And here we are, finally at the end. I wanted to take some extra time to make sure I was settled on this before posting, also special "last updated" date. ;] Won't hold you up here long. I hope it doesn't disappoint! It's been a sort of haphazard fic but I have put a lot of effort into taming this thing…

"Back then Nunnally, Suzaku and I talked about what kind of object we thought happiness would be. If I'm not mistaken, I think it was Suzaku who said that the shape of happiness might resemble glass. His reasoning made sense. He said that even though you don't usually notice it, it is definitely there, you merely need to change your point of view slightly, and that glass will sparkle whenever it reflects the light. I doubt that anything else can argue its own existence more eloquently." –Lelouch, R2 Turn 7

•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-11

Ambiguous

Re;

September 2021

Aries Imperial Villa, Britannia

Lelouch wakes to poking little fingers.

They touch his cheek with an accompaniment of poorly-stifled giggles bouncing against his ear, drawing him further up to the surface of consciousness. Sunlight is boldly reaching into the room to touch his eyes through half-parted red velvet curtains and he stirs in defiance. He's nestled in the fluffy folds of the honey blankets and silken sheets that are sprawled over the massive king bed and he's perfectly content to be consumed by all this soft luxury just like Arthur still snoozing on the corner.

Little fingers are not content for such.

Nor is the small, bouncing body attached to them.

Lelouch stirs, feeling the structure for his sound and pleasant slumber being shaken by a pair of small hands grabbing his shoulder—

"Papa~!" But it is the loud call the toddler that cracks his stubborn, sleepy smog.

Lelouch winces at the shout and briefly peeks just enough through the fan of dusty lashes to see a young pair of sparkling aqua eyes widely staring at him under a mop of messy dark brown hair. The sunlight is too bright and he retreats behind closed eyelids but not without blindly placing a hand somewhere on this energetic young body to make it still.

"Hmm… what's this?" Lelouch partially-pretends to sleepily mumble, rubbing his hand over the child's face before shifting under the cloud of blankets to rest his head on the boy's belly, earning him some wiggling. "It's not very comfortable…" Lelouch begins to poke sensitive sides as if to fluff a pillow, releasing more laughter into the air. "It's much too noisy, whatever it is. Maybe there's an off switch or something…" Lelouch lifts his head and searches for an imaginary switch with fingers lightly tickling the squirming little body.

Only when the boy becomes a fountain of giggles and cries for mercy does Lelouch relent.

"Now, why are you here, small fry?" he asks, rolling onto his back with a tired puff.

"Mama," Genbu replies with pep, sitting upright.

"I see… Well, go tell mama his monster has been wakened."

"No." Genbu shakes his head and tugs on Lelouch's blue silk pajama shirt. "Mama said bring you."

"Did he now?" Lelouch mutters, peeking again at a chipper Genbu who's unblinkingly gazing at him. Far too awake. "Well, I guess that means you won't be returning anytime soon," he says with a sly smile, rolling over onto the boy. "You're boney for a pillow, but I think I can overlook that."

He snuggles into Genbu's stomach again, much to the boy's dismay who boils over with laughter, pushing on his father's head and huffs indignantly.

"Papa heavy!"

Lelouch smiles but doesn't move. "Perhaps next time you should tell mama that he should do his own dirty work."

"I don't think you'd like it if mama did his own dirty work," comes the rather cheeky reply from Suzaku at the threshold on the other side of the spacious and ornate room.

Lelouch hums, unmoving. "I'm the Emperor. I can sleep in if I want to."

"On any other day," Suzaku says, appearing at the bedside with an amused grin. "But we have to leave for an important trip, and you know that." He nudges Lelouch to free the small fry trapped under him.

Lelouch grumbles, pulling the covers over his head—

That Suzaku promptly yanks away, unveiling a withering, violet glare – as well as sending Arthur off the bed into a disgruntled grumble.

"Don't be so difficult, Your Majesty, it's not that early," Suzaku chides, gathering up vibrant little boy into his arms. "If you get up now you'll still have time to shower."

"All by myself?" Lelouch fakes a pout.

"I think you can manage," Suzaku dryly denies. "Now hurry up. Genbu is hungry so don't keep him waiting. Right?"

"Bakefest!" the little boy happily attempts to say breakfast.

Lelouch groans a little at the shameless usage of their son against him but still slowly hauls himself to at least sit up in bed.

"Coffee," the Britannian noble demands with a groggy rub of his face.

"Already percolating," Suzaku smugly announces before turning and leaving – so very satisfied his job is done.

The fact that he even knows the word percolate is the real accomplishment.

•-•

On the ground floor in an open, country-modern kitchen with dark brown cabinets and brassy fixtures Lelouch is tying his trusty apron around his waist to protect his very royal jammies.

"Alright, then," Lelouch begins, looking to the baby docked in his high chair at the speckled-white granite island in the center of the room. "What does small fry want for breakfast?"

Genbu's large eyes shimmer and he reaches into the air with grabby fingers, "Cake!"

"That's not a breakfast food," Lelouch smiles with amusement.

"Cake! Cake!" Genbu happily exclaims again, slapping the table of his high chair.

"This is why you don't ask a three-year-old what he wants for breakfast," Suzaku lightly jokes from the baby's side.

Lelouch's eyebrow lifts at the brunet quietly cooing their son. "I can accommodate." He smiles and tousles his son's head with a ringed hand. "Chocolate-chip pancakes it is."

"Cakes!" Genbu giggles happily.

But Suzaku frowns. "Lelouch, that's not really a breakfast."

"In some parts of the country it is," Lelouch confidently counters as he turns to the stovetop and places a flat pan on a heating electric burner and gathers needed ingredients to make the batter.

"You might as well feed him actual cake, then," Suzaku lightly grouses.

"We have fruit to go with it." Lelouch pours scoops and dashes of dry ingredients into a clear, large bowl.

Suzaku sighs. "Feeding him all that sugar when you know he's going to be stuck on a plane for the next, what, 13 hours?"

"At least you won't be bored. I plan on napping, so, he'll be all yours," Lelouch lets the crack of an egg punctuate his dry serve. "Or he might end up just crashing, so, problem solved."

"You're so bad," Suzaku laughs.

Lelouch grins as he whisks the ingredients together in front of the baby who watches in happy amazement – he likes spoiling his son from time to time, especially when he's able to prepare their meals.

To say that Lelouch vi Britannia is a "non-traditional" Emperor is putting it mildly but it suits him just fine. Seems to rather suit the world, too. The Britannian nation, however… are learning to adjust. The fact that Lelouch vi Britannia will be the first emperor or empress in easily a century to not reside in the royal palace at the heart of the nation's capital is but the tip of the mountain. In different circumstances, Lelouch might have moved right in and made it his, but based upon experience such a large impersonal building is no place to live. Not in any private way like he and Suzaku prefer for themselves or raising a family. So they reclaimed what was once Lelouch's childhood home – although it almost didn't really feel like home anymore and not just because it had been abandoned and neglected. These walls used to mean something different when he was an abandoned ten-year-old in a foreign land. It used to mean home but on the bones of lies, he's built his own truth. Lelouch essentially gutted the ancient villa down to its skeleton and then rebuilt it with Suzaku – out with the old, in with the new. Marianne had a minimalist taste with a French flare indoors so it wasn't all too difficult to transform the living spaces into something unrecognizable. Her neglected sprawling gardens weren't quite recreated or replaced, but are still tended. Lelouch doesn't seem to feel the same way about any of it anymore, but flowers always made Nunnally happy and now small fry as well. Safety is the utmost priority for Lelouch and this villa offers a smaller area to secure and survey than any opulent, expansive palace ever could with its revolving door of visitors as well as disgruntled extended family.

That's a tree that desperately needed some pruning and Lelouch was more than happy to do it.

It was easy for Lelouch to Geass his way into the heir apparent and sweep Charles out of the way. The harder part was disabling the rest of the royal roost. Unsurprisingly, former Crown Prince Odysseus wasn't all that heartbroken to have the title taken from him as he was never eager to become emperor – dreaded it, in fact – and he practically jumped aside in relief that somebody else was taking his place. Odysseus is a harmless airhead without any ambition so it's rather amazing that he lasted as long as he did. In truth, Schneizel was Lelouch's biggest rival for the throne and he'd already been dealt with – that bastard is rather more useful alive than dead, Lelouch is loath to admit.

Life has changed, for everyone, and for Lelouch it still doesn't feel normal yet. His sense of time can be "it was only yesterday when" but yesterday is now a long three(ish) years ago. Meals like this with the seahorse and small fry are important (although preferably not too early in the morning…); they make him feel like his normal self.

He also enjoys it of course.

They huddle at the island eating pancakes – or from the parental perspective, just trying to keep Genbu from completely coating himself in syrup. Suzaku feeds their son a bite, Lelouch wipes away the sticky from his mouth. –Cue the warm and fuzzy montage of laughter and heart-shaped bubbles under a hazy-glam filter. They're picture-perfect – even if in the end neither Lelouch nor Suzaku gained any answers about their child. Lelouch supposes it doesn't matter. He's their healthy, happy baby boy – normal, by all accounts. Little Genbu is perfect. The most perfect baby to ever exist (Nunnally excluded).

And what a sight they make as the royal family; a "usurping" reject from the wild and his foreign monkey of a paramour. With a mixed-blood baby out of underage wedlock. A lot of questions there are hard to answer, not that Lelouch cared to provide them. Their personal business is just that: personal. Lelouch knows he probably can't keep his "home" and "work" lives separate forever, as they are essentially the same thing under the crown, but he will never stop protecting his family. His real family.

Lelouch will crack the planet open and release Hell itself before he lets anything happen to anyone he cares about.

•-•

In the dressing room, Lelouch is donning his regal white layers alone, assembling with perfection in front of a trio of full-length mirrors. He's pulling on the long-sleeve, plain white robe, sliding it over a patchy red scar on the back of his right shoulder blade. His amethyst eyes linger on the matching scar still red on his chest.

Suffice to say, Lelouch survived the shot. Despite the old verbiage weapons haven't used shelled bullets or gunpowder since the discovery of sakuradite, but the energy blast of a today's weaponry is no less damaging. Probably more efficient. The shot that hit Lelouch three years ago pierced through under his collar bone and out the back of shoulder like a focused beam of a solar flare. It broke bone, severed skin and spilled blood but most importantly if the shot had hit the other side of his chest it likely would've pierced his heart.

"Are you sure you want to wear this?" Suzaku suddenly asks from behind. "Kind of formal, isn't it?"

"Not all traditions are bad," Lelouch quickly closes his shirt, hiding away the scar and secures the buttons. A red-threaded ring on his finger glints in the reflection. "There's no harm in looking sophisticated and presentable." And not like a sloppy loafer.

Suzaku half-grins a little as his reflection steps closer, "No, but we'll just be sitting on the plane for a long time. Will that be comfortable?"

"I'm not a child. You don't need to ask me such questions," Lelouch haughtily utters. In other words: it's comfortable enough, stop being a nag. He pulls on the chest piece with the fierce ruby eye, winged and center on the front, letting Suzaku be useful by zipping up the back of it.

"Consider it practice," Suzaku grinningly replies.

Lelouch noncommittally hums, disregarding the seahorse's reflection when he tops himself off with his white emperor cap—

A face that purses as if Suzaku bit into a lemon. "You're not really going to wear the… that hat, are you?"

…What's with that tone coming out of that expression?

"It's all part of the ensemble," Lelouch loftily defends with a checking look of himself with dignity and grace. "It's meant to be worn all together as one." He doesn't see what's so wrong about it that it warrants such a sour pucker of Suzaku's face.

Suzaku wears a mocking smile and pats Lelouch's shoulder, "…If you say so."

Seriously.

What's wrong with the hat?

•-•

After a few phone calls and villa staff meeting Lelouch enters the lawn of the garden all presentable like to join Suzaku who is also dressed in his formal Knight uniform… and unfortunately, it's looking like Suzaku might have to be the one knocked into the cracked earth. The Knight is playfully tossing baby Genbu into the air then catching him only to toss him up again.

Tossing him!

Like a toy!

Lelouch does not approve – a major understatement.

Up—

He marches onto the scene, "What do you think you're doing?"

—Down—

"Playing with the baby," Suzaku answers simply with a smile. "Working off some of that sugar."

—Up—

"I don't think you should be playing with the baby this way." Never mind how much the little boy loves it, as his rampant giggling indicates.

—Down—

"Why?"

—Up—

"Why?" Lelouch echoes irately, calling Suzaku an idiot without saying the word. "What if you drop him?!"

—Down—

"I'm not gonna drop him," Suzaku flippantly says – as if he isn't hurling their precious baby boy into the air and into gravity's mercy!

—Up—

"But what if you do?!"

—Down—

"I said I won't so I'm not." –Truly flawless logic.

—Up—

Lelouch huffs, "Just stop. I think that's enough."

—Down—

"What, you don't trust me?" –Says the man hoisting an infant into the air!

Lelouch looks him over slowly, as if the answer isn't obvious enough. "No."

"Well, I trust me," Suzaku is grinning widely, looking to the baby, "and Genbu trusts me, don't you?"

"Up!" Genbu happily demands, his little hands gesturing to the big, blue sky above him.

Suzaku laughs, "I'll take that as a yes," and is about to hoist Genbu up again before Lelouch flails to reach the baby—

"I said stop!"

Suzaku moves Genbu out of Lelouch's reach, "Come on, I won't let anything happen."

"Give me the baby!" Lelouch demands, but every time he reaches for said fragile little being Suzaku swiftly moves him away. "Don't play keep-away with the baby!" Lelouch indignantly commands, finally grabbing the boy when Suzaku lets him go with a simper.

"You worry too much," he playfully gibes.

"You don't worry enough." Lelouch is scowling fiercely as he adjusts Genbu's tiny short-suit and attempts to dust off the stupidity that might have fallen onto the baby from Suzaku. Universe knows he already has to fight the dumb he might've inherited from Suzaku's genes.

•-

-•

Tokyo, Japan

Kururugi Shrine

13 hours later (or whatever) and it's past noon of the next day (stupid jet-lag) when they arrive on the island nation of Japan that was once shackled like so many others with a dehumanized number identity. Mere years won't salve the wounds as the damage of former Britannia was extensive but Lelouch doing what he can to help heal what will be another scar in history.

Another lesson that shouldn't have repeated, much less taught in the first place.

The former Viceroy building has been repurposed and Britannia has an embassy there but it's Suzaku's once-abandoned childhood home that will house them for their stay – the place of origin for the most famous couple in the world. Tohdoh has resided in the old compound all through its renovations that Lelouch aided in funding. It looks much like it did, on the outside, even if still different through Lelouch's older eyes. The classic red arch has certainly been restored to its glory and the grounds have been sculpted into lush lawns and shrubs rather than overgrown brush. It's very informal for the Britannian emperor to be staying in this pedestrian place during his visit but Lelouch's real concern is how this return might affect Suzaku. They haven't been back since their… confrontation years ago and much about it has changed.

As the primary habitant and caretaker, Tohdoh greets them looking all stoic like usual, with Kaguya, Suzaku's somewhat estranged cousin of some repute. Hailing from his mother's side of the family, she's tied to Kyoto and quite the Zero supporter – Lelouch's interactions with her post-Zone, however, were quite limited. She greets them with a poised bow promptly followed by a rather glomping hug on Suzaku. Considering Lelouch heard that Suzaku used to throw rocks at her when they were kids, this is a vast improvement. Lelouch is holding small fry so a quick handshake will have to do for his older comrade and younger fan, although that's really preferable to hugging anyway. When they enter the house, though, a big pink surprise is unafraid to glomp onto him despite his infant shield.

"I'm so happy to see you!" Euphemia joyously proclaims, hooking right around Lelouch's neck even though he tried to back-step away from her. "It's really been too long!"

She really lets herself be excessively informal outside of work…

"We speak often," Lelouch mutters. "Even just before I left on the flight."

"But not face-to-face in the same room." She pulls back and pinches his cheeks, knowing he can't swat her away because of precious Genbu in his arms. "Spoil-sport."

Lelouch is pretty sure she's not using that insult properly. And if she were anybody else he'd probably kick a shin. Instead, he grumbles like a reluctant cat restraining shredding claws and she giggles with delight before Suzaku steps in for his hug, but that's too little, too late. He's the Emperor's Knight, he's supposed to be taking all the bullets.

So to speak…

"And my favorite nephew!" Euphemia happily says, already reaching to snatch up another little bundle of happy.

Note that Genbu is not her only nephew.

"He's growing so fast!" she bounces him a little on her hip and he quite happily grabs at her abundant pink hair.

"And he's in a bit of a grabby phase, so you might want to be mindful of your dangle earrings," Lelouch cautions with a smirk and straights Genbu's crumpled clothes.

Euphemia has a good-natured laugh and Eskimo-kisses her giggling nephew. They haven't seen each other much but she does have an excellent rapport with him – must just be her nature. Not everyone knows how to handle a baby, much less a sprouting toddler.

"Perhaps I could—um, would you like to take them out…?" speaks a mousy voice that Lelouch recognizes before he sees the bespectacled face belonging to it.

"Nina," Lelouch casually greets as he would have on a regular club day – actually kind of forgetting that this is anything but a regular club day.

"Good to see you," she replies, and then stammers, "uh, Your Majesty."

"Friends don't really have to use that title do they?" Suzaku slyly asks.

"There's nothing wrong with a little formality," Lelouch deadpans. He is still really not a fan of cheeky-Suzaku.

"So you've said," replies the brunet with a most unwelcome grin.

Euphemia laughs, leaning her head so that Nina's fingers can delicately unhook her hanging earrings of little florets.

Nina would be one of those people that doesn't know how to handle a baby. But she also doesn't, or didn't, know how to handle other people in general. She's been working closely with Euphemia since… about when Lelouch shed Zero's mask in favor or a crown. Nina has made some improvements, learned to unlearn what a former Britannia taught her. Euphemia is a good influence and they appear to have formed a close friendship. Milly, of course, likes to speculate that there's more than friendship between them but it's really not Lelouch's business, or anybody's. ((And it's not like he has a complete an utter mental block on any such thoughts concerning in his sister. ((Nope. Not denial.))))

"Your Majesty, it's my honor to welcome you to our home," Tohdoh takes his moment to formally welcome with a traditional Japanese bow that, frankly, Lelouch's Britannian subjects could learn from if not employ. "I hope you will enjoy your stay here."

"I feel very welcomed, thank you," Lelouch says with a subtly sardonic tone searing from his smirking lips. It's the most welcoming greeting he's ever received coming to this Shrine. First time was as a foreign hostage child. Second in confrontation with Suzaku. Perhaps third time really is the charm on this one.

Tohdoh nods. Then their attention is directed to Suzaku re-familiarizing with his younger cousin all while little Genbu is getting lots of affectionate attention from his aunties.

Quit the different welcoming indeed.

•-•

"So you've handled the rest of the defectors?" Tohdoh asks across from the table in a tea room. "So quickly?"

"They were frantic, desperate, and not as well organized as they could've been," Lelouch answers (feeling so very adult in this adult conversation unlike with his husband and sister earlier.)

Tohdoh hums, "All flash, no substance."

"In a manner of speaking." Lelouch smirks – oh, there were plenty of big bangs happening. "Considering it took more than seven years for Japan to win back its freedom, I can understand your disbelief."

"It isn't disbelief…" the old, somewhat retired commander says, sounding as though there's a skeptical contradiction left unsaid. "Although some of your allies within the empire are surprising." No avoidance of stepping on toes here when Tohdoh blatantly eyes the tall, orange-eyed Britannian guard standing behind the seated Emperor and Knight(-Consort.)

"People can change," is all the stoic Jeremiah replies, although Lelouch detects a hint of sass.

The "Orange" incident is replaying in everyone's mind, Lelouch knows. A defining moment when Zero made his introduction and freed Suzaku through a seeming turncoat officer. The last that was seen of Jeremiah was in the very fight that snatched and saved the JLF from Cornelia's clutches, whereupon he was believed to be KIA. Orange is often spat at Jeremiah with derision but he now wears it as a badge of honor – and he's wholly dedicated to never failing in his protection of Marianne's child. He has more than proven his loyalty at this point, especially given the things he knows, Lelouch isn't concerned.

Tohdoh hums, "I understand your former compatriot, Nu, helped root out the instigators, before retiring into marriage here." That almost sounds like a slight – but coming from Tohdoh it also feels like a compliment? "It is known that Britannia is dealing with some fracturing, as would be expected in this situation. It's in the best interest of everyone that it doesn't deteriorate further." Then there's something of a knowing glint in his eyes, "I don't envy the tasks ahead of you."

"Perhaps it's equally surprising that Prime Minister Ohgi would marry a Britannian soldier like Nu. Change isn't easy, but it always comes," The Britannian Emperor slyly smiles.

Yes. The little abandoned prince is now the conquering King. Tohdoh remembers Lelouch well, as did Kirihara, and knows well enough to be wary. It's amusing to Lelouch to sit here so peacefully in this house he was barred from entering as a child with a man that just might have separated him and Suzaku during a squabble or two – the same man that Suzaku was ordered to execute, that vowed to aide Zero and wouldn't surrender until his home was free. Whether the veteran has connected the dots between Lelouch and Zero he hasn't said so – although if he's smart enough to realize it he'd be wise enough to not speak of it. Although speaking of, Kirihara is still happily keeping Lelouch's secret while minding his mine.

"True," Tohdoh nods. "And you have had the support of the Knights of the Round."

The commander isn't one to fish for details but it certainly sounds like he is.

"The Round are loyal to the crown and, honestly, can easily respect a solider like Suzaku leading them."

Was that a shameless compliment for his seahorse knight?

Why yes, it was.

Does Suzaku appreciate it?

"For the most part," the seahorse noncommittally says.

Eh…

"Problems?" Euphemia asks. "I mean, I heard from Cornelia that there was something about one of the Knights… but I thought everything was all right?"

"A bad apple here or there won't spoil the bunch," is all Lelouch is willing to say in front of his audience. The short version is a bigoted upstart got cut down before a sense of false entitlement could cause damage. "It's nothing to be concerned about."

"Still… the defectors would have had to be desperate to try… an assassination on you when they did," Euphemia carefully says. "That was before the Knights of the Round could rally with you here in Japan because everything was all so sudden."

"Desperate is a word for it," Suzaku flatly notes almost in a mutter under his breath.

Lelouch merely sends him a small, sweet smile that faintly wrinkles his nose.

"I'm still just glad that you're all right," Euphemia says with fretful lines on her face. "I really thought that we might lose you again."

"It worked out in the end," Lelouch says.

"Except for Zero," Tohdoh adds and a quietness settles over the room that's halved respectful and tense. Tohdoh knew Zero as a fearless commander, a spark of hope in the downpour of Britannian oppression.

Euphemia and Suzaku, however, know the puppet-master is… no worse for the wear. What Euphemia doesn't know is that C.C. can take a lethal shot like a pro.

"Even stronger in death, I suppose," Tohdoh solemnly finishes.

"A martyr in history," Suzaku is still sounding less than enthused.

"It's a good way to remember him," Euphemia sweetly tries to cheer up the room, looking at Lelouch who stays quiet. "It's just a shame and troubling that you—we have to deal with this conflict with our own people."

Lelouch scoffs a little, "It's always been that way. It will take more than a few years for that to change. They're not too happy about having their toys taken away, either." No more giant robots and slave fights make for some petulant subjects. But the fat-cat nobles don't scare Lelouch.

"It will take time," Tohdoh says, "but at least you have the support of your… hmm…"

"Commoners?" Lelouch finishes the delicate trail with a touch of amusement, to which Tohdoh half-nods. "On a good day, that's true."

Lelouch has absolutely been rocking the boat and if anything he's surprised there aren't more obvious attempts on his life – obvious being the keyword. The Britannian elite do enjoy their machinations and subterfuge but Lelouch is a master at cloak and dagger.

Also Geass.

Like so much the Geass.

(But don't tell Suzaku.)

Lelouch's first act as the 99th Emperor of Britannia was to dismantle the all "Areas" which of course included Japan, but returning to independence isn't a simple task. Not only are economies all tangled and reliant upon the giant but leadership structures need to be rebuilt in most cases. In a way, Japan was one of the more fortunate Areas in that they retained some of their independent spirit. With the death of Genbu Kururugi Senior Japan didn't get their chance to fight back and lose. Resistance remained in many Areas, naturally, but Japan never surrendered like many others because they hadn't been officially defeated. Zero was able to build off that innate defiance, after all, and stoke the embers. Yet it is a painful irony. If the Prime Minister had lived… Japan's spirit just might've been crushed completely. Suzaku had wanted to save people in trade for his father that day, but in a way, he managed to spare the soul of his homeland.

