More warnings! (There just aren't enough characters in the summary)

Pairings are: Lelouch/Suzaku/Lelouch, Nunnally/Rolo, Marianne/CC and other little ones.

Warnings for: Kidnapping, imprisonment, mental manipulation/abuse, emotional manipulation/abuse and... yeah. Lelouch is kinda nuts. But nice about it!

Melamori did about 80% of the work and I made about 80% of the mistakes (and I was supposed to read over it and clean it, so everything that's left that doesn't make sense is all my fault). DIVISION OF LABOUR!

Right. Well. Onto the story. It was supposed to be a one-shot. It is not. We got carried away. (It was SO MUCH FUN!)

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As far as Lelouch was concerned, the flight to Britannia had been hell and the cab ride even more hellish. Rolo had at least managed to sleep a bit, so he was less cranky than he might have been when he met Schneizel for the first time. That had been Lelouch's biggest worry – that Rolo would embarrass himself in front of his potential benefactor. Lelouch had been out of the country and studying abroad in France for three years (during which he acquired a diploma, several useful connections, and Rolo) but he was still technically a minor and still technically under Schneizel's guardianship. Unofficially adopting Rolo after the younger boy had tried (and succeeded) to pick his pocket had been something Schneizel hadn't really approved of. Rolo had only one chance to make a good first impression, and at least he'd be well-rested for it.

Lelouch, on the other hand, was here for a different reason. His brother had called him home on numerous occasions and he always had an excuse as to why he couldn't. He'd come willingly this time. More than willingly.

After introducing his brother and his adoptive brother, Lelouch left them alone to track down the real reason he had returned to his home country after avoiding it for so long.

And there he was. Beautiful, radiant, confident… surrounded by adoring fans, of course, but still somehow apart. His lips were curved up in an easy smile and Lelouch felt his heart skip a beat. He was just as lovely as his movies made him out to be, just as engaging as his interviews presented him and…

…just as lonely as Lelouch had always known he was.

Schneizel was producing the latest Suzaku Kururugi vehicle – some action-romance, multi-million dollar, been done a hundred times before flick. That was the reason Lelouch had come home.

They started shooting the next scene and Lelouch was amazed by Suzaku's dexterity as he flipped over roofs and dodged swerving cars and even managed to pull off a sword fight with lead pipes (because those were always lying around in alleyways) without looking stupid. The same engaging smile and open body language that had so impressed his fans were present the whole time.

Lelouch wasn't looking at his smile. Or his body. He was looking at his eyes.

Bright green and boyishly open, his smile never quite reached them. They didn't look sad or angry, just distant. Constantly distant. As if Suzaku was present, but his spirit, his soul was elsewhere. It was Suzaku's eyes that Lelouch had fallen in love with, and Suzaku's eyes that cried out for his help.

The scene ended and Suzaku clasped the other pipe-sword fighter on the shoulder before moving to get some water. Lelouch intercepted him at the water-bottle table.

Think of something to say, something smooth, something…"…hey."

Suzaku had been having that sensation, with which he had grown intimately familiar in his less fortunate days, for a while now: someone's lingering gaze at the back of his head.

"Hello yourself," The actor replied, looking the stranger, who'd just virtually jumped out of nowhere right in front of him, up and down. It was a well-bred, prim and proper Britannian, possessing an uncanny resemblance to Suzaku's benefactor - not only in his features, but in his air of haughtiness.

The actor was mildly intrigued by how the young man's posture visibly changed at a simple greeting: his neck and shoulders instantly loosened and his (quite handsome) face blossomed in a radiant smile. Interesting. That and the informal speech from before seemed to indicate that they were unlikely to talk business. Another fan, then. Well, this he could manage.

"Lelouch Lamperouge," The boy introduced himself a bit stiffly. The corners of Suzaku's mouth immediately flew upwards at his slight awkwardness as he shook the extended hand (the skin was soft, untouched by any manual labour). It was rather endearing. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Kururugi-san."

Speaking frankly, Suzaku was a little thrown-off by the inclusion of Japanese honorific in a Britannian speech, but he figured that the boy was trying to be polite. It was a nice sentiment.

"Please, just call me Suzaku," He corrected with his generic friendly smile.

"It's Lelouch, then." The Britannian seemed encouraged. "I have heard so much about you from my half-brother Schneizel."

That explained the resemblance.

"Ah, so you're theLelouch!" Suzaku exclaimed, three quarters teasingly and one quarter appreciatively. "The elusive hidden genius of the family that never returns to his home shores. I have heard about you too."

