When Suzaku moved with Lelouch that September, Lelouch considered himself incredibly lucky. There was a time when this would have seemed impossible, and a time when it seemed everyone else was against it, and he had risked almost everything for it, but it was happening now. The next two years would be… interesting, with Suzaku going to PenTech and working with Lloyd and Lelouch working to make sure that when he graduated he would have the option of post-secondary education, rather than being forced full-time into the work force by ineffective, exploitative laws. Lelouch figured, between his work hours and Suzaku's school hours, they would spend about as much time together as Suzaku spent at home over the summer months.

Not that that was a bad thing. And Lelouch had already made sure that at least a few weeks every summer were free for him to be there with Suzaku, which had been surprisingly easy to arrange at work (when Lelouch was feeling charitable, he considered that maybe it had been facilitated by Schneizel, in an attempt to make up for everything). And it made Suzaku so happy to be around both Lelouch, and his friends and father. Sometimes, particularly when Suzaku was being… demonstrative of his affection for Lelouch around Rivalz or Tamaki, Lelouch felt a little embarrassed, but never ashamed.

And, with the way Rivalz had taken to eying Milly on the rare occasions they all got together, Lelouch felt like he was perhaps beginning to empathize with Suzaku a little more (and that Milly had some sympathy for Lelouch).

It wasn't that Lelouch didn't love being with Suzaku, in any way he could. It was just that sometimes the public displays were… a little over the top. Not that Lelouch was able to resist them – every time Suzaku touched him, he pretty much melted.

Like right now.

"…bed?"

"We just got home," Lelouch protested weakly against Suzaku's lips, as Suzaku's hands slid under his shirt, warm and confident. "Shouldn't you unpack first?"

"It'll still be there when we're done."

…true enough. Suzaku's ability to consistently deflect Lelouch's distraction techniques was… remarkable. It probably came with practice.

"Look, just… hmm… at least put your bags away, and get Arthur–"

"Mrr."

"–out of his cage and… ah… let me lock the door and… whao!"

Lelouch tripped over Suzaku's suitcase and Suzaku followed him down.

"I don't think we'll even make it to the bed if you keep this up, Lelouch."

Lelouch looked up into that determined, beloved face, and felt his lower lip quiver.

Suzaku bent down and grasped it between his teeth and sucked.

They made it to the bed, but just barely.

Afterwards they lay together, curled up with Lelouch's fingers meditatively stroking through Suzaku's hair and his eyes growing heavy. He valiantly fought to keep them open, to keep this golden and glorious moment for longer, as he snuggled closer to Suzaku's warmth. "I love you, Suzaku."

"I love you too, Lelouch," Suzaku said, his voice warm and affectionate. He leaned over and kissed Lelouch's forehead, smiling. "The painting's back."

"Mmm… Clovis was furious that you left without sitting for him. He's demanded a weekend sometime in October after his tour."

"That'll be fun."

"You have a weird definition of fun."

Suzaku laughed. "I dunno, I think you and I have a lot of the same ideas about fun…" He ran his hand down Lelouch's side, over his hip and around the front to…

"Hmm, no. Too soon," Lelouch said, and Suzaku released him, but wrapped his arms around Lelouch to pull him in closer instead. "Besides, I should be getting supper ready."

"Order in."

Lelouch sighed. "I'm not spending ten times as much on meals just because you're sexually insatiable."

"Just this once."

Suzaku's legs twined around Lelouch's, setting their bodies flush together, as close as they could get without actual penetration. His lips pressed against Lelouch's throat, and Lelouch felt himself give in and relax. "If I asked you to, would you release me?"

"Maybe." Suzaku kissed his way up Lelouch's jaw. "…probably not." He swallowed any complaint Lelouch might have made with a deep kiss, stealing Lelouch's breath away.

Well, then. There was no reason not to cuddle up to Suzaku and let him pet and pamper him until Lelouch fell asleep.

When Lelouch awoke, warm and safe, his eyes lit up at the sight of Suzaku sleeping next to him. It had been a long few years, but every moment had been worth it. He snuggled in closer, burying his face in Suzaku's chest and smiling triumphantly.

"Mine."

OoO-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-OoO

And that's it! Thanks everyone for reading this disorganized and random monster of a fic, and special thanks to everyone who ever reviewed, it's always appreciated. In case it's not clear, this chapter ties in very closely with Chapter 1. ;)

It's been fun! I learned a lot writing this fic (particularly around the construction of the nexus, and those dialogue-only chapters) and got to practice a lot of things that I've applied in other writing. I still don't know anything about cars or proper court proceedings, but I now know more about American politics than I ever wanted to. XD

Tomorrow will be the last chapter of Retouched Negatives, if you wanted to check out that story as well (it'll help clear up the motivations and thoughts of characters other than Suzaku and Lelouch).

I really enjoyed this fic, in all its twists and turns, and I hope you guys enjoyed it as well! Thanks again for reading!