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Epilogue:

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It was a year after the battle with Schneizel and in celebration of that event, Lelouch held a ball. Or to be more truthful, he had to hold a ball. He personally didn't like it but it was one of the things expected of him.

Since the battle, the rebuilding of Pendragon was nearly complete and with that in mind he didn't mind too much to hold this gathering in the palace he had lived in since the destruction of their capitol.

Britannia and Pendragon would never again be the same and he didn't mean everything he had changed. The belief and view of many Britannians had been changed irrevocably when Schneizel eradicated the capitol.

His older brother had always been seen as the most likely candidate for the throne after his father and had been well liked by many. His complete disregard for the higher nobles and his siblings when he attacked their city had made many more acceptive of his own policies of peace.

Many were the victims of Schneizel, not only the habitants of Pendragon but aboard the Damocles they had found the body of Cornelia li Britannia, gun wounds indicating that she had been attacked from behind.

With that all the more well known royal children were now dead. Only a few had survived because they hadn't been in Pendragon and those were hardly worth mentioning.

But Schneizels complete disregard for anyone but himself was aiding him in getting the rest of the Britannians on his side, or at least more of them.

He arrived at the ballroom with Gino near him. As the new Knight of One he was his personal bodyguard and was never far from him, just as he preferred. Even after a year their relationship was still strong. Never would he have thought that his decision to enjoy life a bit more would lead him to find happiness with the blond knight.

But that was exactly what happened and he would never regret it or change it.

Stopping at the top of the stairs he addressed the gathered people who were looking up to him.

"Dear friends, we all know why we have gathered here and I won't hold you up for too long. This last year we have proven that working together can bring peace. The road was not easy and we certainly will encounter more than one roadblock as we travel further.

"But no matter what we will face, I am certain that together we can overcome everything.

"Let us enjoy this evening, for we have all earned it. Because tomorrow we will once again work towards what we believe in. For equality, freedom and for peace!"

With that he raised the flute with champagne into the air that had been given to him beforehand. He took the first sip as the room echoed with the toast of 'for peace'.

The orchestra immediately began to play and with a smile he went down the steps, Gino slightly behind him to his right. At the floor he was met with a happily smiling Nunnally who congratulated him on his speech to which he only scoffed.

"That was the easiest part of today's evening, what follows now will only be bothersome."

"Really, big brother, you should follow your own words sometimes. You too deserve to celebrate and you should try and enjoy this evening."

"I will try."

He bent down to kiss her forehead and she smiled understandingly at him. They had sworn to try and not lie to each other anymore so he had been truthful in saying that he would try and Nunnally accepted that that was all he could do. Because even if they were here to celebrate, the likelihood of talking politics nearly the whole evening was higher than just enjoying the moment.

She had spent the last year getting truly acquainted with the beast that was politics and she was learning fast. She was one of the members of the royal council he had established and she cherished the opportunity to help and learn, to be heard and taken seriously.

The only thing he truly regretted was formally reintroducing her to Kaguya. They hadn't had much interaction with her during their exile but the two had fast become good friends. Kaguya would be able to teach her much about politics but he hated the stories they shared that were more often than not embarrassing for him.

As if she had a radar or something, just the moment he was thinking of her the Japanese girl was bouncing over to them, as energetic as ever.

"Your Majesty! What a wonderful speech, as always. I do so enjoy them."

"Lady Kaguya, nice of you to join us."

"As if I would miss such an event. I'm looking forward to a dance with you, your sister promised me to make sure that you wouldn't escape."

He refrained from rolling his eyes but let a small sigh escape his lips. Ever since that meeting with the Black Knights Kaguya would continuously tease him that she wouldn't get to marry him now that he was no longer Zero. Of course always somewhere others couldn't overhear and in situations like that she would just find other ways to torment him.

"Then I will have to make sure to find time for you."

He could practically feel the laughter the others were suppressing and he shot a glare at his knight, which sadly didn't face the other the slightest.

Kaguya had already bent down to whisper with his sister and Sayoko, always behind Nunnally just took a few steps back to give them privacy. Like Kaguya, their former maid was dressed in traditional Japanese clothing but the elder woman had opted for something a bit more on the comfortable and inconspicuous side.

With a last smile at them he left, preparing himself to go around once and greeting various guests before he had to hit the dance floor.