As it is now, Britannia is at the mercy of the world after disarming and many in the top tiers of Britannian society aren't pleased with it. To be expected, though. Such people conditioned to believe they're better than everybody else just because isn't an ideology that simply vanishes overnight, but in terms of "rebellion" to Lelouch's radical regime, there's little to speak of these days. After all, a great many native, underprivileged Britannians suffered under their previous Emperor and Lelouch is nothing if he's not for the people. It's certainly not where Lelouch thought he'd end up after his first taste of blood that day C.C. gave him the "Power of Kings" but there is also something quite satisfying about destroying Britannia from the inside. From top to bottom, inside and out.

Or as Suzaku would have it "reforming" Britannia.

Lelouch prefers to think of it his own way, though.

Things went about as smoothly as they could but are still settling. Britannia was granted to maintain an embassy, of sorts, through at least their careful, calculated process of withdrawing beyond just military means. Euphemia has remained here as the lead having a more trusted Britannian face due to her efforts with the SAZ. Controversies aside, she has come into her own and found where she belongs, helping and settling issues as a true-to-heart diplomat – and with a patient grace that Lelouch honestly respects. She is neither princess nor viceroy but still bears a title of noble distinction: Ambassador Euphie. She's certainly a friendly face for Lelouch and one he's happy to see amongst many he isn't.

"From your perspective, it would seem that Japan was taking a greater risk in honoring the pact, after the loss of Zero," Lelouch says.

Tohdoh hums, "There was trust in Zero and his support of it. Once it was confirmed that you were alive and hadn't changed your mind after the attempt on your life, it was believed that shouldn't change. Even if, or maybe especially because we lost our Commander. It was a tense few days, I'll admit. Zero's second takes credit for keeping the peace during that time."

"Hm, yes. I understand Prime Minister Ohgi handled the situation very well," Lelouch pleasantly says. What can he say? He's proud of his little number two who became a big number one.

(…Does that sound weird?

Lelouch didn't mean that to sound weird.)

"Don't be so modest," Kaguya inserts with eyes on Tohdoh. "I seem to remember you being a leading level head in the matter as well."

"He does know a thing or two about stopping squabbles," Suzaku grins. He is, of course, referring to himself and Lelouch. Also probably himself and Kaguya.

To which Tohdoh huffs with humor, "Stopping children isn't the same beast as stopping nations preparing to duel on a tightrope."

"Doesn't sound too different," Lelouch casually jokes. Seriously, has Tohdoh ever met any nobles?

"The important thing is that it worked out in the end," Euphemia says.

"Perhaps it should be flattering that His Majesty was seen as such a threat but desperation in the wake of the SAZ takes some of the credit." Jeremiah takes the liberty to speak – Lelouch hasn't ordered otherwise, Jeremiah just knows the formality of his service like a religion and doesn't talk out of turn. "But they weren't as formidable a foe as they hoped.

"Not against you and Villetta," Tohdoh finishes.

"I did fail him on the day of the attempted assassination," Jeremiah solemnly admits and Suzaku's gaze flicks to the floor, "but I will not be caught off-guard again."

"The important thing is that they didn't succeed, though, and even revealed themselves in their desperate attempt," Kaguya says before a sip of tea.

"Indeed. It was made clear they were not in their Emperor's favor." Tohdoh agrees – and now Lelouch is wondering if he's just (paranoid and) imagining that tone…

"It did—has made working with other world leaders easier," Euphemia says with a heavier tone.

Whatever is thought of Lelouch inside Britannia, much of his success in gaining trust with other countries is owed to the attack on his life. When Lelouch declared for Japan to be liberated along with the vow to free the other Areas it triggered some of the riled remnants of the purists – Jeremiah's old faction. It certainly didn't help that a former forerunner like Jeremiah Gottwald seemingly turned tail to support the new, radical emperor. That fallout is helpful to a point looking from the outside and Lelouch's continued cooperation nurtures his relations with other nations. It's as Tohdoh said, though, that it's important to keep the ship from sinking itself.

There is also still the antsy Chinese Federation that has Lelouch's close attention. He won't have them swooping in like vultures to feast on the (could be) carrion of his metamorphosing Empire. Schneizel is quite adept at placating other leaders, so that saves Lelouch some trouble of having to play nice. Playing with small fry is much more preferable.

"We don't have to talk about work now." Euphemia lightly shakes her hands in the air to brush away the atmosphere with Genbu in her lap. "It might be small but it's still a break from the day-to-day. It's not a vacation but we should enjoy respite when we can."

That sounds like something Milly would say, only significantly less threatening from little Euphie's lips.

"Helping to move isn't exactly a relaxing distraction," Lelouch idly notes.

"But it's helping Nunnally move back home with you, that should be uplifting!" she happily insists with a bright smile.

Nunnally is finally ready to make the move back home to the villa with Lelouch now that her basic schooling is finished. He and Suzaku attended her graduation, of course, but she wanted to spend a bit more time amongst some friends she had grown closer to the past few years (in Lelouch' absence.) With the fall having arrived it's time for her to leave and Lelouch has returned to help her. True enough that the bulk of her possessions have been handled by the appropriate professionals, as Suzaku so mockingly put it, but there's more involved than hoisting boxes.

Might not be a kingly thing to do but it is absolutely a brotherly thing to do.

"True," Lelouch distantly admits, although he'll be relieved when she's finally settled home. This is the longest he's ever been apart from her… and it's been difficult. He makes sure they regularly communicate and Sayoko has remained at her side as a secretly official bodyguard, but the separation has gone against his very nature. He realizes, of course, that it is… good for her to learn and practice some independence but that doesn't mean he likes it. She doesn't need to be independent when she has him.

"Besides, it's not like you're actually going to be uplifting any boxes, right?" Suzaku quips – undoubtedly remembering Lelouch's… less dignified moments.

It's really best to ignore Suzaku when he thinks he's being cute and witty.

Because he's really being neither and shouldn't get the encouragement.

"Speaking of family," Lelouch smoothly redirects, "where is dear Cornelia?"

"Oh, just… handling security," Euphemia somewhat noncommittally answers. "But you will be seeing each other. It's just a… thing she couldn't—needed to take care of."

"No worries. I know she's a busy one." Lelouch's grin is mostly inward. Sounds like Cornelia might not have been completely honest and little sister suspects but he will trust them. He doesn't like the idea of Cornelia sniffing around his Geass trails with that headstrong military mind of hers, but while he'd maybe like to keep a closer eye on her it's better to keep distance between them. For now. Cornelia does have some loyalty to late Marianne's children but in terms of unquestioning loyalty, Jeremiah is the best choice. Ironically.

"We were hoping to see Schneizel," little half-sister continues. "I know it's not as important as helping with the capital, but it's been a while since he last visited."

"He likes paperwork, didn't you know?" Lelouch is keeping an iron fist on that red leash for forever and a day. "We'll only be here a few days; he's keeping my pen warm." NOT Lelouch's throne.

But enough about Lelouch's robot sla—servant.

"I don't want to be rude, but I do need to head over to the school to see Nunnally," Lelouch respectfully announces as he stands. It's been too long since he's seen her face-to-face and held her delicate hand.

"Of course," Tohdoh says and also stands. "We won't keep you."

"Oh!" Euphemia pops. "Yes, um, there's just something I'd like to take you to see before we get there."

Lelouch would rather not detour, but…

•-•

Euphemia is persuasive.

And Lelouch is tired from travel.

Out of the way to Ashford, they're at the base of Mt Fuji where the Special Administrated Zone offices once sat. Now stands Zero as stone-faced as ever in his mask and cape – literally. In memoriam, a statue just a little larger than life was placed with his… likeness in smooth, glittering stone and noble pose pointing forward with an unfurled split of his cape, always looking to the future. At his feet there is a golden plaque etched in Japanese as well as English underneath that reads:

Zero, Commander of the Black Knights

Defender of Justice and Liberator of Japan from the Britannian Empire in 2017

May he and our struggle for freedom never be forgotten

Lelouch is a little touched. Somewhat humbled. Even proud. But mostly it feels surreal. He's staring up at the featureless face of his alter ego when Euphemia touches his shoulder with a small and uncertain but reassuring smile. She leaves a cluster of fresh flowers at Zero's stone feet where many other bouquets lie and stand in vases along with the occasional stuffed toy, burnt incense sticks, candles, and hand-written notes, open, folded and enveloped alike.

He doesn't read them.

It was Euphemia's idea to come here but truthfully it isn't bad press for the Britannian Emperor to visit and pay his respects. (Not like people aren't watching his every move while he's in the country.) It's eerier than he would've expected it to be, however, and gives him a slightly unsettled feeling.

Lelouch is surprised to feel the soft touch of another arm looping around his. A familiar act from Suzaku, but standing here before the memorial of Lelouch's masked self that was a source of contention, it feels different.

"I guess he did save my life," the brunet explains, looking at Lelouch. "More than once."

"He might not have been perfect, but none of us would be where we are now without him," Euphemia sincerely adds.

They are both talking about Zero like he isn't standing between them.

Rude.

And they both know that they know Lelouch is—was Zero. Because they talk. So they know what they're doing. (Do they think they're being funny? Because they're not.)

So rude.

Lelouch recognizes that the death of his other self is real and that he's no longer that person, but this is the first time since Zero's death under the world's lens that it's felt real. Yet, it isn't that part of him has died, it's that this part of his life is over. It's an odd, alien (and quite unwanted) feeling to realize it now. Lelouch stands side-by-side with his well-meaning, meddling sister and they work to achieve more together than maybe he would've been able to accomplish behind Zero's mask alone.

Maybe.

(Had some things happened differently, though…)

The Britannian Emperor exhales a breath. Not really a sigh of relief just… ease of pressure. He could say something heartfelt. Something appreciative of these two people that have ultimately decided to stand at his side. He should probably express some sort of emotional conveyance of that sort—

"Do you think he would think this statue is big enough?" Lelouch openly ponders.

Earning him a slightly bemused quirk of the Ambassador's lips and a flat stare from his Knight.

"I just really don't know what to do with you sometimes," Suzaku deadpans and promptly unhooks their arms.

Euphemia softly giggles, "Most of the time you mean. I'm telling you he's barely changed a bit since we were kids." They start walking away together, leaving Lelouch's flippancy to keep him company.

"Sad," Suzaku derides with scathing blandness that reeks of disappointment. "But not surprising."

"Just sayin'…" Lelouch says mostly to himself with a shrug of his voice.

—Sure.

Lelouch could have bowed to sentiment.

Or he could just continue being himself.

The man (without social compunction) they know and love.

•-•

On the way to Ashford Lelouch can see the iconic landmark Tokyo Tower spearing up into the sky. Its red frame still stands with proud height in its illuminating lights but now the view isn't about a broken people, instead a triumphant one. Zero was metaphorically born, sort of, no too far from there but Lelouch thinks he'll keep that memory lane trip to himself.

Something tells him his current companions might not be as appreciative.

(coughSuzakucough)

•-•

It's the weekend and so Ashford academy isn't abuzz like it would be with the regular shuffling traffic of students; although a visit from Lelouch vi Britannia causes its own stir. Security standards dictate that his areas remain clear but that doesn't stop distant gawkers. Lelouch isn't concerned with students even if, perhaps, he should know a bit better than to underestimate a teenager. He and his entourage do make quite an entrance on their way to the clubhouse where Nunnally is waiting. Lelouch, Suzaku and Euphemia… although none of them are quite strangers to campus, not even Jeremiah, their new titles can alter perception. Everyone knows by this point that Lelouch, and Nunnally, had been discreetly schooling at Ashford but he isn't seen as simply a returning (dropout) student by those observing. If he were more whimsical he might wonder if the building remembers him; as the little boy seeking refuge, the revenge-seeking teen or just… Lelouch, who dwelled as normally as he could behind falsehoods. His old home is certainly a sight for his sore eyes.

Even with Rivalz waving from the stoop like an excited puppy.

"Lelouch!" the familiar school chum without the familiar uniform greets very familiarly. He looks about ready to leap into an embrace with the Britannian Emperor or at the least a shoulder grasp. Lelouch was never a hugger or high-fiver or hand-shaker or any-kind-of-physical-contact-with-other-people type of person and Rivalz knew this well, but it's the rather stern totem of guarding Jeremiah that halts him in his place before he can spring. "Er-Er, uh, should I say Your Majesty? Emperor…?" He sheepishly asks through a less sheepish smile, and then his brow quirks. "Am I supposed to bow?"

Lelouch's mouth curls with a small smirk while Suzaku and Euphemia share a snicker at the so very important title being used on little Lelouch Lamperouge. He's surrounded by children… A little deference would be nice.

"Stay and debate if you like," Lelouch haughtily mutters walking past a disconcerted Rivalz. "I'm going inside so I can see Nunnally." Who is arguably the most mature person he knows.

Rivalz sputters, worse than that time his bike broke down in the cold on the highway, "U-Uh, um, n—Not—You can't," and practically throws himself in Lelouch's path. "Have to wait in the clubroom."

The Emperor of Britannia's path.

"Why?" Lelouch knows a feint when he sees one. Or when one stammers and jumps in front of him, as it were.

"Be…cause it's her request."

Lelouch narrows his eyes. "Why?"

Rivalz's eyes shift. "…Because she wants to meet you there."

Suspicious.

And Lelouch has learned to listen to his suspicions. Especially when any combination of the Student Council and the clubroom are involved.

Suzaku, however, has not learned any such lesson as his short sigh indicates, "Come on. There's no need to make a life-crises out of this." He grasps Lelouch's elbow as he steps forwards (like he's one to talk). "Let's just go in. Is she still busy? It will give us some time to catch up."

"Hah—Yes, exactly! Just that. That's, uh, yes. Let's go! " Rivalz agrees too readily; he obviously hadn't considered the opportunity and is grateful for the chance.

Seriously. If he was going to lie he should've practiced.

Lelouch plays along, mostly because Genbu is asleep against his shoulder leaving him unable to physically resist.

Mostly.

•-•

Lelouch sits reluctantly on the couch in the club room soothing away his stress by rubbing Genbu's sleeping back while Suzaku peers out the window. They are joined by Rivalz and Kallen. So much for catching up with everyone; Nina is off with Euphemia because reasons and their other club mates are conveniently absent. Kind of like how Lelouch would prefer to be right now…

"I still can't believe that you're really royalty, Lelouch," says Rivalz. "All that time and you couldn't even tell your best friends? I thought you knew you could trust me."

Considering the weird episode Rivalz had during the whole "omg Lulu is a gaaay?!" affair, Lelouch honestly wonders…

"Maybe it was for your own protection," the royal breezily mutters.

"Right," Rivalz chuckles, "because if you told me then you'd have to kill me, right?"

Something like that.

"Well, it must be exciting?" Rivalz asks.

"Not really."

"Uh-mm, it must be really difficult."

"Sometimes."

"…So… but there're upsides, right? Like a… personal chef that will cook you anything you want whenever you want?"

"I still prefer to cook myself."

"Never mind Lelouch, Rivalz," Suzaku says without turning around. "He's just pouting."

"I do not pout," Lelouch curtly corrects.

(He's totally pouting tho.

He came here to see Nunnally, not to be kept away from Nunnally.)

Suzaku makes an "uh-huh" sound and leans back against the table, flashing a smirk at Lelouch.

It's not cute.

Not like that time late at night when it was just the two of them and he was wearing that shy little smile…

So here's the part where Lelouch zones out almost completely while Suzaku and Rivalz talk about… who cares what. Lelouch is already sinking in the memory of soft, stifled moans those bashful lips outlined as he had the muscled seahorse respectfully bent over the table. He was breathless and his snaking body was tight and pulling around Lelouch's hardness while Lelouch tasted the musk dewing Suzaku's nape… It was the beginning of many more secret dates. Although, this was before they knew Suzaku was some sort of aquatic-alien-hybrid with an egg to hatch. Before Lancelot. Before the SAZ. Before Orange. Before ghost mother. Before whatever this is that's happening right now. But not before small fry, technically. He's been with them since the beginning and sometimes Lelouch has to remind himself of that – through every step, spat and sexy time Genbu Junior was baking like a cute little cupcake that's just too sweet for this Universe.

As quickly as time moves and things change it seems only the human mind can remain frozen through the ticking of a life's clock. It's all about perspective but there isn't much that Lelouch forgets (if he may say so.) He hasn't forgotten that he, Suzaku and Kallen were all engaged in furious battles that spiraled in the air amid explosions. Rivaling factions that tried to kill each other – Kallen even attempted to stab Suzaku right in the rotunda… And yet they're here being civil if not wholesomely friendly as (tepid, tentative) allied nations.

But Kallen is staring at Lelouch.

Has been staring at Lelouch.

And it's annoying (as well as distracting him from happier thoughts Lelouch was using to pass the waiting time.)

No small talk about her life post change in leadership, not that she's ever talked about her personal life and the lack of idle prattle isn't so bad (yet Lelouch will admit to a little bit of curiosity about his board-rushing red Queen.) Most Lelouch knows is that she did graduate school, they all did, and she's still living with her mother. Lelouch can't even ask about her mother is doing in Refrain-recovery because he's not supposed to know that – only Zero. Come to think of it, they didn't converse much outside his mask…

So it's just the staring.

Lelouch stares back at her. He's mentally formulating a quip of some sort, something about how he normally charges to be admired or she should take a picture to savor later when—

"I always knew it," Kallen abruptly declares, right at Lelouch—who pops an eyebrow at her. "I just knew there was something about you. Something that I just couldn't figure out. Just that… something that made you the way you are. And I was right."

"Something, huh?" Lelouch very dryly amuses her. "To think I had no idea how dangerously perceptive you are. Mister Prince."

"That's Mister Emperor, you know," Lelouch plainly corrects.

"I… guess I know what you mean, Kallen. But I don't know that anyone could have predicted something like this, though?" Rivalz slowly flounders in the conversation.

"Yes. Who actually leads double lives in real life?" Lelouch drolly quips (in his case, triple lives.)

He can see his words simmering in her head behind her blue eyes, the obvious irony she embodies that none other are aware of, but she still looks to him with her lifted chin and adamantly says, "Point is I was right." Because he's just Lelouch to her, not Zero.

It's not so bad, though.

Lelouch likes knowing things that other people don't know he knows.

"Well, Kallen, you were kind of wrong about him, too," Suzaku says with a knowingly lifted eyebrow.

Lelouch also likes learning things he didn't previously know that maybe he wasn't supposed to know.

"He's still Lelouch, but he's not what you thought he was," Suzaku continues – Lelouch wants to know why his own name sounds like an insult.

"I… think I admitted to some… possible wrongness on my part at the time," Kallen meanders with a touch of defiance.

"Wait, were you talking about me behind my back?" Lelouch asks.

"Maybe. But you still thought he was some kind of selfish Casanova, didn't you?"

Wait a minute.

Kallen reddens lightly, "I didn't say that. I just said…"

"You implied," Suzaku grins.

"When were you talking about me?" Lelouch asks again only to be ignored. Again.

"I said there was something about him and I didn't like it and I was still right, so… that's, you know, that's the point of what I said," she finishes with a bit of a haughty sniff.

Lelouch wonders if that was even a coherent statement.

But it's good to know how she really feels, he supposes…?

(Casanova?)

Suzaku chuckles making them both look at him. "I'm just kind of realizing that you two are actually a bit alike."

"I am not!" Kallen looks insulted—

Lelouch is insulted because she feels insulted; "She wishes."

Suzaku holds up surrendering hands, "Settle down, it wasn't an attack. On either of you, jeez. You're both just stubborn and like to be right."

"…How is that not an attack?" Lelouch curiously muses.

"Seriously," Kallen quietly joins.

Rivalz laughs, unable to do or say much else – he's better off left out of this anyway.

Genbu begins to stir awake and with a telling smell.

"Here." Lelouch stands and instantly hands Suzaku's son over to him. "He's awake now so he's your problem."

Suzaku garbles an exasperated breath but still takes bleary Genbu into a delicate cradle and that's when Milly swiftly enters pushing Nunnally, sparing Lelouch any scolding from the seahorse.

"Lelouch!" the blonde fondly calls, walking up to him and a weakly frowning Suzaku. "It's been too long!"

Lelouch is betting she's always wanted to say that.

Milly's arms are thrown out wide as if expecting a hug – like she's never met Lelouch – but she quickly pauses to critically stare at Lelouch. "…Did you get taller?" she asks, gesturing between him and Suzaku as if that's somehow an accurate measurement.

Lelouch blinks a question mark, "I just thought Suzaku was getting shorter."

Said man lightly shoves the emperor with mirth, "Nobody thinks you're funny."

Shorty is wrong.

Lelouch thinks himself fairly funny.

Milly thoughtfully hums with a tapping of her chin.

"I have a diaper that needs changing," Suzaku snidely redirects. "Is there somewhere I can go?"

"Oh, so cute~!" Nunnally oozes. "You can use my room. Actually, there's something I want to show you…" She tugs at Suzaku's sleeve.

Lelouch, naturally, is at her wheels when they leave but before he can even take two steps he's jarringly halted by her palm.

"You stay," she orders with a firm insistence that he can't be proud of at the moment. "It's… a surprise."

Wha… "Surprise?" Lelouch helplessly parrots. "But—" She just got here! They haven't even—!

They're already leaving the room and not without Suzaku tauntingly sticking out his tongue and a likewise wink from Milly.

"Oh, real mature," Lelouch chastises on his frozen feet. Has he ever mentioned he doesn't like surprises? They're highly overrated. (Unless he's the one doing the surprising, that is.)

He's having an uncomfortable flashback to the day Milly stole Suzaku away on a "Girl's Day Out" to the mall. And once again he's left alone with Rivalz… Who is good-naturedly chuckling at his side.

"Don't worry, it's nothing scary," Rivalz says. "Actually I've kinda been wanting to talk to you."

Wonderful.

"Oh?" Lelouch asks. There's really nothing stopping him from going right into Nunnally's room… except for Nunnally.

"Yeah. You know Milly and I have been together a while now and it's going really good," Rivalz continues. "Better than I thought to be honest."

"That so?" Lelouch says. He's the bloody King of Engl—Britannia, dammit, but that's the one blockade he can't crumble. A freaking Achilles heel that he doesn't want to be fixed…

"I feel like you should probably take some credit. For us finally dating, I mean."

Cue the record scratch.

The twitch of terror on Lelouch's face is real: don't blame him for that.

"How so?" he calmly asks, now giving Rivalz his full attention.

Rivalz' simper is wide and too proud, "Because, Suzaku said that you were the one to make the first move. I couldn't help thinking that if Lelouch, of all people, could take a chance then… I can do it too."

…What's this Lelouch of all people business? Why is he beginning to feel like he's only waking up every day to be the butt of others' jokes? Lelouch wouldn't say that lack of interest in such affairs is equal to ineptitude, but his friends seem happier so he supposes it's not worth debating. (Only a fool would argue with another fool.) Moreover, Suzaku says he likes Lelouch's romantic style so, like, whatever…

"You know… I'm not sure she was so certain of it at first, but she said she liked my boldness." Rivalz is grinning.

Sounds like Milly.

"Considering she was supposed to be getting married… I figured I had nothing to lose, I guess. Or that I couldn't wait any longer."

A touch of rebelliousness on her part, then? A reason to escape an honestly god-awful paring? Also sounds like Milly. But there must've been more to it on her part, to take such a leap. She's always known how to skirt the line between harmless rascal and harmful reprobate. It doesn't seem she's wanted to cut ties with her family completely, and speaking from experience Lelouch can say that being disowned is a lot less fun than it looks, but it's not easy to live on one's own terms when part of a whole. Seems the Ashford grandparents have forgiven her for this, though. Or maybe the marriage's value depreciated with the changing of kings. Also doesn't hurt to have the favor of the current Britannian Emperor they graciously harbored when he was only a child.

Lelouch repays his debts, even if prestige isn't what it used to be in the Britannian empire.

"It's good that things have worked out for you," Lelouch casually says, "but don't blame me when you run into trouble – you knew what you were getting into."

Rivalz hardily laughs, "I wouldn't have it any other way."

A smirk lightly twitches in a corner of his mouth, "I'm sure you won't be disappointed."

Chasing away his belly-laughter is a small, wistful sigh, "Man… look at us. Both in relationships. Families. Jobs—uh, kinda. Are we adults now?"

Lelouch has been an adult since he came to Japan at age ten.

"If you have to ask that question then probably not," Lelouch dryly taunts.

Rivalz feigns a pained wince, "Always with that sharp tongue of yours. Milly says there's no such thing as adulthood."

"Of course she would say that."

Then Rivalz's eyes glimmer a bit, "She says there's only maturity."

Lelouch stares. "In either case, you're both below the bar." Which is to say they deserve each other.

Rivalz laughs again, even bumps Lelouch's shoulder, and the maybe-adults share delight as they did in carefree club meetings. "I never said it, but I'm happy for you too. And Suzaku, and all…"

"Yeah…" Lelouch quietly agrees. His old friend doesn't treat him too differently and he likes that. He misses their idle school days and didn't know at the time he was taking it for granted… "Well, I guess I'm not in any hurry now." He sits down at the ol' table of command in what used to be his usual chair.

