voice private| Euphemia

[sword_of_zero]

Euphie, I'm sorry I am running late with dinner. Tumbles saw something he really liked and ran off after it. Usually I don't keep him on his leash because he's pretty well behaved, but I guess he couldn't resist chase after the ball he saw some kids throwing around. I should be home in a few minutes.

[A happy bark can be heard behind him.]I think

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[sword_of_zero]

[And suddenly he is feeling very foolish. Of course she has a boyfriend here. Someone was wonderful as Euphemia was bound to find someone here who recognized her for all she was and cherished her.

He eyes his pizza, no longer feeling hungry and puts the plate down.]

Oh.

[He should say he's happy for her, that's what people usually said after all. Wasn't he the one who was always going on to himself about how he wasn't deserving of her? About how if he touched her with his hand he would somehow taint her? He should be happy to hear about this.

And yet he's anything but happy. His heart feels like it is constricting and a pain he thought he had become numb to starts to resurface. Looks at her and for a moment he almost looks like he's out to say something in protest. However, the words never find their way to his lips.]

I'm happy for you, Euphie. That you found someone here who makes you happy.

[There. Now he's playing the part of good knight and a good friend. Any future the two of them could have had together was ended when

[sword_of_zero]

[Shakes his head.]

It's fine, Euphie. It's not like you had any obligation to tell me.

[His voice hardens for a moment. Not because he felt like she should have told him, but he was angry at himself for believing that there had been anything between them in this place.

She was alive again and living her life that was taken from her. Didn't he tell her that he was happy as long as she was at his side? His words were now a bitter pill to swallow but he would do it.]

[sword_of_zero]

That doesn't change what the two of you are.

[Despite his selfish desires, he doesn't want to be the one responsible for changing that. It's funny how he can help take over the world and not flinch but right now he's struggling to keep his thoughts and his feelings together.

If it was anyone else in the world besides Euphie, he wouldn't have any difficulty concealing how he felt. However, if it was anyone else but Euphie he wouldn't be feeling this way.]

It's okay, Euphie. You've been here for awhile and built a new life for yourself. It would be selfish and foolish of me to think that things would be the same as they were back home.

[Back before everything changed so drastically.]

[sword_of_zero]

[Suzaku is caught off guard, thinking that she is indeed going to walk away from the table. Instead he feels his arms around her and his eyes widen.]

Euphie...

[Slips out of the ground and onto the floor with her. He's still trying to figure out his thoughts and feelings and a part of him thinks pushing her away might be for the best. But he can't do it, now when she's holding him like that and her face is buried against him.

Instead of pushing her away, he wraps his arms around her and holds her tightly. He likes having her in his arms for more than the obvious reasons. When he holds her like this he can feel how warm and alive she is. She should always feel that way.]

[sword_of_zero]

[Suzaku hated the traitor in his chest. He knew what she meant when she told him that her feelings for him hadn't changed. He'll never forget the day that she commanded him to love her and if he did, then she would in return always love him. That had to be what she as saying and the feelings that surged threw him let him know that even if he wanted to give up on what they had, his heart would fight him.]

Neither have my feelings, Euphie. But the two of us have changed.

[No matter how elated his heart felt at the moment, there was no denying that the two of them were different people than they were on the day she spoke those words to him. Places a little bit of space between the two of them so he can look at her and raises a hand to her face.]

I know I've been here before but it sounds like the last time I was here I was from earlier than I am now. So much has happened since you...

[He doesn't want to finish that sentence so he continues on with the rest of his train of thought.]I'm sure a lot has happened since you've been here as

[sword_of_zero]

Okay.

[This should be the part where he lets go of her and they both return to their dinner, acting like nothing happened. But his hand still rests on her cheek, his forehead is still pressed against hers and it doesn't look like he's planning on moving his arm from around her any time soon.

So much of his life has been a blur lately. Even here the world still feels like it's spinning around and around at a dizzying pace. It's different when he's with Euphie. Everything feels like it's slowing down and fading away. If only life could always feel this simple and comfortable.]

I want to stay like this with you, just for a little longer.

[His voice is soft but meaningful and his eyes open to meet hers.]

[sword_of_zero]

[Suzaku's eyes widen when she leans in closer to him. He knows her well enough to know what this means, there was even a time when their lips met back when he was her official knight. This time their lips don't touch however and he's grateful for it. As much as he also wants to kiss her, he knows by doing that they will only make a complicated situation even more complicated and challenging.

Raises his head and he kisses her on the forehead. Without saying another word, he leans backwards so his back is against one of the legs of the table and he now has support for the both of them. Gentle tugs her in closer to him and settles on holding her with both of his arms. Not long after, Tumbles walks over to the two of them and curls up by their side.]