Green eyes flickered to the ground, casting a downward and evasive gaze, away from the other figure, as a light pink shade spread across the surface of those cheeks. Just a mere utterance of those words was enough to make the Knight fluster in quiet embarrassment. How long it had been since he last saw his childhood friend. How long it had been since this friendship was nothing more than a distant, happy memory that filled his thoughts with every waking moment. How long it had been since their bond had been severed, their connection shattered; since their destinies began reshaping anew. Now, their destinies had brought them back. Their tie was being retied, their connection reconnected. The brunette wanted nothing more than this moment for eight years.

Eight years.

Why did it have to be like this? War had separated them, now it was war that carried them on broken wings, ‘til they shattered and dropped them amidst each other’s company once more.

“Suzaku...”

The boy’s eyes slowly lifted upon hearing his name. He caught sight of the pale face, smiling sweetly - a rarity - down at the younger one. Lips parted ever so slightly, eyes small but caring. It was quite amazing how this man had somehow managed to retain much of his more juvenile features. Thinking of this, and how little this man had changed, he couldn’t help but let that familiar smile creep across his face. Noticing the recipient smile, the older’s simpered look grew as he opened his arms a little. Suzaku needed nothing further as he practically fell into those arms, clutching at Lelouch’s back, chuckling ever so coquettishly.

“...I missed you too, Lelouch...”

It had been eight years. Eight years of war and utter debacle, forcing Lelouch to the brink of death, and attacking Suzaku with merciless guilt. Reunited, and they were still forced apart, meant to live as enemies. Lelouch’s grip tightened on the well-built frame. Suzaku had been training, he could tell. Walking back into each other’s lives happened as suddenly as their departure, and neither of them wanted the latter to repeat.
They only had this moment of secret rendezvous to rekindle their friendship and revel in each other’s company, before they were thrown back into the world where the stereotypes bore into them, ripping them apart through social rejection. An Eleven with a Britannian? Preposterous. They were clad the same, but their differences were all too apparent. Neither of them... wanted time to slip.

--

Suzaku couldn’t retain his chuckles as he held Lelouch, letting the sparkling droplets of emotion drip down his face. He always was a bit of a softie. Especially when it came to Lelouch. The older one rested his head over Suzaku’s right shoulder, gently nuzzling the side of his neck with a pale cheek. He couldn’t get that smile off of his face, yet somehow he managed to suppress the laughter - Lelouch only really did evil laughs, and that didn’t really seem appropriate.

The brunette sniffed a little as he wiped his face with the hand that wasn't wrapped so tightly around Lelouch’s back. He pushed away, but still held onto Lelouch, keeping him at arms length, fingers interlaced behind the pale neck. They stared at each other and smiled, just as they had done eight years ago.

A playful, somewhat cheeky smirk bounced onto Suzaku’s lips and, as he spoke, Lelouch knew that this adorable figure in front of him really was the kittenish boy from his youth.

“You know Lelouch...” the brunette began. “I’m a little surprised at you. Dare I say, even disappointed...”

“Hmm? Why, what were you expecting? Am I not pretty enough for you?” the prince insinuated.

“Oh, you were always so damn preoccupied with your looks.” Suzaku giggled. “No, I just thought... well, it’s been quite a bit of time now. Y’know, since we met after all these years. I would’ve thought you’d make some sort of.. ‘move’ by now. I certainly thought you’d be the first to advocate it, seeing as you were always so adamant at trying to beat me...” his smirk widened as he flashed a quick wink at the other one, who was now displaying his signature pouty-glare expression, as used on Suzaku especially.

“Well excuse me for wanting a little emotion. It’s been a long while. Rushing in didn’t exactly seem right.”

Suzaku drew in Lelouch again by wrapping his arms completely around his neck. He spoke softer;

“Emotions are cheap. Eight years and all I’ve felt is emotions with you...” he drew in closer still, “... but all I’ve wanted to feel is this, right here...” He extended his neck forward slightly, closing the already small gap between their faces, and pressed his lips hard onto Lelouch’s, feeling his chest pound fast against his own.

...