Work Text:
Suzaku could hear the Black Knights being introduced in the Ikaruga conference room as he raced down the hallways. He paused in the doorway, taking stock of what was happening.
“A prince with Geass power,” Tamaki sneered, holding out his hand. “Where’s the proof?”
“We have proof.” Schneizel pulled out a recorder and pressed a button.
Immediately, Suzaku’s own voice echoed through the Ikaruga meeting room. “Did you use your Geass power on Euphy? Be honest.”
Zero’s unmistakable tones came next. “I ordered her to do it.”
Schneizel clicked off the recording, looking satisfied, as the Black Knights started to overreact.
“Bullshit!” Suzaku cried, striding further into the room. His fisted hands shook at his sides. “That’s called tampering.”
Schneizel looked up, surprised. “Aren’t you supposed to be—”
“I’m supposed to be helping my best friend,” Suzaku snarled, ignoring the Black Knights’ looks of confusion. “The one I betrayed. The one I devastated when I—when I fired the FLEIJA. Because I just killed his little sister—your little sister! Does no one in this room give a damn about Nunnally?!”
Cornelia looked rattled. “Nunnally was caught in the blast?”
“Yes!” Suzaku shouted, self-hatred pouring off of him in waves. “And at Lelouch’s lowest point, you’re—trying to make his own organization betray him? That wasn’t how our talk ended, and you know it!”
The Black Knights tittered amongst themselves.
Schneizel merely folded his hands atop the table. “But those were your words. And his words.”
“And as we continued to talk, it became apparent that he was lying—that he was telling me what he thought I wanted to hear. Because he believes I hate him,” Suzaku choked. “He believes I want to think the worst of him. And you know what? I did. For a long time, I did. But now, after what I’ve done, I can’t hold his mistakes against him.”
Schneizel frowned. “Then you are betraying Britannia?”
“I’m going to stop betraying Lelouch,” Suzaku shot back. “Nunnally’s dead, and I…I at least owe him the courtesy of looking him in the eye and admitting that I fucked up. That’s why I’m here.”
“But you didn’t fire the FLEIJA on purpose, did you?” Schneizel pressed, tapping his fingers on the table. “It was Lelouch’s Geass on you—that detestable command to ‘live.’ From the way Lelouch’s ace pilot had you cornered, it’s obvious that Geass went into effect. It’s Lelouch’s own fault that he lost Nunnally.”
The Black Knights edged away from Schneizel.
“It’s your fault for sponsoring Nina’s research,” Suzaku growled, punching a fist into his palm. “It’s Nina’s fault for building a weapon of mass destruction. It’s Kallen’s fault for winning against me, forcing me into that position—hell, it’s even Kallen’s fault for facing the wrong direction, because I easily could have fired the FLEIJA out into the ocean and it wouldn’t have been as deadly.” He took a deep breath, turning to face everyone. “And yes, Lelouch and I bear the blame as well. We share it. That doesn’t mean you get to come in here and turn the Black Knights against him.”
Schneizel shared a stunned look with Cornelia. “Kururugi, you’re defending a terrorist.”
Suzaku folded his arms, as if blocking Schneizel’s accusation. “I’m defending my best friend! There’s something more to what happened at the Special Zone. I know there is. I wasn’t willing to listen before, but I’m ready now. And Lelouch is the only one I want answers from. Real answers, not like your rigged words meant to manipulate people into doing your bidding.”
“Then—”
“I’m not going to let you ruin everything he’s worked for.”
“But—”
Suzaku stepped forward with purpose. “He’s not even here to defend himself. You dishonor Lelouch, and you dishonor Nunnally’s memory.”
“What does it even matter to you?” Diethard asked, quirking an eyebrow. “You keep saying ‘best friend,’ but…you and Zero are enemies.”
Nodding, Suzaku agreed, “We are. Were? But it’s more complicated than that.”
Schneizel frowned. “There’s no need to get into all that. It’s irrelevant. Here, we have files on everyone we believe Lelouch used his Geass on—"
“Cut the crap!” Suzaku hissed, anger coursing through his frame. “You don’t even know for sure. You’re just trying to rile them up.”
“I can’t believe I’m saying this,” Tamaki said, “but Kururugi has a point.”
Tohdoh nodded, flashing Suzaku a rare, approving smile. “I agree. The only one I want answers from is Zero.”
“I’ll ask again for him to join us,” Diethard said, scowling at Schneizel. “Maybe he’ll come, knowing his…friend…is vouching for him.”
Suzaku nodded firmly.
Ohgi and Villetta appeared in the doorway. “I heard Zero is a Britannian prince named Lelouch, who manipulates people with his Geass power,” Ohgi said.
Suzaku sighed, long and hard. “That is true,” he said. “But we don’t know specifics. And Lelouch—he lies. Sometimes his lies are well-intentioned. It’ll take more digging to discover the real truth. What I’ve learned is…and I know him better than anyone at this point…he believes he’s doing the right thing, to make the world a better place.”
“We can’t make decisions of this magnitude based on surface suspicions and fear,” Tohdoh said, calmly folding his hands. “I agree that Zero should be here before we decide on any course of action.”
Pursing his lips, Schneizel said, “Maybe you all are under his Geass. That would explain why you’re not open to my facts.”
“Shut up!” Suzaku snapped, whirling on Schneizel. “You don’t have all the facts. You’re using what little you do know to try to play the situation to your advantage.”
Schneizel raised an eyebrow. “For a Knight of the Round especially, you are showing an incredible amount of disrespect to Britannian royalty.”
“Maybe I’ve learned through this where my true loyalties lie,” Suzaku shot back. “And maybe the Black Knights should give their leader a chance to explain himself. Also, just a word of advice: I tried to give Lelouch a platform to speak, but to be honest, I wasn’t open to listening. It cost us both—too much. Please learn from my mistakes, and give him a fair chance…”
Ohgi nodded, looking thoughtful. “He is our comrade.”
Schneizel’s frown deepened. “Of course you would want—”
“Can you please just let them do their own thing without trying to interfere?!” Suzaku interrupted, glaring at Schneizel. “You had me trailed at the Kururugi Shrine. You messed up my potential alliance with Lelouch. We could have been making things better already, but you meddled and made everything worse. Now millions of people are dead who would otherwise be alive. Maybe think things through before trying to control the world?”
Diethard whistled. “Well, Kururugi’s spoken.”
“Now it’s time to hear from Zero,” Tohdoh said, giving Suzaku another nod. “I promise to listen with an open mind.”
“Zero always has a reason for what he does,” Tamaki said, pounding a fist on the table. “I bet he’ll be able to explain things, no problem.”
Ohgi dipped his head. “I admit I was angry and irrational when I first heard this news, but you’re all right. There has to be a reason for everything. Kururugi, thanks for barging in and talking some sense into us.”
“Yeah,” Tamaki said, “we wouldn’t want to make a rash decision or anything!”
Suzaku sighed again, letting his arms drop. “From someone who's betrayed Lelouch in the past...I wish I'd done it differently now. I can't stand the thought of you guys echoing my mistakes. He deserves better. I owe him several apologies. Do you mind if I stay for this talk?”
“You’re certainly welcome,” Ohgi said, the curiosity on his face deepening.
Cornelia glowered at the table. “Just try to make us leave!” she spat.
Diethard lifted his chin. “You can stay,” he allowed. “But the Black Knights are running this show.”
Suzaku lowered his head in acceptance. “Very well. Let’s do this.” At least Lelouch would get a fair hearing now. At least Schneizel wasn’t holding the Black Knights’ strings. And at least Suzaku had started making things right.