easy as you think!"
He slowly put his hand on Lelouchs shoulder and carefully turned him so that they could look at each other. His voice was soft ad pleading when he answered.
"Forget your damn promise to Suzaku for a moment and listen to me. The fact that you're ready to die for peace is what shows me that, despite all, you are a good person. I stand by what I said, you still have much to live for despite all your losses. There are still people out there who care for you and want to see yo alive."
"Stop it already. It's all great and good when you put it that way but I will not change my mind. If you can't accept that you will find yourself locked up again."
Seemed like for now there was no getting trough to him. He blamed his own selfishness for his next action as he changed his grip on Lelouchs shoulder from reassuring and gentle to something firmer before leaning down and brushing his lips against the ones from the emperor, lingering only for a moment before drawing back and meeting the shocked gaze with a sad one.
"What…?"
If the situation wasn't as dreadful as it was he may find the expression funny.
"I've wanted to do that for a while. Maybe this was my last chance to do so. I will go back to my rooms and if I find them locked from the outside by tomorrow I understand. But you should think about what I said. There are still people who care for you. If anyone can change Britannia for the better and bring peace to this world it is you but you don't have to die to accomplish that.
If not for yourself, do it for the people around you. If Nunnally and Euphemia were still here and knew everything, do you think they would allow you to go through with the Zero Requiem? Or would they prefer you to be alive and happy?"
He gently moved his hand from the shoulder up to Lelouchs face, tracing the prominent cheekbone with his thumb and trying to engrave the handsome face into memory as it was quite possible that he would never again see him up this close.
Before the other could react he turned around and left the office, hoping that CC had more success as Suzaku might be able to change Lelouchs mind. Or they had to hope that she would be able to break down Lelouchs wall of stubbornness.
.
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This chapter was quite a ride. The first part wrote itself, it was fun exploring Gino and giving him more depth. Than it became difficult. I had a hard time getting the boys were I wanted them, so I don't like some parts of this chapter but trying rewriting them made them worse.
But overall I'm happy with the chapter as I finally have them were I need them.
I'm still undecided about Suzakus future. You can of course share your preference but I can't promise anything.
I want to thank you all for reading and especially those that put me on Follow/Favorite! I know that this pairing doesn't have a lot of fans so every view and especially the Favs/Follows were doubly appreciated!
The biggest thanks is of course for Shiranai Atsune for giving me my one review! It's more than I thought I would get XD
Until next time!