Lelouch shivered in the cool air that gradually wafted into the bedroom as the front door was left open in the middle of winter. Stupid Suzaku not leaving the heating on while he was out hunting and unloading his catch before tidying up. How thoughtless.

Of course, Lelouch always had the choice to put on more layers, but that would completely defeat the purpose.

The crashing and banging from downstairs came to a head and Lelouch could hear the heavy tread of tired legs coming up the stairs. He closed his eyes and steadied his breathing and tried to stop shivering.

The footsteps stopped as the door opened, and Lelouch just barely stopped himself from smiling or opening his eyes, as much as he wanted to see what was going on. When the footsteps started again, they were quieter and lighter and Lelouch had to suppress a shiver of anticipation rather than cold. He focused on pretending to be asleep.

The bed dipped behind him, then on his right, then his left. It was getting harder to control his breathing, as he imagined he could feel the cool air radiating from the body above him. He managed not to flinch from the soft press of lips between his shoulder blades, but apparently that wasn't enough to hide his awareness as the lips curved upwards in a smile.

"This is a nice surprise." The lips trailed down his back, as if counting his vertebrae, and Lelouch gave up the pretence of sleep and shifted impatiently, the thin sheet that barely covered his ass sliding against his skin. "Were you waiting long?"

"So long." Lelouch turned over carefully, not wanting to brush against Suzaku and ruin the lazy feeling of the moment. "I fell asleep."

Suzaku chuckled. "Sure you did." His head dipped again, pressing wetter kisses against Lelouch's stomach. "That's why your back's still warm."

That was true enough. Lelouch had barely had enough time to strip down and arrange the bedsheet artistically around his waist before Suzaku returned from hunting. "It's not that wa– Suzaku!" Suzaku's freezing fingers pressed against the small of Lelouch's back, holding him in place as he tried to squirm away from their icy grip. "Let go, you ass!"

"Say please!" Suzaku's hands slid lower, cupping Lelouch's buttocks with the tips of his fingers just barely sliding between them. Lelouch felt himself harden and cursed the strange reactions of his body to discomfort.

…no. To discomfort and Suzaku's touch.

Suzaku grinned as if he knew exactly what Lelouch was thinking and kissed him. "Share your warmth with me, Lelouch."

Lelouch whimpered slightly, clenching his jaw against more desperate noises. His hands flew to Suzaku's buttons and Suzaku released him to squirm out of his pants. It was a little clumsy and a lot frantic, but they'd had months of practice by this point, so it wasn't long before Suzaku was naked against him. He was cold at first, but he warmed quickly. Lelouch wrapped his legs around his waist, pulling him closer.

"Did you prep?" Suzaku asked against Lelouch's neck, his cock pressing against Lelouch's stomach. Lelouch shook his head and flung out an arm towards the bedside table, fumbling for the drawer that held the lube. Suzaku grabbed his wrist and laced their fingers together, shaking his head. "This is fine." He thrust lightly, and Lelouch felt himself go limp and passive. "This is just fine…"

"Mmm…" Lelouch caught Suzaku's rhythm and started moving under him, by now used to what Suzaku liked. Actually, there wasn't much Suzaku didn't like, other than a completely passive partner. Not that Lelouch disagreed – everything they did had its own benefits.

Like the frottage they had going now meant that they could kiss as they moved. Lelouch wasn't really flexible enough to maintain that when they had penetrative sex. And if there was one thing that Lelouch always enjoyed, it was Suzaku's kisses.

He enjoyed the rest, but Suzaku was an amazing kisser. He never held back, and Lelouch sometimes felt like he could drown himself in Suzaku's kisses. The rest of the time, Suzaku could be so restrained…

Suzaku laughed into Lelouch's mouth. "What are you thinking about?"

"You," Lelouch answered, canting his hips up. "And sex and kissing."

Suzaku smiled. "On topic this time, at least."

He was amazing. Lelouch wasn't sure how other lovers would have reacted to the fact that Lelouch's mind worked doubletime when he was aroused (or if they would have even noticed) but Suzaku just took it with gentle humour and affection. Lelouch had tried explaining it – like Suzaku's kisses and touches brushed away all the distractions that stopped Lelouch from thinking as clearly as he could. It hadn't been like that with Lucinao – with him, all Lelouch could think about was what was happening, and how soon it would be over. Suzaku set him free.

