Minor vs. Major, Chapter One [Fan Fic] (Code Geass, SuzakuLelouch)
Pairing: SuzakuLelouch
Rating: M
Summery: Major Suzaku Kururugi has been quietly given an office post for an incident his superiors would like to keep equally as quiet. He intends to simply wait it out till he can get back to his normal life, which is until he meets Lelouch, the boy who works at the local Barnes & Noble, and unfortunately a minor.
Warnings: Yaoi, Lulu is still in high school and Suzaku isn't , yeah all that jazz
Disclaimer: Just for good measure I own nothing, but my stories ….duh.
Minor vs. Major
Major Suzaku Kururugi
3/29/2011 5:21 PM
Because he really hadn’t wanted anything else, he had joined the military. Because he had always been good with physical things, he’d left on his first deployment before the rest of his barrack mates had even finished training. Because he had always been good at following orders to the upmost extreme, he had achieved one hundred percent with zero casualties on almost every assignment given. Because it didn’t make sense for him to not accept his officer’s promotion, he had accepted it. Because he didn’t know what else to do, he’d simply saluted upon orders to serve another tour. Because he couldn’t bring himself to leave that soldiers body in the cold mud, he now pinned that medal on before every formal event right next to the last four he’d been given. Because he couldn’t come up with a better reason not to he had taken the command post. Because he hated every loss taken to his battalion, he had taken the vague job offer he’d turned down year after year after year. Because he hadn’t been surprised at what it all entailed, he had passed his first mission with flying colors and simply washed the blood out of his uniform with care. Because he knew he’d never be anything better than he was as a killer, he’d excelled at what he did. Because he couldn’t remember the last time he’d told someone no, he’d given a “yes, sir” and gone ahead with his next mission.
But now-
He stood at the desk-his new desk. He hadn’t been stupid. He -well he wasn’t sure what he had been. Had there been a “because” when he had looked that solder in the eye and waited for the gunshot that never came he may not have had to stand there. His hands shook as they skirted over the small plaque at his finger tips. “Major Kuurugi” was printed across the front in basic font.
~*~
“You need to take some time off.”
His superior had sat at that same desk the day when Suzaku had been swore into that special unit. He was sure that the desk was a standard size, but it looked so much bigger with Bismarck’s lumbered and broad form seated behind it that he was never sure. The same man didn’t look up as he spoke to him. His tanned hand held a pen for which was quickly signing their way through the papers before him. Suzaku knew those papers, especially from the name of Suzaku Kururugi printed throughout the same said document.
“Weinberg said you didn’t even flinch. That’s a problem.” He said it with irritation. Suzaku knew why, problems were hindrances, and a hindrance was unacceptable. “Take this job for a good year or so and after you get a hang of yourself I’ll call you back.”
Suzaku gave a solemn nod. He wasn’t sure what else to do. He-what had he done that night? He couldn’t think of it. He’d seen it coming and he hadn’t even tried to stop it. But that was behind him, just like ever thing else. He just needed to move on now. It had been a minor insurrection, and now was simply something that needed to be forgotten.
“I will call you back.” Bismarck assured as Suzaku’s eyes fleeted up to find he was being looked at, directly. It wasn’t a promise or an assurance as much as an informative.
“I understand sir.” Suzaku said as he gave another sharp nod. He straightened unconsciously just a little, his hands clasped just a bit tighter behind his back, his feet squared just a bit more precise. He knew he was a good soldier, if nothing else, he knew he was a really good soldier. He also knew that Bismarck knew this, even if Suzaku was still ever ready to prove it yet again.
“Good.” That stare of ice turned back down to the paper work placed on the desk. It weighed the room down as it ever bore witness to what was happening. It wasn’t a demotion, but it was close enough to that that Suzaku despised his name upon it. His stomach churned at the thought. He wasn’t unaccustomed to failure, he just simply was unaccustomed to it in the one thing he knew he could do very well. “Get over this quickly, Kururugi. I don’t have time to let you be idle.” Bismarck’s voice rumbled over the words, forced Suzaku to listen, and forced him to recognize the unspoken order.
“Yes, sir.” Suzaku said as he swallowed down the unneeded lump in his throat. He knew that Bismarck’s words had been meant as nothing more than a command, but at the same moment there had been implications, of resignation, of disappointment.
Suzaku hated disappointment, at least when applied to him. He hated felling it for himself, and he hated it worse from other people. He hated it in high school when he’d gotten it over and over again as he’d asked yet again to have a grammatical, mathematical, or even a historical concept reiterated. He’d hated it when he’d turned his grades into his coaches for pregame checks. He hated it for every shot missed or bench time spent. He hated to see it in the eyes of his principle every time he ended up back before his desk, bloodied knuckles and no remorse, while he was informed of his opponent’s condition. But mostly he hated it because over all it reminded him of one man, his father, and of all things he didn’t want to be reminded of his father.
~*~
His eyes followed the lines of his new office from the book case, that held books he had never and probably would never read, to the decorative gun cabinet, which held every gun he’d ever had the privilege of firing and a few he wouldn’t mind to get his hands on. He’d only had an office once before in his life when he’d been in charge of a command. Of course, then he’d been on active duty so he could have counted the amount of times he’d stepped into the office between his hands, and how many times he’d spent more than a minute or so with in that office on only one hand.
However, he now sat at his desk and waited. For what he wasn’t sure, he’d never had an office post, and he’d never wanted an office post. So he shifted forward, noticing the creak in the office chair, and leaned over the desk. He noticed his desk didn’t have a creak when he leaned his weight on it. He shifted his weight within the chair and listened closely to that tell-tale creeeaaaakkkkk.
~*~
An hour later Suzaku sat on the floor of his office, the final screw in his hand. The rest of the pieces were scattered around him in order of dismantlement and the room was now bare of an office chair. He looked at the wooden piece in his hand before they scanned over the rest of them as well. He’d never tried to put a chair back together, but then again, he’d never tried to take one apart either. He knew how to take a lot of other things apart, most of which were explosive, but never a chair before.
The door opened suddenly. He turned his head to look up at the guests, the screw still held up in his hands.
“Major?” The private stood at the door, his hand still at the knob, looking first to where the Major should have been then down to where the Major was. “…Major?” There was a bit more apprehension in his voice now.
“Yes?” Suzaku looked up at the private with a bland expression.
“Uhm,” the private started as he seemed to try and remember what exactly he had gone there for. “Uh, Colonel Li Britannia, would like to know if you have made up your mind about the recruitment offer?”
“Recruitment?” Suzaku repeated. Suzaku hated recruitment assignments, almost more than his new office. He’d somehow found a way out of it when as a Warrant Officer he’d had been assigned it more than once. According to his superiors, he had a good way with people and a nice face to use for recruitment. He didn’t know how they’d ever come to the conclusion after all he’d been proven really good at was killing people vs. talking it over with them. Then again, he knew he was good with people on a common everyday level. He was just fucked up enough to know that unless it was in the context of sex or the mundane he wouldn’t be much of a persuader. He could already imagine some kid asking him “hey why did you join the military?” He was smart enough to know that an answer along the lines of, “I’m good at shooting people” wouldn’t be age appropriate nor very kosher.
“Uhm yes.” The private looked a little unsure of himself at this point.
“Well…” Suzaku weighed the possibility of good behavior getting him out of this office sooner and the distinct feeling of nausea at the mere thought of spending hours talking and smiling and acting like he really wanted to be there, when he didn’t. In the end he figured getting on his new commanding officer’s good side won out-mostly for the fact he wanted his old commanding officer back. “Yes, well tell her I’d be glad too.” …begrudgingly, but for her with a smile!
“Excellent, Sir. I will inform her immediately.” The Private said as he turned to leave.
“Private,” Suzaku stood, retrieving his uniform jacket from the desk.
The Private stopped in his tracks and looked back, alert and ready for orders. “Sir?”
Suzaku pulled his arm into the first sleeve before pushing his other through the oposite. “Do you know where I could possibly get a good cup of coffee?” Not that he needed it, he but hated his office-a lot.
“Well, sir, there is a Barnes & Noble down the street.”
Suzaku stopped for a moment to think. He was pretty sure he had asked for a good cup of coffee. “Is there anything else?” he added in a small smile as not to make the Private seem inadequate.
“Uhm, well let’s see, most coffee places are farther downtown, but I think there’s possibly a Denny’s nearby.”
Barnes & Noble it is!
“Or actually the cafeteria on base here serves coffee!”
He was definitely sticking to Barnes & Noble.
“Thank you, Private.” Suzaku said, he plastered the smile over his face as he reached for his wallet and keys he’d placed within his desk drawer. “You’ve been helpful.”
“Of course, Sir!” the private beamed before departing.
Suzaku gave a sigh before he looked back at the chair…or at least what used to be the chair. He wasn’t sure if he should try and pick up a new chair or not. After a minute he wagered that he was indeed going to a book store, and a “how-to” book was much cheaper than a chair.
~*~
Finding the Barnes and Noble was the easy part, finding a book on how to fix an office chair hadn’t been. Finally after traveling a third time down the same isle, he decided to go for the coffee instead. Now he found himself standing in line before the counter and one of the most extensive menus he’d ever seen, in a Barnes and Noble or any other kind of café. The man in front of him chattered on to the girl at the counter without any signs of stopping, which suited Suzaku fine since he really had no clue what he even planned on ordering. Choice overload was never something he did well with. The man in front of him moved away a moment later, without much notice from Suzaku.
“I’m going on break. Take over the register for me, Lelouch.” The girl chimed, still much to Suzaku’s oblivious nature.
It was a short moment, but Suzaku was still lost looking up at the menu. Where the hell was just regular coffee? He didn’t really even have a preference to brand, just a little cream and he was always fine with it.
“Having trouble, soldier?” a deep and low voice asked.
“Oh,” Suzaku realized he was up and he still didn’t know what he wanted. He gave a chuckle as he looked down. “Do you guys have just coffee at all?”