Oh, Rivalz isn't so bad. Lelouch just likes giving him a hard time.

Rivalz brightly smiles and sits beside him, "Well, you know that Milly has really taken to report-blogging…"

"More like taking it and running as far as she can," Lelouch says.

Rivalz hardily laughs and they wade into some conversing that really isn't as painful as Lelouch pretends. (Even though he feels a little like he's sitting and waiting in a burning house with this surprise business…)

•-•

Milly and Rivalz finally bring Lelouch not to Nunnally but instead to the rotunda that is decorated in draperies, flowers, streamers, balloons and a very euphoric-looking congratulations banner.

"A late party for Nunnally's graduation?" Lelouch quizzically asks. "I don't think I'm the one that should be surprised. That's really not how it works."

"It's not for Nunnally," Milly says with a look.

That bad, bad look.

"It's for you and Suzaku," Rivalz answers Lelouch's helpless stare with a smile.

"…Why?" the King cautiously asks. If this is another surprise baby shower—

"I told you I'd throw you a wedding and that's what I'm doing," Milly informs with regal insistence. "Despite your best efforts, but better late than never, as they say!"

Lelouch wasn't really attempting to thwart her, there were just more important things to do than… play pretend one last time.

(As if he'll ever actually outgrow "pretend.")

"See, I heard through the grapevine"—Milly passive-aggressively means Suzaku—"that you finally got the paperwork all drawn up to make you two all officially legal wedded on the throne and that you'll be signing it this weekend. We all wanted to do something special for the occasion. Nunnally and I have been working closely together on it. We got a bit of a late start but I dare say we've outdone ourselves – but don't worry, it'll be laid back for you, the way you like. Mister King of Reclusiveness."

That's a pathetic jab that Lelouch ignores.

So this was part of the reason Nunnally wanted to remain in Japan longer. Lelouch feels more… shocked then he perhaps should about her deceiving him, considering it was for a positive reason, but she knows he doesn't care much for surprises. They've rarely been pleasant.

"Even for a surprise this is very sudden," Lelouch says. "We only just arrived today." (JET-LAG) "This couldn't have waited at least until tomorrow?" Or, you know, until never. (Then again, the weary traveler thing could work in his favor to end the night early.)

Milly thickly scoffs, "Are you kidding? You saw Rivalz. Keeping this a secret was like holding a live grenade, pin pulled and everything. Nunnally was also really excited and worried she'd spoil the surprise if we had to wait even one day more."

Fair enough. Nunnally knows he would've suspected something when she behaved differently – because it can be difficult for her to contain her elevated excitement.

"Although the cake and caterer are running a little late." Milly crosses her arms. "And after all the planning to get this just right."

"Pretty standard for us," Rivalz jokes. "Just less disastrous."

"So far," Lelouch slyly adds.

Milly swats away their buzzing gibes, "Always point out what went wrong rather than what went right."

That time Lelouch tricked Milly on Halloween was a disaster gone right for him.

Now, if Suzaku was here he'd thank her and say that is was very thoughtful and considerate of them and that they (meaning him and Lelouch) really appreciate it, or whatever…

But Suzaku isn't here.

"Well, leave it to you to nose-in on something that didn't involve you," Lelouch says.

Milly stares a few beats. "You're deluded if you think this doesn't involve me or the rest of us. I can't believe Suzaku thought you were worth holding onto. Speaking of the blushing bride~" she singingly perks right up, "You have to get dressed. Suzaku is almost ready so get to it!"

"Dressed?" Lelouch reluctantly asks. "I'm not—"

"Don't worry, it's not an actual dress, you wet blanket." Milly rolls her eyes.

Wet blanket?

That's a genuine and warranted concern for Lelouch, but that's not what he was going to say.

"I have to get to finishing a few things so, go with Rivalz. He'll take you to get changed." Milly sounds surprisingly professional and is a lot more hands-on than she has been in the past for some of their club shindigs.

But that she's leaving Rivalz to be the one to "handle" Lelouch is an amusing oversight on her part.

Lelouch looks to the lad who struggles in a somewhat abashed chuckle.

"It's really not as bad as you're thinking," he says.

He has no idea how bad Lelouch can think it is.

"Why can't I just keep what I'm wearing?" Like, Lelouch made it a point to dress formally. He's got the hat on and everything.

"So you'll match Suzaku," is all his friend says.

That answer is unsatisfactory.

Lelouch is already sophisticated and presentable.

"We were already matching," Lelouch denies a touch haughtily – he designed their outfits to match. How is this hard for other people to grasp?

Rivalz faintly sighs, "I won't force you. He is wearing white, so… I guess it won't hurt."

"Don't worry about disappointing Milly," the royal shallowly tries to mollify. "She can't touch you. I'm the Emperor. I can even grant you special asylum if necessary."

A bit of a shaking laugh claims Rivalz's belly, "Maybe you could at least see it first."

Eh… "I suppose." Lelouch would say that it couldn't hurt but he's not naïve.

They're turning towards the stairs when a familiar face appears walking towards them from the hallway leading to the kitchen.

"Cornelia," Lelouch regally addresses. "Euphie said you were attending to security matters."

"She wasn't lying," Cornelia perfunctorily replies and dismisses a couple guards that were following behind her with a wave of her hand like a true princess. This includes her own tightlipped Knight, Gilford.

Lelouch tells Rivalz to leave for privacy with only a look over his shoulder like a true king.

The Britannian siblings have that much in common at least.

"I'll just… wait for you in your old bedroom," the blue-haired boy excuses himself up the stairs.

"So," Lelouch turns his attention back to the White Witch with his arms nonchalantly crossed behind his back, "I would have thought this would be… a bit unusual for you." She is an established battlefield Commander who might've just made Rivalz soil himself.

"Of course not. Security isn't to be taken lightly."

Plus Euphemia is here.

"No, but I didn't come here unguarded," he gestures to Jeremiah currently standing at the entrance. There is also the ninja in maid's clothing, Sayoko, that has remained with Nunnally as a stealth personal guard, along with more stealth guards, disguised guards, regular guards, and more guards than Lelouch could ever need to complete his collection.

"More can't hurt," she says. "You're the Emperor. It's my duty to protect you. …And you're still my little brother." Her tone takes a dip. "I failed once. I won't let that failure repeat."

She's talking about Marianne and it's only now that Lelouch realizes the similarity. Jeremiah is even here.

It's also the softest moment Lelouch will get from Cornelia. She's never been the sort except with Euphemia.

(And again, Lelouch is realizing another, albeit uncomfortable, similarity with her and between him and Nunnally.)

Lelouch hums in appreciation. "Well, you're in for a show. Try not to be too alarmed at what you see." He smiles a sugar-dusted sardonic smirk, "Odds are its perfectly normal."

•-•

After a little time for "preparation," Lelouch waits at the base of the stairs in the rotunda still wearing his emperor whites because changing was unnecessary – he'll fall on this sword. His violets inspect the caring decorations ornamenting the room until they land on a pyramid of champagne glasses, reminding him of Kallen's unceremonious induction into the club. It wasn't that long ago when he was lazing through club meetings and holding Milly's schemes together at the seams, but sometimes they feel like ancient times. Seems every transition in his life only feels like another lifetime and it's… nice to be here in this reprieve of a simple gathering with old, familiar friends.

Even if they did ambush him with a wedding.

But there are worse ambushes…

Being such a small gathering there aren't rows of chairs, just a few columns that border a short, red-carpeted aisle leading up the stairs where he stands. The audience is a collage of familiar faces, such as Euphemia who winks at him (the winking really needs to stop) with Cornelia of course, and even Tohdoh and Kaguya – that's all of Suzaku's family to speak of… and they were certainly better at hiding the surprise. But there's also Ohgi with Villetta, Lloyd and his better half Cecile, Jeremiah, Sayoko, Alice and her sister doctor Sanica… And they're all mixed in with the Student Council. Plus smiling Nunnally.

It looks weird.

Almost like the beginning of a humorous nightmare…

(Or at least it would be funnier if he could wake from it.)

Finally, the Wedding March cues from some unseen speakers and everyone stands to watch the bride gracefully claim the room. Suzaku appears at the aisle looking like an over-whipped meringue. At this point, Lelouch can't be, and isn't, surprised by the wedding dress plumed around Suzaku, only that it is so puffy. The buttoned-down bodice is slim but the shoulders and skirt look like somebody got overzealous with lacy frills and ruffles – it's an upside-down cupcake. Guess Milly opted out of that old play-ware from their theater club.

Now, Lelouch knows how (ridiculous) this looks to everybody else but for the Student Council this is just… tradition. He isn't fully able to smother a mocking smirk that tickles his lips as he watches Suzaku almost waddle down the aisle towards him, bouquet in hand. He doesn't even expect that the seahorse can climb the stairs, however, it turns out Suzaku is adept at handling the dress even with the long train and veil – must owe it to practice with Suzie.

If Suzaku ever dreamed as a little boy about being the breathtaking showstopper at his own wedding, well, he can scratch that off the bucket list as a goal achieved.

Lelouch takes one of Suzaku's arm-gloved hands as he journeys his last few steps and when they stand together there's nearly not enough room for the dress. Lelouch looks him up and down. There was a glimpse of some pointed shoes on Suzaku's feet that could be higher in the heel and it looks like he might actually be a little taller than usual. Or this optical illusion of a dress is just screwing with Lelouch's perception.

"I don't think your dress is nearly poofy and frilly enough," he subtly says through a sly smile he can no longer restrain.

Suzaku leans in with the same grin, "That's what I said."

They share silent amusement, being much too mature to openly laugh, of course, before ascending the stairs together. Suzaku's grip on Lelouch's arms is strong but he can't tell if it's nerves or attire.

The ceremony begins with Milly officiating and holding Small Fry who has the very important job of ring bearer – clutching a small, white, lacy pillow with two rings loosely tied to the center. He has been redressed in a tiny white tuxedo, looking adorable and… like he might try to eat the rings—

"We are gathered here today," Milly starts in a voice that sound as though it's been practiced in front of a mirror, or Rivalz, "to witness the joining of these two souls in the holiest of matrimonies…"

—Lelouch is distracted with Genbu fingering the rings from her prideful version of the ceremonial speech that just wades right through his ears. Papa pulls at the pillow a little and tries to discreetly discourage them as a mouth choice. Yes, they're shiny and small but are entirely inedible. Genbu smiles and even chuckles at daddy's serious face (like he shouldn't) as he keeps tugging on the ribbons as if it's a game. Luckily the little one can't seem to figure out even simple, slippiest of knots just yet but it's still unsafe—

"Now, I understand the engaged have written their own vows."

Lelouch looks at Milly, because obviously that's completely untrue, to only be met with her annoying wink. She must realize that as Emperor he has the power to banish her from the empire, right? He looks back at Suzaku who has a more pleasantly surprised shock on his smiling face.

It's an obvious trap he should've seen coming.

"When we first met we were just kids," Suzaku takes the leap and Lelouch can't really stop him. Maybe this is the sort of thing he should be handling instead of Lelouch, anyway. The royal isn't going to spill his emotional guts under any circumstance, much less becuz tradition (like, in no universe would that ever happen.) "And we were pretty determined to dislike each other." Suzaku is smiling as their hands link at the fingers.

"As I recall you started it," Lelouch teases, making Suzaku simper and earning a chuckle or two from their audience – the ones that know the pair.

"But we became fast friends," Suzaku continues, "thanks in large part because of Nunnally."

Lelouch glances at his little sister. "You mean we had to rescue her together after she fell in a hole you dug."

"It was a secret base!" Suzaku defends through his smile and instantly they're both ten-years-old again, covered in dirt and summer humidity.

"It was a hole in the ground and an obvious safety hazard." It wasn't even the only one Suzaku dug.

Suzaku laughs, as does Nunnally, and Lelouch smiles – he's handling this whole cheeky side of their vows well, he must say.

"When we met again it was almost like we hadn't been separated for seven years. But, things were different. We weren't little kids anymore." Suzaku's tone dips and his fingers squeeze a little around Lelouch's, who acknowledges it with a rub of his thumbs. "But you were still my friend—my best friend. And still so stubborn," he slyly slips in.

"That makes two of us," Lelouch slyly slaps back.

Suzaku shakes his head a little and his gaze drops with a harder squeeze of his hands.

…Oh no.

He's not getting teary-eyed, is he?

He better not cry.

"I don't know if you've ever known what it's meant to me. That summer, this friendship." Green eyes lift and they're looking a little too wet for comfort. "I know neither of us can be easy to live with all the time. But I have never—will never forget not just why I fell in love with you but when."

Oh, jeez…

He went and did it.

"You're so embarrassing," Lelouch fondly teases, coaxing a light chuckle from his weepy seahorse. (Remember, Lelouch doesn't get embarrassed, it's just a statement on the seahorse's behalf.) "I thought we were having this fun little back-and-forth and now you've made the moment so heavy. If you think I'm going to stand up here and cry…"

Suzaku gives him a light shove, "There's that 'not always easy to live with' part."

Lelouch smirks. "Your heart is always in the right place, and I trust it." No more need be said between them, this is something Lelouch has already vowed to Suzaku in the past. That day at the shrine. Suzaku tied them together with red thread and… a lot of things were said. That was the moment when this, they, became permanent. What's happening now is more fanfare. Celebration.

And sort of official.

The brunet's lips curve in a small smile and that's really good enough. He doesn't—they don't have to give these voyeurs any more.

"So why don't we just cut this short before he starts bawling," Lelouch orders at Milly while keeping his eyes on Suzaku with a smile. If anybody thinks they're going to get more than that out of Lelouch they've obviously never met him. "He's an ugly cryer."

The seahorse sniffs a snicker and Milly haughtily clears her throat, "That was not a vow."

"Close enough," Lelouch coolly counters.

Milly lifts her chin. "Suzaku you have my personal admiration, and sympathy, in your endeavor to house-train this one,"—she gestures to Lelouch on the this one—"More so if you don't end up strangling him first."

"I should say the same to Rivalz about you," Lelouch blandly retorts. He kind of already did, actually.

Suzaku rasps a laugh, "All right, all right. Let's get to the fun part, the reception, right? That's what everybody is waiting for—Genbu, no, that's not food…" Suzaku isn't much for diplomacy but he's rather practiced at distracting.

Suzaku pulls the ribbons out of their son's mouth and both parents have to coax the tangled rings from grasping fingers. This was far too hazardous for a baby. It should've been Nunnally instead. He does seem to like the ribbons more than the rings, though, and isn't upset to see them go. As long as they stay out of his mouth… Milly holds the strings secure so that Genbu can play without choking while Suzaku and Lelouch exchange the rings in a less traditional way.

Less traditional suits them just fine.

They've been wearing rings since that moment Lelouch (sort of) proposed with those makeshift loops. In terms of being officially married, however, the legislation paperwork has been slow-moving in lieu of dismantling and reforming Britannia. Lelouch vi Britannia is the emperor and can absolutely marry whoever he wants without needing permission, and yet, it also kind of suited them to hold off for a while. They needed to get things settled if not stable and it sadly didn't hurt to prevent any… unsavory perception of just who Suzaku was to the new king – not just an obedient "pet." Lelouch had warned Suzaku that it could be a long engagement but even he didn't think it would take this long. Suzaku hasn't pressured; he's been patient with the bigger picture and all that (in this case he understands "big picture.") Do "they" approve of Suzaku now?

Doesn't matter.

Lelouch has secured his grasp of the crown, throne, and authority.

He can still marry whomever he wants but now so can the rest of his empire – that sense of camaraderie even makes it a little sweeter.

Without further ado Lelouch takes Suzaku's hand, pulls off the long glove, and slides a ring on the same finger he did three years ago. Suzaku's face is beaming down at the ring when it contorts with a wrinkle of confusion.

"This isn't—" Then he's looking at the ring he's supposed to place on Lelouch's finger. "They aren't the same."

Lelouch is softly smiling. "I told you I'd have proper ones made."

Suzaku speechlessly looks back at the rings. They're golden with still that same, single piece of thread encased around the outside in a smooth diamond coat, mostly for durability (and it's not like the glass was cheap or anything…)

"But when did you do this?"

"A simple switch when Milly wanted to fasten our old ones to the pillow," Lelouch says as if it's a simple matter, holding up his hand for Suzaku to do his part. He knows that's not what Suzaku meant but he just couldn't refrain from pulling Suzaku's leg a little. "I had a local jeweler work them. It was ready for our trip here this weekend to bring back home." It was supposed to be a surprise when they signed on the dotted line… but it's still a surprise now. Lelouch is lucky they weren't delayed a day or two.

"It's Japanese?"

"A… combination," Lelouch somewhat evasively answers. The band is actually fused from metal sources in Britannia and Japan and the top is—It's not so important right now, he can explain everything to the seahorse later. "We're supposed to be hurrying this along, aren't we?"

Suzaku sheepishly laughs and slides the ring onto Lelouch's finger.

"That eager to skip ahead, are you?" Milly quips and gently gestures with Genbu. "Seems you've skipped quite enough already."

Yeah, yeah, they had a baby while underage and out of wedlock – cart before the horse sort of deal.

It's funny.

So funny Lelouch forgot to laugh.

"Very well," she says to Lelouch's un-amused stare. "By the power vested in me as the greatest alumni president that anyone has ever seen of this academy that brought these two souls together, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

The reception to Milly's announcement of them being wed is warm and, albeit abashedly for some, full of smiles. Lelouch can't help thinking that this would've been more special with just the old club, had anybody asked him what he wanted… but he won't let it spoil the day.

Mostly.

Lelouch is not a person who publically displays affection and neither is Suzaku (although teasing him as Suzie was admittedly too much fun to resist) and that goes double in front of people Lelouch knows. It's just… not for their eyes. Suzaku, on the other hand, tends to be more comfortable with affections in front of familiars than strangers. However, with these circumstances being what they are and Lelouch perhaps mellowing a bit, when the time comes to "kiss the bride" he's willing to partake in tradition. He takes his husband by the waist and leans in – over the massive mound of Suzaku's skirt which is a feat itself – and presses their sly smiles together in a kiss that is much appreciated by certain members of the witnesses. In truth, it can help to toss a bone every now and then, especially considering that these days and in the ones to come they can't spend every day together with their friends like in school…

This all probably looks quite the sight to those invited who aren't former student peers. When Lelouch feels Suzaku's soft lips and firm fingers sliding over his neck to lightly clench the hair on his nape he somehow feels more at ease. The world isn't just the two of them, it's all those they care about and what's life without sharing moments with them? This is what Lelouch wanted to protect and preserve and he knows how close he came to not…

Their lips part to an ecstatic but surprisingly modest applause led by their friends. Seems they grew up a little, too. Despite this whole affair… Lelouch looks Suzaku up and down again before they attempt descending the stairs into their adoring audience.

"Should we air-lift you out of here in that dress or what?" Lelouch jokes. Suzaku made it up the stairs but there's no way he's getting down without tripping and splatting on his face.

Suzaku simpers, "Not like you can carry me out of here, right?"

"Like I've never heard that before," Lelouch drawls.

"I don't think that's as strong a comeback as you think," Milly happily jabs.

Suzaku raps a little laugh as he hikes up his voluminous skirt to free his feet with Lelouch lending a supporting shoulder.

"All that matters is who has the last laugh," Lelouch airily fires back, hearing Milly hum as he and Suzaku slowly walk down the stairs.

That is, Lelouch is pretty sure he's the one laughing last…

•-•

It's an unexpected assortment of invited guests in truth; even considering extended relatives such as Cornelia, Tohdoh and Kaguya, who still look odd in this setting. If it were up to Lelouch the wedding wouldn't be a big affair with a lot of witnesses – but he's the emperor. Extending an invite to the new Prime Minister of Japan, with whom he has an unusual relationship, Ohgi seems more formal from a delegation standpoint. Although Ohgi's presence makes this shindig look far more official than it is, Lelouch knows it just wouldn't do to not visit with the Britannian Emperor during his stay. It's all part of strengthening their rapport and easing contention and it was probably actually Euphemia's idea. Kallen may have also had something to do with his invite. (Lelouch is just grateful there's no Tamaki…) Along with Ohgi is his recent wife, Villetta… Talk about contention. As Lelouch understands it they took some time while the dust was settling and have only been married less than a year or so, having a little baby girl shortly after. Then there's Cecile and Lloyd. Almost like in-laws that come with Suzaku despite actually serving Lelouch. Euphemia's idea again, it seems, but Lelouch supposes it could be worse. Schneizel could be here. Pour these guests into the Student Council and it's one assorted nut mix.

Who are all here to witness Lelouch, the Britannian Emperor, canoodle with Suzaku…

(What has Lelouch become…)

Suffice to say when it comes to Lelouch and Suzaku having that sappy first dance as a married couple he's somewhat… discomfited about the reputation he's cultivating as emperor. If it was just their club, gathering like business as usual, it wouldn't matter, but nowadays his business is all about the crown – the world weighing on top as well as the one he's guarding bellow it.

Lelouch has been and always will be a private person but since having the baby he's been coaxed just a bit more out of his shell. While he can give the baby a type of open affection he's not accustomed to displaying it's still something he doesn't share with others – not like he should be fathering anybody else, anyway. Even so, if this was just three years ago Lelouch is doubtful he'd be slow-dancing with Suzaku in a roomful of their… guests. More than doubtful, he knows he wouldn't have. Even if Suzaku wanted to he wouldn't have pushed and the most the seahorse might've gotten was a private ritual in the bedroom later. It's still… not very pleasant but there's something special to seeing everybody gathered, happy and enjoying the company and the moment with Suzaku in his arms.

Under a spinning mirror ball suspended with sophistication, Milly style, from the ceiling of the rotunda, Lelouch allows himself to lightly smile at Suzaku beaming fully back at him. The burnet comfortably hoops his arms around Lelouch's neck and it pulls the Britannian that has gotten taller down so their foreheads touch. Lelouch stops paying so much attention to the merry background of their guests and holds his husband a little closer by the waist.

It's a surreal wrapping of the present twisting with the past as if everything, even right this moment, is but a dream. Lelouch prefers to be grounded but in this case, just a little flight of fancy is acceptable. So when Suzaku tries to initiate a kiss as a totally happily, contentedly married and fearless couple, Lelouch again chooses to be a sport and allow it. A soft press of their lips in the sway of the music in front of anybody with eyes in the room (and surprisingly the world doesn't explode. Nor does Lelouch's totally alpha, crusty reputation.) He takes ownership of the moment like a king, pulling tightly on Suzaku's waist to press his husband's body into conformity with his. Lelouch can hear Milly loudly cooing at them, setting off the whole gaggle of the Student Council to tauntingly howl at them like the super mature people they've become since high school. (Then again, they still think stuffing Suzaku into a dress is amusing, so it's not a surprise…) Lelouch would prefer to ignore them and not let the idiots lure him into their stupidity, but Suzaku laughs. It's a warm rumble in his chest that stretches a smile across Lelouch's lips when they part. So dedicated to pretending their friends don't exist that it takes Suzaku to point his attention to the edge of the small "dance floor" in the center of the room.

It's none other than Small Fry attempting to Frankenstein his way towards his spotlighted parents. A giggling Nunnally moves to secure him but Lelouch steps in to scoop the boy up and rejoin Suzaku. Mama gives Genbu a big kiss on his cheek, making the boy happily squeal on Lelouch's hip. Suzaku's arms wrap around Lelouch and the baby and then husbands share another kiss all enveloped in each other's embrace with their little bundle snuggled in the middle of their maudlin pretzel.

Now this moment is complete.

(It would only be perfect if Nunnally was able to…)

Maybe it could more perfect by being flawless but in reality the lacking sophistication of his friends makes it perfect. It's true to who they are and the life he had, one he misses. All of his alternate lives are mixing together in a dizzying cocktail but nothing makes him feel more like himself than being right here in the arms of his family, even as they stand in the center of the universe.

(Looking back, maybe the first thing Lelouch wanted to be was a good parent. One that provides, protects and sacrifices. It started with Nunnally and extends to Suzaku and Small Fry. It's probably not the correct mindset to bring into his relationship with Suzaku, but Lelouch is damaged. Cut him some slack…)

Because they aren't overflowing with schmaltz already, Euphemia suddenly pounces on them with an unbridled coo. Suzaku and Genbu laugh. Lelouch feels like they have enough arms already—apparently, no. All too quickly the Council Club is joining in, Milly dragging a nonplussed Kallen and Nina into this human knot and like…

Lelouch is still the Emperor.

He shouldn't have to remind people of that…

(Although maybe to them he'll always be their lazy Vice President.)

The music switches to something up-tempo, not so much unspooling everybody onto the designated dance floor but transforming the entire rotunda into a stage. They all separate apart like splitting cells and dive into the music. It's a relief. Suzaku is still smiling and laughing and Lelouch just can't resist kissing his knighted best-friend-forever-husband.

Their private wedding night can't come soon enough.