Lelouch slid his hand between their bodies, holding their cocks together as Suzaku groaned and sped up. He was getting close… they were getting close, and Lelouch wanted them to finish together. "Almost there?"

"Yeah, just…" Suzaku panted against Lelouch's neck. "…you?"

"Ready when you are."

Two more thrusts and Suzaku shuddered and groaned as he came. Lelouch let himself go at that sight, let the sudden whiteness of orgasm wipe away his ruminations and erase everything but this moment, with Suzaku. He'd pick up his thoughts when his mind rebooted but, until then, there was a blissfully peaceful silence in his mind and the warmth of Suzaku's body.

"What was that about?"

Lelouch smiled at Suzaku's suspicious tone. Suzaku was still naïve, but not as naïve as he had been before Lelouch. "I can't just come over to your house, strip down and get into your bed – it was unmade by the way – and drowse off while waiting for you to come home?"

"Well you certainly can," Suzaku said. "But you don't do anything without a reason. Also, I only make my bed when you stay over because you make me, and you're here more mornings than not."

"I am, aren't I?" Lelouch kissed him. "As much as I adore Nunnally and my mother, there are aspects of my life I'd rather they weren't a part of."

Suzaku laughed and returned the kiss. "I agree wholeheartedly. But that's not going to distract me from my original question. What was that about, Lelouch?"

Lelouch sighed and let his face settle into the more comfortable blankness that he rarely wore around Suzaku. Suzaku tended to make him smile, usually. "Please quit hunting."

Suzaku's own smile faded into a frown. "What? Why?"

"It's a week until the preparation for the tour. The camera crews, our stylist teams, tons of visitors from Pendragon will be here. If you get caught…"

"I'm not going to get caught."

"If you do, you won't be forgiven because everyone's eaten one of your squirrels or rabbits at some point. It will be public, and it will be humiliating, and it is easily avoidable. Just take this week off while they come trickling in."

Suzaku frowned. "They're not going to be here for a week yet, Lelouch."

"You can't guarantee that – they'll all be here by a week, but their actual arrivals might be staggered. The train comes daily to take the shipment of sakuradite for processing. They could come at any time." Suzaku still didn't look convinced. Lelouch suppressed his exasperation and forced a sultry smile, trailing his hand down Suzaku's chest and abs. "…I'll make sure you don't get bored."

"That's not the hnng… Lelouch!" Suzaku grabbed Lelouch's hand and held it away from his body. "You don't have to do things like this to get my attention."

Lelouch rolled his eyes. "Of course I do. Otherwise you just get all noble and self-sacrificing and think of yourself and your needs last." He smiled and shifted his whole body against Suzaku's. "Unless I remind you about what you need."

Suzaku's eyes rolled up as Lelouch undulated against him. It was flattering, but it only lasted a moment before Suzaku physically pushed Lelouch away from him. "Seriously Lelouch, quit it. I'm not going to do whatever you want just because my brain turns to jelly every time you touch me."

Lelouch blinked, a little shocked at the direct honesty. But, then again, this was Suzaku. "Alright. Just… consider it. We get twice the allotment of supplies from Pendragon this year, including food. For at least a little while, Area 11 can do without the hunting prowess of Suzaku Kururugi."

At least Suzaku seemed to be considering that. Lelouch smiled and sat up, grabbing a tissue and wiping himself off before standing and walking over to his clothes. "Are you coming over for supper?"

"Are you cooking or your mom?"

Lelouch shrugged as he slipped on his dress, making it catch on his shoulder. But that was fine because Suzaku's hands were there, smoothing it over. Lelouch leaned into his touch.

"Dresses again?"

"I am able to take my own advice, Suzaku." Suzaku's hands smoothed over Lelouch's shoulders, gathering his hair out from the collar of his dress. Five months of growing it out had left it long enough to truly halo Lelouch's head when he lay back. Lelouch liked to tie it back whenever he could, but Suzaku liked it loose so that was how Lelouch wore it for him. Outside of their bedroom, however…

As Lelouch reached for his hair-tie, Suzaku's hand slipped down to Lelouch's waist and he pressed his lips against Lelouch's neck. Lelouch shivered. "Now who's trying to seduce whom?"

"Is it still seduction if you're basically a sure thing?" Suzaku asked against Lelouch's skin. Lelouch laughed. "Do you really have to go?"