The teller was leaned over on to the high counter lazily, his deep amethyst hued eyes hooded. At the comment, his eyes sprang to life and a smile broke through the bored expression.
Suzaku couldn’t help but smile back as the dark haired boy sat up and faced him, with a great smile like the boy had Suzaku didn’t have a choice in the matter.
“I’d imagine you could have just gotten that on base, am I right?” The boy said. It was presented as a question but had a hint of statement of fact behind it. Regardless, deep violet eyes sparked with amusement and he stood properly to face the conversation a half a second later.
“I probably could have.” Suzaku reasoned with a shrug of his shoulders.
“But clearly didn’t?” The boy continued for him. “Is there a reason behind that?”
Suzaku couldn’t help the smile that stretched across his lips now. He knew this game, it’d been a while since he’d played, but he was pretty sure he was still just as good at it. And if memory served him correctly, at one point in time he was more than good at it. Not in the same way that he was good at his job. His job was conditions(his broad body type coupled with fast reflexes and hand eye coordination) meeting more conditioning(that would be his ability to attract fights rather than avoid them), training(and a lot of it), and expectation(of his superiors and himself). This, on the other hand, was entirely natural. In high school, he’d discovered it first with the girls around his age, when he was looking for friendship. Then with the college girls he’d met on accident. Then, the most enjoyably, was with some of the other recruits. It had started out as need and basic depravity, but after a few times, Suzaku had realized how partial he was to seeing another male writhe under him. After that, of course, his job had become his sole ambition and constant endeavor. Not that sex had become something of lesser need, it was just that he no longer had a use for it, and really in the middle of an attack the ability to pull a sweet smile and a charming statement out of thin air didn’t count for much.
But he wasn’t anywhere near a warzone now. So he let the smile linger on his face a moment longer before he answered. “I really don’t like my office.” He said it off handish, but vague enough to hopefully spark inquiry.
“An office, huh?” The man said, a rather sharp flash of interest crossed his eyes. “Are you an officer yourself?”
Suzaku gave another bright smile. “Yeah, something along those lines,” He knew saying “yeah, I’m only twenty four and already a major,” had too much shock value to be profitable, let alone the fact that he hated to brag, about anything.
“Hmmm,” the young man hummed. “So just a single 8oz.coffee then?” he snapped back to the register.
Suzaku smiled and gave a nod. The end of their conversation had ended a bit sooner for Suzaku’s taste but it wasn’t like he didn’t still have ample opportunity, and if not today he still knew where to find the boy.
A smile was given to Suzaku under raven strands as the boy pushed the order into the machine before looking up again. “That will be dollar eighty six.”
“Right,” Suzaku said as he reached for his wallet. His eyes barely left deep amethyst.
The boy opened his mouth to speak again to only close it with an abrupt cut off.
“Hey--“ the abrupt cut off of not only the boy but of the new voice, immediately called for the snap of Suzaku’s head to the side. Suzaku wanted to strangle someone at that point. Before him stood two privates, one of which was being elbowed in the gut and the other caught mid-salute.
“Major!” the respectful one hollered as his went stiff as a board, and salute as equally tale tell. The other quickly composed himself and pulled into the same position. New recruits and Suzaku wanted to kill them both.
“Major?” Suzaku’s eyes pulled to the boy. There was confusion for the slightest second, then, something he really didn’t like, resignation. Suzaku wanted to bang his head against the counter. Now it looked like he had lied to the boy and they’d just met and he hated the new recruits and he knew it would take a lot of fixing to get things back to a comfortable friendliness, let alone a real shot again. A small voice in his head pointed out that it was probably a good thing he didn’t have a gun on him, because if so the two recruits would have been bleeding out on the floor while he looked up, smiled bright, and asked the boy to dinner.
He shifted his eyes back to the recruits; they after all were making a scene, which was the last thing he needed. “We’re off base privates, no need for formalities.”
“Yes sir!” the two gave an agonizing shout to add to injury.
He turned his head back to fully look at the boy at the register. He had a completely different demeanor now, and Suzaku wanted a gun for it. His posture had turned defensive, but not overly, like Suzaku was a stranger and nothing like he’d been just moments before. Amethyst eyes were on the register, his lips in a hard line, and his raven hair cast a shadow over his forehead.
Damn it! Now the boy thought Suzaku was a liar at the best and at the worst a manwhore if the base here had any reputation connected to it. He didn’t know that for sure yet, but he could have a good guess that this is where a lot of soldiers came through for one thing or another, and almost every soldier was eager for some form of contact, not all very honest or honorable. Ergo, Suzaku now looked like a lying manwhore…great-why the hell did he leave his gun in his blasted awful office!
Nevertheless, he’d have to attempt a comeback later. The boy was far too defensive right now and he’d thoroughly blow first impressions at this point. He would consider giving up completely, but the boy was very attractive and Suzaku very much liked his sharp wit. The point was that the boy was too much of what he liked to pass up easily. But he’d have to work on this another day, when the cards were in his favor, and the impression of lying scum, whore, conman wasn’t so vivid in the boy’s mind.
Now he simply handed over his visa and waited patiently as his card was swiped and he signed the receipt. Behind him, the recruits had broken into their own comfortable conversation, but the stillness between Suzaku and the boy hadn’t been ruptured.
That didn’t stop Suzaku from noticing the long elegant fingers that took the receipt back, or the brush of dark lashes when he looked down at the signature before tucking it into the till.
“Thank you,” The boy said in a much more reserved tone. His face was kept emotionless his eyes no longer made contact, jaw set in a defiant sort of way. Yes, it would have to be much later before Suzaku was allowed a second chance.
But that didn’t mean he had to deepen the bad impression. “You’re Welcome.”
Amethyst flashed up and Suzaku smiled as Eye contact was made. It wasn’t a huge smile, one just big enough to be considered friendly.
He didn’t’ get a smile back. It was clearly a warning, not a glare, the brow wasn’t low enough for that, but it was still a very clear warning. And Suzaku took it quickly picking up his order number and turning away. A minute later a girl behind the coffee machine handed Suzaku his cup and he gave a smile as he noticed that the boy was for sure glaring as he helped the new recruits. Maybe it wouldn’t take as much as he thought to get back to square one.
~*~
His opportunity came sooner than he’d expected it too. After scouring the rows he’d found a book, he wasn’t sure if it would be very helpful but if not he a. made more money than he ever managed to use(most of the time he was never in the country so paying for things like rent, car payment, or insurance were all unneeded. Overall, it seemed like most of his money went to uniform replacements and first aid kits) and b. he always knew he’d end up returning it anyway (it after all was a useless a book, besides he hardly ever was in possession of an apartment let alone a bookcase to put the book in). He took a sip at his coffee as he looked the book over one last time and started his way to the register. He stopped as he did.
A grin formed as he looked across the store to the small open area used for the café, several booths and tables dotted the place. What caught his eyes through the filled tables was one table with only one occupant. He wagered quickly the possibility of just leaving without another word, but if he wanted a more welcoming situation he wasn’t sure he was going to get it.
So he took last swallow of coffee, for good measure and weaved his way over to the raven haired boy. He sat alone at the table, but perfectly content, with a book open in front of him and a fork in his hand as he picked at a small Tupperware bowl of pasta.
“Are you reading out of convenience for the fact you work in a book store, or is it convenient that you like to read and work in a bookstore?” Suzaku asked as he approached.
Amethyst eyes looked up for a moment, and for that same moment Suzaku dreaded the look in those deep hued eyes. Then lenience sparked and, though without a smile, he answered. “I like to read, and it is convenient that I work in a book store, but regardless this isn’t exactly a pleasant read.”
Suzaku’s could feel his brow furrow. To him almost nothing was exactly a pleasant read. Sunday football(playing or watching, but more so with the playing) was pleasant, swimming was pleasant, early morning hiking was pleasant, even a particularly brutal hockey game was amazingly more pleasant than sitting down to read, especially if it was good weather outside.
“I’m studying,” A smile broke this time and Suzaku was thankful, for the smile and the explanation.
Suzaku took it as an invitation also, set his book on the table, and seated himself, intentionally, on the opposite side of the table. “What are you studying for?” He inquired.
He’d been warranted another smile. These smiles were different now, much more reserved and carful than the first. “I have ACT’s coming up soon.”
Suzaku grinned at that, college age, perfect. He’d be considered college age himself if not for his chosen profession. He knew a lot of recruits that joined the army for college specifically; he’d just never had the want or the need. He was very good at what he did after all.
“Is this your first time taking it?”He asked trying to keep the conversation up. He after all had never been much for the academics but if it was a means to an end he could skim over the topic with enough vigor to hopefully get him to a more engaging subject.
“No.” The boy answered. Suzaku knew his smile grew just a little. The boy was possibly closer to his age than he’d earlier hopped.
“Have you taken it?” The boy asked. Even better, Suzaku thought, it was the boys turn to keep up the conversation now.
He shook his head. After all he’d already been portrayed as a liar, anymore lies could be detrimental, and in his defense he never lied the first time, he just didn’t tell the whole truth. The thought hit him and he gave another shake of his head.
“I’m a Major, why would I need to?” That’s it he told himself, admit up to it, and you could possibly be forgiven easily.
Or not…the boys face dropped. “I was informed of that.” he said rather dry.
Suzaku sighed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to not tell you.”
“Why?” the question was very firmly placed, decided already that the boy wanted a completely honest answer. Through those amethyst eyes,
Suzaku could see a kind of commanding nature-he wasn’t sure how he felt about it either.
“Did you expect me to introduce myself as Major Kururugi?” Suzaku said trying to sound amused more than anything.
“I specifically asked you your rank.” The boy answered, with no amusement at all.
“In my defense, you asked if I was an officer, which a Major is an officer rank, and also-“he pointed to the golden oak leaf metal at his uniform. A smile crept back into his lips.