"Only the worst, I hope?" Lelouch grinned in return, a bit conspiratorially.

"Depends on your definition of 'worst'." Suzaku smirked. He found himself hoping that Lelouch resembled Schneizel in more than one way. For instance, in sexual preference. More specifically, in preferring to have sex with Suzaku. If he was even half as everything (domineering, demanding, unapologetic…) as his elder brother in bed… "I did hear you were in France. Learn anything… particularly useful?" There. Subtle innuendo. Let's see how that goes…

Lelouch smiled, more genuine and almost childlike. How old was he? Old enough, Suzaku decided.

"Oh, yes!" Lelouch beamed. "NATO was within a day's drive and we got to see some amazing conferences and… and that's not what you were getting at was it?"

Suzaku couldn't help it. He laughed. It made Lelouch pout and look even younger, so he tried to apologize. "Sorry. It's just… you're really cute."

Lelouch could feel his face flaming from that one simple comment. He'd been praised for his looks and his grace and even his poise countless times before. But now it was different. Now it mattered. "Ah. Thanks."

"My pleasure." Suzaku moved closer to Lelouch and Lelouch imagined he could feel the air tingle as he approached. "Hey. What're you doing after the shoot?"

"My brothers…" …ah, screw them. "Nothing."

"Would you like to come over? For something to… eat?" Significantly less subtle innuendo.

Lelouch brightened even further at that. "Oh, I could cook for you! That's something I learned in France!"

…he really was cute, Suzaku decided. "That sounds nice, Lelouch." He could bring condoms and lube. He had some on set, just in case.

Lelouch flushed a little more. "Oh, I just realized… my brother's setting us up in a house nearby, but I don't know exactly where it is. Can I get your number and call you when the shoot is over to give you directions?"

"Sure!" Suzaku confirmed. Then, a thought occurred to him. "Pardon me asking, but… how old are you, Lelouch? Are you of age?"

The thing was… Suzaku was beginning to suspect that the naïveté wasn't an act. At all. Lelouch was just talking about dinner at his place and asking for his number solely to get in touch with him and relay information.

Which made it even more cute, and made him even more desirable. At this point, despite Lelouch's good looks, Suzaku was laying even odds that he was a virgin. It had been a while since he'd been someone's first. He' d do what he could to make it memorable.

Lelouch fumbled in his pocket and fished out an identity card.

Chess club.

Gods.

At least he was seventeen years old (Suzaku himself was in his early twenties, but age made little difference to him as long as everything was smooth and legal).

With a smile and a wink, Suzaku accepted Lelouch's invitation.

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Lelouch made his best effort to be as tactful as possible about turning down Schneizel's invitation to his own welcoming party.

"Does your sudden business have anything to do with one Suzaku Kururugi, per chance?" His elder brother had always been disturbingly and frustratingly good at reading him.

"That's none of your business, aniue," Lelouch muttered in irritation. Gods, why was his sibling always so condescending towards him?

"I have no qualms about that," Schneizel drawled, sounding as if he was privy to some kind of mystery that had escaped Lelouch. "I'll even cover up for you. After all, that's what elder brothers are for, right?"

His tone was slathered with honey.

"And isn't that helpful," Lelouch muttered under his breath. "What is the catch, Schneizel? You never do anything for free."

"If I were you, my dear little brother…" Lelouch could practically feel the man's smugness oozing from his cell phone. "I wouldn't set your hopes too high about any long-term commitments on his part. Just between the two of us, Kururugi has a certain reputation."

"Don't talk like you know him!" Lelouch snapped. What was Schneizel insinuating?

"Ah, but I do know him…" His Elder Brother's tone turned velvety. "So, the sex is going to be–"

Red-faced and frustrated, Lelouch hang up on him and bolted towards the front door.

"Rolo!" He shouted on top of his lungs. "Where's the bloody car?"

Grocery shopping had helped Lelouch to restore his peace of mind and push Schneizel's words at the back of his mind. Surely, Suzaku wasn't the type to… No, it was unthinkable.

Lelouch's steps grew springy as he browsed for the greens, picking each vegetable with his own hands. Rolo was constantly chirping something on the background, as he was prone to, but none of that reached his ears.