Lelouch half turned, a mocking comment about insatiability on his tongue, when he noticed three black cars across the street, just outside his own house.

Cars.

No one in Area 11 owned a car.

"Lelouch?"

Lelouch forced a smile back on his face. "I clearly need to teach you to appreciate me more, if you just assume I'm a sure thing. I think an afternoon apart should do nicely."

Suzaku released him, frowning. "I didn't mean…"

"Hush." Lelouch pressed a gentle finger to Suzaku's lips, feeling his smile turn more real as Suzaku impulsively kissed it. "I know you didn't. I was teasing. But I do have to go get things ready for supper." He took in Suzaku's naked form and sighed a little inside. "I do wish I could stay and take advantage of… all that."

Suzaku grinned and pulled Lelouch in for a deep kiss. Lelouch melted against him, as he almost always did, his fear and anxiety melting away, leaving only a restless mind running scenario after scenario.

Suzaku laughed into the kiss. "Fine, you're clearly focused on supper. Go on, then."

Lelouch shot him a grateful smile and shrugged on his jacket. "Drop by in a few hours or so."

"Right. Bye."

Suzaku sounded a little off, but Lelouch didn't bother with that. If he was upset about something, he'd say it – that was one of the wonderful things about Suzaku. Lelouch had more important things to worry about.

Like the three black cars outside his house.

He hadn't done up his hair after leaving Suzaku's, too distracted. It whipped about his face as he crossed the street, coiling and tangling as the sweat from his earlier activities cooled in the breeze, enough to make him shiver. Or maybe that was the bad feeling coiling in the pit of his stomach. Nevertheless, he didn't hesitate at the threshold of his house, ducking in to get out of the wind and before he lost his nerve.

"Ah, Lelouch!" His mother came out of the dining area, a bright smile on her face. "Excellent timing! Where were you?"

Lelouch considered lying, then decided there was no point. "At Suzaku's. I invited him for supper, if that's alright."

"Of course! He's always welcome." To Lelouch's eyes, Marianne looked genuinely happy, even more so than usual. "Nunnally and Sayoko are baking a cake for dessert." Lelouch couldn't help smiling at that, despite his still-present worries. The biggest change to their lives since Lelouch had won the Hunger Games (besides the large isolated house with running hot and cold water and a regular, impressive income) was Sayoko. Milly had recommended her for help around their home, and she'd basically turned into Nunnally's eyes and legs, allowing her to do all the things she'd always wanted to. While Nunnally had been able to do small tasks around the kitchen before, helping Lelouch and Marianne, she was now far more independent and more eager to experiment with new things.

This would be her first cake. Lelouch couldn't help but be proud about that. They were racking up a lot of firsts for Nunnally since Sayoko had come.

He toed off his shoes, brushing his loose hair behind his ear. "What kind of cake is she…"

His voice trailed off, straining against the sudden rush of panic at the sight of two unnaturally-perfect, neatly tailored men in matching suits. They didn't look like the uniformed peacekeepers that patrolled the Areas, but they had the same air of watchful malevolence, as if they could lash out at any moment and the only thing stopping them was either that you weren't important enough or they had something better to do.

"Ah, Lelouch. These gentlemen are Mr. Waldstein and Mr. Darlton." Lelouch almost asked his mother which was which, then realised it didn't really matter. They were essentially the same person; toy soldiers formed from the same mould. Their presence was meaningless apart from the implications.

"Where is he?"

Marianne's smile sweetened nostalgically. "In the study. Do see if you can convince him to stay for supper."

Lelouch looked away, carefully hiding his disgust. "I'll be sure to ask." He tried not to notice the way the two well-dressed guards followed him with their eyes as he made his way to the study, no doubt preparing to neutralize him at the first sign of a threat.

As if Lelouch could ever pose a viable threat.

The door opened smoothly, like every other door in the house. For a sharp, painful moment, Lelouch missed the way the doors stuck in the old run-down shack he and Nunnally had been raised in. Then all thought of his old house, his old childhood, anything other than the man in front of him, flew from Lelouch's mind as his eyes met the only other pair of eyes he'd ever seen that shared the exact same violet shade as his.

"President zi Britannia."

His father smiled from where he was seated, as if he was holding court in Lelouch's own office. "Lelouch."

