Lelouch Lamperouge had bonded with C. C., Ashford Academy's newest student, who had autism. Lelouch put more effort than anyone else, in welcoming C. C. and making her feel comfortable. After some awkward tension, Lelouch and C. C. became close allies.

Lelouch had been working hard, to make C. C. come out of her shell. He had been having some progress, especially at the prom. While there, they danced and admitted they loved one another. Weeks after the prom, Lelouch and C. C. still hadn't gone on a date. Due to C. C.'s autism, she felt uncomfortable around anybody. Lelouch was an exception, to a certain extent, but she still felt unready, to hangout with Lelouch, outside of school.

Lelouch had been struggling, to resolve his and C. C.'s awkward tension. He wanted to take her on a date and give her the best possible time. However, he didn't want to risk C. C. losing her confidence and becoming more scared. Lelouch feared that would happen, if he rushed his and C. C.'s relationship. After finishing up his classwork, Lelouch often put his hand on his chin, while wondering what he should do. Should he ask C. C. out, the next time they meet up, or should he wait, for a long period of time?

Lelouch and C. C.'s awkward relationship was put into more peril, thanks to Milly Ashford, the President of the Student Council. Milly was a nosy gossip-lover and she had been spreading rumors, about Lelouch's relationships, for years. Lelouch had gotten tired of it and now that he had a crush on somebody, he feared Milly would tell everybody about it and make C. C.'s anxiety rise.

One morning, Lelouch walked into Ashford Academy. He looked around, for a few minutes, before finding C. C. He walked to her locker and gently said, "Hi C. C."

C. C. shyly replied, "Hi Lelouch."

Lelouch looked at C. C.'s hair. After meeting Lelouch, she had been putting more effort, into brushing her hair. He asked, "May I touch your hair?"

C. C. answered, "I guess."

Lelouch softly rubbed C. C.'s hair, while saying, "Your hair looks more beautiful, than ever before." C. C. didn't respond, due to her autism. She didn't know what to say. She bit on her tongue, while trying to thank Lelouch, but she chickened out.

Lelouch knew how to get C. C. talking. A light smile came upon his face, while asking, "Who's your favorite Batman actor?"

C. C.'s excitement rose, while saying, "Adam West. His wholesome brand of justice, combined with his colorful, unique performance, make him the best Batman there's ever been." She blabbered on, for a long moment. Lelouch felt happy, to hear C. C.'s beautiful voice, for a whole minute.

Lelouch said, "C. C., how have you been doing?"

C. C. kept her head down, while saying, "I've been doing okay, I guess." She took a long pause, before asking, "How are you?"

Lelouch answered, "My life's been getting better, after you became a part of it."

C. C. blushed and started feeling uncomfortable, so she said, "Don't say that kind of stuff."

Lelouch asked, "Why not? I just want you to know, that I love having you around."

C. C. wanted to be flattered and grateful, but her autism was making her feel rough. She said, "Be quiet." Lelouch froze, while not knowing what he should do or say. C. C. instantly regretted the way she worded herself. In a quiet tone of voice, she said, "I'm sorry, for telling you to stop talking. You were being very sweet, as you always are. However, I was being an anti-social jerk, as I always am."

Lelouch gently lifted C. C.'s chin up, while saying, "You're not a jerk. Underneath that fear, is a wonderful lady. C. C., I've never cared about another woman, as much as you."

C. C. avoided eye-contact, while saying, "Thank you, Lelouch. That means a lot to me. I really like you."

Lelouch stuck his arms out and said, "You need a hug, don't you?"

C. C. answered, "I guess." Lelouch gave C. C. a gentle, but passionate hug. C. C. always treasure the feeling, of Lelouch's arms around her. She gave Lelouch a quick kiss, before saying, "We better get to class."

Lelouch replied, "Okay then." He took a pause, before saying, "I love you." C. C. felt so shy, that she didn't say anything. She started walking away. Lelouch didn't feel offended, because he knew C. C. loved him back. However, he knew he had to help C. C., be more open.

During lunchtime, Lelouch sat next to C. C. Lelouch usually sat next to a variety of people, throughout the school week. However, he knew C. C. would always sit by herself, if he didn't swoop in and sit by her. Lelouch's best friend, Suzaku Kururugi, was the only person Lelouch and C. C. trusted, to keep their relationship drama a secret, so they often had lunch with hm.

While eating lunch, Suzaku looked at Lelouch and C. C., while asking, "How have you been doing?" C. C. tried to avoid looking at him, because she felt shy.

Lelouch said, "Things have been going okay. We've had a few problems, but we've been fine."

C. C. said, "Lelouch and I are doing well, I guess." She looked at Lelouch and whispered, "Please excuse me. I need to go powder my nose." She got up and walked out.