It felt unexpectedly good to be back to his home town, Lelouch decided. He was seeing everything in a new light now that Suzaku lived here too. He instantly recognised the old mansion that had made an appearance in one of Suzaku's first blockbusters. And there was the bridge on which he killed his cold-hearted lover in live action of some ancient shojo manga with an unnecessarily convoluted plot. But Suzaku made everything so much better.

"Lelouch, you are really looking happy today!" Rolo exclaimed right into his ear. Lelouch shuddered, snapped out of his Suzaku-dreaming, and accidentally smashed the tomato he was holding, coating both of them with its pulp.

Rolo immediately fished out a wet tissue, got both of them clean in record time and paid to the shop owner – the sort of thing Lelouch had been keeping him for in the first place.

"Say, Rolo," He had to dispose of the boy somehow. Lelouch wouldn't want to be embarrassed in front of Suzaku. He would call upon some old favours, if needed. "Do you remember Milly Ashford?"

For some reason, Rolo didn't look very thrilled at the prospect. "What about you, Lelouch? Aren't we attending to your family's event?"

"I'm getting a migraine," Lelouch improvised, rubbing his temples. "I'd rather go directly to bed tonight. But I wouldn't want that to keep you from enjoying your stay at the capital. After all, it's such a rare occasion."

Rolo eyed him carefully, looking torn. "Are you sure? I'd rather stay with you."

Lelouch sighed. "I appreciate that, Rolo." And he did. Rolo's affection was a nice change of pace from most of Lelouch's family's apathy and distance, but sometimes it was cloying. "But you need to get to know these people. Don't let my weaknesses stop you from achieving your goals."

"Your goals for me." Rolo muttered before shaking his head and smiling. "No, I understand, Lelouch. I'll make you proud!"

"Thank you, Rolo." Lelouch smiled back, genuinely grateful. While he certainly wanted Suzaku to meet his brothers and the rest of his family (eventually) he didn't want him to have to do so on their first… date? Encounter. That was a good word.

Lelouch returned to shopping and planning and maybe a little fantasizing as Rolo continued to assure him that he wouldn't let him down. At this point, Lelouch knew that as long as Rolo stayed out until at least ten, he would be fulfilling everything Lelouch wanted from him.

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Inviting both of Lelouch's parents would have been a mistake, because their recent encounters could easily overshadow nuclear explosions. It was Schneizel's firm belief that Charles had met his match in that fascinating woman. No wonder that their son turned out to be so promising and wilful.

"Marianne." He nodded in acknowledgement. Madam Lamperouge was not so subtly palming her green-haired female companion through her low cut vine-coloured dress that also exposed most of her back and even some of her prominent behind. The rumours were that the maiden in question was one of the reasons behind the divorce.

Schneizel flew about the ballroom, re-counting all the important pieces in his set. One of the most interesting ones was deliberately absent, of course. Potential was a wonderful thing.

Euphie, a pale spectre in the corner of the room, wore her hair short and her dress plain, unassuming. A pity. The girl's elder sister was watching over her like a hawk, not letting anyone, especially young males close.

Cornelia flashed a warning glance at him. To no avail.

(Ah, but Lelouch would love complications. The stage was almost set.)

Schneizel made sure to talk about this and that before dropping the bomb.

"You and Lelouch have always had so similar tastes, my dear," Schneizel murmured with pleasant smile, holding up his glass of champagne. "Did you know that our Lulu was also pinning for Suzaku Kururugi?"

Euphemia blanched and nearly dropped her own drink.

"How dare you mention that slut's name in my presence!" Cornelia roared, instantly turning into an angry mother bear. The change was nothing short of fascinating. "You heartless bastard!"

"E-elder Sister…" The girl whispered bashfully. "I'm afraid I need some fresh air."

"Euphie." Cornelia's tone returned back to sweet and gentle as she hugged her younger sibling tightly. "Let's go."

She cast one last withering glare in his direction at parting and they disappeared from sight.

While no one was watching him, Schneizel's smirk grew openly calculating: he finally had the necessary hook to keep Lelouch within his line of sight.

'Lelouch! I have to protect Lelouch from…' was the only thought piercing through Euphemia's mind.

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At last, his heart's most hidden desire had come true: Suzaku was standing at his doorstep, looking as mesmerizing as ever in his black shirt with the first few buttons undone (revealing a smooth expanse of tanned skin, protruding collar bones and some of the outline of Suzaku's perfectly-shaped chest) and tight, low-riding jeans, torn in the right places.

Lelouch, completely despite himself, had wasted an extra second on tracing the embellishments on his guest's belt and was absolutely mortified at have been caught staring.