•-•

Dancing with Suzaku was nice enough but Lelouch doesn't want to become the target of unwanted invitations. He joins his precious little sister perched in a chair at a table eating cake. Nunnally is wearing a delicately layered pink dress adorned with frills and bows but in a totally mature, grown-up sort of way – and Suzaku criticized Lelouch once for his choices in Nunnally's wardrobe. As if he didn't know his own little sister! Psh… (Besides, the seahorse can't talk after agreeing to that fabric monster today.)

Anyway, nobody will bother them while they're together (Jeremiah is on alert if so, no joke) and Lelouch hasn't had any yet so he decides to partake, claiming the nearest precut slice.

"That cake tower is really something," he says to her with fork in hand. "Soon to be the leaning tower of cake, I think."

"I suggested cupcakes. I thought it would be fun to have different flavors and icing, but instead, Milly went big and had a multi-layer, multi-flavored tier cake."

It's a seriously massive tower that's taller than Lelouch with a chess white king and white knight as toppers rather than traditional little tuxedoed grooms. A bit odd even if Milly is unconventional; she went all out for the cake and while Lelouch wonders how it will all get eaten he's more surprised that she didn't use some sort of joke toppers.

"She's always had a thing for making giant foods," Lelouch wryly notes taking a sweet bit of yellow cake. Looks like Nunnally is having pink – likely strawberry.

Nunnally lightly chuckles, "I did pick the toppers, though!"

That explains that, then.

Although he's always preferred black he has acquired the reputation as a "white" king, and not just because of his wardrobe choice. (Suck it, white prince Schneizel.)

"Do you like it?"

"Yes," Lelouch smiles, "it tastes good." Although it's the company that makes it better.

"Good," she brightly smiles.

He even forks a bite from her slice and stuffs it in his mouth, "mmm"ing at her somewhat surprised gape. She quickly laughs, a bubbling stream that Genbu must've inherited, and takes a bite of his cake.

And they just laugh.

All undignified with mouthfuls of each others' cake.

The last time they ever had such a truly carefree moment was before they lost the security (they thought they had) from their mother. How heavy Lelouch has felt all these years. (Maybe Nunnally did, too, despite his best efforts to keep it from her.) He feels a little like that child he used to be with her like this.

"I'm not sure if I've said this before but I'm really happy for both of you," Nunnally tenderly says, wiping her mouth with a napkin. "I like seeing you happy."

Lelouch softly smiles, but that does hurt a little to hear her say (that he might not have given her the best of himself when they were just two orphans struggling together.)

"We can't wait to have you home," he says in a cheerful uplift from any sinking thoughts. "Your room is ready but if there are any changes you want to make, just say the word."

Nunnally smiles brightly, "So I can finally have a pony sleeping at the foot of my bed?"

"We might have to move you downstairs in that case, but yes. Absolutely doable. Or if you'd rather turn your room into a butterfly sanctuary instead…"

She laughs. "Oh, I had forgotten about that!"

That's a shame.

Lelouch never did.

Nunnally had wanted her room to be a page out of a fairy tale with flowers and butterflies… she talked about it all the time. Her and Euphemia. Maybe such a colorful fantasy lost its luster after… so long behind closed eyes.

"Remember when Euphie and I caught some from the garden and let them loose?" Nunnally laughs a little at the memory.

"They were everywhere. The two of you were surprisingly successful."

"Then momma saw it… she was so shocked. Told us we had to catch and release them back outside because they wouldn't be happy or survive inside… I thought I was in so much trouble, but then she got that beautiful wallpaper for my walls. Filled with butterflies and flowers, just like in the book… Started teaching me how to tend to a butterfly bush in the garden."

"Yeah," Lelouch quietly replies. They were exiled shortly after that, so Nunnally never got to see her butterfly bush attract anything. When Lelouch returned to the Villa it was long dead and her room was molded and rancid. Like a metaphor for what Lelouch thought his mother was and what she really turned out to be.

Nunnally doesn't know.

She doesn't need to.

It's… easier believing in the fairytale mother they had.

"I wish she was here…"

Lelouch stays quiet.

"I think she'd be happy and proud of you, too."

Not so much.

"Things are different now," he says with reassurance. "We don't have to look back. It's time to look forward at what's ahead of us." No more cowering or hiding in the Ashford's shadows with (half) false names.

The wounds from the confrontation with their parents are still present and scars may remain long after; Lelouch doesn't have any delusions about that. Although sometimes he envies Nunnally's… innocence. He can't morn the mother he thought he had, instead it's mourning that she wasn't. Maybe it's not so different. But the honest truth is that Lelouch is Nunnally's sibling-parent and he wouldn't have it any other way.

Lelouch still carries the worry that she might one day remember more clearly what happened the day Charles used his Geass on her… He wants to protect her from everything but he doesn't know if he really can and that would be the biggest failure he'll ever have. (Technically his Geass could patch that memory but that's—)

Nunnally lightly nods, "I think father picked the perfect successor."

Ha—Lelouch honestly suppresses a scoffing guffaw.

"As long as you think so," he says, looking down at those lilac eyes that just—

He takes her hand, but that isn't enough. Lelouch kneels on the hard floor with one knee and pulls her into a hug that she wholly welcomes. (Maybe it's something he should've more often?) He honestly hopes he can still make her happy.

Whatever anything else has been Nunnally was and always is real, and that's something Lelouch is eternally grateful to have. She might never know how much she means to him but he'll try to show her. World peace is an ongoing endeavor that had a bumpy but good start with Britannia and he won't fail her no matter how long it may take. Lelouch is really… happy to have her along the way.

"I want you to know that you don't have to worry about me," Nunnally says when they part. Her voice is soft but her words sound heavy.

"What?" Lelouch is confused and doesn't return to his chair. It's impossible that he'll never not worry.

"It's just… you're the king now." She grasps his hand, fingers, in the old habit that she hasn't lost – only her fingers have changed and grown. "You have so many other people who need you and will rely on you."

"And you think you're not one them?" Lelouch is a little incredulous. Maybe he likes worrying about Nunnally. (Maybe he doesn't know where he would be if he didn't have Nunnally to worry about.)

"I can't be selfish."

(Could this be part of why she wanted to stay in Japan…?)

"You're not selfish, Nunnally," Lelouch soothes. Nunnally is perfect. Fact. He won't hear any talk otherwise. "But when it comes to this, you can always be selfish." He smiles and uplifts her chin with a gentle finger. "Hm?"

Nunnally smiles back.

"Besides, now I actually have the funds to spoil you rotten. Can't pass this opportunity."

She simpers, "Butterflies and ponies?"

"One of every color and more," he vows. "If we run out we'll just have to breed new colors."

Nunnally gently laughs.

Yeah.

It sounds like a joke…

"What about you? Are you treating yourself to anything?"

"…?" Other than the life he has right now? Nunnally, Suzaku, Small Fry, his ridiculous friends, and half-sister…? And just being with all of them after coming so close to losing it all? "Well, more cake for starters. That tower isn't going to eat itself," he quips, sitting back in his chair and reequipping his fork. To which she joins him.

What else could he want?

Isn't this exactly what he wanted?

"Just don't forget to save a slice," Nunnally instructs before a bite of chocolate. "You and Suzaku are supposed to eat it on your anniversary for good luck on your marriage!"

"Eh, in a year?" Lelouch disgustedly asks. What's better than eating year-old-stale cake? Not eating year-old-stale cake. (Although perhaps a little possible luck couldn't hurt…)

"You freeze it," she clarifies, and then a thought seems to freeze her with a fork sliding out between her lips. "I think it's supposed to be on the first anniversary… But I don't remember if you're supposed to eat the whole piece?"

"Don't worry. With the amount of it, Suzaku and I will probably be eating old wedding cake for the rest of our lives."

If it is such a thing that has to be a crap-load of good luck, right?

•-•

Through the odd intermingling of Ashford-Britannia-Former-Black-Knights that Lelouch is more content to watch than participate, Suzaku has a certain pair of faces with which he'd like to personally mingle. Since they're married that means they have to do this sort of together. Apparently. The two of them are situated off to the side at one of the tables bordering the room that feels smaller with this many people in it.

"Suzaku!" Cecile warmly greets up on her feet – a level of familiarity Lelouch still finds odd, but appreciates the politeness – next to an apathetic Lloyd. "Congratulations, we're so happy for you!"

"Happy might be a strong word," Lloyd nonchalantly notes, standing in respect to the crown.

"Thank you. I'm glad that you could be here." Suzaku smiles and even bows a little – he's been slipping back into his Japanese mannerisms as time passes.

Lelouch, however, bows to no one.

"We just really want to wish you well in this new journey in your life." She even dips her head at the now official Knight Consort.

"Even if it's dull and boring," Lloyd continues, sitting down in his chair. "I've basically been forced into retirement now, you know. Now that my Lancelot has been decommissioned. Along with all the others."

Cecile loudly clears her throat. "It's been so nice to see you from where we started to being here now. I'm really happy that things have worked out for you. We did have quite a scare at first about the baby, didn't we?"

"Well, statistically speaking…" Lloyd meanders, leaning his chair on its back legs, "the numbers aren't in their favor. Getting married so young being only one factor. Increases the odds for a bitter divorce."

Cecile seems to strain chuckling him off. "The two of you have so much shared history. There's something special about childhood sweethearts. I know you'll be happy together for a long time."

"Not even Nina wants to play anymore." Lloyd partially whines, lazily rocking in his chair. "Instead choosing a different playmate. I suppose I understand but it still seems like a waste of—!"

Suddenly he flops backwards to smash on his back with a loud, high squawk.

That's when Lelouch and Suzaku notice Cecile's leg move away from him all while wearing a convincingly innocent smile.

She totally just tipped him over. And subtly af. Lelouch feels he might be able to learn something from her.

"I really am very happy for you and proud." Cecile's smile is wide and finally looks relieved. Lelouch also noticed she's taken ownership with her singular pronoun. "Don't worry about Lloyd. Children pout, but they get over it."

Suzaku chokes on a little laugh, seemingly uncertain if he should laugh. Lelouch is amused. Schneizel apparently allowed Lloyd a lot of room for lip, because of course that chameleon would, but the man follows orders. Occasional back-talk doesn't particularly bother Lelouch; it's not as though he doesn't understand a bit of rebelliousness. Besides, seeing Lloyd get grief from Rakshata and lose his cool in interactions with her is quite satisfying. Although Lelouch is surprised Lloyd doesn't get the chair knocked out from under him more often.

"I made some sushi rolls for you. I remember saying you liked them – but with dried fruit instead of fish because I couldn't keep it cold," Cecile says, handing over a nicely wrapped small box. "And this time I got some quality chocolate and couldn't resist – because I know children like chocolates and sweets. But it's dark, so it's also healthier."

"Chocolate?" Lelouch asks in open incredulity and a little judgment. No, ok, a lot of judgment. Sounds like a waste of quality chocolate. And fruit. And rice and seaweed wraps…

Suzaku shushingly pats his shoulder, "Oh, you didn't have to do that."

She really didn't.

"I wanted to." Her smile is so warm and sincere it is hard for Suzaku to refuse her odd gift.

"Thank you." He takes it as he naturally would. "That was very thoughtful of you. I really do appreciate everything."

Cecile's nose wrinkles with another smile, "Don't be a stranger, now."

Lloyd is picking himself up with crooked glasses as they turn to walk away. Lelouch waits until their far enough away to discreetly lean in with: "We're not really going to eat this?"

"Oh, god, no," Suzaku quickly responds with a glance down at the package wrapped with care. "I mean… she's never made me sick."

"That's comforting," Lelouch insincerely says.

Suzaku laughs, "She tries. It's sweet."

It's the thought that counts? Well, that clearly doesn't make it edible.

"Your Majesty," greets a familiarly cool, calm voice and long dark ponytail. "It's nice to see you two again."

"Doctor Sanica. It's a surprise to see you here," Lelouch genially replies. It's still weird that they actually invited her.

"Alice's plus-one," she answers – Lelouch isn't sure if that's light sarcasm or not – which makes sense, being sisters and all. "I saw Genbu. He's a healthy little boy. Congratulations."

Suzaku awkwardly chuckles, "Th-Thank you. I'm sorry we didn't get back to you sooner about dropping our appointments."

That might have slipped Lelouch's mind.

What with being shot.

Getting crowned.

Commanding a covert coup… in which he had to kill his parents.

You know, typical teenager stuff.

She hums through a very thin curve on her lips, "I figured when I saw all the news footage. Although for future reference it is very rude to not notify your doctors about any absences or cancellations. There are others that need those appointments. And we do worry."

"Yeah, sorry," Suzaku apologizes again, like the pro he is.

"I understand you'll be staying in Japan a while longer yet," Lelouch says – that's what Nunnally told him.

"Yes. Reconstruction is messy alone but there are many… former numbers here that were denied care. They need help and I want to do what I can."

"That's very admirable of you," Suzaku compliments.

"Officially with Britannia?" Lelouch asks. "Our Ambassador could always use another trusted colleague."

"Natives are still wary of Britannians, especially official ones. But maybe collaboration would be beneficial."

"She is here, if you didn't notice," Lelouch slightly jokes (because almost everybody is here). "Introductions can be made."

"Working even during your wedding reception?" Sanica slyly notes before a slow smile crooks her lips. "I like that."

Lelouch smiles in return – this doctor understands.

"Alice is coming to live in Britannia with Nunnally, isn't she?" Suzaku asks, still holding the gift from Cecile. "It will be difficult to be so far apart from each other."

She shifts in place, "Yes, well, Alice is a graduate now and she can make her own choices. Fly out of the nest, as it were."

"They do grow up fast, don't they?" Suzaku grins and bumps Lelouch's elbow.

And Lelouch doesn't know what that's supposed to mean.

(It's not like there's anything wrong with having Nunnally back in the nest.)

"Visits can always be arranged," Lelouch offers. They're both a sibling-parent, after all. "Consider it… repayment." For taking in a couple of teen boys claiming pregnancy like the lords of all idiots. For being respectful, helpful and keeping it quiet.

"Perks of helping the King?" she coyly jokes.

"Or being the relative of a friend of the King's sister," Lelouch coyly plays along.

Sanica's eyes glimmer, "I appreciate the offer. I might hold you to that."

Lelouch nods.

Looks like their holidays at the Villa are getting more and more interesting…

•-•

Lelouch is leaving the restroom when he lingers a moment in the quiet (and peace) before he's carried by curious feet toward his old bedroom when he passes by voices in his former dining room. He stops out of sight near the door way to listen. (What, don't judge.)

"…You mean he never lets you?"—Milly.

"It's not… really about letting—it's not important."—Suzaku.

"But still!" Milly insists with an almost hiss. "To never let you switch. How selfish."

Lelouch is going to assume this is exactly what it sounds like, and it's not ok.

First: it's completely not her business whatsoever in any way at all!

Second: Suzaku knows the one cardinal rule is to never discuss their private or intimate matters with others. It's private and intimate for reasons! By their very definitions!

Lelouch is about to succumb to his irritated desire to storm in when he hears Suzaku's reflexive roll of good-natured chuckles.

"That sort of thing doesn't matter," Suzaku says. "It's about being together. That's what I like."

That was… actually touching.

But Suzaku should seriously stop having this discussion.

"You… I really hope Lelouch knows how lucky he is."

"I think he does." Lelouch can hear the smirky smile in Suzaku's voice. "And, between you and me, he's not selfish. I don't have reason to complain."

All right, that last little murmured bit wasn't necessary nor is the scandalous wink that Lelouch is imagining as punctuation.

Milly ho-ho's with salacious delight, making Lelouch feel dirty. "Good for you, then, but still. You're his spouse so don't go letting him think he's got the world on a string. He needs some grounding from time to time!"

Is that what Milly calls her harassment? Grounding?

And aren't spouses supposed to be supportive?

Suzaku laughs, louder and hardier than Lelouch deems appropriate. "I can be withholding," he says. With a touch of ironic pride in his voice, he says.

Puh-lease. Lelouch can't be manipulated by what is, or isn't, happening in his pants.

And Suzaku claims to be above manipulation… As if.

With a roll of his eyes, Lelouch is about to continue on his way again—

"It's still a bit surprising, I won't lie," Milly says. "Lelouch Lamperouge, now married, now Emperor vi Britannia, married, with a child, married."

"You said married three times." A simpering smile can be heard in Suzaku's voice.

"It's worth repeating," she pointedly responds. "It was a big surprise back then when we found about the two of you, and I still wonder about it at times. I don't think he even knew what a date was until you."

A slight chuckle from Suzaku, "I'm not sure he does now. Most of our 'dates' during school were running errands and it hasn't changed that much."

Wat.

Suzaku always says it doesn't matter what he and Lelouch do together, just that they're together.

Milly lightly hums, "That's kind of sweet, though. That everyday-life thing, not doing much just… living. The glitz and glam of romance are fun, don't get me wrong, and I think is needed in relationships, but that's not… always real life. Being comfortable with someone and just cohabitating without killing the other person? That's special and kind of miraculous," she finishes with a laugh.

Lelouch thinks far too many people spend far too much time on the topic of romance and cohabitating.

And more specifically on how it involves him.

(Although he can't argue the "not killing the other person" part…)

"You seem to be really interested in Lelouch's private life," Suzaku notes.

Thanks, Suzaku. He's finally come to some sense!

"Private," Milly laughs, "is a good word. Partly it's because it annoys him." Yeah, like Lelouch didn't realize that. "But Lelouch was like some wild animal when I first met him forever ago, you know? A Prince from far away who couldn't be kept or tamed and then you walk into the scene and—!" She snaps her fingers. "Now there's this side of Lelouch I wasn't sure existed. …Maybe I was a little jealous."

"Jealous? Really?" Suzaku sounds sincerely surprised – considering he voiced some suspicions about Milly's affections for Lelouch that's quite a feat for him. Mister-Too-Good-To-Lie.

Milly makes an uncertain hum, "Oh, you know, just… at the time such a carefree—no, that's not the word… Well, I was engaged to Lloyd Asplund at the time."

"Ah," Suzaku replies and Lelouch mentally echoes the concise sound of understanding. No more need be said.

"Suffice to say such a romanticized notion of you two seemed out of reach." She pauses, "…It's not something I thought about a lot, but I guess I figured when it happened…"

"It wouldn't be an arranged marriage to somebody like Lloyd," he finishes – and it's odd to hear something even slightly disparaging from Suzaku's lips. Even about Lloyd.

"Kind of the worst-case scenario," Milly jokes making both of them laugh.

Shame, Suzaku.

"But now you have Rivalz."

"Yeah… I suppose," she fondly muses. "He's a clumsy goof, but… he is cute."

Suzaku chuckles, "I'm happy to see the two of together."

Eh.

Lelouch decides he's heard enough and has better things to do with his time than eavesdrop on Milly. (And it totally has nothing to do with the fact that they're not talking about him anymore.) He turns on his heel and—

Stifles a curse at the amused but faint little smile from Sayoko passing silently through the hall. Not to be ruffled, Lelouch straightens his robes and lifts his chin as he walks away as if he wasn't doing anything wrong by listening to his husband and friend talk about him behind his back. Ninja or not, she needs to stop being so sneaky. And catching Lelouch off-guard.

Makes Lelouch wonder just how much she might've heard through the years…

•-•

Lelouch's old bedroom is filled with boxes like a storage closet…

A slight simper tugs at his lips as he walks into the dusted room that was always pristine under his care – save for C.C.'s discourteous habits. The bed is gone but the desk, couch and table remain. He's not sure if it's better or worse than his old home being a new club room or not… He can't say he likes the idea of strangers coming through here and pawing at his old furniture but as it is now… it's kind of lifeless.

Lelouch didn't think about how it would feel to revisit after just a few short years that both crawled and raced by. He didn't think he'd feel anything, really. Maybe he just expected it wouldn't change, as if it would always stay exactly the same while in wait for his return even though he knows he'll never live here again. It's a distant sadness that tugs at his chest like some melancholy nostalgia. For nearly a decade this makeshift lodging was his home. This campus was his home. His world. So small and fragile and now…

He touches the empty surface of the desk, frowning at the dust that collects on his fingertips.

When he had returned to the Aries Villa after nearly the same decade it felt different. It was like returning to a dream where nothing was quite the way he remembered it. The property was in a state of disrepair as nobody had bothered to tend it despite letting it stand. Lelouch had wondered if… maybe his father had left it untouched simply because he couldn't part with it – but that sentimentality is yet another childish fantasy. Charles zi Britannia abandoned it because it outlived its use and let it remain because it wasn't worth the effort of either upkeep or demolition. It was just a speck in the shell of an antiquated reality.

Another reason walking across his childhood home was like a haunted memory – a place that had seemed over the rainbow was shrouded by storm clouds. Maybe not everything was a lie, but when it truly mattered such "paternal affection" proved a heart-wrenching falsehood. The reality he'd always known had crumbled right under his feet – and even now, it's still easier to be angry than let the despondency drench his (vulnerable) heart.

Lelouch looks at the empty wall shelf, crown moldings and wooden floors and all he sees are memories that have sweetened rather than soured – unlike his childhood home. This room that was little more than a desperate refuge as he struggled to raise himself and Nunnally instead became the found foundation of a future he chose for himself. His life here wasn't free of pain but somehow all those hurts seem smaller now. Lelouch gazes at the large stacks of boxes where his bed was and remembers the younger days when Nunnally didn't want to sleep alone and he read her stories of princesses – who also had rather neglectful parents. How abruptly C.C. wedged herself into his life with disarray. The first time Suzaku shared his bed, and the many nights after. The studious brunet that diligently worked on his schoolwork. The pregnant seahorse that repeatedly burst Lelouch's bubbles.

For the better.

This nest that always, somehow, seemed so impervious to everything else that wanted to sink claws into it and rip. Lelouch wonders if maybe in some way one of those nefarious outside things did succeed in pulling his world apart, or if he simply graduated out of the nest. Ashford isn't the home or life that was given to Lelouch, it was the home and life he made for himself. His parents claimed they were trying to protect him and while that was an obvious mistake for their own sake, maybe… it really did protect Lelouch? Maybe the worst thing that happened to him was actually the best thing that could have happened?

"Thought I might find you in here," Suzaku says from the threshold, making Lelouch turn.

Speak of the bubble-bursting, good-thing seahorse.

What, he's done gossiping with Milly?

"Am I becoming so predictable?" Lelouch tries to mildly smirk.

Suzaku grins. "Give me a little credit."

After hearing this guy bragging about "withholding"? Nah, no credit given.

"Not sure if I should be offended that my old bedroom is being used for storage," Lelouch lightly mutters as Suzaku joins his side.

"This place is really special, isn't it?"

Lelouch doesn't quite fully shrug but his violets flutter across the room, over pockets of the past that feel farther away than he expected they would.

In a brief pause, he feels fingers gripping into his sleeve.

"Remember that morning after I told you I found out I was pregnant and we fought, and I kicked you out?"

"I'll never forget." As if he ever could. "And neither will Sayoko," Lelouch says with an amused smirk.

Suzaku smiles back, "Our first time. during that big storm."

"Mm. That time you barfed on me in the middle of the night." Talk about a rude awakening.

Suzaku lightly pushes, "You've gotta learn to let things go." But he pulls Lelouch back even closer afterward. "I was pregnant, I couldn't help it."

So the seahorse says.

"I used to make blanket forts in here with Nunnally." Just a prince and princess ruling however they wanted over their imaginary lands inhabited by talking animals both fantastical and mundane. A place where nobody was hurt or scared and Lelouch thwarted all possible evil-doers.

"Oh, yeah? Just like we used to?" It was fun with the addition of Suzaku as a noble hero, but it still felt less real when they used to play with Euphie, and on occasion Clovis, at home in the villa.

Lelouch nods, gesturing between the desk and where the bed used to be, "She felt safer in a place that didn't seem so big, and we were closer." She had gotten used to living in that tiny Kururugi shed as a blind person and Ashford was but another big adjustment. "Especially during storms. The thunder always caught her by surprise, so she would get scared."

"I remember that," Suzaku softly says and the fingers of his other hand brush Lelouch's.

They don't scare her anymore. That stopped before her eyesight returned.

"If you wanted, I bet we could buy this room. Cut it right out of the building, ship it back home and patch it onto the villa."

It's not just this room. It's the kitchen and dining. Nunnally's bedroom. The bath… The whole damn clubhouse.

"You jest but I could absolutely make that happen," Lelouch half retorts. Geass or not, he could.

But, this is the past.

Fond memories soaked into the walls and floors.

(Doesn't look like this place get's cleaned nearly as often without Lelouch around…)

"I miss it here too sometimes," Suzaku confesses with a hint of wistfulness. "It was our first place. Like a tiny apartment."

Except without the perks of actually being in a private singular unit, but still better off than in the dorms.

"And we didn't even have to pay rent," Lelouch faintly jokes.