The boy gave a sigh. “Whom.”
Suzaku let his hand back down to the table as he looked at the boy, “whom what?”
“Whom a Major is of an officers rank. You used the wrong word.” The boy said as he let out a small chuckle. “And I should have seen the insignia, you’re right.”
Suzaku wasn’t sure if he understood the grammar part but he understood a chuckle and admittance. “Well thank you then! Though if you had recognized it I would have been very impressed.”
The boy gave a bit wider smile this time. “You said your last name is Kururugi? Are you-“ he trailed off.
“Second generation Japanese,” Suzaku finished for him.
“Aw.” The boy breathed. Suzaku couldn’t help the slight smile it sparked, the other man managed elegance so easily. “And your first name?”
“Suzaku.”
A long thin lipped smile stretched, a sincere one this time, and the boy put down the fork to extend his hand across the table. “Lelouch.”
Suzaku gave in return a particularly warm smile as he lifted his hand. He changed his mind almost immediately as he was about to shake, instead he slid his fingers under Lelouch’s long pale digits to hold his fingers and run his thumb over the slight boney knuckles. It was, after all, better to make an impression than just something other wise generic. He heard as Lelouch’s breath caught in his throat, and Suzaku eyes flickering to his reaction. He gave good reaction to surprises, good to know for further reference. Amethyst eyes were focused on their hands for just a moment longer before they adjusted upwards and Suzaku was quick to make eye contact. Pale lips pressed together, Suzaku wasn’t sure how to read into the actions, but from what he could tell it wasn’t something bad. Nervous most likely, anxious (oh god he could only hope), surprised a possibility, but t was most certainly not a glare and he in no way looked scared of him.
Lelouch’s-Suzaku already loved that name-eyes fleeted down to the book, and he pulled his hand from Suzaku’s loose hold.
“Black and Decker Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair,” He read the title aloud. “You bought a house or something?”
Suzaku laughed. “No, I took apart my office chair.”
Lelouch gave a light hearted chuckle as well. “On purpose?”
“Yeah,” Suzaku continued to chuckle. “Well taking it apart proved easier than putting it back together.” He lifted his arm to scratch the back of his head with a sheepish grin.
“I’d imagine.” Lelouch leaned forward, his arm rested on the table and he tucked his chin in to t his palm all with a fluid motion. “Why were you ever taking it apart in the first place?”
“It had a squeak.” He explained. “It was annoying and I wanted to fix it so… well I didn’t quite manage that.”
Lelouch gave a wide smile and another breath of chuckles. “So you figured you could fix it with a book?”
“Well, I wanted coffee too, and a book is cheaper than a new chair.” He held up the book he picked for further inspection. “And it’s even a picture guide as well, so maybe it will be double the help.”
“I doubt that book will help you much.” Lelouch said like he was trying to make it a light letdown.
Suzaku started to flip through it. “I don’t know…it looks pretty comprehensive.”
Pale fingers spidered over the edge and pulled the book down to the table top. Suzaku gave a smile to amethyst eyes. “It’s a home repair guide.” The owner of those same eyesexplained.
“And I broke something, so it should tell me how to fix it.” Suzaku reiterated.
“You took it apart an office chair, correct?”
Suzaku looked up from the book. “Well yeah.” His face was blank, because his mind was black. He’d already told Lelouch that’s what he
did. He’d laughed about it, then Lelouch had laughed about it, then they had switched subjects to the book. Maybe Suzaku wasn’t as good at this as he used to be…
“So it’s like a puzzle.” Lelouch said as his brow lowered a fraction of an inch and a smile Suzaku couldn’t quite place stretched on to his lips.
“All you have to do now is put it back together.”
“I’m not very good with puzzles.” Suzaku said trying to sound a little less lost than he really was. He gave an inward sigh, and they had started out so strong. He wasn’t even sure where he had muffed it up at.
Lelouch’s smile widened just a touch. “But I am.”
Suzaku couldn’t help the bright exuberant smile that came next as he leaned across the table farther. “How long till you’re off?”
Lelouch stood fluidly and flipped the study guide shut as he did all with the same distinct smile. “I’m off now.” He shut the Tupperware, the pasta still half eaten, and slipped it into the messenger bag Suzaku hadn’t noticed was hanging off of his chair.
Suzaku stood as well. He wasn’t sure what to say so he didn’t say anything. It was in Lelouch’s ball park now. Not that he wasn’t ecstatic that Lelouch wanted to come and help him, but at the same time, this was going a lot faster than Suzaku ever planned. He’d thought that he might talk to him for a while, they could get friendly, then tomorrow he’d come back get coffee around the same time and flirt again as he paid, he’d possibly let their hands touch as he handed him his card and they’d get closer and that would be that. Possibly by Thursday he could score a number, then a day or two later a date. But apparently Lelouch had decided to skip all that and they were going to fix his chair, now, like a weird almost date-right now.
Lelouch pulled the light jacket on with the messenger bag over one shoulder. Suzaku picked up the book on the table to only have it slipped from his hand as Lelouch walked past. Lelouch discarded it on a random table of books, one of a completely different subject than home improvement by the way, and Suzaku followed him to the doors.
As Suzaku slipped his arm to hold the door open and Lelouch gave an abrupt stopped. Suzaku mentally wanted to kick himself. He always did that. He had trouble keeping girls and boys straight, especially the fact that one appreciated it when he did things like held the door and the other didn’t. Why couldn’t they both just like the same things! He stopped, grimaced, and waited for a scolding.
Lelouch didn’t turn just leaned back with a slight twist of his hips and turned his head to the side. “Are civilians allowed on base?”
Suzaku had to think for a moment before he could pull an answer out. He wasn’t sure if he should still expect a scolding or not but he did know if he didn’t answer that would warrant one for sure. “Uhm, yes, well you’re allowed in my office at the least.”
“Aw.” He said and leaned forward. “And thank you, for the door that is.”
Suzaku smiled. He had a feeling they were going to get along just fine.
~*~
“I thought you said you were bad at puzzles.” Lelouch said as he laughed. He leaned against the desk drawers while Suzaku sat against the wall opposite to him, a half made chair in front of him.
“Well after elbowing you I feel obligated to be the one that fixes.” He said. A screw driver was in hand as he twisted another screw into place.
“If you hadn’t have stopped me when you did!”
Suzaku looked up. “You were putting the arm rests on the bottom.”
“No.” Lelouch said, “I was redesigning.” he made sure to make it a point.
Suzaku gave a smile. This endeavor, at first, had seemed a little weird and possibly a bad idea, but now-well it had turned into an adventure very quickly. He learned a lot, about Lelouch and his office, in the process as well. One of them had just been reiterated to him. Lelouch never liked to be told he was wrong, or bad, at something. Teasing was fine, to a point, but Suzaku doubted that any real accusation would go over well.
“You told me you were good at puzzles.” Suzaku said.
“I am and home improvement, which is what that was.”
Suzaku threw him a look. “Because when I sit down at my desk I want to be able to know I have arm rests they just face the wrong direction.”
“Its modern!” Lelouch shot back. “You’re a Major; you need to be on the cutting edge of fashion.”
“What part of this office really looks modern?”
“You told me you’ve been here for a day and a half.” Lelouch reasoned with him as he lulled his head against the wood to capture him in those amethyst eyes. “You just haven’t had time to bring it up to speed.”
“I should have stuck with the book.” Suzaku mumbled as he moved on to the next screw.
A well earned kick in the shin made him almost drop the screw driver.
“Ow!” Suzaku said.
Lelouch gave him a pointed glare. There was a conveyed and effective, “I’m so much better than any book and you better remember that,” though the glare. But within a few moments the glare was gone and his eyes roamed to the window above Suzaku’s head. Suzaku glanced up from his work. Mostly for the fact he enjoyed the view, but also because of the silence. It wasn’t awkward but enough that Suzaku had wondered what Lelouch was occupied with.
Lelouch didn’t look down as he spoke in a mellow, even tone. “It’s a lot later than I thought it was.”
Abruptly Suzaku noticed as well. He looked around his office, the fact of the dimming light and soft tones draining all color from the room making it clearer. How had it gotten so late?
“Wow,” he breathed, before he let a chuckle slip. “Everyone else has probably already gone home.”
Lelouch hummed a reply.
Suzaku finished up with the particular screw and set the half chair-thing aside. In pointing out the time, Lelouch had signaled that it possibly was about time he headed home. If nothing else, he wanted to not have a chair between them for a final conversation.
“How did you become a Major?”
Suzaku froze his eyes darted to the floor and he felt his breath still. This was an unexpected question, but even more, this wasn’t a good question. A question he wasn’t supped to have gotten for a very long time, let alone had to answer for longer, if he could manage to stall long enough. Then again, Lelouch didn’t seem normal. He should have foreseen something along these lines, but he didn’t and now he was left with deflection.
“I worked my way through the ranks, just like anyone else.”
A delicate eyebrow arched. “You’ve worked your way through the ranks at your age?”
Suzaku gave a wide smile as he stood. He knew that at this point he had sent his own message with the action, but this subject needed to be killed quickly. He offered his hand down to Lelouch.
His raven hair splayed across his forehead, only added to the dimming colors of the room, and two bright amethyst stone eyes peered up, still looking for an answer that wouldn’t come anytime soon. Suzaku offered his hand closer. Lelouch had flicked his eyes to it before going back up to Suzaku. Answer first apparently.
“You really don’t even know how old I am.” Suzaku pointed out.
Lelouch stretched a smile. “That wasn’t an answer, Suzaku.”
“We’ve just met.” Suzaku explained as he gave a look to the clock. Eight fifteen was a lot later than he’d expected to keep Lelouch. He didn’t like the thought. If they stayed together for much longer it could dip into something Suzaku wasn’t interested in…at least, not at this point. He knew if they had sex tonight, tomorrow he wouldn’t call him and he wouldn’t go back to the bookstore to get coffee there again anytime soon. He just knew it, he’d done it before, several times, and he knew how it worked. He had at least a year here, and because of that he didn’t want this to be a one nighter. He wanted casual yes, but not a fling. If nothing else while here he could enjoy companionship.