Lelouch closed the door behind himself and took another step into the room, another step closer to his father, Charles zi Britannia, Emperor of Britannia and her Areas. "You honour this house with your–"

"Are you attempting to spark a rebellion?" Charles interrupted smoothly. Lelouch's mouth closed with a snap as the question, asked both casually and carelessly, shocked him to the core.

This was what he'd been afraid of. What he'd tried to warn Suzaku of, and what Lloyd had tried to warn them both of. The one thing that had almost stopped him from the desperate murder-suicide pact that had just barely saved his and Suzaku's lives.

Lelouch lowered his eyes, hiding the complicated mixture of glee and fear and resentment he was feeling under the appearance of humility. "No."

"Lies," Charles said smoothly. Lelouch shook his head.

"That wasn't my intent, not on any level. All I wanted was to be left alone," Lelouch said carefully. "If Nunnally hadn't been chosen. If you– if my hand hadn't been forced." It was important to keep this passive, to avoid placing blame on anyone, since Lelouch pretty much completely blamed his father. "I would never have stepped onto the stage if I'd had the choice."

"You had a choice. You could have killed that boy."

The fact that that was the simple truth almost hurt. He could have – should have – taken Suzaku out. Suzaku had even been willing to let him. Lelouch closed his eyes, pushing aside the memory of that desperate moment, the anger and fear and betrayal and that tiny sliver of hope that just barely pierced through it all. "I honestly don't think I could have."

"And now?" Charles asked dismissively. "If you had the chance would you choose his life or your sister's?"

Lelouch caught himself before he could glare, but he was pretty sure he didn't look pleased. "Have there been any actual uprisings?"

Charles looked at him consideringly. "An interesting choice of deflection."

"I'm not choosing between my lover and my sister," Lelouch said. "So the only thing left to talk about is how bad things are that you would deign to return to this Area just for me."

Charles's expression hardened. "It's not about you, boy. You know nothing of anything outside of your tiny world. This is bigger than you, bigger than your family, bigger than your pathetic area. Bigger even than me. Since your idiotic stunt, there have been tremors and whispers and if they turn into anything more substantial people will die, you foolish child. And the life for those left would be even harder than the minor struggles you all whine about now."

Even though Charles's voice never raised above a soft growl, Lelouch felt the force of his censure throughout his being. The disdain Charles had for his intelligence, the disgust he had for Lelouch's hardships, the weight he seemed to feel on his shoulders, increased because of Lelouch's actions…

It was enough to make Lelouch feel guilty. And then he felt angry over that guilt; Charles zi Britannia was a master manipulator, the kind of man who seduced a woman and left her with two small children (one born weak and crippled) to raise on her own without a smidgen of the guilt he was forcing on Lelouch. He might seem like a wise old man with too much responsibility as he sat in Lelouch's chair, but he was the same man who'd continued the barbaric Hunger Games, who'd raised the sakuradite quota three times in the last decade, who'd nearly doubled the Peacekeeper force during his reign.

He was a tyrant, and the only reason he feared the people was because he'd given them ample reason to hate and resent him.

He wasn't wrong, however. If there were uprisings, people would die – and more Numbers than Peacekeepers, likely. And Lelouch might not have been as worldly as his father, but he did know that without a strong centralized government the risks of fiefdoms and local abuses from power-hungry individuals were much higher than now. The Areas and the Numbers living in them might be living in poor conditions, practically slaves, but at least there was the rule of law, and it was (generally) enforced. Thieves, murderers, rapists; they were all prosecuted as much as possible within the Area, as long as they weren't themselves Peacekeepers (who tended to protect their own). It wasn't much, but the world would indeed be a darker place without it.

"Have there been any actual uprisings, yet?" Lelouch asked again.

Charles shook his head. "Your romantic gesture of utter stupidity didn't quite have the power to overturn decades of common sense and the status quo. But you're about to leave for your tour, visiting those same Areas at risk. And that might be just what they need to push them over the edge."

"Is the tour to be cancelled then?" Lelouch asked, trying to remember if that had ever happened in the entire history of the games (it hadn't). His eyes widened as he realized another possibility. "Or is this a more direct threat?" Despite Clovis's ruling, they really only needed one Victor for the tour. The other would be… expendable.

Charles rolled his eyes. "Hardly. I have no plans of making either you or that dirty peasant boy of yours a martyr. Nor would I have come all the way here to threaten your sister – you already know that she's of no use to me and I wouldn't hesitate to have her killed. It's why you entered the games in the first place."