His violet eyes sweep around the room again, looking at memories blanketed in dust and hidden under cardboard, before landing on the desk. He remembers sitting at his desk balancing his checkbook before his Friday nights became wild caped crusades. Weekly budgets and tactical maneuvers all calculated in one sitting with thoughtful clicks of his pen. That hasn't changed too much on the throne; all the numbers are just massively larger. Feels less perilous though…

"What do you say?" Suzaku suggestively grins, pulling Lelouch closer by his bejeweled chest. "One more time here, for old time's sake?"

Lelouch smiles, letting himself be reeled in by his one-and-only seahorse, wrapping his own arms around the other man's cinched waist over the clouding skirt. He swam this far into nostalgia, he could sink deeper…

"Small Fry?"

"Nunnally is watching him. And I already locked the door." Suzaku's voice is a hot murmur, getting shorter as he wedges himself off heeled shoes – Lelouch so called it. "Also, I kind of want to get out of this dress…"

Lelouch's answer is given in an open, full kiss and steps pushing them to the desk – the only piece of furniture they never christened when the still lived here. Not too late to change that and now's certainly a prime opportunity. (In fact… he may just take the remaining furniture back home with him. A bit of sentiment every now and then isn't such a bad thing, and being a dad has probably changed Lelouch more than he realizes.) Suzaku is a contented recipient, savoring Lelouch's lips with a quiet moan and smoothing a fast hand down against his husband's zipper. No time to waste, certainly, and Lelouch quickly unzips the back of Suzaku's dress. He slides his hands down Suzaku's bare back to grips a round bottom with both hands and gently bites under a jaw sprouting a small sound into the air. Suzaku's rubbing fingers are swift to unfasten Lelouch's pants and the older gent almost tries to reach into the desk drawer through reflex for their lotion—

Then realizes they don't have any. Not in this room. Not anymore.

Also, Suzaku's absurd dress is an impenetrable avalanche over the drawers.

Lelouch pulls from the mark he's blooming on Suzaku's neck to voice this thought, thinking there are still other things they can do, but it seems for once Suzaku has thought ahead. Rather than a convenient tube of hand cream like that time it's a small jar of… petroleum jelly?

"It's all I could find in the bathroom," Suzaku confesses somewhat abashedly at Lelouch's inquisitive look as he shoves his dress down his gloveless arms.

Lelouch is sort of wondering just where Suzaku was keeping this…

"Um, we don't need a condom, do we? I took my pill today but did you?" Suzaku is leaning against the desk with an uncertain fret around his eyes and the top half of his dress slumping from his waist, exposing his stiff, perky nipples.

The emperor just returns grins a little and yanks down Suzaku's dress clear below his plush rear – making the Knight Consort laugh with a smile. (Seems Milly thought ahead on making the dress easily removable… not that Lelouch wants to put much thought into that thought.) Suzaku hoists himself up on the desk in another tonguing kiss with Lelouch pulling down the tight bikini underwear the brunet had to change into, along with some matching white tights (not pantyhose). They turn inside out before even leaving Suzaku's feet that hook at the ankles around Lelouch. Knowing they're short on time Lelouch shovels two fingers into the petroleum jar and eases them inside Suzaku. His breath hitches a bit and the desk creaks when he leans against the top shelving, one hand gripping the edge of the table and the other tangled in black hair. Lelouch leans close, pressed against the hard wooden surface (with his hardening—) and lightly grazes their lips as he watches his sliding fingers purse Suzaku's face.

"If our guests could see you now," Lelouch teases, fingers fully sheathed and spreading. "Should we invite them to share this moment too?"

"Shut up," Suzaku pants a feigned scold.

Lelouch chuckles into Suzaku's ear and slides his fingers out to push them back in and make Suzaku's spine ripple. Maybe it's bad but a little tinge of embarrassment on Suzaku's cheeks does make him cuter. It's not malicious and the seahorse seems to realize this too so he doesn't get angry. Just squirmy in all the very good ways. His body is clenching around Lelouch's fingers while he trembles under the teeth that nibble his earlobe. Lelouch's left hand travels down Suzaku's chest with skating fingertips down between those peaking nipples without touching them, just grazing up and down to first feel the anticipation pebble skin. Then Lelouch kisses towards them and Suzaku's back curves to push his chest up to seeking lips. After a slide of a tongue, they seal and nurse around a pink nub making fingers sift and clench in his ebony hair. It's just a taste and Lelouch is switching to the other one, moistening them and trickling a tingling pleasure into Suzaku's blood that the younger wants more of as he holds the older's head in place. A small, weak bite on the sensitive area is irresistible and the taller gent lifts to prevent getting carried away, quickly kissing through the smog of lust building from Suzaku's lips.

Lelouch withdraws for more of the (totally unromantic) jelly to make sure it's more than enough so they can get quick and dirty. Suzaku has the same idea as he's dipping his fingers in slacks and rubbing them along Lelouch's hardening length as well as his own. Lelouch moves his hips a little in Suzaku's slinking fingers, feeling their excited flesh meet and rub together as he sinks a third finger into contracting heat. It knots a sound in Suzaku's nose and his grip tightens on their joined erections. They're preparing each other with scooping kisses and sculpting fingers faster than they usually would but time is short for their timeout from the party.

So, Lelouch decides that's enough of the quick, time for the dirty. He grabs and holds one of Suzaku's knees up to a shoulder as he eases himself in, feeling and hearing his husband's body accept him. There's only a breath of stillness when Lelouch is completely inside Suzaku's ready body before he's moving into an appropriate thrusting rhythm to start. Suzaku's sweet, soft sounds fill the room much like they used to with every full plunge inside him, although this time accompanied by the creaking of the desk. He braces himself with one hand flat on the table surface but another reaches around Lelouch's body close to his and grips at the back of dignified robes and their lips are flirting with a kiss. Lelouch circles his hips the way Suzaku likes but faster than a usual casual speed. Might not be very graceful (when is it ever, though?) but it's getting them where they need to go.

Or, well, Lelouch thought so but Suzaku's face is scrunched and twisting like a screw.

"What is it?" Lelouch pants with slowing hips. "Does it hurt?"

"No, it's fine, it's—" Suzaku adjusts, or attempts adjusting his body. "It's just my back. I think I know why we've never done it on this desk before." He's referring to the shelving propping him up.

And, well, yeah. This desk wasn't made with amorous couples in mind.

"Do you want to move?" Lelouch doesn't even know why he's asking; they can't keep going this way.

"No, it's fine."

Lelouch nearly rolls his eyes. "You don't need to be a hero. Just move," he orders and pulls out, pulling at Suzaku's legs to get the boy moving.

The Knight does as he's told, shifting off the desk, and Lelouch guides him to turn around while peppering kisses on his neck. Suzaku's nose turns towards Lelouch and their lips loosely connect before his hands are bracing on the wooden surface. Lelouch slowly grazes his lips from shoulder to nape, lazily kissing every other breath, and smoothes his palms up and down the front of Suzaku's thighs. He presses up against the brunet's bare backside, drawing his fingertips up athletic legs, hips and then—

A pleasured sound is pushed from Suzaku's throat when he's entered and filled again. Lelouch securely grips Suzaku's hips as he thrusts to the smothered tune of indulgent moans. Suzaku has learned to control his volume and although Lelouch has learned how to make him louder anyway (at their villa) the hushed mewls are reminiscent of back then almost like memories are oozing from the seahorse's throat. It's easy to look back on those times and even easier to get distracted by it. Those chapters have ended and while Lelouch thinks he was happy then things are better now, between him and Suzaku. Lelouch draws inspiration from the mosaic of moments they've shared in this room – or even outside this room. His focus is on the depth of his diving hardness into Suzaku's squeezing body, head clouding with the lustful scent of his husband – the boy he's grown up with and will grow old with (Universe willing…)

As much as the once-forsaken-prince would like to bask in old times their time now is still limited. Lelouch reaches for Suzaku's lonely erection to pump the alert flesh with his thrusts and rub over the tip. Suzaku pushes back against Lelouch with an appreciative sound and makes the desk squeal in the opposite, but it holds against their hastening movements. It won't hurt the Knight to be taken hard and fast so the Emperor's hips don't hold back – they race forward. He rounds his thrusts into Suzaku's body feeling the deep coil of heat pull him in with every lunge and hearing Suzaku stammer Japanese when his prostate is struck. Lelouch bites the tantalizing skin in the curve of Suzaku neck and shoulder not to stifle his voice (never been one to make noise) but because of that primal, possessive urge boiling through his veins. He's sliding in and out of Suzaku, feeling the body of the man he loves stretch taut around him while hearing him pant with stifled moans. Just the seemingly unending tunnel of collapsing heat pulling him deeper each time he returns. Lelouch's teeth sink deeper to keep himself anchored while he jerks Suzaku's length up and down, not too roughly as a bit of teasing can teeter the brunets totter better. One of Suzaku's hand leap and latch onto Lelouch's arm with sinking nails and his finish hits them both a bit suddenly. The king is buried full hilt when the knight's body seizes and he lets himself loose deep inside the wringing of his husband's pleasured body that spills through his fingers.

Quick and dirty.

Well… maybe it could've been dirtier.

Lelouch pants into the back of Suzaku's shoulder as he recovers and heat wafts off of him like steam, sheening his brow and gathering a bit under his sophisticatedly layered clothes. He's washing up on the shores of after-glow and would be totally fine with flopping on the couch for a nap as he cools off. Or maybe just stay here… like this… Suzaku is a good enough crutch…

"So, uh…" Suzaku pants, staring down at the desk, "we'll probably have to pay for a replacement desk, so you can probably take this home now."

Lelouch lazily looks over Suzaku's shoulder at the certain bodily leaving strung across the desk and lightly snickers into his husband's skin. If that's the case, then perhaps the couch and coffee table should join them after all… and the bed was probably burned. If the school had any sense.

•-•

"Have a nice break?" Milly rhetorically asks with a smug look when Lelouch and Suzaku find her in the still-functioning student council club room with Nunnally, Euphemia, and Genbu.

Lelouch doesn't dignify her with a response, instead focusing on his son sitting on the table and a few boxes of Nunnally's that have yet to be handled. Little Genbu looks almost like a coat rack propping up one of Nunnally's old kid dresses that's too big, frilly and pink. She's been trying to decide if she wants to keep or donate them. Lelouch is quite sentimental about her old clothes, having been the buyer and repairer, and would like to hold onto them a little longer, but seeing this…

"I'm pretty!" the small fry happily shouts, hands up in the air.

Euphemia giggles with affection grabbing his hands from behind him with her delicate fingers.

Lelouch's eyes spear Milly, "Have you no shame? Picking on a helpless little boy…"

She slyly half-smirks, "It was his idea."

"He wanted to be pretty," Euphemia says.

"Like mommy," Milly smirks.

"Pretty!" Genbu exclaims again.

Suzaku, once again wearing the ornately-showy dress, smiles, "Yes, very pretty!" and he hoists Genbu up into his arms, turning to Lelouch. "Right?"

Lelouch wants to sigh and rubs his face.

Present company excluded, of course: "The prettiest," he says instead with a simper, ticking at Genbu's side to make the boy squeal with delight.

Yes, it's fine. Genbu can look pretty if he wants to—

"Daddy be pretty too!" Genbu spiritedly demands with grabby little hands gesturing towards the emperor.

"Daddy is pretty enough," Lelouch flatly responds, making Suzaku warmly chuckle and feeling the ominous ooze of Milly's gaze coat his skin.

—But Genbu desperately needs to learn how to not encourage Milly at any capacity.

•-•

The sun is getting weary in the darkening sky not unlike when Lelouch pokes into the kitchen partially out of habit but mostly because he wants to see if it's changed since he left. All the appliances, utensils and whatnot were all just the way he wanted them and it's almost a point of pride to see if endured whoever came after him. What he finds there instead is an anxious-looking Shirley all alone. Perhaps Lelouch would inevitably come face-to-face with her tonight like this. (Why does it seem that every time Lelouch turns around there's somebody else waiting for a one-on-one with him?)

"Are you all right?" Lelouch calmly asks although he can't help eyeing the counters – clean enough but the toaster shouldn't be floating alone on the island… it's supposed to stand by the stove.

She jumps a little, seemingly unaware of his presence. "Lulu…" Her hand leaps to her chest with a relieved breath when she sees him.

(It's kind of nice to hear her say that name.)

He can't help the tickle of a grin in the corner of his lips. "You look troubled."

Shirley's fingers are still twisting in the buttons of her green satin blouse as her eyes shift to and away from him. "…Madam Nu is here, which is a surprise…"

And she remembers that Shirley shot her, yes.

And they both know that Lelouch was Zero.

And they know each other through Lelouch.

And they know the other one knows that he was Zero—goddamn, did this shit get complicated.

"Has something happened?" he cautiously asks – she might be the wife of an ally and former lieutenant but he won't let her do anything to Shirley. Although Lelouch admits it's a delicate situation.

Shirley shakes her head, thankfully. "It just… didn't sound like she would be attending, but now she's here…"

"I don't think you have to worry about her," he tries to reassure her while calculating how to subtly handle this situation. THIS right here is a reason why he shouldn't be left out of surprises. His life is too complicated (not that they know that or should) to be thrown up in the air on a whim.

Shirley leans against the island, grasping the sleeve of her arm. "It's sort of… an uncomfortable blessing. I've been thinking that I'd like to… maybe try and apologize, or something…" Shirley explains. "But she's not really… approachable? And after everything, I'm just not sure."

Lelouch smirks a huffing laugh, "True, she isn't. But I think I can help you, if you want." It's kind of the least he can do, really. Regardless if he's Villetta's least favorite person.

She smiles, "I'd appreciate that—but doesn't have to be today! I don't want to make things… I don't want to ruin the day. We all worked hard on it, after all."

A soft smile shapes Lelouch's lips – he does appreciate the effort and sentiment.

Just.

Not.

Surprises.

Ever since Jeremiah steamrolled into Ashford Lelouch hasn't spent much time with any of his friends, but least of all with Shirley. They all visited him briefly after he was shot, but he buried himself in the acceptable excuse of imperial duty afterward. He hasn't known what he should say to her. But he knows something that she deserves to hear…

"There is… something I've been meaning to mention," Lelouch starts, feeling gross and squiggly on the inside (kind of like that time he was forced to apologize for pulling Euphemia's ponytail.) "Suzaku told me that you spoke with him after—" he considers his word choice, ultimately choosing to be helplessly vague, "…what happened." It's not like she'd forget. "I know it helped him, but mostly me, and I just… wanted you to know that I appreciate it." Blegh…

She looks a little surprised, says a lot about his decorum.

"It's what friends do, right?" A brightness outlines her voice and reshapes her frame. She says it as easily as breathing while Lelouch felt like he was regurgitating bugs.

(Not that he's ever eaten any bugs.)

"You were never supposed to be involved—"

Shirley cuts him off, "You don't have to—it's not—I mean, I know…" A meager smile worms on her lips and it does make him feel better. "Today is a happy day; we don't have to… do this."

Lelouch won't say he's grateful to hear that.

But he's grateful.

"Maybe I can just…" she holds out her arms with her sheepish laugh, "get a hug?"

Instinct says no. "Sure." Hell, she nearly killed somebody to protect him. It's an action that she's learning how to cope with, and Lelouch is familiar with that process, but it saved him.

She saved his life.

The happy look on her face makes Lelouch think that maybe she should dream a little bigger… to be so satisfied with something so small. She wraps her arms around him tightly and he loops his around her waist, feeling her warm, soft body—

And instantly remembering that evening in the rain when they kissed… It was the only time he'd ever embraced her.

Shirley wasn't supposed to remember anything. He thought he was doing the right thing at the time but now he thinks about Nunnally. No, he wasn't using Shirley to further some obscene agenda; he was trying to protect her. Shirley hasn't made it seem that she holds any ill-will towards Lelouch even if she does tip-toe around him. Understandable but still uncomfortable. Lelouch can't imagine what the whole ordeal is like sloshing around in her head. He's not so sure he wouldn't do it again. He just wishes it hadn't come to that and he has zero plans to let his failures repeat.

Shirley and her kind heart deserve better.

"I wouldn't be here without you," Lelouch quietly says in her ear. "Try not to torture yourself over this. You're a good person."

"I—" Her arms tighten around him, fingers clenching his clothes. "…Thank you," she murmurs back with a hint of a sniffle.

Good people are often the ones that actually worry about being good people and hearing confirmation come from somebody else helps.

Sometimes.

The embrace lingers longer than Lelouch intended but it doesn't feel like the evening in the rain. And he's feeling generous. She needs the comfort and security and he doesn't have to speak more of it, just hold her. All while ignoring a peeking smile from a certain seahorse half-hidden in the doorway.

To think: Lelouch now gets the rest of his life to ignore this idiot in wedded bliss.

•-•

Lelouch is feeling quite relaxed now, after Shirley and his private break with Suzaku, and is taking it easy away from the dance floor atop the carpeted stairs with Genbu who is amusing himself with his favorite stuffed seahorse as well as the Japanese prime minister's baby girl.

"A-Aren't they a pair?" Ohgi says with awkwardness he's still trying to shake – he doesn't exactly know how to conduct himself around a Britannian Emperor and Lelouch hardly blames him. Ohgi also always speaks English in Lelouch's presence but it still feels strange to hear considering as Zero he picked up much of his Japanese from the former Black Knight.

It's somewhat entertaining for Lelouch to interact with his former knights, particularly Ohgi. The others have mostly taken flight off into their own lives, maybe trying to pick up where they left off or repair what was broken, including Kallen. There's not much need for knightmare pilots anymore but transitioning into a more domestic life isn't always the easiest thing after what they've been through, but she seems to be handling it well doing… whatever it is she's doing. As for the others, they don't have a need to interact with the Britannian Emperor. Although, Diethard is a frequent bridge even for Euphemia.

However, it's somewhat less entertaining dealing with Ohgi's recent wife, Villetta. Eagle eyes, Lelouch likes to call her, doesn't exactly hide her distrust, or dislike, but is capable of remaining civil all while watching his every move. It's not so bad to have a bit of a "frenemy" minus the friendly part… Keeps Lelouch from getting too comfortable or complacent and is a reminder to watch his steps – stay away from the path of shadow that he left behind, as it were… Currently, she's conversing with Jeremiah nearby while her baby girl giggles on her back, vulnerable, with daddy at her side.

"He doesn't interact with others his age very much," Lelouch conversationally says, petting Genbu's dark curls and then straightening his shirt, his tiny tux jacket long gone somewhere else – the small fry might not care if his shirt is crooked but his dad does.

"Yeah, it's, uh… it's not easy, is it?" Ohgi offers in sympathy. "But I think she likes him!"

It can be difficult enough to find other children for playing and socializing, particularly when one doesn't know other parents, but more so as a world leader. Lelouch could invite certain… elements of the former royal family that have children but that's less appealing than scrubbing his bare skin with sandpaper.

Ohgi seemed like he would be a good father – he was somehow able to handle Tamaki for as long as he did… and he's always watched over Kallen as a caretaker. Lelouch imagines it's not always easy for Ohgi being married to a Britannian. In fact, they didn't marry until after he was elected although Lelouch doesn't think that was a calculated move. Ohgi and Lelouch have more similarities in their lives than it might seem on the surface, beyond even having mixed families.

"Let's not go planning any arranged marriages before they hatch," teases a female voice.

Who could it be but ol' eagle eyes herself.

Ohgi good-naturedly laughs but Lelouch is the one to slyly reply, "You needn't worry about that." Wouldn't it be just a gas, though, if these two did end up marrying each other by choice? (It's absolutely hilarious and absolutely not at the same time.)

Villetta's eyes barely shape in a smile with her lips.

"Stinky!" Genbu suddenly winces.

Causing Ohgi to lean over and sniff. "Oh, seems Chigusa needs a change…" he sheepishly announces and gathers the baby up in his arms with a polite pardoning of himself off the stairs.

Allowing Villetta to take his place.

She doesn't sit.

Is it just Lelouch or did it get colder just now?

Nice and frosty and quiet and not tense in any way.

Well, Lelouch is the emperor so he won't be the first to speak. If she wants to play the quiet game he can oblige.

Oblivious Genbu, on the other hand, starts happily bouncing on his lap and Lelouch smiles as he holds small hands in his careful grip. Villetta finally seats herself and Lelouch catches her gaze from the corner of his eye, giving him a strange look.

"You're an odd one," she states.

He gives her a glance, "Thank you?"

She hums.

They sit in silence.

It's really not as much fun with her as it is with Suzaku.

Jeremiah appears from the murmur of the room around them and walks up the stairs with a drink in hand that he offers to his once-upon-a-time sister-in-arms. He promptly turns to Lelouch, "Need anything, Your Majesty? Or His Highness?"

Yes, Jeremiah is always this formal. It balances rather nicely with the informalness of certain other people Lelouch knows.

Lelouch softly smirks, "No, nothing is needed."

Jeremiah nods, so very courteously, and continues on discussing noting of note (to Lelouch) with Villetta – maybe Lelouch isn't one to say, but, they're a boring pair.

Genbu is still jostling a bit in his lap and in reality has had too much sugar for one day or maybe it's just the upbeat energy of the gathering. It's a lot of stimulation for a little one like him though that should tire him out. Genbu hasn't even had a nap (since his earlier one when they arrived here, anyway) and is still bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Lelouch doesn't understand how something so small can be so larger than life in every conceivable way. So much energy, so much sleeping, so much eating, so much… clean up. So much joy, so much fussing, so much laughter, so much crying, so much curiosity, so much boldness, so much love… Genbu isn't a baby, he's a little human atomic bomb ready to burst into rainbows and seahorses. Lelouch manages to contain him, though, as the small fry attempts to climb up and all over him in an overestimation of his toddler abilities. Genbu slows a bit suddenly, seating on Lelouch's knees and staring quite intently at Villetta but she doesn't seem to notice.

"Pwretty!" he points to Villetta.

Who looks at him with a sharply raised eyebrow and piercing eyes.

Making Genbu cower, "Scarwy," and hide his face by tucking away into Lelouch's chest.

King Papa chuckles and rubs his little prince's back. "I think it's time for mommy's shift. Jeremiah, would you take him to Suzaku? I'd like to have a private chat with our friend here."

With a "Yes, Your Majesty," the guard carefully scoops Small Fry into his arms and carry him off to Suzaku on the other side of the room talking with Tohdoh, Kallen, Nunnally, and Alice. Who would've thought back when Jeremiah became Orange he'd one day be trusted carrying Zero and Suzaku's baby.

"You have a way with children," Lelouch quips to Villetta when they're alone.

She isn't amused. Villetta seems to be more the protector than the nurturer – seems papa Ohgi has that part covered.

"Genbu has a point, though. You can be an intimidating person. To some," Lelouch adds the last bit at her lifting eyebrow.

"We don't have to be best friends," she says.

"No, but there's something to be said for keeping the peace."

She faintly scoffs.

It hardly hurts Lelouch's feelings. "More specifically, there are some peace-talks that a friend of mine would like to… facilitate."

Villetta's avocado eyes lock onto his, "Just speak plainly."

Fair enough, but: "It's a sensitive, delicate subject, you see. Concerning…" Lelouch trails, leading her with his eyes to the ginger-haired topic standing with Euphemia, Rivalz and Sanica.

"I… would rather just put it all behind me, if it's all the same to you."

That is something Lelouch likes to hear, but, "Maybe you should tell her that. Or just let her say what she needs to say."

Villetta tries to be cagey but her unwillingness is always tightly ringed around her eyes.

Directness goes a long way for Villetta so Lelouch tries to be blunt: "You're happy where you are now, aren't you?"

"What?" Villetta is confused.

Ok, roundabout blunt.

"With Ohgi. Not saying it's good or bad, right or wrong, but would you be with Ohgi now if not for what happened? You ultimately chose to stay here and be with him."

Villetta nearly chokes on an incredulous cough and is unable to respond.

"She didn't deserve to get caught up in all this and… she's had losses because of it." No, Lelouch hasn't forgotten about her father. He can never forget. (Unlike Lelouch's father, hers actually loved her and she loved him.)

"Is this an order?"

Lelouch thinly smirks, "If it has to be."

They exchange another look.

Villetta tiredly sighs, "I really wasn't interested in teenage tripe when I was a teenager."

That might be putting it too flippantly considering what Shirley has been through, not that Villetta knows or particularly cares. Diminishing the problem helps to set distance from it, Lelouch supposes.

"Neither was I," Lelouch says. "But it's not really that different from the nobles, is it?" Except Shirley is a genuine person who actually wants to make amends, not just sulk and connive like a child.

The older woman makes some kind of knowing sound at him, "Can't say I miss it, no." Villetta stands wearing regality almost as if it's naturally sewn into her bones and for a small moment doesn't speak as she stares out over the room. "…I'll consider it," she finally says, a touch emotionless.

"Very well, you're dismissed," Lelouch instructs with an amused curl of his lips.

He's given a glance of her sharp eyes before she heads down the stairs and in the direction of where Ohgi shuffled.