"Hello again." Suzaku had tactfully ignored Lelouch's mishap. "Umm, here… I though it would be impolite to come empty-handed."

Lelouch couldn't help quirking his eyebrows at the brand of wine. He turned the bottle in his hands to and fro, having trouble deciding what to do with it. On a positive note, it was French.

"Ah, thank you for your consideration." He remembered his manners. "But it was hardly a necessity. Shall we take it to the dining room?"

Even Lelouch noticed that they had spent too much time staring at each other in the hallway.

"Ahaha, okay!" Suzaku, unlike himself, seemed to be at easy - another endearing trait of his that Lelouch had spotted, to always rapidly adjust to any changing circumstances. "Hmm, smells like a wonderful dinner."

Lelouch beamed at his praise, leading Suzaku to the impeccably dressed table.

"You cooked Japanese?" His guest sounded genuinely surprised. "That's very nice of you! How did you learn that?"

"France is actually known for having good Japanese restaurants." Lelouch brandished his expertise in the subject. It was his secret dream to open a restaurant of his own instead of getting entangled into his family's murky business. "Even Japanese tourists say that."

"Someone as worldly as you surely knows about the famed Japanese politeness," Suzaku returned, feeling vaguely bad as Lelouch's bright hopeful expression fell. "Not that you need to worry about that with me – I'm pretty honest. And sometimes even a little too blunt."

Lelouch laughed. "It's gotten you in trouble before." The casual phrase struck Suzaku as odd from someone who'd just met him. "Nearly fired from that Australian movie two years ago."

"How did you know about that?"

"Oh, I keep up," Lelouch said breezily. "Also, I know which co-stars had issues with you on that shoot – they say to judge a man, you should see who his enemies are, and making an enemy of Luciano Bradley makes you…"

"…yes?" Suzaku was just entertained now. His first impression of Lelouch had been completely accurate – the boy was a fan! How amusing.

Lelouch flushed a little. "Well. It makes you the kind of man who would make an enemy out of Luciano Bradley."

Suzaku laughed. "How very astute." And how totally adorable.

Lelouch, still blushing, mumbled something and ran off to the kitchen. Suzaku tried very, very hard not to nose around, but he couldn't help noticing a rather sexy full-length black leather couch in one of the adjourning rooms. It looked new. He bet it smelled fantastic.

As did the aromas wafting from the kitchen as Lelouch emerged with what looked like a five course meal. And Suzaku's bottle of wine.

"At least it's white," Lelouch said, shrugging. "I have no idea how it'll go, but… it's worth a try."

Suzaku chuckled. "I do hope you keep that attitude later on tonight."

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The supper was delicious, and the wine, a little sweet but not too much, went well with it. The conversation was nice as well, although Suzaku found himself the topic more often than not, and wasn't able to find out much more about Lelouch other than he was Schneizel's little brother and he grew up in France and he was a bit of a nerd. But a pretty nerd.

Lelouch, meanwhile, ate up every piece of information Suzaku let out about himself. He'd already known that Suzaku was an orphan and that his mother had died in childbirth and his father in an accident ("Accident"). And he already knew the general things that Suzaku shared with the public – his favourite bands and books and colors. What he wanted to know was more personal.

If the questions had been about Suzaku's love life, Suzaku would have at least known how to deal with that. But they weren't. They were about his outlook, his worldview, even his sense of morality. They were oddly invasive, even to someone who shared their preferred underwear type (briefs) to the world.

It was time to turn the tables. Time to take the control out of Lelouch's hands and get what he came for. Not that supper hadn't been nice, but Suzaku wasn't going for a 'nice' night. He'd been shooting for a 'fantastic' night.

"Lelouch, have you ever had sex?"

The question had been perfectly timed to cause Lelouch to choke on the wine. It was white, not red, so when he snorted it all over the place, at least it didn't stain. "WHAT?"

"Have you ever had sex?" Suzaku repeated. "Because I was wondering if you wanted to. Now. With me."

"I… that is… I wasn't planning…" Lelouch trailed off. "No. I mean, yes! I mean… no, I haven't had sex and… if you wanted to, I wouldn't mind…"

Awesome. Suzaku smiled. "So, show me what you've got, handsome." Suzaku propped his head up on one hand, watching Lelouch's reaction with interest and intent. That air of natural, effortless charm about the man was truly enticing, but it wasn't the main reason behind Lelouch's fascination with him.

