Here's the last chapter! ^^

Chapter 10 – Love

Suzaku was putting on his shoes.

"I'll be off then," he called back to them.

"Be careful. And send our regards to him," Cornelia replied.

"Wait, Suzaku!" Nunnally rushed out from her room. "Here, I've recorded new Shakespeare's play. Let him listen to it."

"Sure, thanks," Suzaku smiled back and hugged them.

"Don't give up just yet, okay? I'm sure he's still there," said Cornelia, trying to comfort Suzaku as she had always done when Suzaku hugged them affectionately.

"Yeah, there's still hope," Nunnally continued.

Suzaku broke the hug and smiled towards them before he went out of the house. He had just walked a few steps away from the house and stopped. He turned and looked back; the once large and luxurious house had become small and single storey. The house now only consists of the General's family, him and Gino. All the other servants were sent back to where they belonged after the war.

He got into the car and drove towards the hospital. On his way, he looked around him. The environment had changed.

Two months had passed since the war ended. The terrorists were caught and some of them who had pledged to never disrupt peace were sent back home to their own country. Even though it was only two months, most of the war torn area was fixed and buildings were built up immediately. Many families had finally found each other; schools had been rebuilt again; anything that needed to be repaired was done perfectly. Everything in the country had become whole and everyone had their own new lives once again. Suzaku loved this new environment, and the first one he really wanted to share it with, was now sleeping in the hospital.

Once he had reached the hospital, he went straight towards a personal patient ward. That was where Lelouch had been lying asleep for two months.

He opened the door and saw that Cecile and Euphemia were in the room. They both saw him and greeted.

"'Morning, how is he?" Suzaku asked as he set down the things he had brought.

"He's fine and he's been healing very well too," Cecile answered.

"I see. Good to know," Suzaku replied with a sad smile.

Euphemia went near him and patted on his shoulder. She said, "As long as you're here, he'll know and he'll be up anytime soon. Just be patient, okay?"

Suzaku nodded and said, "Thanks for looking after him."

"No problem," said Cecile. "Anyway, since you're already here, I'll go check on other patients. See you later."

"I'll be going to. I'm having a meeting in a while about the coming festival. Oh! Suzaku, do come for the festival this weekend. There'll be some stalls and fireworks at night, starting at seven. It'll be held in the park," said Euphemia with joy. "Bring the whole General's family too."

"Sure," Suzaku smiled and sent them out of the room.

The room was back to silence. He went back to the table beside Lelouch's bed, took out the little radio and plugged in the switch. Then, he played the tape in it. It was Nunnally's voice, reading out Shakespeare's plays for Lelouch. Suzaku then sat down, one hand held onto Lelouch's, while the other caressed his face. Suzaku looked at him dearly.

"Lelouch, the General's family sends their regards to you. And, this tape, you recognize the voice don't you? It's Nunnally again. She's recorded your favorite story for you to listen."

Then, he paused as he waited for any reaction. But, there were none. He continued, "By the way, I'm sorry for not bringing Gino with me. He had started his school today. But, don't worry about it. I've made sure that he'll be enjoying the school and make lots of friends. Ah! Talking about his friends, he had already targeted a girl. I was shocked too when suddenly Gino turned beet red when he was looking at some pink haired girl. Once he saw her, he had totally forgotten about not wanting to go to school. Though that girl seemed like a very cool person, but she did accepted Gino's offer to be his friend. Isn't he cute?" Suzaku laughed. There were no reaction from Lelouch, but Suzaku believed that everything he had said went straight into Lelouch's brain. Still, he preferred the smiling Lelouch looking at him while listening and laughing at the same time. Suzaku's smile dropped.

Bringing up Lelouch's hand to his cheek, he caressed it and said, "Lelouch, when are you going to wake up? You've been sleeping for far too long. Everyone's worried about you and me too. There're so many things I want to show you. And the festival, I want to go with you."

Suzaku was almost in the verge of tears. He had been talking to him since two months ago and was always hoping Lelouch would wake up or suddenly tell a joke. He felt very desperate as there was nothing he could do to wake him up.

Suzaku stopped talking and just stared at Lelouch. He remembered back the memories he had had with Lelouch and non-stop repeating them again and again, till he finally worn himself out and slept.

Somewhere in the middle of the sleep, there was a twitch and the eyelids were trying to open.

"It's not your time yet, Lelouch. Go…make them smile once again. I'll always be here beside you. And remember, Mom loves you best."

Epilogue

Ten years had passed and they were now living in a cottage just out of town. There were lots of plants of vegetables and fruits in the big land just outside their little cottage. It was peaceful all day long, unless something was triggered.

"Gino! How long have you been playing that nonsense? Get in here and have your breakfast!"

Wonder who that would be?

"A minute! I'm winning soon!"

"If you don't come here right now, I swear I'm gonna throw that away!"

"Alright, alright! I'm coming!" Gino shouted back and quickly turned off the play station after he had finally won that round. He got into the kitchen and sat at the small dining table. "What's for breakfast, Lulu?" he asked cheerfully, as if the scolding never happened.

"Just an egg for you, and stop calling me Lulu, you're not that chubby anymore," Lelouch replied angrily. Indeed, the once calm and quiet Lelouch had changed.

Gino pouted, "Aww…but I'm still Gino, you can't just say no to me. And besides, an egg won't be enough for me. I still have sports practice in an hour."

Lelouch glared at him, but Gino acted as cute as possible. Lelouch, no match for cute things, gave up and added another egg and two sausages. Gino thanked him cheerfully and started eating.

