Shattered Masks

Shattered Masks
by Eline

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This doesn't matter! He's just playing with you! Don't let him get to you!

Lelouch did not think very well when it came to his own. Suzaku knew this--had always known this--and he would allow himself to admit it now, in the end.

And Schneizel had known just which buttons to push.

He's trying to get to you . . . Lelouch--

Suzaku’s cries had fallen on deaf ears. Lelouch probably knew what Schneizel was doing. But Lelouch could not keep his mask on for this.

Lelouch had begged. Had grovelled and abased himself while Schneizel just watched without showing a flicker of emotion.

When they were children, Suzaku had wondered why Lelouch had been reluctant to discuss his siblings and family.

It occurred to him that it had been a miracle that Euphemia had turned out the way she did. Suzaku did know whether to be glad that her half-brother failed to be the villain he set himself up to be or watch in horror as the end loomed up before him with no reprieve in sight.

You’ve got it all wrong . . . I’m your knight! I’m supposed to protect you!

If Schneizel was not there, Suzaku would have said it to his foolish, soft-hearted Emperor’s face. After all, he had already been broken since the day he had kept his father’s watch as a reminder. But all he could do--bound as he was, helpless as he was--was to bear witness.

It was far more difficult than anything else he had ever done in the service of his chosen liege. But it was all he could do as his oldest friend suffered Schneizel’s warped version of affection.

Lelouch stifled a moan as Schneizel continued to stroke him to full arousal. With his eyes squeezed shut, he could no longer see Suzaku.

This changes nothing. You are no less than what you were before. Schneizel cannot take it from you.

But Lelouch’s eyes were closed in denial as Schneizel bent over him. Something inside Suzaku twisted sharply as the prince claimed Lelouch’s mouth in a one-sided kiss

The sound of Lelouch’s labored breathing became a rasping counterpoint to Schneizel’s movements during what was probably the longest ten minutes of Suzaku’s life.

The end did not come soon enough for Suzaku’s liking. Schneizel finished, coming while buried deep in his younger brother. Suzaku ignored Schneizel, who was fastidiously composing himself, and focused on Lelouch, who was lying partially curled up on his side on the table. His eyes were open, but Suzaku registered nothing in them and he was afraid that Schneizel might have broken him.

No, Schneizel did not intend to break Lelouch completely. In Schneizel’s book, it probably did not count if the losers were not aware that they had lost. Sickened that he could understand that much of Schneizel’s motivations, he glared at the prince, who was idly stroking Lelouch’s hair as though nothing had happened.

“Haven’t you done enough? He’s already traumatised,” Suzaku said, anger and worry overriding his resolve not to react to Schneizel’s games. Under Schneizel’s gloved hand, Lelouch was still and unresponsive.

“Oh? And I thought I had been remiss,” Schneizel said, turning Lelouch on his back to expose his half erect cock. “He seems to need a little more attention.”

“Not yours!”

“Then perhaps I should ask around the barracks for volunteers to service my brother . . . you know how soldiers are in war time.” Schneizel turned to Suzaku with a considering look on his face. “Or perhaps you should serve your Emperor one last time . . .”

Lelouch was as lifeless as a puppet with its strings cut as Schneizel deposited him in front of Suzaku.

“Well?” Schneizel asked, meeting Suzaku’s angry glare with his dispassionately calm gaze.

Suzaku chose not to waste his breath on Schneizel. Lelouch was within reach now, restraining suit and broken arm notwithstanding.

His arm throbbed dully as he inched closer to Lelouch. The rise and fall of his chest was the only indication that he was still functioning. Suzaku pressed his lips against the side of Lelouch’s neck, feeling the erratic but still strong pulse under his skin

He can’t break you. This won’t break you. You are stronger than this.

Suzaku did not know if he was trying to convince himself or will Lelouch into showing some sign that he was not lost. He was not C.C.--able to enter minds at will. There was only the tenuous bond that they had, forged in broken friendships, blood, lies and a pact to continue on this road until the bitter end.

He mapped the slender column of Lelouch’s throat with his lips until he reached the hard disc-like protrusion at the nape of his neck. Unnatural thing--the skin around it was slightly inflamed and showed signs of the hasty surgery that had preceded it.