Lelouch swallowed, completely caught despite himself, in admiring what the actor's unbuttoned black shirt was treating him to. It had cost him so much nerves and time to get here and words were failing him. All the speeches that he'd written and memorized vanished from his head without a trace, all the practiced at home in front of the mirror movements and gestures seemed ridiculous and cumbersome, and he was down to his knees going weak and his pride, which would never let him surrender without a fight.

Lelouch had watched him on screen, time and again, dissecting each and every of Suzaku's fake smiles. The man was by no means a bad actor, but his cheerfulness always seemed so forced– which left Lelouch wondering how no one else had ever noticed it – and his alluring green eyes never truly smiled, always dull, devoid of life.

It was as though Suzaku Kururugi was carrying an unbearable weight on his shoulder, and there was no one to share it with.

Well, that had been before Lelouch came and found him. Together, there was nothing they couldn't do. They were simply meant to be.

He looked deeply into Suzaku's eyes. "I want to see the real you."

Suzaku shook his head, reluctantly amused. "You'd been reading too many romance novels."

They were long past the nineteenth century, after all.

To a degree, Lelouch felt almost disappointed. But if sex was the only language Suzaku spoke, he would endure it; he wanted to get close to him. He swallowed nervously and could tell that Suzaku caught that gesture as his eyes narrowed with the effort of not rolling mockingly.

"I know this is your first time but there's no need to be so scared."

Honestly, Suzaku was considering getting up and walking out. He'd come over for a fun night and now this… It was all laughable: the virginal tremble, the wide eyes and this boy's…

Innocence.

The taste of something Suzaku had long forgotten. Males, females, he didn't care. Sex was sex either way. He wasn't picky.

Lelouch bit his lip. His confidence had long evaporated, like a morning mist, and he was left was… nothing.

"How do you want this?" Suzaku asked, for good measure. Not that he had any doubts on the matter, but he always asked.

"W-what?" Lelouch managed to get out in a tiny, panicked voice.

Suzaku let out a heavy sigh.

"How." Suzaku leaned forward, his hand reaching for Lelouch's cheek. "Do." The boy jumped at the contact, but Suzaku kept his touch firm and steady as he slid up to thread his fingers through Lelouch's hair. "You." Lelouch's lips were parted, more in confusion than arousal, but Suzaku didn't mind that. "Want." He could taste Lelouch's hot breath between them. "This."

His lips were soft. Warm from the supper he'd cooked and sweet from the wine Suzaku had bought and so, so soft.

"Suza–"

And his voice was soft too. Soft and tentative and that yearning was still there. That tremor that barely covered his desire and something that Suzaku couldn't quite recognize. It was confusing enough that Suzaku cut him off, pressing his lips more firmly against Lelouch's and gently licking into his mouth.

Lelouch had clearly never kissed anyone before, but he was… pliant. Wonderfully so. Willing to let Suzaku lead and beautifully receptive to his actions. Not Suzaku's usual type of partner, but certainly good enough for a fling. "Lelouch. Take me to your bed."

"Uhmm…" Lelouch blinked, stunned by the kiss. "I… kind of don't have one yet. I mean, I do, but there are no sheets and… Suzaku, your hand…"

"Don't worry. I know exactly what it's doing." What it was doing was massaging the front of Lelouch's crotch. "C'mon, Lelouch. You're supposed to be some kind of super genius. Can't you think of some way around this dilemma?"

Lelouch groaned and shifted, opening and closing his legs and finding no relief. Suzaku was good at this. "C-couch…"

"Brilliant." Suzaku rewarded him with a deep kiss, pleased when he kissed back, even going so far as to tentatively suck on Suzaku's tongue. "Lead the way."

By the time they made it to the couch, their shirts were gone and Lelouch's pants were open (with Suzaku's hand doing clever things inside) and Suzaku had actually managed to kick his pants off completely. He pushed Lelouch down and straddled him, kissing hard and very carefully freeing Lelouch's erection from his pants.

Suzaku gave the boy's cock a few steady pumps, all the while smiling in reassurance. Lelouch looked up at him helplessly from the couch, making him wonder where his parents had been with the birds and the bees talk. Ah right – in another country. Still, abroad was usually the best place to get these kinds of lessons. The fact that Lelouch was so clearly untouched made this kind of… special.

Suzaku shook his head. It had been years (long enough ago that he'd been even younger than Lelouch) since he'd felt that way. This wasn't about 'special' – it was about sex.