“Alright, I concede, but I want an answer at some point.” Lelouch said with a huff.
Suzaku smiled at that. It implied there would be at the least a second meeting. He offered his hand closer for a final time. He was pleased as he felt Lelouch’s long hand thread over his fingers. Once he had a good grasp he pulled and lifted the boy to his feet.
Suzaku imagined the gesture and motion being rather chivalrous and, if he dared say it, elegant, until Lelouch tried to stand. A fumble of feet had ensued and within that same moment Suzaku realized he was apparently the only coordinated one and caught Lelouch’s weight before he pulled him to a stable stance. What he didn’t notice was that in the process he had pulled the boy to him as well. So upon looking up, he was met with wide deep violet eyes. Suzaku recognized the look immediately He’d gotten it earlier that day at the book store when he’d touched Lelouch’s hand.
This was indeed the same look, concentrated into deep violet, but it was so much more intense this time. There was nervousness, for sure, and anxiousness, but this time there was fear, just enough of it though that it drew Suzaku in farther. He leaned forward his hand slid up from the small of Lelouch’s back. They shared breath for a moment. Suzaku could feel his eyes on instinct start to hood. He felt Lelouch’s fingers fidget at his shoulders and he forced his own eyes open. The boy’s breath had already hitched, his fingers dug into his sleeves, and his eyes were still very wide. Suzaku forced himself to slowly pull his hand up to cup around Lelouch’s neck with painstaking slowness. He debated for a moment longer. He could have stopped here and there would be minimal consequences. He wasn’t sure what Lelouch was afraid of, but he didn’t want to make it worse. They had tomorrow, possibly even the rest of the week. They didn’t’ need to rush this quite yet.
He didn’t have time to pull away though as Lelouch ground his fingers into his sleeve and lurched forward to crash their mouths together. Suzaku let out a rather undignified and unpracticed yelp as he was forced to yet again catch the uncoordinated boy before he pitched them both to the ground. He didn’t even have time to close his eyes, because of which he caught a glimpse of eyes squeezed shut before he slipped his own shut-kissing with eyes open was after all just weird as fuck. He pulled the boy closer and started to move. He was surprised that the most pleasant parts of the kiss weren’t actually of the kiss itself. He loved Lelouch’s hands, one at his collar, still fidgety but pleasantly stroking at the skin just under his throat and playing at the button there as well. His other arm had gone around Suzaku’s shoulders, his long fingers fisted in his shirt there. He adored the way he pressed the side of his nose next to Suzaku’s own. His shoulders, probably the most pleasant, would go from relaxed to strained very quickly as Suzaku pressed the kiss harder. Lelouch took a step closer his hips brushed forward and Suzaku’s eyes shot wide.
He broke the kiss with a jolt and forced the boy a few inches from him. Upon retrospection, Suzaku would have scolded his actions. The boy was very slight and completely opposite to Suzaku in almost every way, which didn’t give Suzaku right to push Lelouch around, especially for the fact he had a hunch that Lelouch wouldn’t appreciate it very much. But this wasn’t retrospect, so at that moment Suzaku just stopped their actions from progressing any farther than necessary. The last thing he needed was to have to farther clean his already drastically destroyed office.
He felt Lelouch’s breath at his cheek before he ever heard the words. “I have to go, I have somewhere to be.”
Suzaku gave a hazy nod. He repeated the line in his head several times; the boy was right after all. He did have to leave, and Suzaku was far too on edge at the moment to be this close to him. “Alright,” he spoke soft and went to turn to the door.
“Wait,” Lelouch hand stopped him, his pale fingers at his arm.
Suzaku moved his eyes to meet Lelouch’s. His hands still at Lelouch’s hips tightened just enough he knew but he prayed Lelouch didn’t notice. He’d didn’t need the boy to thin he was already exhibiting signs of possessiveness. He quickly pushed that thought away as well. Thoughts of possession led to actually possession. He didn’t need that. He needed to keep things together, but casual, and easily left behind when that is what would be required of him.
“Hang on.” Lelouch breathed before twisting he managed to keep Suzaku’s hold on him but enough he could reach the desk next to them. His fingers scrambled their way around for a moment before he turned back with a post it (Suzaku wasn’t sure where came from) and a pen (Suzaku knew exactly where came from-it had been free). Lelouch scrawled something down quickly before he presented the paper a moment later to Suzaku.
Suzaku looked down at it and as reluctant as he was to let go of Lelouch he did to take the post-it.
“Text me tomorrow.” Lelouch said.
Suzaku gave a nod. “I will.” It was a promise. He made a point that he’d have to remember to go get a phone in the morning. The thought crossed that he had a very old cell phone he left in Taiwan-they’d finally gotten a hold of him about it three countries later.
“I have to leave.” Lelouch said again.
“Alright.” Suzaku release him but kept a hand at the small of Lelouch’s back as he reached across the desk to the messengers bag.
“Thank you,” the small murmur was pressed into a small kiss Lelouch gave Suzaku before he let Suzaku open the door and left.
Upon his departure, Suzaku gave a sigh and turned back to his office. It was a mess from floor to ceiling. They had started with the chair and ended with it as well. Between then everything from a critique of book selection to a demonstration on how to take a rifle apart had taken place until they had just parted after all things as a kiss, and not a normal kiss either. Suzaku had to lean against his desk at that thought.
Damn that boy was good at kissing, nervous, but really good at it. He wasn’t sure how long either of them would be able to hold out for sex.
~*~
“Lelouch! Lelouch!” Rivals called out and waved enthusiastically over to Lelouch.
Lelouch finished the button at his Ashford uniform as he started over to his friend. He had in no way meant to spend that much time with Suzaku, but after he’d been in his presence it had been hard to talk himself into leaving. Overall, his goal had been achieved. He had a lot riding on this including his reputation. He would have to find a way to get what he wanted without having Suzaku find out exactly who he was. The small moments had been easy to hide; it was the long run that he’d have to do some serious work for.
“Hey man! What has been up? I’ve been trying to text you for the past hour, you said you got off of work at four and Shirley and Milly wanted to go to the mall so I was going to invite you to come too.” Rivals drawled on as Lelouch passed him on his way to the elevators. They had a match to make, which meant no time to dawdle in the lobby over something so mundane. Besides Rivals never shut up regardless.
Nevertheless, Rivals words shocked Lelouch back into the world he belonged to. After spending the afternoon with someone who hadn’t spent an afternoon at the mall in probably years it was a shock to have to come back to earth and realize it was what he had done just a few days ago.
Rivals followed him and they both stepped into the elevator compartment. “So?” he pressed.
“So what?” Lelouch asked as he turned to shoot Rivals a casual oblivious look. The last thing he needed was for this one to find out what he was up to.
“So where have you been all afternoon? You know Shirley has it for you bad.” Rivals whined.
Lelouch checked his uniform again. The uniform was important, the older he looked the harder the win would be, he loved it when he was underestimated enough to get a five minute win, and he wanted to get this over quickly, he still had to get home in time to call and asked if he could pull another shift tomorrow at the same time. He knew that being at the café tomorrow would be needed just in case Suzaku decided he wanted to see him again.
“I mean really if you ever want to get a lay out of that girl you got to step up your game!” Apparently Rivals had just kept going even without Lelouch’s attention.
“I’m not that into Shirley.” Lelouch said rather dry. “And what’s the big deal? what does it matter where I was?”
Rivals gave him an incredulous look. “You weren’t with another girl, were you? Cause seriously man, you need to start telling your homies about this. It wasn’t Kallen was it?”
Lelouch gave a sigh. If he didn’t answer him, Rivals would be spreading rumors he didn’t want spread. Then those rumors would reach Shirley and he’d have to deal with a weepy needy girl everyday for the next four days at school and possibly even the weekend if he got rounded up into the Student Council trip.
“I was at the base.”
“Wo, what?” Rivals did a double take. “You mean the Military base?”
The elevator dinged and Lelouch stepped forward to exit. “Is there another kind of base in the city?”
“What in heaven’s name were you doing at the military base?” Rival yelled.
Lelouch gave a roll of his eyes as he continued thorough thick crowd to the back rooms, where his match was to be held. He knew he’d have to answer though and a right at that moment a lie just didn’t seem appropriate.
“I was working on a lay.” He called back just before he opened the door and Rivals knew conversation was over from the glare Lelouch placed back at him as they entered.
~*~
Note for this Chapter:
1. Black and Decker Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair, is a real book, and is available for $23.33 on the Barnes and Noble Website. Not that I actually think you’re reading this for home repair guides, but if so there ya go!
2. I wrote, edited, and reread this chapter several times in three days(I don’t know if I should be filling for insanity and stupidity or if I should be claiming my bragging rights, my vote is for the first, though I will take advantage of the second) on a whim and am now posting it. I’m sorry if it comes out as crap…I wanted to write something a little more fun than Amethyst King and something that requires a little less homework than Curse of Fayte and this is what emerged. Its lighter and I hope interesting because I was intrigued when writing it.
3. I realize that this Suzaku is-a bit cocky and a lot more confident, don’t worry he’s still Suzaku and this isn’t completely OOC but I will admit this one isn’t so much of a kid, probably because he’s in his twenties so I just took the Suzaku from canon and tried to think what he would be like aged and if he’d gone farther in the Military without Lelouch’s interference.
4. Kissing with your eyes open really is weird as fuck. Not going to go on, just for further reference for you all if you have never done it, it really is weird as fuck.
5. To the Question! Since we all know that Lelouch is a minor and Suzaku is tragically the only one out of the loop, but also the lucky one that got a kiss, I want you guys to tell me, How do you think Suzaku will find out, and what do you think will be his reaction or what should in your opinion be his reaction?
