The captured Britannian base was quiet now.
The smoke of battle still clung to the air, and the once-pristine walls were scarred with scorch marks and shattered glass. But the Black Knights were celebrating softly, cautiously, as they secured stolen Knightmares and bound the last Britannian soldiers to the main hall's columns.
And in the center of it all, Suzaku Kururugi knelt on the cold concrete floor, hands bound tightly behind his back.
Zero stood before him, his dark cloak brushing the ground as he stared down at his childhood friend.
Suzaku didn't meet his gaze. His eyes were locked on the dirt, jaw clenched. His once-pristine white uniform was torn from the fight, streaked with dust and sweat.
"You've fallen far, Suzaku," Zero said, his voice cool and controlled through the mask. "The White Knight of Britannia… reduced to a prisoner in front of his own men. How does it feel?"
Suzaku's head snapped up, his green eyes blazing with anger.
"You're nothing but a coward hiding behind a mask," Suzaku spat. "You talk about justice, but you use fear and manipulation. You're no better than Britannia."
Zero tilted his head slightly, amused.
"Justice?" he said slowly. "Justice is a word people cling to when they're too weak to change the world. Britannia kills for power. I kill for freedom. That is the difference between us."
Suzaku growled low in his throat. "You don't care about freedom. You just want revenge. That's all this is to you."
For the briefest moment, Lelouch's fingers twitched against the controls of his mask. Suzaku's words hit close to the truth. But he couldn't let it show.
"Perhaps," Zero replied smoothly. "But revenge, when done correctly, can reshape the world. Something your naïve loyalty to Britannia will never accomplish."
Suzaku strained against his bindings. "Let me out of these restraints, and I'll stop you here and now!"
Zero chuckled softly.
"You're in no position to make demands, Kururugi. For now, you're my… insurance policy. Britannia will hesitate to attack knowing I have their precious knight in my hands."
Suzaku glared at him with unspoken hatred, but he said nothing. Zero stepped closer, lowering his voice just enough for Suzaku to hear.
"You'll thank me one day, Suzaku. You'll see that this world isn't something you can fix by being their obedient dog."
Suzaku didn't respond. His silence was answer enough.
___
The base had quieted.
The Black Knights worked through the night moving stolen Knightmares and weapons onto transport trucks. Guards patrolled the perimeter, keeping a wary eye on the darkness beyond.
Inside a small private command room, Lelouch sat in a chair, mask removed, his head leaning against his hand as he studied the tactical map of Area Eleven. His sharp violet eyes flicked between supply routes and possible strike points. His mind never stopped moving. Not for a second.
The door creaked open.
He didn't look up. "What is it, Ohgi?"
"It's not Ohgi."
The voice was smooth. Playful.
Lelouch's head snapped up.
C.C. stood in the doorway, leaning lazily against the frame, her long green hair falling like silk over one shoulder. She was dressed casually, as always, her smug smile in place.
She stepped inside, closing the door behind her.
"You've been busy," she said, strolling toward him. "Taking over bases, kidnapping Britannia's golden boy… You do love making enemies, don't you?"
Lelouch gave her a pointed look. "You shouldn't be here. This base isn't secure yet."
C.C. smirked, ignoring his warning. She perched herself on the edge of the table, crossing her long legs.
"And yet here I am," she said smoothly. "Admit it—you missed me."
Lelouch sighed, leaning back in his chair. "I don't have time for your games tonight, C.C."
"Really?" she teased, leaning closer to him, her gold eyes gleaming. "Because from where I'm sitting… you look like a man who could use a distraction."
Her voice lowered, seductive, almost purring.
"All that tension… all that stress… It's written all over your face. You need to relax, Lelouch."
Lelouch narrowed his eyes, but his body betrayed him with a small twitch of interest.
C.C. noticed immediately.
Her smirk widened.
"I wonder…" she murmured, sliding off the table to stand in front of him. Her hand rested on his shoulder, her fingers grazing lightly over the stiff collar of his uniform. "Are you still as dominant as you were last time… or have you been too busy playing the heroic leader to remind yourself what you really are?"
Lelouch caught her wrist suddenly, gripping it firmly.
"You always push your luck," he said, his voice dropping into a darker tone. "Maybe you want me to remind you."
C.C.'s golden eyes flashed with excitement.
"Maybe I do."
Without another word, Lelouch stood, spinning her and pinning her against the wall in one swift motion. His hands pressed firmly against her wrists, holding them above her head. Her hair spilled against the concrete, framing her flushed face.
"You always show up uninvited," Lelouch growled, his body pressing closer to hers. "Maybe I should teach you what happens when you walk into a war zone without permission."
C.C.'s lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile.
"Then teach me, King."
Her words were a challenge.
And Lelouch never backed down from a challenge.
He crashed his mouth onto hers.
C.C. moaned into the kiss, her wrists struggling slightly under his grip, though he held her firmly in place. Lelouch's other hand slid down her side, gripping her hip, pulling her closer. Their bodies pressed tight, heat sparking between them as his kisses grew hungrier, more demanding.
C.C. gasped when he bit her lower lip, tugging it sharply before releasing it.
"You think you can just waltz into my base and tease me like this?" he growled against her lips. "You're mine, C.C. Don't ever forget that."
Her breath hitched.
"Then prove it."
Lelouch smirked darkly.
His free hand moved to the zipper of her top, slowly pulling it down. The fabric slid open, revealing her smooth pale skin, her lacy black bra barely containing her breasts.
C.C. tilted her head back, her golden eyes half-lidded, watching him with that infuriatingly smug look… but even she couldn't hide the way her breath quickened when he brushed his thumb over the curve of her chest.
"You really are a witch," Lelouch murmured, his voice low. "Always tempting me at the worst possible time."
C.C.'s smile widened. "Maybe I just know what you need better than you do."