Sometimes Lelouch really wonders just how they could have ever made a pair – but then remembers he'd really rather not think that much about it…

•-•

A Milly conspired event wouldn't be complete without a finale, of course. So after the cake has been sliced, with Genbu getting more of it on his face than in his mouth, the foods have been eaten, the drinks dwindled, and the people successfully mingled, it's up on the roof under the evening-soaked sky for fireworks. Earplugs are given for the little ones to protect their precious eardrums and without much ado up the shells soar with big bangs and blooms. The bouquet of chrysanthemum sparks is stunning in the dark sky, but as equally captivating as the rainbow bursts are the faces admiring them. Lelouch scans the group only to ultimately land on his husband and son – Nunnally is just in front of him so he can't glimpse her expression.

The wind carries a bit of a chill from creeping autumn that loosely stretches around them making Suzaku snuggle Genbu closer to keep him warm. Small Fry stares up in amazement, mouth agape under wide unblinking eyes. Suzaku is more aware, though, and notices eyes on him and slides his greens over to violet with a smile.

Maybe it's the atmosphere.

Maybe it's the culmination of the entire wedding.

Maybe it's the fact that everybody else is suspended in gawking up at the sizzling blossoms. Because Lelouch gently reaches sideways around Suzaku's waist to close the gap between their bodies and lips. A simple, lingering kiss illuminated with the strobes of fireworks and running just as hot. Their moist lips part and after a little sly smile on Suzaku's mouth, kiss again with none-the-wiser.

Nunnally, Suzaku and Lelouch had to wait years to stand on this roof and enjoy some fireworks together. Such a simple thing, such a small wish that feels so full in Lelouch's chest and every second is worth every day it took to get here. They shouldn't have had to wait this long and Lelouch is mentally promising himself to seize every opportunity that comes along to do this again. Perhaps he'll personally host New Years from now on at his house. Hell, even the weird guest list is invited—

Uh, maybe. Let's not get too carried away…

•-•

Genbu is about passed out in Lelouch's arms, his little head heavy on his father's shoulder. Papa doesn't feel far behind him. Everyone has mellowed into the evening and time to call it a night for the world leaders at the party. Namely Lelouch.

As far as surprises go, this wasn't so bad.

"I have to say, I expected worse," Lelouch teases in the aftermath of the partied-out rotunda of empty plates and a chipped cake. People are milling about and settling into goodbyes – Lelouch can't say he'll miss sneaking out to avoid the cleanup like he used to, only to have to do it anyway because the other teens were lousy at it.

"You mean you expected the cake to explode," Milly says.

"Something like that," Lelouch grins with a tilt of his head.

Milly softly smiles and her blue eyes hold an endearing shade. "I know you're the big important Emperor now but I can't have you forget that you were my Vice President."

Lelouch's chest rustles with a light chuckle, "Never get too big for the little people?"

"Little people?" Milly echoes with pretend offense. "It's nice to know what you really think."

They both look over at everybody else shuffling around in the tired room that has dimmed.

"Is it… strange?" Lelouch asks with genuine curiosity.

"I mean…?" Milly considers with a meager shrug that doesn't quite fully lift her shoulders. "Yes and no? You made it very clear that you wanted to leave that life behind, but I guess you can only run for so long, right?" Her eyes land on him again. "And, well, you can take the prince out of the palace but can't take the palace of the prince?"

Lelouch's lips twitch as he looks at her, "You think I'm that stuck-up?"

"You did just call us little people," Milly playfully retorts with a smile. "I am surprised that you went back after all your effort to stay away and hidden, but I also think that it's fitting you're wearing the crown now. If anybody can do it, you can. Even if you were often a lazy VP," she adds in a teasing mutter.

"But of course you had the easy part of thinking up outrageous ideas, the rest of us had to figure out how to accomplish them."

"The challenge is part of the fun!" she chirps. "And good leaders know how to delegate."

Lelouch nods with a dry eye-roll. Milly didn't delegate. She chose victims.

But now there's a rather quick droop to her expression and demeanor. "It's hard to think that three years have passed already. I wasn't so naive as to think we'd all remain the way were in school, but it really felt like it all ended before I even realized, especially with you and Suzaku leaving the country before even graduating."

Suzaku certainly should've stayed to finish his education…

"Nina is off gallivanting with her little fairytale. Kallen is… doing whatever she does. Shirley is talking about going back to the mainland. And now even little Nunnally is leaving the nest. Now comes the part when we all spread to the winds. We say nothing will change, but let's be realistic."

Ah…

This wasn't really just about a wedding and stuffing Suzaku into a dress or even large amounts of cake. It's about having them all together like they used to be. Because they aren't any longer. Milly's schemes always seemed so wild or extreme, but she just really wanted to bring people together and enjoy themselves if only for a day.

"You still have Rivalz," Lelouch wryly quips.

Milly wrinkles her nose in a little snide smile at him. "Yes. And the pestering of my grandparents to have children. Just when you think you've cut one leash another replaces it."

Lelouch suppresses a shudder at the thought of miniature Millys.

"Although I should tell you they are very appreciative of your support as Emperor now."

They deserve it.

"I thought it would appease them for a while yet," Milly continues in a sigh, "but they're always looking to the next horizon."

"Must be the Ashford blood," Lelouch smirks. Genbu stirs a little and it's definitely past time to put him to bed, or he'll be fussy. "You know… aside from any future weddings or baby showers," Lelouch lightly teases, "those don't have to be the only time we all get together again. I can't believe that Student Council President Milly would give up so easily." Lelouch hasn't kept in touch like he should have, instead relying on Suzaku to maintain relationships but that's not fair to anybody and is too little effort. It would be… disheartening to lose the club now. They aren't the family he was born into but they are the one he's picked and from his perspective, that's far more meaningful than shared blood.

"You're right, of course." Milly's spine straightens. "I can't give up. Ashfords don't know the meaning of quit."

That's the truth.

"And I'm the Emperor. I can make things happen."

"Nice abuse of power," she slyly smiles – she would know.

But why is there this assumption that he'd have to abuse his power to make anything happen?

(That is part of his power.)

"Here's the part where I say goodbye and have fun cleaning up," Lelouch says with much satisfaction, rubbing Genbu's back.

Milly's eyes half-roll at him, "Yeah, yeah. Go on, Your Majesty."

Lelouch makes eye-contact with Suzaku talking with Shirley across the room and gestures to leave. He gets a nod from the brunet and turns to Milly one more time.

"Next time you want to plan me a surprise party, don't," Lelouch semi-seriously orders (but seriously, don't.)

Milly smilingly shakes her head at him, "It wasn't just for you, you know. And I'd say I wish you'd lighten up, but then this wouldn't be fun."

Lelouch hums.

Feels like he walked right into that one.

The sudden hug that Milly wraps around him is unexpected. Neither of them has ever been affectionate towards each other. Somehow… it kind of hurts a little, in a way.

"I thought having a little brother would be fun, even after I met you," she says in his ear.

"I guess I wish I could say the same about having another sister," Lelouch quips. They really don't need to start getting all emotional now, after all this time. Although, honestly speaking, as far as sisters go she is in the top three of… the three he actually considers family. (Sorrynotsorry, Cornelia.)

Milly pulls back with a lighthearted scoff to look him in the eyes, "You're so mean."

Lelouch just grins.

It's ok to be soft and squishy on the inside, but not the outside.

No matter what Euphemia or Suzaku think.

•-•

After the party, they're back at the Kururugi Shrine and Lelouch is looking forward to a quiet ending to the day. He sits at a piano in a large sitting room with Nunnally, Sayoko and of course their hosts. Lelouch didn't play much piano before the baby was born, mostly because they didn't have one in the Clubhouse, but soon discovered afterward that it had a soothing effect on little Genbu. The piano Lelouch practiced on as a child at the villa was still there but beyond repair, which was fine by him. He's reclaiming everything and it's easier to make new memories when the old is gone, so he relocated a snowy grand piano from the palace. Here, however, is a warm brown upright that gently sings under his tender fingertips. The melody is soft and smooth, each small, swooping note fading into the next like a lullaby, but not. It's an old, love pop-song that pre-dates the war. One his mother liked and sometimes sang. Nunnally likes it too; it's even the same melody as her music box. When one of the nearby clubs had a small electric keyboard Lelouch would "borrow" it at night to help her sleep in what used to be a foreign Ashford Academy clubhouse. That already feels like a lifetime ago. Despite the tethered sadness to a forsaken memory of his mother, Lelouch's lips are soft with a contented smile. Because something that was hers has been reclaimed.

It became Lelouch's and is now theirs.

Nunnally quietly hums the tune of the lyrics as she slowly sways in the rocking chair with Genbu in her lap that just refuses to admit he's sleepy after a little blip from waking during his clothes change – such defiance is definitely from Lelouch. His head is too heavy for him to support as it rests against Nunnally's chest with a hand rubbing his back. There is some hushed, idle chatter in Japanese between Suzaku and his… family; Kaguya and Tohdoh but also and now Chiba who was busy elsewhere today. No wedding bells just yet but by the sound of it… Lelouch wouldn't be surprised if she and Tohdoh tied the knot soon. They all talk mostly about mundane things and it's nice to hear. They discuss repairs that were made to the house and property, ones that are still needed, the general upkeep and if Suzaku has any opinions on any changes – he mostly doesn't. Tohdoh is the current resident but still sees Suzaku as the young master and it's kind of… sweet. Suzaku will never return to living here again and he has voiced having mixed feelings about the place which Lelouch can understand.

It will always be Suzaku's home, Tohdoh makes clear, and by extension Lelouch.

Eventually, Suzaku appears behind Lelouch. Hands warmly pour over Lelouch's shoulders down to his chest and a head lightly rests atop his as he feels a body press against him. Lelouch faintly smiles, adept fingers not missing a key in their rhythmic stroll. All in all, this is more Lelouch's speed in terms of "gatherings." He appreciates the efforts of their friends but Lelouch is who he is and likes what he likes. Quiet, subdued, minimal tasking and sans gratuitous frilly dresses or skirts. This is homey and what he's been vying to have for a very long time.

Suzaku's cozy embrace is soothing and all the bad thoughts slowly feel farther and farther away. They don't need to linger on the surface anymore and cloud Lelouch's… everything. The sharp edges made him who is and he won't get soft or squishy but he doesn't need to hold them so close anymore (to the point he harms himself.) His teeth and claws are still for his enemies and it feels good to retract them when they're not needed.

So… maybe not a whole lot has changed, really, but enough for Lelouch.

He feels a little different, at least.

And Suzaku doesn't seem to nag—uh, reprimand him nearly as much. …About that sort of thing.

"I think it's time for bed," Lelouch quietly announces. "It's been a long day." Jet-lag means Lelouch is too tired to even do proper math on that.

Suzaku hums, feeling the motions of Lelouch's piano fingers moving up through both their bodies until the Britannian stops. He touches Suzaku wrist and seahorse hums again.

"I guess you had that nap for nothing."

Lelouch pushes back, making Suzaku lift off of him. "You think you're so clever, don't you?" he very dryly teases as he stands to see Suzaku grinning at him.

"Not as clever as you think you are."

Lelouch denies responding to that, looking at Genbu snoozing in auntie Nunnally's embrace.

"The things you say to me." Lelouch walks over to gingerly take small fry from her so that she can ready herself for bed. "It's a good thing he's asleep. You'll give him such awful habits." Lelouch lovingly pats Genbu's back as he walk out of the room, well aware of the rather wry look on everybody else's face.

"Me?" A light scoff puffs from Suzaku's throat as he follows behind his husband. "You're really one to talk…"

•-•

Nunnally has declared that she'll have the baby in her room while they say here for the weekend. She wants to spend some extra time with her nephew and says it will give the parents a bit of a break. Lelouch isn't sure he should say it's a breather, but… babies need. A lot. Just so much need of everything all the time, it can be tiring. He's looking forward to sleeping in late, suffice to say… but still wants to put the small to bed.

There's a crib all ready and for him in her room and Lelouch carefully places small fry down on the cushy, plush bedding with Suzaku beside him. Genbu looks unbearably cute in his pastel blue onesie embroidered with a cluster of tiny balloons on the chest. Even with the slobber already leaking from his open mouth. Lelouch reaches down and wipes the drool away with the back of his sleeve (he's going to be changing out of it anyway) as they both just stand and gaze in silence filled only with small baby breaths. Lelouch was too young when Nunnally was a baby so he doesn't remember very much other than watching her sleep once in their mother's arms. Must have strongly imprinted on him, though, as he's never forgotten that visual.

"We could've had an ordinary life like this," Lelouch murmurs almost as if it's a question, gently combing his fingers through Genbu's unruly dark hair. It almost feels absurd for Lelouch to imagine himself in some average day-to-day job but coming home to his little family and their simple life does have a tempting allure.

Lelouch had the chance. He could have walked away from all of it, the throne, another mask, everything. It would've been possible to completely amputate, erase himself and Nunnally and finagle Suzaku's release all from the Britannian chains and then just lived. Like average people doing average things. Like his friends (well, maybe not exactly like them…). It could have been done but he doesn't really know if it would have been easier. (Lelouch had already secured Schneizel. It's possible that he could have puppeted the world like but another chessboard. But Lelouch is a hands-on type of person. Controlling is kind of his thing… Suzaku wouldn't have liked it.)

"We don't really do ordinary, remember." Suzaku watches Lelouch fondly pet Genbu's sleeping head. "Do you regret it?"

"No room for regret," Lelouch says very simply, leaning down to kiss Genbu's temple and then lift, touching Suzaku's cheek with the same fingers that had lovingly caressed their child's hair. "There's only looking forward." He presses a soft kiss against Suzaku's lips, which the Japanese man returns in kind, before walking out of the room.

Suzaku lingers a few beats after, green eyes shifting to Genbu.

•-•

Lelouch is already undressing when Suzaku joins him in their room; his top half is bare and he's contemplating showering – has it been too long or not long enough since he last did? – when hands slowly slide around his waist. Suzaku's arms encircle Lelouch from behind in a full embrace and he turns his head toward his right shoulder where he feels lips pressing his scar. Affectionate lips delicately kissing on the marred red splotch until they inch upward to the top of his shoulder. The brunet's firm hold is lined with regret and Lelouch refrains from griping the arms linked around him, instead fisting his shirt still in his grasp.

Although not identical it's similar to their "poison gas" reunion. Suzaku had to witness Lelouch's attempted assassination and even consider the thought that… their time together is not guaranteed, from the widow perspective. Lelouch would've died for a greater cause and that was the first time Suzaku could fully comprehend how that would feel for Lelouch while he played about throwing his life around with Lancelot's blade.

"I love you," Suzaku softly says against Lelouch's shoulder in a spill of hot breath.

"I know," Lelouch softly smirks and turns around to share it with his clinging seahorse.

A small smile of amusement flirts with his lips as they hold a shared gaze a moment before Lelouch leans in for a kiss – one that deepens fairly quickly and instantly sinks both of them. Suzaku's hands begin tugging his pajama shirt up to take it off and Lelouch helps, feeling a second wind of energy and thinking a shower can wait.

He was looking forward to their wedding night earlier.

Suzaku showered shortly after they came back to the Shrine, perhaps in anticipation of their consummation, and so is in his matching pajama buttoned-top and pants. He still sports the old undershirts and shorts while at the villa unless he's cold, but here as a guest, the cotton sleep-set is just more modest. He doesn't wear the dressing gown like Lelouch does, though, because he's not one for much fuss. Lelouch doesn't mind either way. He likes that his childhood friend keeps things comfortable and normal. Besides, they're both easily peeled off anyway…

•-•

The room they've been given is certainly a dramatic improvement from the little leaky shack of 11 years ago – that is, it's a proper room with furniture, walls, and roofing which don't shift with the wind. Lelouch can still hear the serenade of nighttime bugs and frogs and there is a strange almost unfamiliar vine of nostalgia twining through him but his attention is on his husband rather than the surroundings. Behind a locked wooden door, and not a crooked, warped slab with a handle that barely closed, the emperor's back is cushioned by soft and numerous bed pillows with the now totally official knight consort on him in a backwards straddle with a lifted backside. Not the most elegant of positions but Lelouch can attentively pleasure and prepare Suzaku while allowing his spouse the same privilege. They're not too hurried but enthused as they prepare each other for the second time today.

Pretty good for their wedding day.

Suzaku doesn't need as much adjusting to take in Lelouch as he used to and he's still eased from earlier but they both still enjoy taking the time. Suzaku's hands are securely around Lelouch's full erection as he mouths the tip with liquid moans that ebb and flow to the motions blanketing his entrance. Lelouch rubs at the loosened opening with his tongue, lapping with the natural, vanilla, edible lubricant that warms Suzaku's skin. The smooth ring constricts to his touch and Lelouch's body twitches to the tongue lapping his sensitive skin. He grabs Suzaku's fleshy rear in both some appreciation and impatience – it's certainly easier to hold out when he's not being touched but it's fairer to let Suzaku do this, or something. He's not frustrated, though; indeed he aims to make Suzaku squirm as he squeezes the plump cheeks in massaging, circular motions. His hands spread them apart as he more ardently licks his husband, savoring the wash of ghosting moans that seep down his erection. The brunet even slips in his efforts on Lelouch, but the royal doesn't mind. The more his seahorse spouse enjoys himself the better it is for both of them. Suzaku grips the blankets and Lelouch's hip as his indulgence overrides his brain and he reflexively pushes himself back against Lelouch's working tongue. The black-haired male can feel a panting, mewling mouth shoveling into his other hip as he relentlessly tongues flexing opening in front of him. He even rubs around it with his thumb, pushing in past the nail through the sweet-smelling lubricant mixing with musk and biting a chunk of flesh when Suzaku pushes back for more. The younger man can't focus and that's fine until he tears himself away and turns around, revealing Lelouch's residue and the flustered hunger on his face.

Time to shift gears.

Lelouch pushes himself up knowing Suzaku is ready to connect as husband and husband but Suzaku crawls onto his lap before he can crawl between muscular thighs. He's held by his face into a kiss before he can even get his bearings pushed back down on his back, though a strong grip on Suzaku's plump rear is helpful. Suzaku moans into Lelouch's mouth and the older squeezes the flesh in his hands more firmly. They part on amorous breaths and Suzaku's fingernails embed in Lelouch's shoulders as two fingers rub over and into his wet, supple entrance, teasing with the promise before they're bodies are angling to fill the knight. Suzaku lowers with groans of pleasure spilling up and out of his stiffening spine and Lelouch bites Suzaku's neck as his standing length is engulfed in the hot constriction of his husband's body. It even seems like Suzaku might finish prematurely but he bottles it up tight – tightly around Lelouch's flesh. Said Britannian can't resist teasing his little hubby, biting his neck before the seahorse pushes upright and looks down with gleaming greens. Suzaku moves his hips and loose sounds drip from his open mouth as his body practically snakes on and around Lelouch. He undulates in an entrancingly slow and steady rhythm of indulgence that Lelouch feels sinking and squeezing around him.

It's a more than intriguing sight.

The rather dramatic pregnancy and passing of time haven't seemed to affect Suzaku's body overmuch – although he's still adamant about exercising – but the past three years haven't been a honeymoon by any means. Although they spend much of their time together, with Suzaku being Lelouch's knight, the amount of that being intimate was few and far between. Their private moments have often been with the baby, not in bed. While part of it was not enough hours in a day, for the first year there was Suzaku's mental and emotional recovery from a pregnancy that ended in stress and near death. Physically Suzaku returned to tip-top shape fairly quickly (because the seahorse is some freak of nature, for sure) but he still needed time and Universe knows there was a world of other matters that also demanded their attention. It's a pleasure to getting back to finding their sexy time groove.

Lelouch grips Suzaku's riding hips and admires the view that is completely for his eyes – or at least as long as he can. His own hips are getting antsy, jumpy, not meant to be tied down. He's plunged deep within Suzaku's body and relents to the desire sparking his blood with a hop of his lower half that sinks him inside as Suzaku's is sliding back down. The younger man croaks out in surprised pleasure and their eyes meet through the lustful air smoking between them. Lelouch bumps his hips to again be rewarded another satisfied cry and before he knows it he's pushing himself up and sinking his fingers into Suzaku's plush rear as their bodies rock together. A bit clumsily at first, too. But soon enough Suzaku leans back on his hands and their hips row in perfect circles together like cogs. The seahorse is somehow able to moan, pant and be breathless all at once. Kururugi Suzaku is a wonder of the world, absolutely, and Lelouch gets to admire him up close and personal. Lelouch watches all of Suzaku from his passion-painted face, his twisted nipples standing from his chest, jostling erection jumping from their hips and the rosy entrance that swallows Lelouch whole after spooning off of his reaching, bare hardness. Lelouch is thankful modern medicine has caught up to enable male birth control because (even though it shouldn't be a thing) now they're not constrained to condoms that obscure his view. He almost can't tear his hypnotized violets away.

Suzaku's moaning is a little distracting when poured on top of all this but Lelouch can't let anything get away from him too soon. His eyes shift upward to the jutting arousal just dripping with anticipation and closes his palm around it, not stroking so much as letting their motions slide through his hand. Another gusty moan and Suzaku becomes a bit of a droopy sail with winded lungs and Lelouch seizes the chance to take over, easing Suzaku down on his back and driving himself deep into the clenching heat to make his husband crow. He's spearing into his best friend's welcoming heat again and again, hitting that place inside harder each time. He gazes down at the ecstasy melting Suzaku over his bones and doesn't let his mind wander anywhere else. It could, but instead, he stays focused on how it almost feels like they've shaped each other with every time they've shared their bodies. Lelouch doesn't just thrust himself inside, he's invited inside because it's where he belongs.

Imagine if Lelouch had uttered something like that for his vows instead…

Looking down at himself sliding out nearly completely and then ramming back into Suzaku's gripping ring he doesn't want this to end. He would pump himself and pour bottomless pleasure into Suzaku all night, if he could. It's such maddening repetition of chasing pleasure while also trying not to really catch it. The demon disguised as the king could push them beyond heaven right now. Suzaku's pulsing body is begging his to rut like animals but Lelouch is not an animal. He's a devilish tease. The best part of being with Suzaku is before it ends; making him shiver with pleasure and toeing the line. They like to get close to that edge then ease back, and truthfully it's easier on Lelouch as well…

So he slows significantly until he's holding rooted in Suzaku's body brimming with hot pleasure, waiting through throbbing beats that just pulse and pulse around him before he pulls out. Suzaku doesn't whine or protest, just makes an uncontrollable groan that is kissed by Lelouch's lips that still want to tempt the tide by moving to nibble his husband's earlobe. The brunet squirms under him and a moan seeps out of him in a hot glaze when fingers knead one of his tall, stiff nipples. Legs squeeze around Lelouch when he lowers his mouth to lick the other pointed nub pushing up with an arching back. To be a further tease, he kisses away from the urgent little bud to savor a firm chest. Lelouch loves Suzaku's skin – he supposes he always has – and greets nostalgia when he pulls his tongue flatly above a ripe nipple. That's what he did their first time; literally tasted the boy's body under him. Now, though, he sinks in some teeth and sucks making Suzaku shudder with anticipation, letting loose another sailing sound to ghost through the air. Lelouch moves down between Suzaku's tight, peaking nipples with calculated lips, teeth and tongue that kiss, nip and lap with the speed of molasses. Suzaku's blood can barely stand it, racing through his whole body and wiggling in his limbs – including the one very eager extension. But Lelouch has learned his husband's body with tenacious fascination and he knows just how to command it. The line that he reaches first isn't any premature reaction, of course, but the scar across Suzaku's abdomen.

The mark of his… cesarean.

Suzaku is still in admirable shape but a little softer in places he wasn't before and his stomach is one of them, not that Lelouch cares. He adoringly licks over a less-than-taut navel before pressing his tender lips along the surgical mark and the breath that flows from Suzaku's chest carries contentment. A little less hot-and-heavy and a little more lovey-dovey is always appreciated. Fingers thread through Lelouch's hair with affection and while he nurtures the moment it's hard to keep from remembering the terror of that day…

Lelouch can't fall into that trench now.

His lifts up to gaze down at Suzaku, seeing a face drenched with flushed desire and reunites their mouths in sloping kisses. His lips spill down Suzaku neck in a cascade of kisses leading him to backtrack over burning skin pulsing under his kisses to pool on a tense and alert nipple. Lelouch delicately plucks his lips at the standing nub and Suzaku's chest hitches into the teasing attention as he always does, earning a lap from the tip of a tongue. The brunet's body tightly writhes a little under the tongue gently licking back and forth, then around in small circles. He smothers the pink bud with his wet, hot organ feeling it stiffen harder and closes his lips around it to savor the pleasure splintering through Suzaku's blood. Whispering whimpers of pleasure float over Lelouch's head as he lightly sucks his husband's sensitive weak spot and adds the grazing glide of fingernails. Lelouch mouths a touch harder around the nipple while skating his fingers up and down Suzaku's body and legs, unleashing a ripple of tingling sparks that visibly pebble Suzaku's skin. The seahorse's body wriggles once more like a fish and Lelouch switches to teasing the other tall nub, smoothing the flat of his tongue over it more roughly than before and even nipping slightly with his teeth, pulling upward. Suzaku's hips jump with a half-startled sound, reminding Lelouch of his ignored erection.