Rating: M
Summery: Major Suzaku Kururugi has been quietly given an office post for an incident his superiors would like to keep equally as quiet. He intends to simply wait it out till he can get back to his normal life, which is until he meets Lelouch, the boy who works at the local Barnes & Noble, and unfortunately a minor.
Warnings: Yaoi, Lulu is still in high school and Suzaku isn't , yeah all that jazz
Disclaimer: Just for good measure I own nothing, but my stories ….duh.
Minor vs. Major
Major Suzaku Kururugi
3/29/2011 5:21 PM
Because he really hadn’t wanted anything else, he had joined the military. Because he had always been good with physical things, he’d left on his first deployment before the rest of his barrack mates had even finished training. Because he had always been good at following orders to the upmost extreme, he had achieved one hundred percent with zero casualties on almost every assignment given. Because it didn’t make sense for him to not accept his officer’s promotion, he had accepted it. Because he didn’t know what else to do, he’d simply saluted upon orders to serve another tour. Because he couldn’t bring himself to leave that soldiers body in the cold mud, he now pinned that medal on before every formal event right next to the last four he’d been given. Because he couldn’t come up with a better reason not to he had taken the command post. Because he hated every loss taken to his battalion, he had taken the vague job offer he’d turned down year after year after year. Because he hadn’t been surprised at what it all entailed, he had passed his first mission with flying colors and simply washed the blood out of his uniform with care. Because he knew he’d never be anything better than he was as a killer, he’d excelled at what he did. Because he couldn’t remember the last time he’d told someone no, he’d given a “yes, sir” and gone ahead with his next mission.
But now-
He stood at the desk-his new desk. He hadn’t been stupid. He -well he wasn’t sure what he had been. Had there been a “because” when he had looked that solder in the eye and waited for the gunshot that never came he may not have had to stand there. His hands shook as they skirted over the small plaque at his finger tips. “Major Kuurugi” was printed across the front in basic font.
~*~
“You need to take some time off.”
His superior had sat at that same desk the day when Suzaku had been swore into that special unit. He was sure that the desk was a standard size, but it looked so much bigger with Bismarck’s lumbered and broad form seated behind it that he was never sure. The same man didn’t look up as he spoke to him. His tanned hand held a pen for which was quickly signing their way through the papers before him. Suzaku knew those papers, especially from the name of Suzaku Kururugi printed throughout the same said document.
“Weinberg said you didn’t even flinch. That’s a problem.” He said it with irritation. Suzaku knew why, problems were hindrances, and a hindrance was unacceptable. “Take this job for a good year or so and after you get a hang of yourself I’ll call you back.”
Suzaku gave a solemn nod. He wasn’t sure what else to do. He-what had he done that night? He couldn’t think of it. He’d seen it coming and he hadn’t even tried to stop it. But that was behind him, just like ever thing else. He just needed to move on now. It had been a minor insurrection, and now was simply something that needed to be forgotten.
“I will call you back.” Bismarck assured as Suzaku’s eyes fleeted up to find he was being looked at, directly. It wasn’t a promise or an assurance as much as an informative.
“I understand sir.” Suzaku said as he gave another sharp nod. He straightened unconsciously just a little, his hands clasped just a bit tighter behind his back, his feet squared just a bit more precise. He knew he was a good soldier, if nothing else, he knew he was a really good soldier. He also knew that Bismarck knew this, even if Suzaku was still ever ready to prove it yet again.
“Good.” That stare of ice turned back down to the paper work placed on the desk. It weighed the room down as it ever bore witness to what was happening. It wasn’t a demotion, but it was close enough to that that Suzaku despised his name upon it. His stomach churned at the thought. He wasn’t unaccustomed to failure, he just simply was unaccustomed to it in the one thing he knew he could do very well. “Get over this quickly, Kururugi. I don’t have time to let you be idle.” Bismarck’s voice rumbled over the words, forced Suzaku to listen, and forced him to recognize the unspoken order.
“Yes, sir.” Suzaku said as he swallowed down the unneeded lump in his throat. He knew that Bismarck’s words had been meant as nothing more than a command, but at the same moment there had been implications, of resignation, of disappointment.
Suzaku hated disappointment, at least when applied to him. He hated felling it for himself, and he hated it worse from other people. He hated it in high school when he’d gotten it over and over again as he’d asked yet again to have a grammatical, mathematical, or even a historical concept reiterated. He’d hated it when he’d turned his grades into his coaches for pregame checks. He hated it for every shot missed or bench time spent. He hated to see it in the eyes of his principle every time he ended up back before his desk, bloodied knuckles and no remorse, while he was informed of his opponent’s condition. But mostly he hated it because over all it reminded him of one man, his father, and of all things he didn’t want to be reminded of his father.
~*~
His eyes followed the lines of his new office from the book case, that held books he had never and probably would never read, to the decorative gun cabinet, which held every gun he’d ever had the privilege of firing and a few he wouldn’t mind to get his hands on. He’d only had an office once before in his life when he’d been in charge of a command. Of course, then he’d been on active duty so he could have counted the amount of times he’d stepped into the office between his hands, and how many times he’d spent more than a minute or so with in that office on only one hand.
However, he now sat at his desk and waited. For what he wasn’t sure, he’d never had an office post, and he’d never wanted an office post. So he shifted forward, noticing the creak in the office chair, and leaned over the desk. He noticed his desk didn’t have a creak when he leaned his weight on it. He shifted his weight within the chair and listened closely to that tell-tale creeeaaaakkkkk.
~*~
An hour later Suzaku sat on the floor of his office, the final screw in his hand. The rest of the pieces were scattered around him in order of dismantlement and the room was now bare of an office chair. He looked at the wooden piece in his hand before they scanned over the rest of them as well. He’d never tried to put a chair back together, but then again, he’d never tried to take one apart either. He knew how to take a lot of other things apart, most of which were explosive, but never a chair before.
The door opened suddenly. He turned his head to look up at the guests, the screw still held up in his hands.
“Major?” The private stood at the door, his hand still at the knob, looking first to where the Major should have been then down to where the Major was. “…Major?” There was a bit more apprehension in his voice now.
“Yes?” Suzaku looked up at the private with a bland expression.
“Uhm,” the private started as he seemed to try and remember what exactly he had gone there for. “Uh, Colonel Li Britannia, would like to know if you have made up your mind about the recruitment offer?”
“Recruitment?” Suzaku repeated. Suzaku hated recruitment assignments, almost more than his new office. He’d somehow found a way out of it when as a Warrant Officer he’d had been assigned it more than once. According to his superiors, he had a good way with people and a nice face to use for recruitment. He didn’t know how they’d ever come to the conclusion after all he’d been proven really good at was killing people vs. talking it over with them. Then again, he knew he was good with people on a common everyday level. He was just fucked up enough to know that unless it was in the context of sex or the mundane he wouldn’t be much of a persuader. He could already imagine some kid asking him “hey why did you join the military?” He was smart enough to know that an answer along the lines of, “I’m good at shooting people” wouldn’t be age appropriate nor very kosher.
“Uhm yes.” The private looked a little unsure of himself at this point.
“Well…” Suzaku weighed the possibility of good behavior getting him out of this office sooner and the distinct feeling of nausea at the mere thought of spending hours talking and smiling and acting like he really wanted to be there, when he didn’t. In the end he figured getting on his new commanding officer’s good side won out-mostly for the fact he wanted his old commanding officer back. “Yes, well tell her I’d be glad too.” …begrudgingly, but for her with a smile!
“Excellent, Sir. I will inform her immediately.” The Private said as he turned to leave.
“Private,” Suzaku stood, retrieving his uniform jacket from the desk.
The Private stopped in his tracks and looked back, alert and ready for orders. “Sir?”
Suzaku pulled his arm into the first sleeve before pushing his other through the oposite. “Do you know where I could possibly get a good cup of coffee?” Not that he needed it, he but hated his office-a lot.
“Well, sir, there is a Barnes & Noble down the street.”
Suzaku stopped for a moment to think. He was pretty sure he had asked for a good cup of coffee. “Is there anything else?” he added in a small smile as not to make the Private seem inadequate.
“Uhm, well let’s see, most coffee places are farther downtown, but I think there’s possibly a Denny’s nearby.”
Barnes & Noble it is!
“Or actually the cafeteria on base here serves coffee!”
He was definitely sticking to Barnes & Noble.
“Thank you, Private.” Suzaku said, he plastered the smile over his face as he reached for his wallet and keys he’d placed within his desk drawer. “You’ve been helpful.”
“Of course, Sir!” the private beamed before departing.
Suzaku gave a sigh before he looked back at the chair…or at least what used to be the chair. He wasn’t sure if he should try and pick up a new chair or not. After a minute he wagered that he was indeed going to a book store, and a “how-to” book was much cheaper than a chair.
~*~
Finding the Barnes and Noble was the easy part, finding a book on how to fix an office chair hadn’t been. Finally after traveling a third time down the same isle, he decided to go for the coffee instead. Now he found himself standing in line before the counter and one of the most extensive menus he’d ever seen, in a Barnes and Noble or any other kind of café. The man in front of him chattered on to the girl at the counter without any signs of stopping, which suited Suzaku fine since he really had no clue what he even planned on ordering. Choice overload was never something he did well with. The man in front of him moved away a moment later, without much notice from Suzaku.
“I’m going on break. Take over the register for me, Lelouch.” The girl chimed, still much to Suzaku’s oblivious nature.
It was a short moment, but Suzaku was still lost looking up at the menu. Where the hell was just regular coffee? He didn’t really even have a preference to brand, just a little cream and he was always fine with it.
“Having trouble, soldier?” a deep and low voice asked.
“Oh,” Suzaku realized he was up and he still didn’t know what he wanted. He gave a chuckle as he looked down. “Do you guys have just coffee at all?”