Lelouch looked at Suzaku, while saying, "C. C. and I have been bonding, but there's been problems."

Suzaku replied, "If there's anything I could do, to help you guys out, I'd be happy too."

Lelouch said, "I love C. C. There's not a single bone in my body, that could deny that obvious fact. Deep down, I know C. C. feels the same way. We were making progress. Things went great, while at the prom. However, after the prom was over, both of us have been confused, about what to do. I can barely keep a conversation with her, without her wanting to leave. I want to ask her on a date, but I don't know how she'll react."

Suzaku replied, "Lelouch, you've helped C. C. open up, in a lot of ways. She used to hide her face and have lunch in the hallway, but now, she shows off her hair and has lunch with you, on every school day. You're making progress, even if it's slow."

Lelouch took a long pause, before asking, "Should I ask C. C. out?"

Suzaku nodded and answered, "Yes, when you feel ready."

Lelouch replied, "I don't know, when I'll be ready. Maybe I should wait a few weeks, so I can make C. C. feel more comfortable around me."

Suzaku responded, "You should do what makes her and you most comfortable."

C. C. started walking back. She heard Lelouch say, "Nothing makes me feel more comfortable, than having C. C.'s arm wrapped around me."

In a super quiet voice, C. C. whispered, "I feel the same way." C. C.'s whisper was so gentle, that Lelouch failed to hear it.

After school, Lelouch and C. C. had a Student Council meeting. They walked inside and sat by one another, as they always did. Suzaku came in and sat on the other side of Lelouch. Shirley Fenette used to sit by Lelouch, but ever since he started hanging around C. C., Shirley suspected Lelouch and C. C. were in a relationship. Because of that, she started sitting away.

Milly Ashford came inside and started talking about her normal group activities. She also made a bunch of corny teases and jokes, which Lelouch wasn't amused by. After the serious topic had been discussed, Milly said, "Fellow Student Council members, I believe you should know there's been a secret romance, that's been right under our noses."

Kallen Kozuki looked at Milly, while asking, "What are you talking about, President Ashford?"

Milly answered, "Two of our council members have been secretly loving one another. As Ashford Academy's master of gossip, I figured it out."

Rivalz stood around and replied, "It's time, that the truth comes out. I like Milly!" He grabbed a megaphone and kept repeating himself.

Milly rolled her eyes and responded, "I wasn't talking about you." C. C. got up and walked out. Lelouch followed her.

After Lelouch and C. C. left the room and went into the hallway, their friends sat around, while not understanding the situation. Milly went into the hallway and confronted them. C. C. was feeling a lot of pressure and anxiety, so she said, "Leave us alone! Go away!" She paused and put her hand over her face, while saying, "I'm sorry, Milly. I shouldn't of screamed."

Lelouch put his hand on C. C.'s shoulder, while looking at Milly, and saying, "You love gossip so much, that you're willing to humiliate C. C., in front of the entire Student Council? You should be ashamed of yourself. You know C. C. has autism."

Milly replied, "I also know you two have been in a relationship, which you've been hiding. However, I saw how close you two were, at the prom. Plus, you've been spending as much quality time, as possible, during the past few weeks."

C. C. said, "Lelouch and I like one another, which is something you shouldn't be focusing on."

Milly paced around Lelouch and C. C., while saying, "I'm trying to help you."

Lelouch raised an eyebrow, while asking, "How does embarrassing us, count as helping?"

Milly failed to answer Lelouch's question. She was often more nosy, than helpful, which is something she knew, but didn't admit. She said, "So, are you two dating?"

Lelouch answered, "We haven't been on a real date."

Milly put her arm around Lelouch and C. C., while saying, "Come on, you denial lovers. Start dating. Be honest, be free. The Student Council room is a very open-minded place. You can make-out in there, for all I care."

C. C. felt flustered, so she asked, "Will you shut up?!"

Lelouch looked at Milly, while saying, "Stop focusing on business, that isn't about you."

Milly sighed and replied, "You guys are about as stubborn, as anybody could ever be."

After Milly walked away, Lelouch looked at C. C., who had a tear coming down her eye. He put her arm around her, while asking, "What's wrong?"

C. C. answered, "I can't keep a conversation going. I demand people stop talking, when they ask valid questions, because everything makes me feel shy." She started sitting on the hallway's floor, while saying, "I'm the worst. I'm worthless. I'm just a panicky jerk, who can't show attention or respect, to anybody."

Lelouch replied, "That's not true. I wouldn't hang around you, if I didn't enjoy your company."

C. C. responded, "You can be honest around me, Lelouch. If you just comfort me, because you're a sweet-hearted gentleman, who feels bad for me, tell me."

