The sunlight through Ashford Academy's windows was unusually bright for the morning.
Lelouch sat in his usual seat by the window in Room 2-A, hand propped under his chin, his eyes scanning the campus courtyard below with practiced disinterest. His notebook was open, half-filled with neat, effortless answers. The drone of the instructor's voice faded to background noise as usual. It's not like he could be taught anything anyways at this institution.
He should've been focused on Britannian movements.
On intel, weapon supplies, contingency plans.
Instead, his eyes shifted to the doorway, waiting for her to walk in.
Right on cue, Kallen Stadtfeld walked into the classroom.
Or rather, half-walked, half-limped.
Her stride was tight. Deliberate. Each step just a little too controlled. She bit the inside of her cheek, face flushed from more than embarrassment. She gripped the back of her chair harder than she needed to as she sat down. A sharp breath escaped her lips when she did.
She didn't look at Lelouch.
Lelouch looked at her with a slight smile.
Last night still lingered between them, carved into the skin beneath their uniforms, buried under the surface of civility. She knew she did it with Zero, but not Lelouch.
Kallen noticed Lelouch's gaze and smiled back with a slightly confused look in her eyes.
He let his fingers idly spin his pen between his fingers.
The mask of Lelouch was back on for the day.
The memory of last night wasn't leaving anytime soon though.
When class ended, Lelouch packed his things methodically and left without a word. He didn't need to stay and banter.
Not today.
Back at the Ashford residence on campus, a comfortable home provided by the Ashford family, Lelouch moved quietly through the familiar halls. The staff kept their distance, as they always did. Milly must've been off planning another ridiculous event.
All the better.
Inside the tea room, Nunnally sat by the large open window in a chair, sunlight bathing her delicate features. Her hands rested gently in her lap. Her wheelchair was parked next to her, and she wore a pale lavender dress with small lace trim. Her violet eyes, blurry, looked out the window even though she could hardly see anything.
She looked peaceful.
Lelouch paused in the doorway, looking at her with a soft gaze.
She was stronger than she appeared.
"Nunnally," he said softly.
She smiled. "Lelouch. You're back early today."
He crossed the room and sat across from her. The tea set was already laid out, their usual blend steeping gently in the pot. He poured her cup, then his, hands careful with each motion.
They sipped in silence for a time. Lelouch watched her as she continued to look out at the garden. He really watched her closely. He was concerned for his sister.
How delicate she seemed.
How trapped.
It haunted him more than most things.
"You seem quiet," she said gently, as if sensing the shift in him.
"I was just thinking," he replied. "About you."
"About me?"
He didn't answer right away.
Then, slowly, Lelouch stood and moved to kneel in front of her.
Nunnally tilted her head as she looked at her brother. "Lelouch…?"
"I've changed," he said quietly. "My Geass. It's… stronger. Different."
She said nothing, but her fingers curled in her lap.
"I don't know if it will work," he admitted. "But if there's even a chance…"
He looked up into her blind eyes.
He activated his Geass and prayed with every cell in his body it would work.
The red sigil in his left eye sparked to life.
"Nunnally," he said, voice steady, clear.
"I command you… regain your sight and the ability to move freely again."
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then, her eyes cleared up as her pupils began to focus and take in everything.
Color flooded into her world for the first time in years.
Tears welled in her wide violet eyes as she looked at her brother.
"Brother…" she whispered, breath shaking. "I… I can see you."
He barely had time to react before she stood up from her chair.
Her legs wobbled, unused to being able to walk again.
She pushed forward and stumbled straight into his arms.
Lelouch caught her, holding her close as emotion overtook him. His heart pounded. His eyes blurred. Nunnally sobbed into his shoulder, clutching him like she was afraid he'd vanish. He held her tighter.
"I can't believe it," she cried. "I never thought I'd see again. Or walk—"
"You're here," he said softly. "That's all that matters."
A light knock interrupted them.
One of the maids opened the door, gasping loudly at the sight.
"L-Lady Nunnally?!"
Lelouch turned, his expression calm.
"Please bring us fresh tea immediately."
The maid nodded frantically and fled.
When they were alone again, Lelouch helped Nunnally sit back down. She beamed with joy as she truly was able to enjoy looking out the window now at all the beautiful colors she wasn't able to see for many years.
"I can see the garden," she said breathlessly. "The colors… the sunlight… Lelouch, it's beautiful."
He sat across from her again and for the first time in a long while smiled with pure happiness.
They sipped tea, talked about silly things. About Milly's next festival. About the swans in the nearby pond. About the way blue looked when sunlight hit it just right. It was unlike Lelouch to be so happy and optimistic. So peaceful. The successful use of his Geass for his sister's benefit truly made him happy.
Then the phone in his pocket buzzed.
It buzzed from the phone he used for the Black Knights.
He pulled it out slowly, eyes scanning the encrypted message from Ohgi.
"Britannian forces found one of our hideouts. Situation critical. Hurry here! Quickly!"
Lelouch's heart sank. He turned to Nunnally, forcing a smile.
"I have to go," he said. "But enjoy today. Go walk the gardens. Look at everything. You deserve to."
She stood and hugged him again. "Come back soon, brother!"
"I will," he said while stepping out of the room and closed the door behind him.
He said a white lie. In truth, he had no idea if he would even make it back depending on the situation. By the time he reached the far hallway, the smile was gone. He changed into his Zero gear in silence. Each buckle, each strap, reminding him of the weight he carried on his back.
Good things never last, he thought to himself as he checked himself quickly in the mirror.
That didn't mean they didn't matter though.
He would fight for this world, if not for everyone, for his sister.
Even if he had to burn everything else down to make it happen, including himself.