Kaguya was still working tirelessly for the UFN and he never once regretted given her the job, she was absolutely perfect for it. He knew that it was mostly thanks to her that the alliance between Britannia and the UFN was working as well as it did. Because in the end the UFN couldn't overcome everything Britannia had done in the past and an alliance between them had been the better option.

He saw Xingke at the far end of the room as representative of the Chinese Federation. From what he heard the Tianzi also was slowly but surely learning how to best lead her people and whatever she couldn't handle was left to her trusted advisers, at the head of it Xingke.

The Chinese General seemed to feel his gaze as he turned towards him. They held eye contact for a while before the other bowed slightly to him before going back to observing the room. Aside from Kaguya, Xingke was the one to trust him once again pretty quickly. It helped of course that, while geass was not something anyone easily accepted, he personally was not affected by the things that Schneizel had revealed.

One of the few that had been able to think through all the information he had given them calmly and with an open mind. He knew the other would always keep an eye on him for the safety of his people and the Tianzi but as long as he continued to be somewhat open with his plans and worked towards peace the other was easy to work with.

"So, what do you think? Everything to your liking?"

He turned towards the voice and accepted the kiss to the cheek.

"You outdid yourself, Milly. But I didn't doubt you for a moment."

He had a hard time keeping a calm mask as he saw the revealing dress she was wearing. It was just like her to nearly break the line of what would be considered appropriate. But she knew exactly how far she could push and could handle herself very well should others attack her for it.

While her grandfather was part of his council after he had reinstated their titles of nobility once again, Milly decided to leave her starting career in the media for a place at his side too. She was part of his PR team and manager of the bigger events that had to be organised. While her sense of humour had often been the cause behind many headaches at school she still knew how to throw a party. He hadn't even needed to remind her that Pendragon was not Ashford and no ball or event she oversaw was anything but perfect.

He was glad to have two people with him that had been there for him over the years and knew so much about him. Sure, cancelling his fathers geass and explaining everything to them hadn't been easy but well worth it in the end.

He had always respected Ruben Ashford. Despite losing everything after Marianne's death he had had the foresight to make sure they wouldn't be completely ruined and had built something from nothing. He still oversaw the happenings of Ashford Academy, that now allowed anyone in but he did more good work at the council.

Rivalz had after graduation gone to university while Nina had surprised him and stayed in Britannia, working with Lloyd and Cecile.

"You do remember that you promised me at least one dance, right?"

"As If I would be suicidal enough to not follow your orders, Madame President."

The teasing came easy now and she just laughed at him, before going back to her duties, overseeing that everything ran smoothly. He was happy that she had agreed to come work with him. Seeing her reminded him every time that there were people who cared for him as himself. These were the ones important to him, for whom he had tried to built a better world and would continue to do so.

He could see others getting ready to approach him now, the ones that weren't as close to him and he readied himself to engage in silly conversation and people trying to gain favour with him.

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"I hate that I lost the bet with Kaguya."

Lelouch chuckled at the indignant face Kallen was making even as she easily followed his lead into a twirl on the dancefloor.

"I don't know, it's nice to see you in a dress for once."

"I would feel more comfortable with my uniform."

He didn't let the glare she sent him dampen his good mood. He had finally escaped the nobles vying for his attention and was now dancing with his various female friends.

"Enjoy the change and the evening. You will soon enough be back in your normal attire. And it surely would look strange if we danced with you wearing your uniform."

"But more fitting for you."

He accepted the hint on his relationship with Gino easily. There wasn't any heat behind it anymore after she had accepted the both of them together.

Kallen had surprised them all the most.

After everything had settled and Britannia and the UFN became allies she had told the Black Knights that she would drop out and would ask for a spot on the Knights of Rounds instead.

To say that that had brought quite a commotion to the Black Knights had been an understatement but she had resolutely stayed with her decision. For the longest time her loyalty hadn't been to the Black Knights but to him personally and now that it was clear that he was still working towards a good goal she was adamant that she wanted to return to his services.

Working something out for her had not been easy.

It would have looked bad should the ace of the Black Knights suddenly and without apparent reason decide to join the new emperor. But in the end, they found the perfect solution, especially because Kaguya had supported her.

Kallen had taken up the post always meant for her. The Knight of Zero.

He had proclaimed that he had been inspired by the deceased rebel leader and while Suzaku Kururugi had brought dishonour to the title he was sure that she would be able to fill it with pride.