As he touched Lelouch, trying to keep him aroused and soothe him at the same time, he fished around for his pants, finally scavenging the lube and condoms from his back pocket. "See? Always prepared, Lelouch. Nothing to be scared of here."

"I'm not scared!" If the trembling hadn't put a lie to that, the way his voice broke at the last word did. He flushed even redder than before and turned his face into the couch, hiding. A pity – it was a pretty face.

"Good." Suzaku said, hoping to make this point completely clear. "Because I want you, and I don't want to stop, but I will if you need me to. Understood?"

At first, he thought that Lelouch hadn't even heard him. Then the boy turned to him, with the first smile Suzaku had seen since they'd kissed. "I understand, Suzaku. Thank you."

There it was again. That unreadable expression on Lelouch's face, mixed with slightly frightened lust. Suzaku shook his head, clearing it, and bent over to kiss Lelouch and to start stretching himself in swift, efficient and well-practiced movements.

As soon as Lelouch realized what he was doing, he thought of lending Suzaku a hand on his own – at this rate, a pleasant surprise to feel Lelouch's thinner but longer fingers sliding over Suzaku's. His utter vulnerability was oh so tempting – but Suzaku wasn't the type to overindulge himself. He kissed Lelouch and slipped a condom over his erect cock. "Ready?"

Lelouch nodded and bit his lip, arching into the couch as Suzaku lowered himself onto him. Suzaku groaned slightly at the stretch and pull – he'd timed it perfectly, so that the sensation of Lelouch entering him was just short of painful. He could feel every single twitch and breath and molecule of Lelouch as he slowly pressed down until Lelouch was completely inside him.

Suzaku loved this moment. The seconds after joining and just before the actual sex. It was laced with potential that was almost always more promising than the act itself. And now, with Lelouch staring up at him with a mixture of disbelief and shocked pleasure, Suzaku doubted the boy would last long enough to be as good as the packaging advertised.

Ah well. The packaging was still gorgeous.

"You okay there, Lelouch?"

"Fine, yes." Lelouch's voice was breathy, but steady. "And you? It… it doesn't hurt?"

That was sweet. "It hurts just right," Suzaku assured him, lifting his hips and sliding back down, nearly chuckling at Lelouch's reflexive hip twitch as he chased Suzaku's body. "How does it feel from down there?"

"Um… really good," Lelouch said, but he was frowning. "But I don't… I don't want to hurt you, Suzaku…"

"S'okay." Suzaku moved again, watching as Lelouch's physical pleasure warred with his emotional reluctance. That shouldn't have been as arousing as it was. "It feels really good to me too."

"Oh. Okay." And that was all it took to melt away Lelouch's reluctance. His eyes closed as Suzaku started moving in earnest, riding him hard as he found the perfect angle. Lelouch's hands rested on his thighs, not directing him, just feeling him move. It was like he was trying to experience everything he could at once. It had been so long since Suzaku had been with anyone who didn't just want the most superficial things from him.

It was a little uncomfortable, to be honest, and made Suzaku move faster, jerking himself off to end this sooner. It felt great – better endurance than he'd expected from the virgin – but when Lelouch opened his eyes and looked at him, Suzaku felt as though those eyes were trying to strip away his skin, as if his physical nudity wasn't enough and Lelouch wanted to see deeper.

At least he had some idea of priorities, however. One hand slid from Suzaku's leg to wrap around the hand Suzaku had around his cock. "Please… let me…"

The moment Suzaku let those long, elegant fingers wrap around them, he realized he was close. "Lelouch… gah…"

"Suzaku." Lelouch's voice was soft, but not nearly as tremulous as before. His hand was gentle, and a little tentative, but it felt…

"I'm gonna…" It had been a while since Suzaku had let himself go like this. Lelouch's damn, piercing eyes… "Lelouch, I'm…"

A likely accidental twist of Lelouch's wrist and Suzaku felt himself peak. He grit his teeth and kept moving, wrapping a hand over Lelouch's to direct the stream of semen over Lelouch's stomach and chest as his orgasm ripped through him. Lelouch's voice, sudden and surprised, signalled his own orgasm as he bucked up into Suzaku's body, writhing under Suzaku as he came.

Suzaku felt a rush of something like pride. This was the first time anyone had seen this. And it was a glorious sight. He collapsed, leaning on the couch back as he watched Lelouch gulping in air as he recovered. There was a part of him that noted he'd been right (the couch did smell fantastic after all the heat and friction) while most of him basked in the afterglow and in watching Lelouch slowly recover.