The teller was leaned over on to the high counter lazily, his deep amethyst hued eyes hooded. At the comment, his eyes sprang to life and a smile broke through the bored expression.
Suzaku couldn’t help but smile back as the dark haired boy sat up and faced him, with a great smile like the boy had Suzaku didn’t have a choice in the matter.
“I’d imagine you could have just gotten that on base, am I right?” The boy said. It was presented as a question but had a hint of statement of fact behind it. Regardless, deep violet eyes sparked with amusement and he stood properly to face the conversation a half a second later.
“I probably could have.” Suzaku reasoned with a shrug of his shoulders.
“But clearly didn’t?” The boy continued for him. “Is there a reason behind that?”
Suzaku couldn’t help the smile that stretched across his lips now. He knew this game, it’d been a while since he’d played, but he was pretty sure he was still just as good at it. And if memory served him correctly, at one point in time he was more than good at it. Not in the same way that he was good at his job. His job was conditions(his broad body type coupled with fast reflexes and hand eye coordination) meeting more conditioning(that would be his ability to attract fights rather than avoid them), training(and a lot of it), and expectation(of his superiors and himself). This, on the other hand, was entirely natural. In high school, he’d discovered it first with the girls around his age, when he was looking for friendship. Then with the college girls he’d met on accident. Then, the most enjoyably, was with some of the other recruits. It had started out as need and basic depravity, but after a few times, Suzaku had realized how partial he was to seeing another male writhe under him. After that, of course, his job had become his sole ambition and constant endeavor. Not that sex had become something of lesser need, it was just that he no longer had a use for it, and really in the middle of an attack the ability to pull a sweet smile and a charming statement out of thin air didn’t count for much.
But he wasn’t anywhere near a warzone now. So he let the smile linger on his face a moment longer before he answered. “I really don’t like my office.” He said it off handish, but vague enough to hopefully spark inquiry.
“An office, huh?” The man said, a rather sharp flash of interest crossed his eyes. “Are you an officer yourself?”
Suzaku gave another bright smile. “Yeah, something along those lines,” He knew saying “yeah, I’m only twenty four and already a major,” had too much shock value to be profitable, let alone the fact that he hated to brag, about anything.
“Hmmm,” the young man hummed. “So just a single 8oz.coffee then?” he snapped back to the register.
Suzaku smiled and gave a nod. The end of their conversation had ended a bit sooner for Suzaku’s taste but it wasn’t like he didn’t still have ample opportunity, and if not today he still knew where to find the boy.
A smile was given to Suzaku under raven strands as the boy pushed the order into the machine before looking up again. “That will be dollar eighty six.”
“Right,” Suzaku said as he reached for his wallet. His eyes barely left deep amethyst.
The boy opened his mouth to speak again to only close it with an abrupt cut off.
“Hey--“ the abrupt cut off of not only the boy but of the new voice, immediately called for the snap of Suzaku’s head to the side. Suzaku wanted to strangle someone at that point. Before him stood two privates, one of which was being elbowed in the gut and the other caught mid-salute.
“Major!” the respectful one hollered as his went stiff as a board, and salute as equally tale tell. The other quickly composed himself and pulled into the same position. New recruits and Suzaku wanted to kill them both.
“Major?” Suzaku’s eyes pulled to the boy. There was confusion for the slightest second, then, something he really didn’t like, resignation. Suzaku wanted to bang his head against the counter. Now it looked like he had lied to the boy and they’d just met and he hated the new recruits and he knew it would take a lot of fixing to get things back to a comfortable friendliness, let alone a real shot again. A small voice in his head pointed out that it was probably a good thing he didn’t have a gun on him, because if so the two recruits would have been bleeding out on the floor while he looked up, smiled bright, and asked the boy to dinner.
He shifted his eyes back to the recruits; they after all were making a scene, which was the last thing he needed. “We’re off base privates, no need for formalities.”
“Yes sir!” the two gave an agonizing shout to add to injury.
He turned his head back to fully look at the boy at the register. He had a completely different demeanor now, and Suzaku wanted a gun for it. His posture had turned defensive, but not overly, like Suzaku was a stranger and nothing like he’d been just moments before. Amethyst eyes were on the register, his lips in a hard line, and his raven hair cast a shadow over his forehead.
Damn it! Now the boy thought Suzaku was a liar at the best and at the worst a manwhore if the base here had any reputation connected to it. He didn’t know that for sure yet, but he could have a good guess that this is where a lot of soldiers came through for one thing or another, and almost every soldier was eager for some form of contact, not all very honest or honorable. Ergo, Suzaku now looked like a lying manwhore…great-why the hell did he leave his gun in his blasted awful office!
Nevertheless, he’d have to attempt a comeback later. The boy was far too defensive right now and he’d thoroughly blow first impressions at this point. He would consider giving up completely, but the boy was very attractive and Suzaku very much liked his sharp wit. The point was that the boy was too much of what he liked to pass up easily. But he’d have to work on this another day, when the cards were in his favor, and the impression of lying scum, whore, conman wasn’t so vivid in the boy’s mind.
Now he simply handed over his visa and waited patiently as his card was swiped and he signed the receipt. Behind him, the recruits had broken into their own comfortable conversation, but the stillness between Suzaku and the boy hadn’t been ruptured.
That didn’t stop Suzaku from noticing the long elegant fingers that took the receipt back, or the brush of dark lashes when he looked down at the signature before tucking it into the till.
“Thank you,” The boy said in a much more reserved tone. His face was kept emotionless his eyes no longer made contact, jaw set in a defiant sort of way. Yes, it would have to be much later before Suzaku was allowed a second chance.
But that didn’t mean he had to deepen the bad impression. “You’re Welcome.”
Amethyst flashed up and Suzaku smiled as Eye contact was made. It wasn’t a huge smile, one just big enough to be considered friendly.
He didn’t’ get a smile back. It was clearly a warning, not a glare, the brow wasn’t low enough for that, but it was still a very clear warning. And Suzaku took it quickly picking up his order number and turning away. A minute later a girl behind the coffee machine handed Suzaku his cup and he gave a smile as he noticed that the boy was for sure glaring as he helped the new recruits. Maybe it wouldn’t take as much as he thought to get back to square one.
~*~
His opportunity came sooner than he’d expected it too. After scouring the rows he’d found a book, he wasn’t sure if it would be very helpful but if not he a. made more money than he ever managed to use(most of the time he was never in the country so paying for things like rent, car payment, or insurance were all unneeded. Overall, it seemed like most of his money went to uniform replacements and first aid kits) and b. he always knew he’d end up returning it anyway (it after all was a useless a book, besides he hardly ever was in possession of an apartment let alone a bookcase to put the book in). He took a sip at his coffee as he looked the book over one last time and started his way to the register. He stopped as he did.
A grin formed as he looked across the store to the small open area used for the café, several booths and tables dotted the place. What caught his eyes through the filled tables was one table with only one occupant. He wagered quickly the possibility of just leaving without another word, but if he wanted a more welcoming situation he wasn’t sure he was going to get it.
So he took last swallow of coffee, for good measure and weaved his way over to the raven haired boy. He sat alone at the table, but perfectly content, with a book open in front of him and a fork in his hand as he picked at a small Tupperware bowl of pasta.
“Are you reading out of convenience for the fact you work in a book store, or is it convenient that you like to read and work in a bookstore?” Suzaku asked as he approached.
Amethyst eyes looked up for a moment, and for that same moment Suzaku dreaded the look in those deep hued eyes. Then lenience sparked and, though without a smile, he answered. “I like to read, and it is convenient that I work in a book store, but regardless this isn’t exactly a pleasant read.”
Suzaku’s could feel his brow furrow. To him almost nothing was exactly a pleasant read. Sunday football(playing or watching, but more so with the playing) was pleasant, swimming was pleasant, early morning hiking was pleasant, even a particularly brutal hockey game was amazingly more pleasant than sitting down to read, especially if it was good weather outside.
“I’m studying,” A smile broke this time and Suzaku was thankful, for the smile and the explanation.
Suzaku took it as an invitation also, set his book on the table, and seated himself, intentionally, on the opposite side of the table. “What are you studying for?” He inquired.
He’d been warranted another smile. These smiles were different now, much more reserved and carful than the first. “I have ACT’s coming up soon.”
Suzaku grinned at that, college age, perfect. He’d be considered college age himself if not for his chosen profession. He knew a lot of recruits that joined the army for college specifically; he’d just never had the want or the need. He was very good at what he did after all.
“Is this your first time taking it?”He asked trying to keep the conversation up. He after all had never been much for the academics but if it was a means to an end he could skim over the topic with enough vigor to hopefully get him to a more engaging subject.
“No.” The boy answered. Suzaku knew his smile grew just a little. The boy was possibly closer to his age than he’d earlier hopped.
“Have you taken it?” The boy asked. Even better, Suzaku thought, it was the boys turn to keep up the conversation now.
He shook his head. After all he’d already been portrayed as a liar, anymore lies could be detrimental, and in his defense he never lied the first time, he just didn’t tell the whole truth. The thought hit him and he gave another shake of his head.
“I’m a Major, why would I need to?” That’s it he told himself, admit up to it, and you could possibly be forgiven easily.
Or not…the boys face dropped. “I was informed of that.” he said rather dry.
Suzaku sighed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to not tell you.”
“Why?” the question was very firmly placed, decided already that the boy wanted a completely honest answer. Through those amethyst eyes,
Suzaku could see a kind of commanding nature-he wasn’t sure how he felt about it either.
“Did you expect me to introduce myself as Major Kururugi?” Suzaku said trying to sound amused more than anything.
“I specifically asked you your rank.” The boy answered, with no amusement at all.
“In my defense, you asked if I was an officer, which a Major is an officer rank, and also-“he pointed to the golden oak leaf metal at his uniform. A smile crept back into his lips.
The boy gave a sigh. “Whom.”
