IC: Death plot

[thekingsgambit]

[After this fun discovery in the cornfields.

Having further stained his clothes while arranging to Suzaku's quarters in the hospital, Lelouch has since picked up a cleaner set and gone through the effort of maintaining a more presentable appearance. He wastes no time in retrieving the Shinkirou's key from the secluded area where he stores it and some other sensitive data, as well as his notes from the last several days. Securing the item, he quietly slips into Nunnally's room. She remains sleeping soundly, unaware of what events have transpired over the course of this day. His throat grows raw and he swallows once before closing the door again and walking out of the cabin.]

Comments

[ascendthethorns]

Then whose will it be?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[... Closing his eyes tightly and clutching the key, as he brings it to his forehead. His voice becomes thin and tight.]

I need... to do this.

[Suzaku.]

[ascendthethorns]

[Sighs.]

So selfish impulse seeks to prevail...

[Lets the thought hang as she considers her approach; within moments, she's moved up behind him and cupped her hand over his, reaching to loop a finger through the keyring he holds.]

I will not stand for it; will you?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Looks over at her. His breath has gotten choppier and his eyes wild. Still, he lets her words sink in. Selfish. Always selfish. Even in claiming Suzaku in the first place. Perhaps this was just another reckoning for the tendency he could never curb, no matter how many times he sought to temper it. And now those closest to him would suffer again. If only he could get those horrible visions out of his head...

He takes another breath that almost could be a rough sob

... and then loosens his hold on the key.]

[ascendthethorns]

[Curls her finger around the ring, but doesn't remove her hand.]

Understand that this isn't concession, it's an agreement to reach a resolution that won't be tainted by regret.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Manages to find the strength to nod.]

Ah...

[ascendthethorns]

[Remains still for a while, then wraps her arm around him again. This time, though, she pulls him closer and rests her head against the back of his own. When she speaks soon after making this gesture, there's relief clear in her voice — the kind that follows an exhaustion of doubt — and an air of jest about her words.]

Thank you for hearing reason. I wasn't quite endeared to the thought of engaging you in yet another battle of will.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

Ah, so... you finally admit it... ?

[He tries to laugh weakly at the taunt, but ends up practically sinking into the hold, the feeling almost forgotten from a childhood of often finding comfort in these same arms. His hair fans forward to cover his eyes, as the furious shaking from before becomes more tentative. It's too much. Losing again... It's just too much.]

[ascendthethorns]

[At last, she removes her hand from his and takes the key; it jingles lightly against its ring as Cornelia wraps that arm around Lelouch as well, so she can better support him.]

Finally...? It seems I need to call you on your stubborness more often, if that was an unexpected admission.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Yeah I've got nothing. For now, he's mainly focused on returning his breathing back to something resembling normal, as he battles for composure.]

[ascendthethorns]

[Goes quiet then, and lets him.]

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Gradually manages it after a while...]






I don't know what to tell her...

[ascendthethorns]

You can't hide it from her, Lelouch.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

I... can't. She has already lost too much.

[ascendthethorns]

Kururugi hasn't been lost. He will return. As for Nunnally, she's too intuitive to not realize that something is wrong. It would be unkind to spare her from the truth.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Another minute or two passes by in silence before he takes another slow breath and then straightens his stance, carefully pulling away from her arms and looking in the direction of the cabin.]

... Ah.

[ascendthethorns]

[Easily releases him, then follows his gaze.]

She'll be asleep for a while still. Take the opportunity to get some rest yourself.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Does not look like he is going to get much sleep but nods anyway and starts making his own way.]

I'll... talk to her in the morning.

[ascendthethorns]

[Knows that, but nods and follows.]

Very well. If you'd like assistance in telling her, please do not hesitate to ask.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Doesn't look back as they approach the cabin.]

... It is my responsibility... but thank you.

[ascendthethorns]

Mm.

[When they're inside, she makes immediate way to the common room regardless of where Lelouch heads; she'll stay there until morning. In the afternoon, perhaps when she catches Lelouch attempting to leave, or maybe as a preemptive measure before he can even try, she will inform him that he is to consider himself on house arrest until resurrection and sanity have been restored. Her conditions will be as follows:

• No leaving the cabin alone.
  
• No leaving the cabin at all between the hours of 9PM and 8AM.
  
• No straying from camp proper. The hangars and ZAFT base are also off-bounds.
  
• Trips outside the cabin shouldn't last longer than thirty minutes unless Cornelia is present.
  
• Visitors are permitted.

Enjoy, lil bro.]