Vaecordia

It was not supposed to turn out like this.

Zero’s plans had evaporated away like mist. The rebellion had been sundered. Zero had been captured.

For Lelouch, former prince and leader of the Black Knights, the world might as well have ended.

He was a prisoner now. Dependent on his captor for the most basic things like food and water. Exactly the sort of scenario he hated.

The fact that his jailer was Suzaku was just the final twist of the knife in his back.

It was as though the Emperor knew exactly what punishment would set him on edge--which fate would chaff the most. He knew nothing of his sister’s whereabouts--if she was even alive. His only human contact was Suzaku, immune to his Geass and still impervious to every verbal barb he could fling. Chained up like some animal while the world moved on regardless.

Yet he was aware that the Geass was changing in some way. C.C. had told him that the Geass could evolve, but what was the significance of the mark on his back?

Suzaku seemed fascinated by the sigil. Fascinated and repulsed by it. He would keep looking at it, touching it even when they were not coupling like cats in heat.

That . . . had not been the desired outcome of his taunting. He had been naked in front of Suzaku plenty of times for the Knight watched like a hawk even when seeing to his physical needs. Bathing, changing, going to the toilet. He thought he might have been inured to it by now, but Lelouch still flushed when Suzaku undressed him. Still burned where Suzaku’s hands touched his skin.

He had given in--they had given in to carnal desire. Helpless as he was when Suzaku took him, he could not deny that he had experienced pleasure in their rutting.

Then all he could do was wonder why Suzaku was keeping him alive. Surely Suzaku would kill him to avenge Euphemia?

But the days dragged on and he was still alive.

What is happening to us?

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

The Geass was still evolving.

A week after the Emperor had made his orders clear, Suzaku had noticed the feathers. A pair of wings in miniature, sprouting from where the mark touched Lelouch’s shoulder blades.

If this was how the Geass manifested, then it was totally unexpected to Suzaku. He had thought that if Lelouch could not use his power, then it would stagnate.

They were such tiny wings. But still--

What if that mysterious power was growing, trying to find its way out of Lelouch in some way? If that power grew, then it would enable his prisoner to escape.

He added a steel collar and more chains, just in case.

But he could not deny that the wings were a problem after another week had passed. The wings were growing. They had been sparrow’s wings at first. Now they were the size of gulls’ wings when spread.

He could see them, almost glowing in the dimness of the room at night whenever he returned and Lelouch was asleep.

If they grew larger, they might become strong enough to carry a prince away.

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