Suzaku let his hand back down to the table as he looked at the boy, “whom what?”
“Whom a Major is of an officers rank. You used the wrong word.” The boy said as he let out a small chuckle. “And I should have seen the insignia, you’re right.”
Suzaku wasn’t sure if he understood the grammar part but he understood a chuckle and admittance. “Well thank you then! Though if you had recognized it I would have been very impressed.”
The boy gave a bit wider smile this time. “You said your last name is Kururugi? Are you-“ he trailed off.
“Second generation Japanese,” Suzaku finished for him.
“Aw.” The boy breathed. Suzaku couldn’t help the slight smile it sparked, the other man managed elegance so easily. “And your first name?”
“Suzaku.”
A long thin lipped smile stretched, a sincere one this time, and the boy put down the fork to extend his hand across the table. “Lelouch.”
Suzaku gave in return a particularly warm smile as he lifted his hand. He changed his mind almost immediately as he was about to shake, instead he slid his fingers under Lelouch’s long pale digits to hold his fingers and run his thumb over the slight boney knuckles. It was, after all, better to make an impression than just something other wise generic. He heard as Lelouch’s breath caught in his throat, and Suzaku eyes flickering to his reaction. He gave good reaction to surprises, good to know for further reference. Amethyst eyes were focused on their hands for just a moment longer before they adjusted upwards and Suzaku was quick to make eye contact. Pale lips pressed together, Suzaku wasn’t sure how to read into the actions, but from what he could tell it wasn’t something bad. Nervous most likely, anxious (oh god he could only hope), surprised a possibility, but t was most certainly not a glare and he in no way looked scared of him.
Lelouch’s-Suzaku already loved that name-eyes fleeted down to the book, and he pulled his hand from Suzaku’s loose hold.
“Black and Decker Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair,” He read the title aloud. “You bought a house or something?”
Suzaku laughed. “No, I took apart my office chair.”
Lelouch gave a light hearted chuckle as well. “On purpose?”
“Yeah,” Suzaku continued to chuckle. “Well taking it apart proved easier than putting it back together.” He lifted his arm to scratch the back of his head with a sheepish grin.
“I’d imagine.” Lelouch leaned forward, his arm rested on the table and he tucked his chin in to t his palm all with a fluid motion. “Why were you ever taking it apart in the first place?”
“It had a squeak.” He explained. “It was annoying and I wanted to fix it so… well I didn’t quite manage that.”
Lelouch gave a wide smile and another breath of chuckles. “So you figured you could fix it with a book?”
“Well, I wanted coffee too, and a book is cheaper than a new chair.” He held up the book he picked for further inspection. “And it’s even a picture guide as well, so maybe it will be double the help.”
“I doubt that book will help you much.” Lelouch said like he was trying to make it a light letdown.
Suzaku started to flip through it. “I don’t know…it looks pretty comprehensive.”
Pale fingers spidered over the edge and pulled the book down to the table top. Suzaku gave a smile to amethyst eyes. “It’s a home repair guide.” The owner of those same eyesexplained.
“And I broke something, so it should tell me how to fix it.” Suzaku reiterated.
“You took it apart an office chair, correct?”
Suzaku looked up from the book. “Well yeah.” His face was blank, because his mind was black. He’d already told Lelouch that’s what he
did. He’d laughed about it, then Lelouch had laughed about it, then they had switched subjects to the book. Maybe Suzaku wasn’t as good at this as he used to be…
“So it’s like a puzzle.” Lelouch said as his brow lowered a fraction of an inch and a smile Suzaku couldn’t quite place stretched on to his lips.
“All you have to do now is put it back together.”
“I’m not very good with puzzles.” Suzaku said trying to sound a little less lost than he really was. He gave an inward sigh, and they had started out so strong. He wasn’t even sure where he had muffed it up at.
Lelouch’s smile widened just a touch. “But I am.”
Suzaku couldn’t help the bright exuberant smile that came next as he leaned across the table farther. “How long till you’re off?”
Lelouch stood fluidly and flipped the study guide shut as he did all with the same distinct smile. “I’m off now.” He shut the Tupperware, the pasta still half eaten, and slipped it into the messenger bag Suzaku hadn’t noticed was hanging off of his chair.
Suzaku stood as well. He wasn’t sure what to say so he didn’t say anything. It was in Lelouch’s ball park now. Not that he wasn’t ecstatic that Lelouch wanted to come and help him, but at the same time, this was going a lot faster than Suzaku ever planned. He’d thought that he might talk to him for a while, they could get friendly, then tomorrow he’d come back get coffee around the same time and flirt again as he paid, he’d possibly let their hands touch as he handed him his card and they’d get closer and that would be that. Possibly by Thursday he could score a number, then a day or two later a date. But apparently Lelouch had decided to skip all that and they were going to fix his chair, now, like a weird almost date-right now.
Lelouch pulled the light jacket on with the messenger bag over one shoulder. Suzaku picked up the book on the table to only have it slipped from his hand as Lelouch walked past. Lelouch discarded it on a random table of books, one of a completely different subject than home improvement by the way, and Suzaku followed him to the doors.
As Suzaku slipped his arm to hold the door open and Lelouch gave an abrupt stopped. Suzaku mentally wanted to kick himself. He always did that. He had trouble keeping girls and boys straight, especially the fact that one appreciated it when he did things like held the door and the other didn’t. Why couldn’t they both just like the same things! He stopped, grimaced, and waited for a scolding.
Lelouch didn’t turn just leaned back with a slight twist of his hips and turned his head to the side. “Are civilians allowed on base?”
Suzaku had to think for a moment before he could pull an answer out. He wasn’t sure if he should still expect a scolding or not but he did know if he didn’t answer that would warrant one for sure. “Uhm, yes, well you’re allowed in my office at the least.”
“Aw.” He said and leaned forward. “And thank you, for the door that is.”
Suzaku smiled. He had a feeling they were going to get along just fine.
~*~
“I thought you said you were bad at puzzles.” Lelouch said as he laughed. He leaned against the desk drawers while Suzaku sat against the wall opposite to him, a half made chair in front of him.
“Well after elbowing you I feel obligated to be the one that fixes.” He said. A screw driver was in hand as he twisted another screw into place.
“If you hadn’t have stopped me when you did!”
Suzaku looked up. “You were putting the arm rests on the bottom.”
“No.” Lelouch said, “I was redesigning.” he made sure to make it a point.
Suzaku gave a smile. This endeavor, at first, had seemed a little weird and possibly a bad idea, but now-well it had turned into an adventure very quickly. He learned a lot, about Lelouch and his office, in the process as well. One of them had just been reiterated to him. Lelouch never liked to be told he was wrong, or bad, at something. Teasing was fine, to a point, but Suzaku doubted that any real accusation would go over well.
“You told me you were good at puzzles.” Suzaku said.
“I am and home improvement, which is what that was.”
Suzaku threw him a look. “Because when I sit down at my desk I want to be able to know I have arm rests they just face the wrong direction.”
“Its modern!” Lelouch shot back. “You’re a Major; you need to be on the cutting edge of fashion.”
“What part of this office really looks modern?”
“You told me you’ve been here for a day and a half.” Lelouch reasoned with him as he lulled his head against the wood to capture him in those amethyst eyes. “You just haven’t had time to bring it up to speed.”
“I should have stuck with the book.” Suzaku mumbled as he moved on to the next screw.
A well earned kick in the shin made him almost drop the screw driver.
“Ow!” Suzaku said.
Lelouch gave him a pointed glare. There was a conveyed and effective, “I’m so much better than any book and you better remember that,” though the glare. But within a few moments the glare was gone and his eyes roamed to the window above Suzaku’s head. Suzaku glanced up from his work. Mostly for the fact he enjoyed the view, but also because of the silence. It wasn’t awkward but enough that Suzaku had wondered what Lelouch was occupied with.
Lelouch didn’t look down as he spoke in a mellow, even tone. “It’s a lot later than I thought it was.”
Abruptly Suzaku noticed as well. He looked around his office, the fact of the dimming light and soft tones draining all color from the room making it clearer. How had it gotten so late?
“Wow,” he breathed, before he let a chuckle slip. “Everyone else has probably already gone home.”
Lelouch hummed a reply.
Suzaku finished up with the particular screw and set the half chair-thing aside. In pointing out the time, Lelouch had signaled that it possibly was about time he headed home. If nothing else, he wanted to not have a chair between them for a final conversation.
“How did you become a Major?”
Suzaku froze his eyes darted to the floor and he felt his breath still. This was an unexpected question, but even more, this wasn’t a good question. A question he wasn’t supped to have gotten for a very long time, let alone had to answer for longer, if he could manage to stall long enough. Then again, Lelouch didn’t seem normal. He should have foreseen something along these lines, but he didn’t and now he was left with deflection.
“I worked my way through the ranks, just like anyone else.”
A delicate eyebrow arched. “You’ve worked your way through the ranks at your age?”
Suzaku gave a wide smile as he stood. He knew that at this point he had sent his own message with the action, but this subject needed to be killed quickly. He offered his hand down to Lelouch.
His raven hair splayed across his forehead, only added to the dimming colors of the room, and two bright amethyst stone eyes peered up, still looking for an answer that wouldn’t come anytime soon. Suzaku offered his hand closer. Lelouch had flicked his eyes to it before going back up to Suzaku. Answer first apparently.
“You really don’t even know how old I am.” Suzaku pointed out.
Lelouch stretched a smile. “That wasn’t an answer, Suzaku.”
“We’ve just met.” Suzaku explained as he gave a look to the clock. Eight fifteen was a lot later than he’d expected to keep Lelouch. He didn’t like the thought. If they stayed together for much longer it could dip into something Suzaku wasn’t interested in…at least, not at this point. He knew if they had sex tonight, tomorrow he wouldn’t call him and he wouldn’t go back to the bookstore to get coffee there again anytime soon. He just knew it, he’d done it before, several times, and he knew how it worked. He had at least a year here, and because of that he didn’t want this to be a one nighter. He wanted casual yes, but not a fling. If nothing else while here he could enjoy companionship.
