A/N: This one-shot takes place post-R2. The fascinating characters of Code Geass do not belong to me but to their esteemed creator. ENJOY!

Regret

As he stood staring at the accusing mask on his bedside table, Suzaku couldn't help but regret. Five stripes of flaky crimson stained its visor, falling away just as Suzaku's numbness was beginning to fail him. Even now, he could still envision that sad smile, could still hear that dulcet voice, so commanding yet so gentle.

And, he regretted not killing Lelouch sooner.

Roughly stripping himself of his cape, violently tearing at his outfit, desperately trying to rid himself of anything that was still stained by blood, his Lelouch's blood, Suzaku felt bile rise up in his throat. If only he had exacted his revenge the way he had planned, by taking an eye for an eye, a life for a life. If only he had ended their chain of love and hate that fateful day.

If only he had killed Lelouch the day that he shattered the mask of Zero.

Lelouch could have died as an innocent victim of war, the fallen prince who had been abandoned by his parents, forsaken by those he loved, who had strove on and survived despite all odds. Lelouch could have died a brave rebel leader, who exploits were made even more legendary by his sudden, unexpected death. Innocent and brave, mythical and legendary – those descriptions were closer to the truth.

Instead, he died a tyrannical demon.

Falling to his knees, Suzaku cradled his frail broken body in a suffocating embrace. Cruelly careless of human life, a massacring manipulative dictator, he who died isolated and loathed – descriptions that were so far from the truth that it hurt Suzaku to even think it.

Suzaku would always regret killing Lelouch.

And, he would always regret not killing him sooner.