Then why was he here…

"Are you aware of where your boy goes every morning?"

Lelouch felt himself tense. Despite his father's disclaimer only a moment before that he wouldn't have Suzaku killed, Lelouch knew that Suzaku's hunting could be punished severely without risking his life. "If that's what you wanted to talk about, why aren't you talking with–"

The door flew open. "Lelouch!"

Lelouch saw his father raise a hand in a clear command to stop in the moment before he whipped his head around to see Suzaku burst into the room with either Waldstein or Darlton hot on his heals with his gun out.

There was a split second for Lelouch to make a call. He didn't consider himself a brave person, not really, but with his father's threats (warnings?) still ringing in his ears, Lelouch was primed and protective and Suzaku was right there and there was a gun pointed at him.

Later, Lelouch would feel acutely embarrassed at both the high-pitched panicked noise that escaped his lips and the way he flailed as he attempted to push Suzaku out of the line of fire. Later, Suzaku would do an impression of him for the amusement of his mother and Nunnally and everyone, including Lelouch, would laugh. Later, Suzaku's life wouldn't be at risk, at least in Lelouch's mind.

But now, his heart racing and emotions high from arguing with his father, all Lelouch could see was the threat to Suzaku, and all he could feel was the need to stop it.

And, unfortunately for him, there was no time for thought.

Perhaps the most ridiculous part was that it was his father's guard who saved all three of them from tumbling in an unruly mess of limbs by bracing them against the doorframe as Lelouch flung himself on Suzaku who fell back into the guard. Suzaku's arms immediately wrapped around Lelouch and he yanked them both away from the guard, pressing Lelouch into the far corner and shielding him with his back.

"What happened?" His muscles were tensed in preparation to move, either in attack or defence, taking Lelouch's lead. Lelouch couldn't afford to look at him, focusing all his attention on the naked weapon in the guard's hand, now being held unthreateningly at the guard's side, pointed towards the ground. His dark eyes met Lelouch's, surprisingly amused and gentle, despite the deep scar running from his forehead, across the bridge of his nose, to the opposite cheek. Lelouch hadn't really registered it, used to scared miners and even townspeople pockmarked with scars from disease or infected insect bites. But for someone from Pendragon, who'd had access to the plentiful and easy body modifications that almost everyone there indulged in, an ugly gash across the face was something that doubtless stood out.

For some reason, that scar made Lelouch feel more inclined towards trust. That strange genuineness was rare to see in Pendragon citizens and worth something, even in one of his father's minions.

"Stand down, Darlton," Charles said, drawing everyone's attention to him. "I'm sure we can all behave like rational human beings."

Lelouch was less sure. From the way Suzaku was still tensed, like a spring about to be released or a jungle cat about to pounce, he wasn't entirely convinced either.

Darlton just grinned. "Yes, Your Majesty." He put the gun away and bowed slightly, shutting the door behind him and shooting Lelouch a brief wink just before the door closed. Lelouch felt mocked.

"Now, if you'll both lower your hackles and return to the matter at hand…"

Lelouch shoved Suzaku off him, fighting back a flush of humiliation. "I believe you had something you wanted to address with Suzaku, Your Majesty."

"What?" Suzaku asked, obviously off-balance from… well, everything that had happened from the moment he'd burst into the room. "…wait, what?"

Charles rolled his eyes. "You are treading on dangerous ground, boy. I'd hoped to elicit my son's opinions on certain matters, but your input might well be useful." He leaned forward. "It's about your early morning excursions."

Suzaku shot Lelouch a look, clearly looking for some kind of guidance. Lelouch kept himself relaxed, his mind running through scenario after scenario, factoring in every single aspect about this interview that he could. "Just answer honestly, Suzaku. There's no way my father would be recording this – not if he's admitted our relationship out loud."

Charles's lips twitched at that, almost forming a smile. Suzaku didn't quite look convinced, but he turned towards Charles. "If you're referring to my hunts…"

"No, not merely your hunts," Charles corrected. "Your hunts with Kouzuki."

"…Kallen?" Lelouch said, honestly confused now. "Is that what this is about?" He shook his head. "Suzaku has never hidden anything about his and Kallen's relationship from me." Suzaku stiffened at that, but Lelouch pretended not to notice, suddenly playfully amused at the idea that this wasn't anything more serious than Suzaku's gallivanting about with a girl. "I'm sure that if anything had changed he would have mentioned it." Suzaku visibly flinched at that and Lelouch bit back a grin. "I trust him completely." From the look his father shot him, that was laying it on a little too thick.