"Be sure you get here when I first call you. Get it?" Lelouch asked. Gino nodded as his mouth was too full. Lelouch frowned, "Eat slowly, don't choke."

"Honey, I'm back! The General gave us some new fertilizers for the plants. He said it was imported and of good quality," Suzaku called from the door.

"Just leave it outside first. Come in for breakfast, you've been out since early in the morning," Lelouch called back.

Suzaku walked into the kitchen with a wide smile.

"Morning, Gino. How's that level doing?" Suzaku asked, but soon regretted as he realize a deadly aura emerging not far from him. Gino only smiled and invited him to sit opposite him. Suzaku went to sit quietly and brought the plate of food in front of him nearer. Trying to make the atmosphere better, he said, "Wow! Sunny side ups and sausages! My favorite! Thank you, honey."

"You're most welcome," Lelouch replied with a smile. "But there's another thing I would like you to do other than thanking me."

"What's it?" Suzaku asked cheerfully, but he knew something bad is about to happen. Soon enough, he experienced it.

Lelouch pinched Suzaku's ear and twisted it. Suzaku's expression explained that it was very, very painful, but he did not scream. "Le-Lelouch…lighter…please…"

"If I ever see you playing that game with Gino again, I'm going to kick you out of here. Understand?" Lelouch asked fiercely.

"B-But…it was only for a…AHH! Okay, okay! I won't do it again! I swear!" Suzaku replied quickly as Lelouch added his strength. Gino on the other side gulped down the food hard and pretended as if he saw nothing.

Lelouch let go of it and continued pouring milk for all three of them. Then, he sat down and enjoyed his breakfast. He was very please of himself as he was able to make better food from day to day. Suzaku, on the other hand, was trying hard not to fan his ear while eating breakfast.

After a few minutes of eating, Gino was the one to break the silence. He got up from his place and placed his dishes into the sink. He washed all of them before heading back to his room. After a while, Gino came out in his sports attires and he called to them from the front door, "I'm going to school now!"

"When you'll be back?" Lelouch asked.

"Around lunch time! Don't miss me! Bye!" Gino replied and shut the door.

Back in the kitchen, both Suzaku and Lelouch were eating quietly. Suzaku, hated the quiet atmosphere, tried to think about something to break the silence.

"Lelouch, are you doing anything later?"

"No, I'm not doing anything, just some dishes to wash, some clothes to dry, a car to wash, a house to clean and a cupboard of messy clothes to arrange," Lelouch replied. Though it did not seem so, but Suzaku knew he was being sarcastic, and Suzaku felt bad about the cupboard thing. It was definitely Suzaku's cupboard since he always dug out the clothes and never arranged them back properly. It was not because he did not want to do it, but he always had no time to do so, since he was still in the military and sometimes he would get an emergency call and he would simply pull out all the clothes, put on and quickly left. But, as for today, he had asked permission from the General to give him a week's break, in the reason of wanting to spend more time with Lelouch, since he was not able to do so last week. So, he had to come out of an idea to be with Lelouch this whole week.

"I'll help out. We can both do them together," said Suzaku.

"Really?" Lelouch replied as he ate.

"Yes, I'll definitely help you, no slacking at all," Suzaku smiled cheerfully.

"Okay, then you'll wash the dishes and I'll go hang out the clothes," said Lelouch and he got up and headed towards the back door.

Suzaku only looked on as Lelouch walked out. He did say 'do them together' right? So why did not Lelouch listened? Lelouch must still be angry about him. Anyways, Suzaku quickly cleaned up the dishes and went out to Lelouch.

Suzaku was hanging their clothes, while trying to think of something to talk about. But, whenever he thought of one, he could not manage to say it out as Lelouch had looked strict and it scared him. While thinking of another idea, he wanted to take the clothes but instead he held onto Lelouch's hand. Immediately, it struck him. He pulled Lelouch towards him and kissed him.

Lelouch pushed away and looked up. His face was red and his eyes were angry. Suzaku only smiled and hugged Lelouch tightly. Lelouch struggled but Suzaku was not going to let go that easily.

"Are you going to let go, or not?" Lelouch asked. Suzaku only shook his head. Lelouch struggled again, hit Suzaku on his chest and pushed himself but it did not bugged Suzaku at all. Suzaku only smiled.

After much struggle, Lelouch gave up. Instead, he asked, "How am I supposed to finish all the house cores today if you're not going to let me go?"

"I said we'll do it together, so it'll be done faster," Suzaku replied.

"And this? You think it'll be done faster like this?" Lelouch fired back.

"No, but it's been long since I last had the real chance to hold you and properly looked into your beautiful amethyst eyes…it's so…mesmerizing," Suzaku's words became softer as he was totally immersed into the sight of Lelouch's eyes. It was long, too long, and because he was not able to do things like this for so long, he was stuck immediately.

Lelouch, too, had not had the chance to look so clearly for a long time. Now that he had the chance, he too did not want to get away from Suzaku at all.

"Lelouch…" Suzaku asked without turning his eyes away.

"Hm?" Lelouch replied, doing the same as Suzaku.

"Do you mind?"

"Mind what?"

And then, there was silence again. But, this time, it was not awkward; instead, it was too blazing for the passersby. The both of them had immersed themselves into the deep pool of love. It had been long, too long, since they really had a chance to have such a passionate kiss, under the warm sunlight.

The End~

Yup! That's all folks! Happy ending! Did you guess who's Gino's girlfriend? Try guessing...I'm sure you'll get it easily. ^^

And also...from now on, please stay tuned for the new chapters in Contract or Bond. Now that this is finished, I'll be able to concentrate more on that.

See you again in the new chapters of Contract or Bond! ^^