Officially she was still a member of the Black Knights and worked therefore for the UFN. She was there to oversee that Britannia and its new emperor stayed on the path towards peace. If the UFN needed her in battle she was expected to follow their orders while it was her decision if she wanted to fight for Britannia should something or someone threaten the empire.

It had taken the right wording and some official documents but in the end they managed to grant her her wish. The only thing he had demanded of her was that she graduated, not wanting her to not have papers should she at some point in her life decide that she wanted to go to university or get a different job.

So while working simultaneously for him and the UFN she studied hard to pass her exams and the day she had her certificate she slammed it on his desk with the words, 'There, I'm done. I finished school, now let me get back to my duties.' Then she had turned around and left his office once again to do just that. Really, one should always be careful with Kallen and her temper.

He hadn't been able to keep their promise of going back to Ashford with her but he too had been badgered by Ruben to take his exams and so he had made sure that Kallen did the same.

Anya Alstreim had, after coming to terms what his mother had done to her, gone back to Ashford to enjoy being a student and he had promised her that a spot on the rounds was always open to her if she wanted it again. For now she was happy to experience life as it should have been without Marianne occupying her head.

Jeremiah on the other hand had declined a spot on the Rounds and was now in charge of the military.

He and Gino were slowly trying to fill all the empty spots on the Rounds but weren't in a hurry. They had found two aces amongst the former numbers that had already partaken in the battle against Schneizel and had proven their loyalty there.

"Do you miss it sometimes? Your former role, Ashford and everything else?"

He was taken out of his thoughts by Kallens question and was happy to note that the music had slowed down so that his inattention hadn't been seen as they had leisurely been moving around, Kallen directing them more than himself.

"Sometimes more and sometimes less. I wouldn't have ever envisioned myself in this place, leading this empire. While there are many things I will regret the rest of my life that doesn't mean that I can't appreciate the here and now. I still managed to keep my promise and while I now see how many mistakes I have made I can't change them. I accept the responsibility for them but will keep on working towards a better world.

"I'm not sure if I deserve it, for I have done many things I'm not proud of, but for as long as I live I want to try and learn from them and keep going."

Kallen leant forwards until her head rested on his shoulder and he had to hide the surprise this action made him feel.

"You do deserve to live and enjoy the peace you brought. Never doubt that and if you forget it I will remind you, forcefully if I have to."

Despite saying it softly he could hear the sincerity and determination in her voice.

"Message received."

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The ball was coming to an end and he had withdrawn to a shadowy corner, hoping to escape the last guest while also staying for a bit longer. He watched Nunnally laughing with Milly and Kallen and smiled at the happiness he could see on her face.

He smiled in content when Gino leaned against the wall beside him. He had left for a time to clear a path to their rooms so that he wouldn't be approached again.

"Are you happy?"

Lelouch only nodded as answer, the smile never leaving his face as he drew slightly nearer to his knight and lover, brushing slightly against him.

Together, and following the suggestions of Lelouch, the UFN and Britannia had managed to free most areas with as little bloodshed as possible and Britannia helped in the rebuilt of many of them. Treaties were signed and fair trade was promised. Some of these countries joined the UFN some went back to the nearly destroyed EU, building it back up.

Lelouch knew that peace wouldn't reign indefinitely and opposition and problems would always rise. But for now, after the scare the Damocles had brought to the people, it was a time were everyone worked together. He hoped that between the UFN, the EU and Britannia they would manage to at least prevent someone like his father from rising again.

While he may hate it, balls like these were important, showing the world that they were working together and reminding them of what happened in the past.

"Ready to retire?"

"More than ready."

Lelouch threw a smirk at the younger before leaving his little hidey-hole to say goodnight to the others.

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Gino closed the door to the bedroom and couldn't contain a smile as Lelouch sighed and started to loose the many layers of his clothing, draping them over the back of the couch.

While he looked most magnificent, Gino knew that Lelouch enjoyed nothing more than to slip into more comfortable clothes once in the privacy of his quarters. Of course he also quite enjoyed the show despite it being not meant as enticing he still loved to see the true Lelouch emerge, watching as the emperor shed his mask and became simple Lelouch again. Sure there was nothing 'simple' about him but here in this rooms he still was his truer self.

When Lelouch had divested himself of most clothing, leaving him in a normal shirt and his trousers he flopped down elegantly on his favourite armchair, leaning his had back and closing his eyes.

"I swear those things are more tiring than any battle."