Feeling a sense of empathy for the weeping hardness, Lelouch presses his lips to the side of it as he pushes Suzaku's knees up and wider apart. The full spread, as it were. Teasing kisses make Suzaku tremble quite severely and his breathing is heavier. Lelouch slowly slides his tongue up the underside all the way to the tip like one might with a popsicle and it becomes apparent that Suzaku is fighting to remain still. A light smirk curves into Lelouch's lips and he slips his fingers into the panting mouth of his knight, slicking them with a compliant tongue. Lelouch continues to idly mouth the flesh and gently rubs his saliva-moist fingers over his husband's anxiously flexing entrance but is barely pushing inside when nails imbed in his shoulders.

"Wait," Suzaku breathes and when their eyes connect he says, "Too close."

Lelouch nearly simpers, "It's ok if you do."

"I don't want to."

Lelouch would like to extend this as long as possible too, but the boy really shouldn't hurt himself.

The Britannian withdraws and stops everything, steadying himself on the bed with his hands and returns to drowning his husband in kisses. Their sliding lips wash together and Lelouch lets his body lower some on Suzaku making their hard lengths brush and twitch before pulling away to prevent any accidental, premature overload.

For either of them.

It's nice, actually, to just step back and blend their lips together in affectionate, savoring kisses. There's a pleasant tension with the heated passion is still pumping through Lelouch and he knows it's coursing through Suzaku too; it makes the moment sweeter. To just stop everything and let this simple pleasure boil their skin – it's not always just about the finish. When they get the time to really just enjoy each other they shouldn't—can't take it for granted.

"Lelouch… you've really gotten better at this," Suzaku suddenly, unprompted, announces between their lips.

And now Suzaku has ruined it.

"…What?" Lelouch doesn't hide his indignation but does effectively stall his lips.

Suzaku sheepishly laughs with his panting breath, "I just mean that… after all this time… your endurance has improved. I guess all you needed was the right motivation."

Lelouch stares in fierce deadpan.

"It's a compliment!" Suzaku tries to diffuse, grabbing Lelouch's shoulders. "I'm saying you last longer than you used to!"

Funny, that didn't really sound like a compliment.

Lelouch doesn't exactly feign hurt when he begins to push himself away from Suzaku, "You're an idiot." To say something like that at such a time… Lelouch doesn't have endless energy like the super-human-seahorse, but he has discipline and control over himself – he's not an animal.

"Wai—You're not leaving!?" Suzaku wraps his legs around the emperor before he's able to completely withdraw. "Well, I'm not letting you." And he grins far too triumphantly.

Lelouch isn't sure if he should be proud.

After all, Suzaku shouldn't be the smug one between them.

"A battle of stubbornness is it?" Lelouch loftily says with a lifted nose. "We'll remain even after the sun dies."

Suzaku chuckles a little, "True." He cups Lelouch's jaw. "I wasn't trying to insult you, and I apologize," he tenderly says with sincerity.

Lelouch was only bluffing.

Doesn't mean he won't milk this.

"And…?" he stingingly taunts, scraping his nails along the underside of Suzaku's thigh. "What do you want me to do?"

Suzaku is half-heartedly exasperated by that as if only for show. "I want you to take me, my King."

Lelouch's lips flatly curl in one corner, "There's no need to be so mocking."

Suzaku laughs again, but the rustled sound is whipped into a gasp when Lelouch smoothly enters him again all the way to his hips. The king holds still for a moment, feeling the other man squeeze around him almost as if trying to pull him in deeper, and he watches the flush of arousal return in a flash.

Lelouch leans his weight on his hips against Suzaku, "How about a please?"

Greens eyes narrow somewhat at him and he tosses Lelouch's retort back at him; "There's no need to be an ass."

Not so smug now, is he.

Lelouch could say that it's not his ass that the Knight should worry about, but he's sufficiently irritated his husband enough – teased them both enough as well. He still eases his hips back into motion rather than roughly trashing so they can build back up where they were. Slowly and deeply the dark-haired man fills his spouse with almost cautious waves of his body and legs bend tightly around him. Suzaku's soft sounds are appreciative as are the hands that slide up Lelouch's back and their lips meet in another string of grazing kisses. There aren't strained cries that leap from Suzaku's throat but instead an intoxicatingly sweet symphony of contented moans dusted with gasping pants. Explosive, fiery passion is good, but so is this comfortable melding between a long-steady couple. (Well, Lelouch can't believe it but he actually agrees with Milly on that.) Lelouch knows Suzaku's body better than he knows his own and he can't imagine himself ever reaching this level of intimacy with anybody else. These lips that press against his and this skin heating under his touch, the supple clench consuming his hardness… It's true, though, that Lelouch wants to make Suzaku burst like the feeling in his chest whenever they're together.

Which is every day.

The Britannian's pace quickens upon natural impulse and the nails that streak his back like the first time are more than a reward, they're an intrigue. Lelouch affectionately bites Suzaku's neck while plunging himself deeper and blooming unending but soft, stammering croons from the seahorse. They aren't even words this time and to Lelouch's ears that sounds like more of a compliment than when Suzaku reverts to Japanese or some mangled English. At the very least its proof Lelouch is doing right.

"Close…" Suzaku breathes in warning, limbs tightening around Lelouch.

Seems it didn't take much more

Which is more than fine by Lelouch.

His teeth nibble back up Suzaku's neck before lifting off to stare down at his best friend squeezing around his thrusting erection. The haze on green eyes is as hot as the flush burning on his cheeks and the blood throbbing through Lelouch and pooling in their connection. He feels the body under him rutting faster and pulling him in more strongly the closer Suzaku gets with every breath he loses to Lelouch's hips. With fiery concentration, Lelouch heaves his himself into Suzaku's tight, slinking insides and his head droops into pressing their foreheads together. Lelouch's face is slickened with the steam of their mixing gasps and looking downward he can see Suzaku's chest rise as his body arcs into the shuddering end. His hard nipples stand straight out from his firm pectorals and his violets are almost magnetized. Lelouch wants to lock his lips back around them and thirstily suck, make them twistingly tingle with his tongue, feast them with his hungry teeth and hear Suzaku crow… but he can't break form or concentration. Suzaku's body is only coiling more tightly and his voice is siphoned from him in a winded, sharpened mewl – at any second he'll snap like a rubber band.

Lelouch won't be far behind him.

It's still an irresistible desire, though, and he reaches with one hand to pinch the beckoning nipple. Suzaku moans a little as his back bends upward more, as if that could be possible. Lelouch thumbs over the rigid peak and twists it between his finger pads fully aware of the certain other extension jutting between them from Suzaku's bouncing hips. The nipple tease must be the final button to push as with a long but painless drag of his nails down an alabaster back, Suzaku breaks right as Lelouch expected. He seizes and creaks out a nasally croon as his release slashes between them while Lelouch continues pumping into the soft, flexing clamp of the seahorse's finishing body. It coaxes Lelouch right along with his lecherous thoughts circling Suzaku's still pointed nipples and he feels his back steel through the pleasure that rushes out of him and into Suzaku completely carefree. Although he misses the mark his mouth craved to taste his teeth just need to bite so he chomps down on Suzaku's collar bone and the younger closes his legs around Lelouch to keep inside him as they dissolve into dust…

And twitch into stillness.

Just two sweaty bodies.

Huffing and puffing.

Lelouch pulls out and with empty lungs kisses randomly over Suzaku's chest, targeting at least one pink oval of skin and decides why the hell not – through their dazed state he lovingly places a kiss on Suzaku's right nipple before chomping again. Suzaku's body jerks a little in surprise but the fingers of one hand pet through is damp hair so he continues to quench the indulgence, but gently. Not in a ravishing craze like he wanted but minutes ago, although still eager. Lelouch slides his tongue up over the stiff point before mouthing the whole nipple with spirited nursing. Fingers keep sifting through his hair and a contented sigh wisps from Suzaku who should probably be overly sensitive after his climax, but he isn't.

Because he's an unnatural being.

"You're going to make me hard again if you keep doing that," murmurs the super-human.

Lelouch barely breaks enough to pleasantly retort around the nipple; "That's not so bad, is it?"

"Not if you have the energy to go again."

Oh, insults, now, is it?

Lelouch actually lifts to give emerald eyes his lifted eyebrow, "I could make you finish again even if I didn't." He of course absolutely does not have the energy but he could still bring Suzaku to heaven without being as direct. Foreplay is an art and Lelouch is the undisputed master.

(Yes, you read that right.)

Suzaku lips curl in a wry simper, "Cocky one, aren't you?"

Lelouch hums and hoists himself up to either kiss the pun off Suzaku's lips or at least smother it. He recognizes the reference to their first time and doesn't doubt that it was on purpose, and while he was seriously considering taking up the challenge of making Suzaku orgasm again with minimal energy (look, his romantic skills are still developing) the strike of nostalgia stops him.

A sudden inspired thought occurs to him and seizing the moment is another skill Lelouch has mastered…

"…You know what would make for a better goodbye to Ashford?" Lelouch casually asks, making Suzaku blink up at him in question.

•-•

"Are you sure about this?" Suzaku whispers following his husband through a dark hallway.

"I'm always sure of everything," Lelouch quips in a not-whispery volume. "And you don't have to whisper, there's nobody around on the weekend."

A door opens and Lelouch flicks on the lights to the bathroom of the Clubhouse. Funny, it looks a little smaller than he remembers…

"Back when you lived here that was true, but things could've changed," Suzaku replies, stepping into the room ahead of Lelouch.

The Britannian offers a mild scoff as he places a small case on the counter.

"Still requires a certain level of sneak, I suppose," he says, checking for towels under the sink. "Just like the good old days."

Suzaku pulls back the shower curtain, "It's not so bad now, is it? With everyone knowing?"

And he means everyone knows.

Lelouch faintly half shrugs and slides his arms around Suzaku from behind, "It wasn't so bad sharing a little secret, was it?" –Make that a sexy secret. It was more comfortable for Lelouch, absolutely, but also kind of… special. For as many secrets that compile the being that is Lelouch, the secret relationship he shared with Suzaku was the cherished gem glinting at the peak. It's not anybody else's business and it wasn't out of shame, Lelouch just likes the privacy – quite the leap to where they are now as a "power couple" of the world. But, no, it isn't so bad. He kisses Suzaku's neck and the brunet chuckles.

"Just the one secret, huh?" he coyly says, turning around to eye his husband. "This is just going to lead to sex, isn't it?"

Lelouch would be lying if he said it wasn't a strong possibility.

(Then again, there's also the high probability that he'll just pass right out and Suzaku will have to keep him from drowning…)

"Is that disapproval I hear?" Lelouch slyly asks.

"No," Suzaku grins, hooping his arms around Lelouch, "but, if we're going to do this, I think there's just one more thing we need."

•-•

The one more thing being lighted faux candles that gently illuminate the small bathroom with fake flickers, lined across the counter and clustered around the tub. They're leftover from their wedding reception and are a nice touch. They've never had a candle-lit bath together but it does call back to the stormy day of their first time.

"This is really nice," Suzaku softly says, leaning back against Lelouch who gently slides a lightly sudsy sponge up his arm.

Lelouch hums, watching the soapy streaks melt down his husband's bicep before pushing the sponge back down.

Seems only right they share one more bath, if not the last one, in this bathroom that has shelled many of their intimate moments. It isn't just stolen moments with Suzaku, though. There are many mornings getting Nunnally ready for school when she was younger. Helping her brush her teeth and hair, helping her to learn how to do these tasks alone so that she… can have some independence.

"I really have missed this."

"Says the man who denied sharing my morning shower with me just days ago," Lelouch jokes.

"I meant living here, you gross old man."

Lelouch feigns hurt at the insult, "What gross old man? The same you married?"

"What was I thinking…?" Suzaku teases.

"I'm pretty sure you don't think in the first place and that's your problem."

Suzaku twists to give Lelouch his somewhat disapproving simper before pinching the Britannian's cheeks.

"Actually, I was just thinking about how it's strange that a place can contain so many memories and that you don't really forget but it still reminds you that they exist."

Lelouch hums again, shelving a taunt about how that much thinking might cause the seahorse a headache, and scoops water into his hand to pour it over the arm he soaped.

"Take it a step farther and consider that people are just sums of memory. Are we truly the same person if we don't have the same memories or experiences?"

"…I was going for sentimental, but sure, take it in a completely different direction instead of talking about your feelings."

Lelouch is honestly caught off-guard by the stern reprimand, as a lift of his brows indicates. He thought the sex in his former bedroom and the bath time now were about handling his feelings? Hell, this whole trip is a voyage into feels. He's pretty sure anything he says right now will only upset Suzaku, so he doesn't say anything.

"It's ok to be sad about leaving this place," Suzaku says with disquieted eyes.

It's not as though the school will vanish as if it never existed once Lelouch leaves.

"I'm fine, Suzaku," Lelouch patiently replies.

"That's what you always say." Disappointment is clear in Suzaku's voice but also a sweet craving of concern.

Emotional check-ins are still Suzaku's thing and still really not Lelouch's. He might have some low feelings but he really is fine, nothing to be so dramatic about; it's just a scraped knee, not a—

Actually: "Maybe you could make it feel better with a kiss." Lelouch's sly, cheeky suggestion earns him a face-full of palm.

"You child," Suzaku playfully scolds with a shoving hand.

Lelouch smiles grabbing Suzaku's wrist and doesn't let go, instead holds it palm facing up and admires the ring adorning the marry finger. He brushes over it with the tips of his fingers from his ringed right hand before resting it on top so their palms are touching.

Truth time: Lelouch doesn't think he'd be the person he is now if not for Suzaku.

Truth time addendum: he's not sure if that's as positive as it sounds.

He lifts his plum eyes to a pair of emeralds that are watching him quite intently and he feels the hand in his hold not just relax but touch up against his.

"You love it," Lelouch smirks a delayed tease rather than speaking any of the truth in his eyes, of course.

Suzaku softly smiles, "I do. I don't know why, but I do. Even though we do have an actual child to take care of."

Universe help them if Genbu is even a fraction like Lelouch.

"…And maybe another one?" Suzaku coyly continues, looking at Lelouch with bashful puppy eyes.

"Along with me?" the older male teases. "You sure you want to make it three?"

Suzaku playfully shoves him, "Be serious. I know you've been thinking about it. And Small Fry is already three… I think it would be good for him to have a sibling, and close to his age – speaking as an only child, I can say I was a bit envious."

"Try having over two-dozen siblings and you might change your mind." At Suzaku's tart simper to his dry remark, Lelouch sighs and leans his head back against the wall. "You know I'm not against it."

He's really not against having—raising another child. In fact, he rather likes the idea of having a little girl and he was Genbu's age when Nunnally was born. Lelouch and Suzaku are 21 now but that's still young. Having kids wasn't something Lelouch ever thought about before it happened, for a multitude of reasons. Bringing another child into this life… well, perhaps there never really is a "right" time for such a thing, but it's not something Lelouch can take lightly. Suzaku is more on the eager side than Lelouch, for reasons that might be obvious…

"I know, but… Seeing him with Chigusa today made me—I just can't stop thinking about it."

They were pretty damn cute.

Lelouch smiles, "He'd be an excellent big brother."

Suzaku widely grins, "Just like his papa."

The real issue is biological. They aren't going to tempt fate again with Suzaku's supposed seahorse syndrome, if it could even be possible twice (but it shouldn't have even been possible once), so that leaves them with the logical options of adoption or a surrogate, which is just… egh. Who are their trusted, viable options?

Shirley? Too weird.

Kallen? No. Just… no.

Milly? Ha! Absolutely not.

Even if any of them were willing… Lelouch can't accept the thought. He's not sure how he could even ask any of the women he knows for something like that. It's uncomfortable. And gross. And just wrong on every level.

So that leads to adoption, which gets tricky because royal status and lineage makes people stupid. Maybe all of the sudden the orphan has relatives running of the woodwork just because of a tiny crown – it could get complicated and even though Lelouch doesn't want to think that way… he can't help it. If Lelouch and Suzaku are taking in a child as their own it is with the same vow of protection with Genbu. This isn't even accounting for the trouble of a non-blood-related child joining the royal family to potentially inherit the throne… should things continue on in that way. Some things are still in the air.

"I just… don't want it to be on the back-burner for too long," Suzaku softly says in a heartfelt tone.

"I know," Lelouch likewise responds, soothing Suzaku's cheek with his thumb, "and it won't. I promise."

Promises, promises.

Lelouch's life is made up of promises.

"Anyway, you haven't finished washing me yet." Suzaku alluringly reminds of the reason they are (kind of) trespassing in this bathroom.

"Just need to do the front," Lelouch smirks.

The sexy mood has sort of been smothered under baby-talk (ironically?) but it's not that difficult to get the stirrings back when Suzaku turns full around and is up on his knees. He links their lips together with a sensuous, savoring kiss that slowly sinks them into the depths again. His hands hold Lelouch's jaw while the Britannian's soapy fingers smooth around hips, front and back. When Lelouch's lips plant along Suzaku's chest and the seahorse sighs a light sound of pleasure it becomes rather apparent that there might not be much actual bathing beyond this point…

•-

-•

The imperial villa finds the vi Britannia clan comfortably back home and enjoying a litter of kittens in the garden. An orange-tabby stray had been living in the building when it was abandoned and Arthur was quite quick to employ his charms which were not so welcomed at the start. So, their family grew by not just one but now five – the debate to have both cats spayed and neutered still rages… Lelouch would rather not have a cat explosion beyond manageable and Arthur really doesn't need to feel more proud of himself than he already does… but for now, the sight of Nunnally and Genbu playing with the tiny, multi-colored fuzz-balls is absolute perfection. They sit in the glossy, plush grass under the bright sunshine in a cloud of giggles and mews. Small fry is a helpless pile on his back as the kittens climb all over him and Nunnally crowns the furry mound with a little cream one right on top like a cherry. The momma cat, that Genbu has so affectionately named Orangie, sits comfortably in Suzaku's lap near her kittens and without all the sharp grief that Arthur likes to bring. Turns out Arthur is a good dad, though. He's patient when the little ones bite and knows to be gentle when they play – then again, Orangie isn't shy about letting him know if he's stepped out of line. So, good on her.

Feeling so happy that one could die… Lelouch thinks he understands that feeling watching his family right now, but he's more than glad that he's alive and able to see this. Currently, he is watching from the shaded furniture of a patio in stripped-down clothes of a simple button-up long-sleeve and slacks with a tablet in hand – emails and reports never cease… and his weekend "break" hasn't even ended yet. This sort of thing was manageable as Zero, or maybe he just had more trustworthy help so it didn't seem like it was pilling on top of him. Sometimes it feels like parliament is doing this to him on purpose out of spite that his head wears the crown and not somebody more to their favor – and damn it all, this is with Schneizel as a buffer. In any case, Lelouch has stopped scrolling through text-walls probably ten minutes ago and is thinking about ditching it altogether in trade for some kittens and giggles when a silver tray with icy drinks appears at his side.

"Sayoko," Lelouch greets with mild surprise, "you know you don't have to do this sort of thing here." She still wears the cliché maid outfit for disguise and so plays the part in public but she's not their servant. She's become something else that a single title can't define—

"I like to help." She smiles. "And some lemonade sounded refreshing on a nice day like this."

Lelouch lightly smiles, "So it is. Thank you." He takes a glass and she turns to Jeremiah hovering off to the side.

"I find it a little curious," Jeremiah mildly says to her, politely declining lemonade with a shake of his head. "Your homeland is finally free and yet you remain at the side of Britannian royalty in their lands."

"Was that a question?" Her smile doesn't waver as her gaze shifts to the happy trio on the grass. "Perhaps my motivations aren't so different from yours."

Jeremiah half-smirks at that as he also shifts his golden eyes. "That so?"

Lelouch sips his drink as his amethysts follow her to the rest of the family in the yard, savoring the sweetness that lingers on his tongue longer than the tartness.

There's been an unspoken understanding between him and Sayoko ever since that day he unmasked himself in front of her. Her support then was invaluable but now it's immeasurable. And touching. She had no reason to stay at his side beyond her own desire; although in shambles after Britannian occupation, Sayoko could return to the life she had before she became an indentured servant – she was from a notable family and her skills are superlative. But here she is. Taking on the occasional humdrum domestic duty while protecting as a stealth guard…

—Of course, Sayoko is family. The umbrella title with numerous meanings and roles. She isn't actually that much older than Lelouch so to say that she's mother-like might not be quite accurate, but, she's been with them for so long Lelouch can't really imagine life without her. Even if she might've seen a thing or two he wishes she hadn't… (but that's Suzaku's fault.)

Then there's an alert on his screen beckoning his attention.

Lelouch swipes.

Well, life can't always be sweet. Sometimes it's a little sour.

Or maybe sometimes it's just cheesy…

•-•

"Look at what the Cheese-Kun dragged in," Lelouch breezily greets the back of a head with long green hair braided down to the waist of a simple, tan peasant dress. "C.C., I wasn't sure you'd return." He dismisses following Jeremiah with a wave of his hand.

"Did you hope so?" she blandly teases.

Lelouch just faintly smiles. "You did leave rather quickly and quietly, I was quite hurt."

"I needed a vacation," C.C. nonchalantly informs from looking out a window. "All things considered."

"Yes, a few years of rest and relaxation after all that tireless toiling you did."

"I did die for you," she plainly retorts. "More than once."

To be fair, he only asked that of her once.

Lelouch still smiles, warmly, "Italy treated you well, then."

"You knew where I was?" golden eyes finally peer over her shoulder and aren't as unreadable as they used to be.

Lelouch's lips upgrade to a smirk. It was a guess given her unhealthy obsession with certain foods. He figured she needed time for herself and hoped she would return when ready. She's no caged bird and he won't clip her wings. If she hadn't he would've sought her out eventually but not to drag her back.

C.C. looks away, back to the window of this upstairs lounge overlooking the garden where Nunnally, Genbu, Suzaku and Sayoko are gathered.

"This place looks different," she coolly says.

"That was the goal," Lelouch idly comments joining her side. She's previously been here back in the day and probably not only before Lelouch was born.

"They look well," she says.

"They are." Lelouch holds his hands behind his back, seeing that Suzaku's eyes are aiming up at them through the glass. He'll probably join them shortly. "I'm surprised you didn't just stroll into the garden to join us, as you are one to do."

"You should be very proud of your security otherwise that might have been the case."

Lelouch's lips are tickled with another smirk. "You could have notified me ahead of time."

"But where's the fun in that?"

"Indeed." Lelouch turns his body slightly towards her. "Nunnally still asks about you," he casually informs.

"You sure you really want us socializing? I'm not friends with your sister."

It wouldn't perhaps be that this unannounced, impromptu visit has anything to do with that fact that she might not wish to stay and therefore is minding her attachments…?

"Although it seemed like I was expected. You've been waiting, Lelouch?"

"You think I wouldn't?"

She angles her face at him only offering a small, soft smile on the edges of her eyes.

"It appears I've missed out on the wedding, though." C.C. turns away from the window, leaning back against the glass – she can't have forgotten how much it irritated him when she left smudges everywhere. He never did unlearn his reflex of checking for them to clean…

"We still have a lot of leftover cake, if you're interested," Lelouch dryly informs. "I assume you saw the fluff piece that reporter Milly unofficially posted online."

Her amber eyes glaze over him like sap, "Suzaku has really decided to stick with you."

"You knew that three years ago."

"Yes, the 'angel on your shoulder' and you got your happily ever after. Practically everything you wanted."

"It's not how I envisioned it, but, yes."

"And all you had to do was fake a near-death at the hands of those nefarious purists. Who knew their connections were so far-reaching and could be dealt with so swiftly," she says.

Lelouch's calm mask twitches, "Is there something you want to say?"

"No, I'm just impressed. Even after all this time of knowing you," C.C. adds with a fond curve on her lips.

"I believe I promised not to disappoint."

"So you did." She shifts a little in place, pulling her long braid over her shoulder. "And you must be glad that you didn't employ this martyr plan on your half-sister during the Special Zone like you had wanted. It's worked out far better for you now than it would have then even though you had to give up the armor of your alter ego."

Lelouch's head bobbles slightly, "I guess you're not wrong." But he wouldn't say he's entirely armor-less like she implies.

That makes C.C. contently hum as she toys the ends of her hair, "Although I'm still surprised Suzaku allowed and participated."

"Allowed?" Lelouch echoes with distaste. "It wasn't easy to convince him but it worked and he knows to trust me."

"The scheme to end all schemes?"

"…Something like that."

Yes.

All right.

It was fake.

That day when Lelouch was shot it was an order from himself and it was only to injure him. A recycled idea that was abandoned when dealing with Euphemia's nobly intentioned SAZ plan. The gunner was a former purist that, with Villetta's cooperation and Jeremiah's assistance, was easy to capture and command. From there it wasn't too difficult to string up all the "bad apples" amongst the nobles and even royals that wouldn't have only spoiled the bunch but made things more difficult.