“Lelouch,” he whispered directly into his Emperor’s ear. As though he could call him back by reminding him that there were promises to be kept. “Lelouch . . .”

Ignoring Schneizel completely, Suzaku laid a kiss on Lelouch’s forehead, then on his left eye. The dull red glow of the Geass flickered before he could do the same for the right side.

“Su--zaku . . .” Lelouch blinked once, twice, and looked up at him--still himself and whole despite the trauma of the past hour.

“Yes,” he replied, hiding his relief by pressing his lips to Lelouch’s mouth.

Surprised, Lelouch froze for a moment, then his lips parted in response.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

In the blank void, there was a disconcerting sense of not being connected to anything. An eternal free fall into nothingness.

You’re spending far too much time in here, a disembodied voice said. If you keep this up, you might never find your way back.

For some reason, the voice sounded like C.C.--female, remote and slightly sarcastic.

Someone’s calling you. Can you hear that?

Could he hear without ears? Apparently so. That sound was a name--

Lelouch came back to himself. To being flat on his back with Suzaku’s face hovering above him.

And then Suzaku had kissed him.

He had responded to the raw emotion in that kiss. Suzaku had been worried. Lelouch tried to reassure him as the kiss deepened. He had only blanked out for a while, trying to escape from what had happened . . .

Schneizel.

If there was any chance, any opening at all, there would be a reckoning, Lelouch swore. But now, Schneizel might as well not be there.

He could not suppress a moan as Suzaku moved to kiss and suckle the underside of his jaw. This was real and the touch of Suzaku’s lips on his skin grounded him, bound him back into his body and sealed him in. His forgotten erection stirred and he jerked fitfully at the restraining jacket that bound his arms tight.

Suzaku worked his way down his body methodically and Lelouch envied him briefly for being a lot more limber. It was beyond him how his knight could manage with a broken arm. Then he felt Suzaku’s tongue lapping at his cock and all practical matters took a backseat in Lelouch’s mind.

Arching his back, he pushed his hips up, demanding more attention. Suzaku obliged, massaging his cock with his tongue as he took him in. Engulfed in the warmth of Suzaku’s mouth, Lelouch gave voice to his desire. His groans seemed to encourage Suzaku, who swallowed him deeper. Lelouch could feel Suzaku’s throat tightening around his member. It was too much--

“Suzaku--” he managed to gasp out in warming before he came. Suzaku did not duck aside. He continued to swallow Lelouch down, milking the last dregs of his orgasm.

Breathing hard, Lelouch stared at the ceiling for a long moment. He felt the feather-light sensation of a kiss on the inside of thigh as Suzaku straightened up and wished that he could move to touch his knight. Schneizel had raped him first, but Suzaku had not broken--had not allowed himself to break. In the end, you still had to save me. I’m sorry, so sorry . . .

“That was a very commendable show of loyalty.” Schneizel’s voice was a jarring reminder that they were not alone. “You chose your subordinates well.”

Lelouch did not to correct that assumption. He had not chosen Suzaku. Suzaku had chosen to follow him after he had explained what he was going to do.

“You’ve had your sick little show,” Lelouch said. “What next, Older Brother?”

“I thought you might be allowed to live long enough to see the Black Knight’s final stand on the battlefield, finishing off the remains of the Britannian army,” Schneizel said. “You were their founder after all.”

That betrayal still stung, but he had come to terms with that. But Schneizel had not exhausted his bag of tricks yet.

“In two days time, all the wars of the world will end. As a proud brother, you should have a front-row seat to see Nunally crowned as Empress of the new world.” Schneizel brushed an imaginary speck of dust from his trousers as he stood up. “And then you can die knowing that there will be peace throughout her reign.”

Beyond speech, beyond simple rage, Lelouch could only watch as Schneizel turned towards the door.

"A quick, private execution would be best in order to spare Nunally the bothersome task of signing her dear brother’s death warrant," Schneizel said, as calm as ever. "While that Geass of yours is no doubt . . . interesting, you might not appreciate spending the rest of your life in a laboratory. Consider it my thanks, Lelouch, for Kaminejima."

Opening the door, Schneizel signalled to the guards outside.

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Warning: There is no porn after this point.