"You… look good like that." Suzaku chuckled as Lelouch managed to throw him a confused look. "All spent and sated and…" and covered in Suzaku's… "and relaxed."

"You look…" Lelouch struggled to sit up, managing to get himself propped up in front of Suzaku. "You still look distant." He brought a hand up to Suzaku's cheek. "I thought this was what you wanted."

Suzaku flinched away from the touch. "It is! You were great. Really." He refused to meet Lelouch's eyes as he lifted himself off the younger boy and searched for his pants and shirt. "I'm sure I'll see you around…"

"You're leaving?" Lelouch asked in a small voice. He sounded hurt.

Found them! "Yeah, busy day tomorrow, you know how it is… you have my number!" Suzaku pulled his pants and shirt on - one of the benefits of safer sex was less mess. "Really gotta run. It was great, really. I…" Suzaku didn't even bother finishing that sentence, ducking out the door and into his car before Lelouch could get a word in edgewise.

It was… anticlimactic was probably overly punny, but Lelouch couldn't think of a better word. He'd thought… he knew better than to assume that sex meant that Suzaku would fall in love with him, but he had hoped for some kind of connection. But the Suzaku who just left was exactly the same as the Suzaku Lelouch had met on the set – he hadn't changed at all, even after…

It might have been overly romantic. It might have been childish. But Lelouch had always thought that his first time would have changed something. But he didn't feel much different either. Stickier and a strange combination of sated and tired, but still just… Lelouch.

He wasn't a virgin anymore. It was odd how little that meant to him, after watching Suzaku walk out the door as if nothing had happened.

Lelouch hadn't planned for sex. He hadn't expected Suzaku to even be attracted to him, necessarily. He had just planned to get to know him, to try to find out how and how badly he'd been hurt and how Lelouch could fix that. He'd failed miserably.

And now, he could hear Suzaku's car starting up and, it might have been silly but so had the rest of the night, Lelouch pulled up his pants and went to the window to at least see him leave.

He drove off disturbingly fast, nearly cutting off a light red sports car. Lelouch frowned. For some reason, he felt like he recognized that car…

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

The official part of Rolo's acquaintance with the scion of the respectable Ashford family had ended unexpectedly soon in a blur of laughing faces, short skirts and colourful drinks.

Rolo ended up abandoned on a leather love-seat in the corner of some nondescript night club, which name he had no idea of, and surrounded by a barricade of empty cocktail glasses that he was absolutely sure he couldn't have emptied on his own.

Rolo bit his lower lip in despair – this wasn't the sort of activity Lelouch would have approved of (and he was only sixteen - he had promised his Elder Brother to cut off with all the illegal activities except chess gambling). The boy's head was already spinning, and he was drifting and an out, afraid of even trying to stand up. His cell phone had remained silent throughout the whole ordeal, which meant that, fortunately, his precious Elder Brother wasn't worried about him, most probably, by now long soundly asleep.

"My, My!" A girl around his age plopped loudly beside him, letting her narrow thigh brush against his. Rolo's face instantly caught fire. "What do we have here? Milly was right – you're very cute."

She crossed her legs with elegance that almost seemed out of place, making Rolo stare at the hem of her criminally short carmine dress.

"Let's dance," The girl announced, grabbing his hand. "I trust you know how to do it, right, village boy?"

Rolo froze in mortification, and treacherous blush kept creeping up his cheeks.

"Just like I said… cute." Her voice was low, predatory and her eyes screamed 'danger'.

"W-wait a moment, Miss-"

"Nataly," she said after a short pause and practically yanked him off his seat with surprising strength. "Come on, show me what you've got."

Rolo lost himself in the flashing lights and the sway of her hips against his. Whenever she threw her head back, her hair flowed like a golden waterfall.

The air was thick with cigarette smoke, and the boy felt as though he had saturated with it to his very bones. The music was all wrong and too loud.

She was laughing now, a simultaneously ringing and melodic and cruel sound.

Halfway to the public bathroom Rolo still wasn't fully aware of what was going on.

She locked the stall door, pushed him onto the sit and undid his zipper, pulling him out and swiftly coercing into full action. They hadn't even kissed.

'This is my first time' Rolo desperately wanted to say. That wasn't how he'd imagined it would be. But her hand was expertly sliding up and down his length; all he could do was gasp like a fish out of the water.

She climbed on top of him in a rider's position with effortless ease and lowered her hips.