Lelouch replied, "I initially hung around you, for that reason. However, my time with you became personal. I don't just want to help you, because I'm a nice guy. I want to help you, because you're the love of my life."

C. C. avoided eye-contact, while saying, "That's impossible. How could anybody long someone, as anti-social and distant, as me?"

Lelouch had C. C. look at him, while saying, "Give me a chance, to prove my love for you. Please don't look away." Lelouch started reaching in, for a kiss. C. C.'s lips nervously twitched, before letting Lelouch kiss her. Before that moment, Lelouch and C. C. had given one another brief kisses, that barely lasted a few seconds. This kiss lasted twenty-seconds. Lelouch's lips felt gentle and soft, but they also felt passionate and romantic.

After the kiss was over, Lelouch said, "C. C., I hope you believe me."

C. C. replied, "I trust you, more than anybody."

Lelouch said, "C. C., I want to go on a date with you, this Friday."

C. C. felt shy and scared, but she replied, "Okay then, I guess."

Lelouch said, "There's a nice restaurant, that's close to your house. I'll pick you up and take you there."

C. C. asked, "What should I wear?"

Lelouch answered, "Anything you want. You could even wear a Professor Bubbles costume, if you wanted to." C. C. couldn't resist smiling. She was always charmed, by Lelouch making obscure references, that only she understood. She remembered Professor Bubbles, from the fifth episode, of the 1977 Batman animated show.

A few days later, C. C. paced around her bedroom, while wondering what she should wear on her first date. She considered wearing a fancy dress, but she feared it would make her stand out. She figured she should wear something casual and plain, to avoid getting attention. She put on a green t-shirt and a blue skirt. She posed in the mirror. She never had much confidence, in how she looked. Before meeting Lelouch, she would often stare at the mirror, while frowning at the ugliness, that she felt was inside of her.

A few minutes later, Lelouch knocked on the door. C. C. walked to the door and opened it. Lelouch was wearing a blue tuxedo. C. C. sighed and said, "You look so much nicer, than I do. I should change."

Lelouch replied, "C. C., I want you to wear what makes you feel comfortable. Don't worry about trying to be like me. Be yourself."

C. C. responded, "Okay then." She grabbed her purse and put on a jacket. Lelouch offered to hold her hand. C. C. felt shy, before holding Lelouch's hand.

The restaurant was only a few blocks away, so Lelouch and C. C. walked there. While walking, they made a casual conversation. They didn't talk about anything too deep or personal, because of how reluctant C. C. was, to have a personal conversation.

After getting inside, Lelouch and C. C. sat down. A slobbishly-dressed waiter put menus on the table. He looked at C. C. and said, "Your outfit looks like crap." C. C. didn't say anything, while the waiter scowled and walked away.

Lelouch looked at C. C. and said, "I can complain to the manager, if you want."

C. C. replied, "No, it's not worth the effort."

Lelouch looked at C. C. while saying, "You look beautiful and your outfit may be normal, but it looks really nice."

C. C. replied, "Yeah right. I look mediocre."

The rude waiter returned and asked, "What do you want to drink?"

Lelouch answered, "I'll have a glass of water."

C. C. softly said, "I'll just have some milk."

The waiter replied, "There's a thing called speaking up, which you fail at."

Lelouch looked ticked-off, while saying, "There's a thing called being nice, which you fail at."

The waiter said, "Your girlfriend doesn't know how to speak, at a hearable volume."

Lelouch replied, "She has autism, so give her a break."

The waiter said, "Autism? That's just a term, for wimps, who can't do or say anything."

Lelouch replied, "Grow up, you jerk."

The waiter had an amused look on his face, while asking, "You're telling me to grow up? You have a girlfriend, who can't even order a drink, without hiding under a rock. If anybody needs to grow up, it's her. She probably doesn't even hug you, because she's a scaredy cat." He spat in a glass of water, before handing it to Lelouch, and saying, "I'd recommend getting drunk. It's the only way you could survive, with an autistic girlfriend."

Lelouch shook his fist at the waiter, while saying, "I'm never going here again. Get your manager in here, right now." The waiter shook his head.

The manager heard lots of tension, so he walked by. He was wearing a fancy suit and had a red tie. He asked, "What's going on?"

Lelouch answered, "Your waiter was bullying my girlfriend, because she has autism."

The manager looked at the waiter, while saying, "Apologize or go home."

The waiter replied, "I don't give a crap." He started heading out.

The manager looked at Lelouch and C. C., while feeling terrible, about what had happened. He said, "I'm sorry. The waiter's girlfriend had autism. She broke up with him, because she was too afraid, of getting into a serious relationship. Because of that, I'm afraid he's gained a biased hatred, for people with autism."