"That's because you enjoy defeating people more than charming them, even if you're good at both. You had them wrapped around your finger the whole evening."

Lelouch only gestured around with his hand in a motion of 'Yes Yes'

He pushed away from the wall he had leaned against to enjoy the show and also took off same layers. He stopped behind the armchair running his fingers through the silky strands gaining an appreciative sigh from the other. They had fast discovered that they both had a soft spot for that. It was the one thing that got an instant reaction out of Lelouch.

"Come, let's go to sleep."

He felt the shake of the head more than he saw it.

"No there's something I want to do before that."

Gino was quite surprised, he knew Lelouch was exhausted and he would have to work the next day, despite the late hour.

He watched as the emperor went to his private Laptop that never left these quarters. He hoped he only wanted to write something short or look something up, he would certainly not allow Lelouch to cut back on sleep even more.

When the first notes of a song drifted over to him he looked at Lelouch questionably when he turned in his direction.

"I have danced quite a lot today, but the most important dance, the one I really want, is still missing."

By the time he was finished he was standing in front of him, smiling before extending his hand.

"Care to dance with me, Sir Weinberg?"

"With pleasure, majesty."

Thanks to Millys idiotic ideas of fun, namely the Crossdresser ball, Lelouch was unfortunately accustomed to the steps of the female part. But due to their difference in height anything else would be awkward. Gino easily swept him through the living room, smiling happily down at him which he answered with his own content one.

He had meant what he said earlier, this was the one dance he had really wanted the whole evening. While some dances had been more enjoyable than others, namely with CC, Kaguya or Milly, most had been the obligatory ones with daughters of important families.

At one point when Gino made him swirl he used the relaxed state of the knight and when he came back to face him he changed their grip so that he was leading. Gino only laughed at him and despite it being as awkward as thought they just laughed and danced on. After the next twirl they changed back to their original positions and finished the song in that way.

When the music ended Lelouch drew closer and leant his head against the broad shoulder while they swayed slightly to a non existent rhythm. They stayed like that for a time, arms around each other, enjoying the nearness.

Not surprisingly at one point hands started to wander, knowingly finding sensitive points and the swaying stopped before lips met in a sensual kiss. Both enjoyed languidly kissing each other before Lelouch stopped and stepped back a bit.

"Bed?"

He got a nod in return and they both went to the bedroom, taking turns in the bathroom before settling down into bed next to each other.

Settling down into the arms of Gino he couldn't stop a happy sigh. That he had ended up with a Knight of Britannia was something he would have never believed but here he was, happily lying in the arms of Gino Weinberg. A boy he thought was happily and obliviously following his father but quickly realised that there was more to him than met the eye.

A strong sense of right and wrong and a depth of loyalty to his country seldom found. Following orders he didn't full heartedly believe in in hopes that someday something would change. Trapped in body but free in spirit.

Who would have thought that one small decision could change so much. How much would have changed if he hadn't given Suzaku the choice he had when the Knights of the Round attacked.

He would never regret that decision as it gave him so much more than he had thought possible.

Never had the future looked better and never had he felt more at ease with himself and his path.

He propped himself up once again, smiling down on the other. He didn't want the celebrations to end just yet and with that thought he bend down to once again claim the lips of his knight.

The one knight that had more truly protected him than anyone else beside Kallen. The one with the courage to go against him and protect him from even himself. That had given him back the will to live and enjoy the world once again.

Gino had seen the darkness in his heart and still reached out to him.

He would forever be thankful to the other for that.

Never let it be said that one person can't change anything. For Gino Weinberg surely had changed his life completely.

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BIRTHDAY PRESENT!

Happy Birthday to myself XD

I've done what I promised myself. A multi-chaptered completed Lelouch/Gino! God, I'm happy! Not sure if it turned out better or worse than expected ^_^ A bit of both I think. And my first finished story also, yay!

Like I said this was never meant to be epic so I hope you enjoyed.

For the Lelouch/Gino lovers, if you haven't already please read the end note of chapter 7!

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THANK YOU! To all my dear readers. I am glad to know that this pairing still has a few fans and special thanks to those that read it despite the pairing!

I've got more response than expected and want you to know that I appreciated it very much!

With all of that said, we'll either see each other again when/if I post a new Lelouch/Gino or at my main story if you're reading that too or whatever else I come up with in the future. Once again thank you for reading/supporting and so on.