"Hah!" That felt…His brain short-circuited.

She moved up and down. Rolo thought he was going to explode. Blindly, with his vision clouded (he could see nothing but her vicious, vicious face) Rolo grasped for some leverage and found her thin waist, looping his arms around her and clutching for dear life.

Up and down.

"Lelouch!" It took him a long heartbeat to realize that he wasn't the only one in this claustrophobic space who had shouted that name aloud with the desperation of a drowning man.

Rolo instantly sobered up, as if a bucket of cold water had just toppled all over him.

They stared at each other in mute shock.

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

Before Lelouch knew it, he'd already been pulled into a tight embrace that smelt faintly of sweet perfume and a reunion with a precious sibling after years apart.

Gods, how embarrassing and inappropriate: he'd barely had time to wipe Suzaku's… semen off his abdomen. Lelouch would have liked to greet her in a much more presentable state. What could have brought her here at this hour, anyway?

"Lelouch!" Euphie breathed out, beaming at him. "It's been so long! I'm very glad to see you."

She had changed, Lelouch noted to himself. It was as though her radiant, carefree smile from three years ago had faded, giving place to those dark circles under her eyes and a weary curve of her lips. Her hair had become criminally short - barely brushing against her shoulders, and it seemed that she hadn't been paying any attention to what she was wearing at all. Her overall appearance was incredibly disturbing.

"Euphie," He replied, taking her smaller hands into his. She had resumed her childhood habit of biting her nails. What on Earth had happened to her while he was away?

None of Euphie's letters and occasional calls had spoken of any grave occurrence. Lelouch only vaguely recalled her talking in a merry, sing-song voice about some wonderful young man she was dating a few months ago. Had something gone wrong?

"Say, Lelouch…" Euphie broke the silence, looking anywhere, but at him. "Was that Suzaku's car just now?"

Wait, why were they on first name basis? Did they know each other? Lelouch felt a shameful stab of something closely resembling possessiveness, or even jealousy, but for the life of him he wouldn't know towards whom exactly it was directed.

"Yes, it was. Are you two acquainted?" He replied dryly, attempting to lead her away from the soiled coach. The manoeuvre didn't quite work.

"Ah! Just as expected." His sister gave the stains (he'd thought he'd cleaned everything) a strange, apathetic look. Lelouch, in his turn, was absolutely mortified. And it was as though she intentionally came looking for the evidence. "As to your question, Lelouch… don't look at me like that! We were going to get married."

"What?" Lelouch gasped, frozen on his spot. He couldn't believe it!

"Lelouch, please, don't blame him for anything! Suzaku is very… hurt." Euphie stepped closer, locking their gazes. She was making her best attempt to sound convincing. "I feel very sorry for him."

Lelouch currently felt more sorry for Euphie and for himself. His insides twisted in rage and, belatedly, Schneizel's words re-emerged from the back of his mind. For once, his elder brother had been right about something.

"He thinks that he doesn't need anyone. He likes being alone and… miserable. There is nothing we could do, believe me, I have tried… But it would take a miracle–"

"A miracle, you say?" Lelouch cut her off firmly, setting his jaw and crossing his arms. "Well then, a miracle it will be!"

Euphie opened her mouth to say something, but then shook her head in defeat. Her shoulders slumped, and she was looking very small and fragile. To think how Suzaku's behaviour must have affected her!

"Don't worry, Euphie," He whispered soothingly, wrapping his arms around her. She gladly leaned into his embrace, like she always did in their childhood. "I will take care of everything, I promise!" He stroked her hair soothingly.

"I will set things right!" Lelouch swore vehemently, pressing a kiss against the side of her head.

Euphie closed her eyes, resting her head on his shoulder, finally, at peace.

Lelouch was much stronger than she.

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

Rolo returned home at dawn, suffering from a brain-splitting headache and crushing guilt. How was he going to look Lelouch in the face ever again after what had just happened?

To his surprise, the light was still turned on.

Rolo stumbled onto the living room and instantly (his heart clenched) spotted Lelouch, who was sitting in the chair and twirling his favourite chess piece with an oh-so-familiar expression on his face.

A wave of relief washed over the boy - if Lelouch's mind was occupied with something else, perhaps, with luck, Rolo's nighttime activities would never come to light.

"Rolo?" Lelouch acknowledged his arrival with quirk of an eyebrow. "It is good that we're finally back. There is something that we must do without any further delay."

Needless to say, no matter what his elder brother asked, Rolo always complied.