For Suzaku, however, it seemed just enough. "Lelouch…"

"I'm sure of your faith and affection, Lelouch. As is all of Britannia. There is no questioning your feelings, but your partner's…"

Lelouch blinked. "Wait. You think Suzaku's the manipulative one?"

Charles shrugged. "You gave up a great deal, publically and ostentatiously for that boy. You never wavered – even your other alliances had his best interests at heart. Meanwhile, he turns towards another girl in the games and now in his day-to-day life back in this Area. Even when you were together, you were far more demonstrative, and clearly hurt by his indifference."

"I'm not indifferent!" Suzaku interrupted. "Not at… how the hell are people coming to that conclusion?"

"No one can know what's in your heart," Charles said, shooting a wry look at Lelouch. "Which is probably for the best in some cases. All anyone can judge from is what they're shown. And Lelouch had shown time and time again that he is dedicated to and in love with you. While you show both a cavalier and opportunistic façade, using Lelouch when he's useful to you and rejecting his advances no matter how hard he threw himself at you. You could be forgiven for Euphy – emotions run high during the games, and you never showed anything but a purely platonic and protective interest towards her. But Kouzuki…"

"Stop," Lelouch said. "You can't seriously be using Euphy, who you pressed into the games to die, against us."

Charles snorted. "I'm not doing anything. What I think is irrelevant, since the narrative of your true and desperate love is useful to me. It's what others, particularly the other Areas, think that concerns me."

"Nothing happened with Kallen," Suzaku said. "Um, I mean… not really…"

"The reality doesn't interest me. Only the appearance of reality. And you appear to be besotted with someone other than my son."

"I don't–"

"We sleep together more nights than not, and are routinely seen in town as lovers. It's not as though the other Areas can see into our daily lives in any case. At least not yet," Lelouch said quickly, not wanting Suzaku to make things worse. Whatever he had going on with Kallen (and there had probably been something over the last three months at least, given an abrupt but subtle change that Lelouch had noticed from Suzaku then) it wasn't anything that Lelouch was willing to lose him over.

Charles looked at him with something that could have almost been pity if his face hadn't been so severe. "And yet, every morning he disappears into the… well, it hardly matters. As we've discussed, no matter what his trespasses or yours, killing either of you is out of the question."

But not Kallen. Lelouch hesitated, considering the benefits of sacrificing her (as she was essentially nothing to him) to protect the people he loved. Suzaku, however, caught on only a moment after Lelouch did.

"There's nothing between us, I swear! I… I'll stay away from her. I won't even be seen in public without Lelouch, just please… please don't hurt her."

Lelouch blinked, a bit taken aback. He'd never heard Suzaku plead like that, desperate and meek, despite making him beg numerous times during some of their more adventurous trysts. It was as if all pride and strength melted away, leaving behind a timid, frightened, cowed child, who genuinely thought that the boogeyman could be dissuaded through words alone.

Suzaku had never stripped himself so bare for Lelouch. Even when Lelouch had pushed him away, Suzaku had held onto enough of his pride to earn Lelouch's continued respect. But for Kallen…

"That may not be enough. You do not… dissemble as well as Lelouch does. To keep her safe, I would need more than the promise of a mere lack of proximity. I would need a guarantee that you would put on a good enough show to prove your devotion."

"I will," Suzaku promised. "I'll make everyone think I'm completely in love with Lelouch."

"…think?" Lelouch asked sharply, not at all pleased with the idea that Suzaku would have to fake that. Certainly he was affectionate enough and demonstrative enough in private, or in front of Nunnally and Marianne. It was just in public that he shied away, not comfortable with ostentatious displays. Lelouch was pretty sure he could coach Suzaku through that, though, but the idea that it was necessary and wouldn't just come naturally to Suzaku when he stopped holding back so much was… distasteful.

"You'll have to do better than that," Charles said gravely. "You'll have to convince me."

It wasn't until after he'd left that the thought occurred to Lelouch that this might have been his father's way of interfering in his love life, the way Nunnally and even Marianne so gently would. The idea was disturbing and a little frightening, but there was one thing that was for sure.

"I told you to stop hunting."

Suzaku had the grace to look abashed.