It worked like a charm (but… perhaps too well.)

There's been an agreement between Lelouch and Suzaku that essentially involves not just Geassing everybody into submission – although that would make everything vastly easier, Lelouch agrees it isn't the right way. It's an effective shortcut and sometimes necessary but he isn't about to control the entire world just cuz like an insane megalomaniac (like his father). That was never his goal. However, he needed to remove the more dangerous undesirables mining their future path. Suzaku didn't like it, thought it all too manipulative, dishonest and blah blah blah. After the encounter with Charles, though, Suzaku was a little out of sorts (and maybe Lelouch took advantage of that). One last ploy, Lelouch promised, and they would lead the world by better example. Since then, Lelouch as the emperor has been able to progress more productively and while not without opposition it's at least without a civil war.

"Challenging task for angel Suzaku considering he can't really keep up with you. The only people who could you already defeated. Or are you not deceiving him and keeping secrets just like you always have? Is your husband really so trusting of you despite everything or is he just that gullible?"

"You think I'm so incapable of changing?"

"I think you know what's safe. And I think it's easy to create the illusion of change. Maybe you feel you've turned over a new leaf now, but we both know that if chaos ever arises again it won't be Suzaku's kind heart that shields you."

"Don't you sound delightfully cynical," Lelouch blandly retorts.

"Am I wrong?"

Lelouch's altruism might be suspect and he's certainly capable of getting his hands dirty, bloody even, but his intentions, if nothing else, have been pure. The false assassination attempt was too hard on Suzaku… Lelouch can't do anything like that to his seahorse again. He can't.

Also, getting shot hurts like all unbelievable hell – it was not just a flesh wound.

There's a brief pause from Lelouch, "…I did rather miss your prodding provocation. You nag like a conscience sometimes; perhaps you'd consider occupying my other shoulder?" he dryly quips with a twist of fondness. "Today I won't let you rain on my parade. Rather than harp on the past, let us consider the future."

"Always looking ahead?" she smiles a slight smirk.

Sure enough, Suzaku is leaving the maudlin little huddle on the grass and moving toward the house.

"In any case, your timing is on point," Lelouch says before turning to leave. "I have something to show you."

•-•

"So you didn't shut the labs down after all," C.C. says as the three of them enter a tall, wide study lined with book-stuffed shelves.

"Downsized, more like," Lelouch answers as he briefly taps at his computer on his desk with dual monitors. "And retrofitted with extreme prejudice." Behind him Suzaku is drawing pale curtains over the towering window that obscure sight but don't shroud the sunlight.

"I honestly thought you might," she says.

Lelouch hums a bit, "There's far more that I don't know that I need to stay ahead of."

"Always a man of many battles," she wryly teases. "One would think the world at your doorstep would be enough."

"Yes, well," he wryly bends his lips in return, "there are some other matters involving the labs that aren't transferable."

"The research?" she asks.

"And the children," Suzaku clarifies from his somewhat stony stance still at the window. "Although I'm not very partial to the research."

"It's all important," Lelouch says. "I can't be caught off guard now more than ever – but it's nothing like what V.V. was up to. Even the information that my parents gained doesn't cover what I desire to know. They really had a one-track mind…"

"So… you're doing what with the children, then?"

Lelouch holds a pause against her eyes and Suzaku answers instead, "Trying to help them."

"Help them what?" she asks again.

A timely knock on the door practically answers her question. Lelouch opens it to reveal a young teen with mauve eyes and mousy brown hair.

"I have the data you requested, My Lord," the boy says offering up a slim stick drive.

"Yes, thank you, Rolo," Lelouch takes it. "Now would you wait out there with Jeremiah."

The boy nods and turns to leave, though not without flashing his eyes across C.C.'s face.

"You brought one here to live with you?" C.C. asks after Lelouch shuts and locks the door. She makes it sound like he's taken in a dinosaur – but really, taking in strays is almost a hobby for Lelouch at this point.

"Not exactly, he's… more of an assistant. He's actually been quite helpful in the changes I've made to the labs, the chain of command and even handling the other children after some initial hesitation. Seems he wasn't a fan of V.V. by any means." Yeah, big surprise.

"But you trust him here with Nunnally and your son?" She's not normally one to ask so many questions – is she actually concerned?

"Not at first," Lelouch admits, looking down at the smooth tech in his fingers. "But second chances and all that, right?" When he lifts his violets it's to find a pair of emeralds. "Nunnally is actually already proving to be a good influence on him."

"They're just children," Suzaku adds. "They've been brainwashed and most of them don't even know about the world beyond that facility."

"You're trying to rehabilitate them?"

"Don't they deserve a chance?" Suzaku partly pleas.

"At what? To be normal?" C.C. counters but not argumentatively, just sounding genuinely curious. "Who's to even say what normal is? Because looking at the two of you I'm not sure you're shining examples."

Lelouch's mouth crooks into a grin, "A chance at not being slaves, at the very least. I think you might be surprised at even what a little compassion and caring can do."

"No… I wouldn't be," she softly murmurs.

Secretly Lelouch has considered taking in one of the Geass Order children to parent. They don't have any strings except the ones V.V. tied but it would require covering up the child's origin. It would also mean potentially dealing with some sensitive, difficult matters of past Geass use. Many of the children are also older than Small Fry, but that shouldn't prevent them from being loved. Lelouch feels that if anybody can begin to understand these unique circumstances, it's him. He already feels responsible for them after his coup and has been personally seeing to their care. He's… not so sure about how Suzaku would feel, though.

As it is, Lelouch is sort of an unofficial surrogate, he supposes, but that still feels on the cultish side. Rolo is one of the real successes so far but his mindset about some things is… he's still learning how to be domestic rather than a weapon, to put it in that way. Jeremiah likes to joke that the boy has imprinted on Lelouch like a newborn (or reborn) hatchling…

"We know it could take a long time but we have to try – and some of them are even making positive progress so far. And what are the alternatives? Life imprisonment? Death?" The very word sours Suzaku face. "It's not their fault they ended up in that situation."

"What about the dangerous ones?" C.C. keeps prodding – like, if she cared so much she should've stayed… at any of the times she was originally there. "They have Geass, do they not?"

"We're taking precautions. Including some implementations of Jeremiah's upgrades, even suppressing the abilities of those that are harmful to others as well as themselves – not all of them have complete control over their abilities or the effects of them."

"Permanently suppressing? Should this somehow conveniently leave you the only known Geass barer in the world? Do you think that's fair? Is it really wise to be the only man with unrivaled power?"

Suzaku clears his throat to say something without saying it.

Lelouch shakes his head as if cutting himself off before even speaking "Look, we could discuss all of this at greater length and detail another time, if you so desire. This right here is what I want to show you," he holds up the drive before popping it into the slot and tapping keys. "As you know, Charles had a collection of unusual artifacts," he explains. "Many of them having peculiar… functions."

"And mostly being useless in his research of Geass."

Lelouch tips his finger in the air at her breezily cast words, "Useless for their God-slaying efforts. Although the Thousand Name Vase was seemingly useless. I think it might actually be useful in the future as a makeshift prison of sorts."

"You got people stuck inside it, didn't you?"

His helpless, sheepish chuckles try so very hard to brush her off his shoulders, "…Once we learned it captures those who speak their own name—nobody important was lost."

She stares.

"We're working on fixing it," Lelouch pushes them along in a mutter. "Point is, a number of these artifacts can interact and affect each other in interesting ways… Some not entirely safe, but to put it shortly I've found a combination of them that I think you'll find interesting." He swivels one of the screens around to face her displaying a collection of miscellaneous items of ancient-looking tools and mundane cookware along with even a few sparkling crystalline rocks. They're all strung together with wires and circuit boards like a Frankenstein cadaver of forgotten objects. "V.V. had some substantial information on how the Code behaves and operates – it's almost organic, like… an infection. You interact with it, offer your Code as you would with a fully-evolved user and it will be funneled into a safe storage-type artifact. Like a… Code battery."

C.C.'s blank stare is for once one of uncertainty, "What are you saying?"

"We had a deal. I also promised you that I would grant your wish and I keep my promises," Lelouch clarifies with an almost smile around his eyes.

"This… is about taking my code?"

"V.V. said you wanted death, but I don't buy that. If it was that simple you wouldn't have run away from them." The claim was that C.C. desired to escape the immortality of the Code and while Lelouch is adamant in upholding his side of their dubious contract, he had more than doubts about what was said in God's nightmare room.

"So certain, are you?"

"Your Geass compelled others to love you. It's something you lacked in your life. Just as Mao had nobody, he needed to hear the thoughts of others to combat his loneliness. Or myself… powerless and lacking any control over my own path. Geass might be trying to grant wishes but… it doesn't or maybe it can't give you what you really want. Or need."

"Like a Monkey's Paw," Suzaku comments.

Lelouch's head tilts, "Well, yes, in a way." He didn't know Suzaku was aware of that story.

"You're still not explaining yourself," C.C. says.

It makes Lelouch faintly smile, "You don't want to die. You want more than that. At the very least you want to be mortal." He gestures to the makeshift looking device. "It's your choice. Either way, you should know that there's always a place here for you. You're my ally, friend…"

"Partner in crime?" she adds with a quirking grin.

"Ah, I wasn't going to say so in front of the missus…" Lelouch pretends to sideways mutter in front of his spouse.

"That's not funny," Suzaku humorlessly scolds.

"Speaking of," C.C.'s golden eyes land on green, "does this invitation extend from you as well?"

There's a small but considerable pause before Suzaku answers; "…I know that you're very important to him. He wouldn't go through this much effort if you weren't."

"That's a very nice way of not answering my question." She glances at Lelouch, "You must be rubbing off on him."

"I try," Lelouch slyly shrugs.

At least, there is a lot of rubbing.

Suzaku shortly exhales, "You're already his family, is my point. We could all sit here and talk around it but that's what's being said here, yes? I'm not opposed it and honestly, I don't know you well enough to be."

Lelouch slightly snorts, "Given time you might change your mind."

"What a snarky little family we make," she airily notes.

"Now that you mention it, it might do Lelouch some good to have somebody sass back at him."

"This again?" Lelouch drawls. "Just how high and mighty do you people think I am?"

Suzaku and C.C. arc an eyebrow at him.

Right.

He shouldn't have asked.

"Are you really sure about this? Having Zero's mistress in your known associates?"

"You say that now after showing up unannounced at my home?"

C.C. wasn't ever publically seen with Zero, given that she was considered "stolen Britannian property" but the Black Knights know of her too well. It wouldn't do for her to suddenly be at the new Britannian Emperor's side all easy-breezy after Zero's death – not that her business is any of theirs, nor is she concerned about such things. Her role within the rebellion wasn't… officially… official but she was known as Zero's accomplice – without sexy results like Tamaki would have others believe. Other Black Knights have been working with Lelouch but it isn't as though she'd have to show up to their meetings. Given Lelouch's diplomacy, it wouldn't seem overly odd for her to be 'associating' with him, but at the same time, C.C. disappearing after Zero's death was a good choice for her. How could any of Zero's former soldiers know what she's been up to in the meantime?

"She was your what?" Suzaku asks.

Lelouch gives his husband a look that says relax, "It's a joke."

C.C.'s lips softly curl, "I thought I told you that Lelouch doesn't have wandering eyes. Just godly ones. No need to be jealous."

Suzaku scoffs but he's not as convincing as he thinks.

It makes Lelouch smirk.

"I don't know~. We could work out some sort of sister-wife arrangement." Lelouch chivalrously takes C.C.'s hand and she pretends to coyly look away. "I wouldn't be the first emperor to have a harem."

"The witch, the warlock and the knight," she adds to the teasing, simpering at the kiss Lelouch pecks on the back of her wrist.

Suzaku groans and very dryly scorns, "All right, I take it all back. I don't need the two of you here encouraging each other against me."

Lelouch chuckles and drops the act with C.C.'s hand.

"There is one other matter to consider, actually," Lelouch cautions. "If you relinquish your Code you can't go on with that pizza-only diet of yours, otherwise you will die sooner rather than later."

"And what a shame that would be," she feigns disappointment.

"Yes, it would." Lelouch simply smiles.

"You're certain it works?" C.C. asks, eyes sliding over the image again.

"It's crude," Lelouch admits, "but the tests are positive – or as much as they can be. Simulations don't always account for the human variable. At any rate, the outlook is good and I wouldn't propose it to you if it wasn't."

"You don't think it could reject or eventually fail and revert back to me?" C.C. is suddenly cautious, wary—vulnerable. For an immortal like her, that must be a magnified feeling compared to what Lelouch can feel. It's something she hasn't had to worry about in too long a time.

"It shouldn't," Lelouch says.

"Shouldn't?" she unsavorily repeats, golden eyes darting up to his violets.

"This is some unknown territory," Lelouch tactfully concedes. "But as I said if I didn't think it was ready or safe I wouldn't be offering it. If there are any issues we will correct it."

C.C. holds a small breath in her chest. "And this 'Code battery…' can it grant Geass as well? Or even force the Code onto you?"

"That's somewhat unclear at this time, but I'll be keeping it safe and secure. Locked in a vault at the center of the Earth or launched into deep space, if have to."

"Not destroy it by sending it into the sun?" C.C. queries still. "Or are you more worried about needing and not having it than the dangers of keeping it?"

"Assuming that would even work?" Lelouch takes a breath, "…My father said the gods abandoned us for their own pursuits but I was not ignored when we stopped them from attempted murder, if that was even possible. It may not be a matter of the gods not listening so much as they can't always hear us. If Geass is their gift how might they react if we reject it entirely?" His amethyst eyes glance at emeralds that briefly drop to the floor. "I won't follow my parent's shadow in trying to destroy something not fully understood nor am I interested in tempting fate as many times as I can get away with – and if V.V. was right about alternate realities, I've done more than my fair share already. With… unsatisfactory results."

"I see…" she murmurs and Lelouch can't interpret what her hushed tone means or reflects.

A lapse of words blankets the room in a slightly tense moment that pulls between their eyes – with Suzaku's greens shifting between them.

"C.C.," Lelouch gently addresses, "I'm not pressuring you into anything now. I just want you to know about your options. You want to take this jump," he gestures to the screen, "I'll be here with you. If you want to walk out the door…" his hand tosses at the door behind her, "come and go as you please or… just go – it's all up to you."

The snarky witch remains quiet with contemplative eyes gazing at the screen. Lelouch shifts uncomfortably in place and glances at Suzaku who offers a sympathetic, silent shrug.

"So, just… take your time," Lelouch says with a tinge of uncertainty.

He thought… well, he just didn't expect this kind of reaction out of her even if he wasn't completely sure of what to expect. He realizes that even if this is something she's been chasing for a long time to finally be at the brink of it… it could be daunting. Even terrifying. C.C.'s entire life will change and the existence she's known for at least a century will cease. She'd be just a 16-year-old again, not an estimated 116+-year-old… Maybe it's the opposite of thinking the world was round and seeing it's actually flat…?

"Well…" Suzaku pushes his voice into the dark silence, "Genbu was saying that he was getting hungry and wanted that snack you said you'd make for him."

"Ah, yes, the peanut butter-banana-mash with cereal. Sounds horrid but it's actually not bad…" the king lingers at his computer a moment before tapping at the keys and popping out the drive. "Sensitive information I can't leave out but if you want to take a closer look…"

C.C. shakes her head, "I trust you."

With a bit of a curt nod, he tucks the drive stick in his pocket, "Very well, then… You're welcome to stay, of course. We have plenty of room." Lelouch walks towards the door, "We can even have pizza for dinner." Jeremiah's face is seen when he opens the double, wooden doors and he looks over his shoulder at her before leaving, "Just know that I will be keeping your room up to the health codes, so it isn't a complete free-for-all."

"Now that sounds like a challenge," C.C. jokes.

Lelouch smiles a little, just enough, and is out of the room without further delay. Suzaku rounds the desk to reach the open threshold of the office but stops to watch Lelouch, Jeremiah and Rolo head off down the hall.

"If I'm honest," Suzaku admits to C.C. in lower volume, "sometimes I worry about what effects Genbu could have because of everything that's happened and… however it is that he came to be. Lelouch has been looking into it as well. So far nothing, but, how can we really know?"

"That's why you're not so adamantly against research," C.C. accurately assumes.

Suzaku's jaw clenches a little, "I just don't want anyone to get hurt. Even when we try we're not always able to prevent that."

"And you think I'd be helpful?"

Suzaku opens his mouth when he looks at her but doesn't immediately speak "…" and then looks away, back to the empty hall, "…I don't know. But Lelouch wants and needs you here – he won't say it, but he does."

"And you?"

"I… think that if not for you Lelouch and I might not have ever been reunited. None of this would have happened, for better or worse, and we wouldn't be here now. I'll always be grateful for that."

"So sure of that, are you?" C.C. taunts with a tone.

Suzaku simpers at her, "Well, I certainly don't blame you for it."

"You say that now…" she nonchalantly taunts again.

Suzaku flashes her a bit of teeth in a laughing smile but doesn't say much more when he, too, leaves.

Then she stands alone, any expression her face held falling into the blank stare of her old eyes that shift back to the monitor with a photo of aqua-eyed Genbu smothered in kittens as the wallpaper.

•-

-•

Autumn has touched the leaves of the Villa garden, replacing the rainbow of flowers with the fiery color pallet that burns on the trees. Leaves fall and sail through the gentle winds that carry them to the ground in patches, covering the lush lawn that's lost some of its luster. Meanwhile, through the glass windows bouquets of balloons fill the kitchen, lounges and halls decked with ribbon streamers and glittering garlands. One long pink ribbon slides along the polished, dark wooden floor, dragging like a tail around a corner and into a sitting room where a messy-haired toddler toddles right in on his parents caught in a private embrace. Lelouch's arms are hooped and locked around Suzaku's waist holding their fronts flush together and his jaw is held by Suzaku's hands while their lips smear in slow spooning kisses.

"Mommy, daddy! Cake!" the little boy in bright blue overalls and lavender shirt exclaims at them.

Lelouch jumps and Suzaku chuckles as they detangle from each other, "Looks like somebody woke up from his nap."

"Cake! Cake!" he keeps excitedly shouting trying to whirl the too-long ribbon in the air like a gymnast, but it mostly just flaps from his little hands and winds around him as he spins in place.

"I'm so sorry!" maid-clad Sayoko quickly rushes. "He was already awake when I went to check on him, and…"

"It's all right," Lelouch soothes, smoothing his maroon sweater. "We had a good five minutes…"

A buttoned-up flannel Suzaku is hoisting the boy up through another enthusiastic shout of "Cake!" and laughs a little.

"I don't think he understands today isn't his birthday," mommy says.

"I think he knows what his priorities are," Lelouch jokes, taking the small fry into his arms. "Nunnally wanted to wait, so why don't you go see if she and everybody else are ready for some cake."

"Cake!" Genbu says still clutching his ribbon that he tries to wrap around his head—

Suzaku touches Lelouch's shoulder with a simper and kisses Genbu's dark-brown haired head and leaves with Sayoko.

—And Lelouch promptly begins unwrapping the ribbon to avoid either a choking hazard or mummification.

"I don't know where you're picking up this food obsession," Lelouch says taking the ribbon completely away from tiny fingers and placing it up high on a certain Ashford desk placed against the wall, "but something tells me I need to be more discouraging."

"CiCi!" Genbu suddenly calls, pulling Lelouch's attention to the window overlooking the horse stables in the distance from where a certain green-haired woman approaches.

"Right… that's where you get it," Lelouch playfully murmurs. Still holding the small fry on one hip he opens one of the French doors leading to the veranda and the chill of the autumn air brushes his face.

"CiCiCiCi!" Genbu excitedly calls, apparently forgetting all about cake and the ribbon. For the moment.

"I didn't think you'd join us," Lelouch says when she reaches them.

"I was invited, wasn't I?" C.C. replies, the wind teasing the bangs of her forehead without showing her skin.

"So you were." Lelouch smiles and welcomes her inside. "But when you suddenly left this morning I thought you might not be feeling up to it."

"You said I could ride the horses whenever I wanted," she says matter-of-factly, lightly pinching Genbu's nose and making him giggle as Lelouch shuts the door.

"All day?" he asks with a slightly accusatory tone and she doesn't immediately respond. "Nunnally would understand if you're suddenly feeling a bit shy."

"And you're not concerned? Me suddenly mixing in with your friends? They're all here, aren't they?" C.C.'s golden eyes almost avoid his. "Funny, isn't it? The lengths you went to in the past in order to prevent such a thing from ever happening."

"More concerned that you now smell like a horse," Lelouch shamelessly sniffs at her. "You should bathe first."

She sweeps her long hair over one shoulder as if to either waft her scent at him or flick away his insult.

He doesn't stifle a small ugh. "…Anyway, Kallen is the only tricky one but it's easily handled. Besides," he shifts wide-eyed Genbu on his hip, "you're already auntie CiCi."

The boy who dubbed her with her new namesake is currently quite entertained with her long, vivid hair. She looks down at him with a soft smile.

"Don't suppose that will be easily handled with your Geass. You already used it on Kallen – or have you had Jeremiah erase that for you?"

"You know what's amazing, is how I'm actually able to miss you when you're gone," Lelouch mildly jeers.

When C.C.'s eyes lift up to his again it's with a cheekiness that seems warmer than it ever did in the past.

"Anyway, you're just in time for the C-A-K-E," he subtly spells.

"Cake?" she blinks at him.

"Cake!" Genbu excitedly shouts, completely dropping her hair.

Lelouch fakes an exasperated sigh through a loose smile, "…Off we go, then," and leads the three of them out of the room.

They join a group of bodies already huddling around the big oval table in the dining room where Nunnally is docked at the wide side in front of a window. Indeed, the whole Student Council club is present along with Alice at Nunnally's side and Rolo awkwardly orbiting the edge near a watchful Jeremiah and Cornelia until Lelouch enters. He pats the boy's shoulder on the way to his little sister who reaches to have the cake-starved nephew on her lap. Sayoko and Euphemia walk in with trays of cupcakes in every color, crowned with edible butterflies, and set them on the table aside from a special rainbow one with a single candle which Milly lights. She starts off the chorus of the birthday song then most everybody sings, even Lelouch who stands opposite from Nunnally with his hand sliding around a singing Suzaku's waist. Jeremiah is still a quiet guard and Rolo is unpracticed, but when the candle is blown out clapping is easy enough for everybody to do. The applause and cheers are easily heard just outside the house through the windows, not smothered by the air getting colder and still pushing leaves off spiny branches. The world outside tarnishes in the garden and beyond, making way for new growth that comes with every spring while inside colorful cupcakes are eaten. Icing is smeared on Genbu's face and Lelouch manages to claim another kiss from Suzaku under the distracting spirit of celebration sweeping through everyone.

Lelouch destroyed so that he could recreate. No paper cranes or needles needed. Just all these fools here who fill his heart – not just Nunnally, Suzaku and Genbu – that he will continue to protect even when they irritate him. The shadows of the past, the mistakes and regrets, they're valuable lessons especially when painful. What Lelouch has learned most of all is that yesterday isn't so important he should blind himself to today or tomorrow. Life is to be lived and he plans to do a lot of living with the ones he loves.

The future of the world is, and always will be, shining brightly ahead of them like the rising sun.

Happy birthday, Nunnally.

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Wise men say only fools rush in

But I can't help falling in love with you

Shall I stay?

Would it be a sin?

If I can't help falling in love with you

Like a river flows, surely to the sea

Darling, so it goes

Some things are meant to be

Take my hand, take my whole life too

For I can't help falling in love with you

—Can't Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley

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The end.

Lelouch I'm sorry but your emperor hat is hideous... Here's a link to the song above that Lelouch also plays on the piano, remove (): (https):/www.(youtube.)com(/)watch?v=vGJTaP6anOU

Anyway, I felt I should say something since there was a time when I didn't think I'd ever finish this fic… It's a relief to be finished, honestly. I posted the first chapter around 9 years ago on a whim, didn't really expect much from it, but it got a response so I kept writing. But then kinda stopped. And now it's finally done. I really wouldn't have carried on at all or even ended it now without the readers of then and even if they're all gone I still really appreciate the support from you reading this now. This story might not have become all it could be but I did the best I could and I really hope it's enjoyed, new and returning readers alike. And to any future readers out there seeing this since it completed: I hope you also enjoyed this crack-twisted tale. It's been a looooong time in the making.

Thanks so much to those that have supported the recent updates. I'm sorry they were so far between. Even though I was determined to get this fic done for its own sake it helps immensely to have an audience and not feel like I'm just throwing words (so many words) into an empty void. I'm not very good at "communing with communities" but I really appreciate anyone that took the time to read, comment, follow, favorite or anything else!

All that's left to say now is that I still have fics I'd like to work on, so, hopefully you'll still see me around. ;]

-Sincerely, escapeasy.