Lelouch replied, "Sadly, some people don't give autistic people a chance, even though they can be pretty amazing people." He smiled at C. C., who nervously smiled back.

The manager said, "I'll let you have any dinner you want, at half price."

C. C. replied, "Your offer is generous, but I don't feel comfortable. I'm just going to go." She grabbed her purse and started getting up.

The manager looked at Lelouch, while saying, "I'm so sorry, about what happened."

Lelouch replied, "It's not your fault. You're a good man." Lelouch shook the manager's hand, before following C. C.

Lelouch looked around and saw C. C. sitting on a bench, while tears came down her eyes. Lelouch sat next to her, while saying, "The waiter was an emotionally-confused jerk, so don't listen to him."

C. C. replied, "I'm also an emotionally-confused jerk."

Lelouch responded, "No you're not. You're gentle, sweet, and you may be distant, but you have a big heart."

C. C. said, "Lelouch, you don't know what it feels like. Everyday, I feel scared to do the things, that are easy for others. I can barely step out of my house and wave to people, without wanting to hide. I want to feel alone, but I also feel scared, when nobody else is around. It doesn't make sense."

Lelouch gently rubbed C. C.'s back, while replying, "Everything's going to be okay, C. C."

C. C. responded, "Lelouch, can I tell you something, that I've never told anybody else?"

Lelouch said, "Sure."

C. C. replied, "But you must promise, that you won't joke about it."

Lelouch responded, "C. C., I'm not going to make fun of you. I resisted chuckling, when you said Foodfight! was a good film. I even kept my cool, when you said Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return is best Wizard of Oz film, that there's ever been." He paused and said, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be talking about silly media stuff, while you're dealing with fragile emotions."

C. C. replied, "This emotion is media-related. When Adam West passed away, I cried. There are several celebrities, who I've loved, but he was the only one, who made me cry. I know I never met him, but Batman was my hero, as a young girl. Watching the shows and films was one of the few things in life, that made me feel comfortable and happy. My hero has left." Tears continued pouring down her eyes.

Lelouch responded, "The most important people in our lives never leave our hearts, C. C. His Batman show ended over fifty years ago and to this day, people still remember it. It still makes a positive impact on people's lives and Adam West's Batman will continue to inspire people, forever. His love, for making fans, like yourself, happy is an emotion, that never faded away and it never will. Similar to that, my love for you is going to last, forever and ever."

C. C. gave Lelouch a long, loving hug, while saying, "Thank you. I'll never forget how his Batman has inspired me, just like how I'll never forget, how much you mean to me. I've taken you for granted, Lelouch."

Lelouch shook his head and replied, "No you haven't You've been a loving, caring person, despite how subtle you are."

C. C. responded, "Lelouch, I'm honored, that I'm the love of your life." She paused, while trying to get some courage. After a long, awkward moment, she said, "You're the love of my life." C. C.'s sad tears started becoming happy tears. She finally got the courage, to give Lelouch a longer kiss. She and Lelouch treasured every second.

Lelouch walked C. C. home, while holding her hand. After they got to C. C.'s house, C. C. said, "Despite all the drama and had anxiety, I had a wonderful time with you, Lelouch. You said a lot of things, that I needed to hear."

Lelouch pulled a present, out of his jacket, and sad, "This is for you, honey."

C. C. opened it and saw that it was a drawing Lelouch made, of Adam West's Batman boxing Frank Gorshin's Riddler. C. C. looked at the drawing, while saying, "I miss you, my hero, but you'll be with me, in the dearest part of my heart." She blew a kiss towards the sky, while saying, "Keep Gotham safe, Batman."

Lelouch gave C. C. a long hug, before saying, "I'm always going to be here for you, C. C."

C. C. asked, "Do you promise?" Lelouch nodded. C. C. kissed him and said, "Then I plan on being with you, forever."

After Lelouch and C. C. gave one another a bunch of goodbyes, they both knew they didn't want this night to end. However, they also knew they had to get to sleep. C. C. said, "Goodbye, my love. Thank you for everything, Lelouch."

Lelouch gave C. C. another kiss, while saying, "Goodnight, C. C."

Lelouch started walking away, but C. C. started getting some courage, so she asked, "Will you call me, when you get home?"

Lelouch turned around, smiled, and said, "You bet I will." C. C. grinned. Although she had the pain of autism, she knew Lelouch would be there for her. She went inside and started getting ready for bed.

C. C. waited several minutes, for Lelouch to call. After a long wait, she started feeling nervous. Suddenly, her phone started ringing. She picked it up and started talking to Lelouch, while laying down. Thanks to Lelouch, she knew she wouldn't have to worry about being unloved. She blushed, while a bat flew into her window. For C. C., it was like an omen and a reminder, that her hero would always be with her and so would Lelouch, the love of her life.