“Alright, I concede, but I want an answer at some point.” Lelouch said with a huff.
Suzaku smiled at that. It implied there would be at the least a second meeting. He offered his hand closer for a final time. He was pleased as he felt Lelouch’s long hand thread over his fingers. Once he had a good grasp he pulled and lifted the boy to his feet.
Suzaku imagined the gesture and motion being rather chivalrous and, if he dared say it, elegant, until Lelouch tried to stand. A fumble of feet had ensued and within that same moment Suzaku realized he was apparently the only coordinated one and caught Lelouch’s weight before he pulled him to a stable stance. What he didn’t notice was that in the process he had pulled the boy to him as well. So upon looking up, he was met with wide deep violet eyes. Suzaku recognized the look immediately He’d gotten it earlier that day at the book store when he’d touched Lelouch’s hand.
This was indeed the same look, concentrated into deep violet, but it was so much more intense this time. There was nervousness, for sure, and anxiousness, but this time there was fear, just enough of it though that it drew Suzaku in farther. He leaned forward his hand slid up from the small of Lelouch’s back. They shared breath for a moment. Suzaku could feel his eyes on instinct start to hood. He felt Lelouch’s fingers fidget at his shoulders and he forced his own eyes open. The boy’s breath had already hitched, his fingers dug into his sleeves, and his eyes were still very wide. Suzaku forced himself to slowly pull his hand up to cup around Lelouch’s neck with painstaking slowness. He debated for a moment longer. He could have stopped here and there would be minimal consequences. He wasn’t sure what Lelouch was afraid of, but he didn’t want to make it worse. They had tomorrow, possibly even the rest of the week. They didn’t’ need to rush this quite yet.
He didn’t have time to pull away though as Lelouch ground his fingers into his sleeve and lurched forward to crash their mouths together. Suzaku let out a rather undignified and unpracticed yelp as he was forced to yet again catch the uncoordinated boy before he pitched them both to the ground. He didn’t even have time to close his eyes, because of which he caught a glimpse of eyes squeezed shut before he slipped his own shut-kissing with eyes open was after all just weird as fuck. He pulled the boy closer and started to move. He was surprised that the most pleasant parts of the kiss weren’t actually of the kiss itself. He loved Lelouch’s hands, one at his collar, still fidgety but pleasantly stroking at the skin just under his throat and playing at the button there as well. His other arm had gone around Suzaku’s shoulders, his long fingers fisted in his shirt there. He adored the way he pressed the side of his nose next to Suzaku’s own. His shoulders, probably the most pleasant, would go from relaxed to strained very quickly as Suzaku pressed the kiss harder. Lelouch took a step closer his hips brushed forward and Suzaku’s eyes shot wide.
He broke the kiss with a jolt and forced the boy a few inches from him. Upon retrospection, Suzaku would have scolded his actions. The boy was very slight and completely opposite to Suzaku in almost every way, which didn’t give Suzaku right to push Lelouch around, especially for the fact he had a hunch that Lelouch wouldn’t appreciate it very much. But this wasn’t retrospect, so at that moment Suzaku just stopped their actions from progressing any farther than necessary. The last thing he needed was to have to farther clean his already drastically destroyed office.
He felt Lelouch’s breath at his cheek before he ever heard the words. “I have to go, I have somewhere to be.”
Suzaku gave a hazy nod. He repeated the line in his head several times; the boy was right after all. He did have to leave, and Suzaku was far too on edge at the moment to be this close to him. “Alright,” he spoke soft and went to turn to the door.
“Wait,” Lelouch hand stopped him, his pale fingers at his arm.
Suzaku moved his eyes to meet Lelouch’s. His hands still at Lelouch’s hips tightened just enough he knew but he prayed Lelouch didn’t notice. He’d didn’t need the boy to thin he was already exhibiting signs of possessiveness. He quickly pushed that thought away as well. Thoughts of possession led to actually possession. He didn’t need that. He needed to keep things together, but casual, and easily left behind when that is what would be required of him.
“Hang on.” Lelouch breathed before twisting he managed to keep Suzaku’s hold on him but enough he could reach the desk next to them. His fingers scrambled their way around for a moment before he turned back with a post it (Suzaku wasn’t sure where came from) and a pen (Suzaku knew exactly where came from-it had been free). Lelouch scrawled something down quickly before he presented the paper a moment later to Suzaku.
Suzaku looked down at it and as reluctant as he was to let go of Lelouch he did to take the post-it.
“Text me tomorrow.” Lelouch said.
Suzaku gave a nod. “I will.” It was a promise. He made a point that he’d have to remember to go get a phone in the morning. The thought crossed that he had a very old cell phone he left in Taiwan-they’d finally gotten a hold of him about it three countries later.
“I have to leave.” Lelouch said again.
“Alright.” Suzaku release him but kept a hand at the small of Lelouch’s back as he reached across the desk to the messengers bag.
“Thank you,” the small murmur was pressed into a small kiss Lelouch gave Suzaku before he let Suzaku open the door and left.
Upon his departure, Suzaku gave a sigh and turned back to his office. It was a mess from floor to ceiling. They had started with the chair and ended with it as well. Between then everything from a critique of book selection to a demonstration on how to take a rifle apart had taken place until they had just parted after all things as a kiss, and not a normal kiss either. Suzaku had to lean against his desk at that thought.
Damn that boy was good at kissing, nervous, but really good at it. He wasn’t sure how long either of them would be able to hold out for sex.
~*~
“Lelouch! Lelouch!” Rivals called out and waved enthusiastically over to Lelouch.
Lelouch finished the button at his Ashford uniform as he started over to his friend. He had in no way meant to spend that much time with Suzaku, but after he’d been in his presence it had been hard to talk himself into leaving. Overall, his goal had been achieved. He had a lot riding on this including his reputation. He would have to find a way to get what he wanted without having Suzaku find out exactly who he was. The small moments had been easy to hide; it was the long run that he’d have to do some serious work for.
“Hey man! What has been up? I’ve been trying to text you for the past hour, you said you got off of work at four and Shirley and Milly wanted to go to the mall so I was going to invite you to come too.” Rivals drawled on as Lelouch passed him on his way to the elevators. They had a match to make, which meant no time to dawdle in the lobby over something so mundane. Besides Rivals never shut up regardless.
Nevertheless, Rivals words shocked Lelouch back into the world he belonged to. After spending the afternoon with someone who hadn’t spent an afternoon at the mall in probably years it was a shock to have to come back to earth and realize it was what he had done just a few days ago.
Rivals followed him and they both stepped into the elevator compartment. “So?” he pressed.
“So what?” Lelouch asked as he turned to shoot Rivals a casual oblivious look. The last thing he needed was for this one to find out what he was up to.
“So where have you been all afternoon? You know Shirley has it for you bad.” Rivals whined.
Lelouch checked his uniform again. The uniform was important, the older he looked the harder the win would be, he loved it when he was underestimated enough to get a five minute win, and he wanted to get this over quickly, he still had to get home in time to call and asked if he could pull another shift tomorrow at the same time. He knew that being at the café tomorrow would be needed just in case Suzaku decided he wanted to see him again.
“I mean really if you ever want to get a lay out of that girl you got to step up your game!” Apparently Rivals had just kept going even without Lelouch’s attention.
“I’m not that into Shirley.” Lelouch said rather dry. “And what’s the big deal? what does it matter where I was?”
Rivals gave him an incredulous look. “You weren’t with another girl, were you? Cause seriously man, you need to start telling your homies about this. It wasn’t Kallen was it?”
Lelouch gave a sigh. If he didn’t answer him, Rivals would be spreading rumors he didn’t want spread. Then those rumors would reach Shirley and he’d have to deal with a weepy needy girl everyday for the next four days at school and possibly even the weekend if he got rounded up into the Student Council trip.
“I was at the base.”
“Wo, what?” Rivals did a double take. “You mean the Military base?”
The elevator dinged and Lelouch stepped forward to exit. “Is there another kind of base in the city?”
“What in heaven’s name were you doing at the military base?” Rival yelled.
Lelouch gave a roll of his eyes as he continued thorough thick crowd to the back rooms, where his match was to be held. He knew he’d have to answer though and a right at that moment a lie just didn’t seem appropriate.
“I was working on a lay.” He called back just before he opened the door and Rivals knew conversation was over from the glare Lelouch placed back at him as they entered.
~*~
Note for this Chapter:
1. Black and Decker Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair, is a real book, and is available for $23.33 on the Barnes and Noble Website. Not that I actually think you’re reading this for home repair guides, but if so there ya go!
2. I wrote, edited, and reread this chapter several times in three days(I don’t know if I should be filling for insanity and stupidity or if I should be claiming my bragging rights, my vote is for the first, though I will take advantage of the second) on a whim and am now posting it. I’m sorry if it comes out as crap…I wanted to write something a little more fun than Amethyst King and something that requires a little less homework than Curse of Fayte and this is what emerged. Its lighter and I hope interesting because I was intrigued when writing it.
3. I realize that this Suzaku is-a bit cocky and a lot more confident, don’t worry he’s still Suzaku and this isn’t completely OOC but I will admit this one isn’t so much of a kid, probably because he’s in his twenties so I just took the Suzaku from canon and tried to think what he would be like aged and if he’d gone farther in the Military without Lelouch’s interference.
4. Kissing with your eyes open really is weird as fuck. Not going to go on, just for further reference for you all if you have never done it, it really is weird as fuck.
5. To the Question! Since we all know that Lelouch is a minor and Suzaku is tragically the only one out of the loop, but also the lucky one that got a kiss, I want you guys to tell me, How do you think Suzaku will find out, and what do you think will be his reaction or what should in your opinion be his reaction?