Heartstrings R2

[rkold]

Title: HeartStrings R2 (when Heartstrings comes back with plotholes, deus ex machina, and fan-service!)
Author: Rkold (me!)
Series: Code Geass
Pairing: Gino x Suzaku
Rating: PG-13

Spoilers through episode 08 of Season 02. jusrecht put out the challenge that someone make a happy ending to her fic Heartstrings, since it was based on my prompt, I felt compelled to do so. So be warned fluff ahead! And uhh unbetaed.



Suzaku lips continued to softly find his own, the mix of hope and horror from what he could possibly be losing clawing at his soul, before he gently pulled back from Suzaku. Eyes feverishly bright and serious as he finally stared at the younger man and saw his own pain mirrored in those large green eyes. The obvious marks of tears trailing down his cheeks.

"Yes, yes I do love you," came the barely audible answer from the knight standing before him and for a second it was as if time stopped. Suzaku did love him, someone, something had listened and he had managed to make it in time and could carry off his love like a knight in one of the fairy tales his nursemaids had read to him as a small boy. "But I can't go with you..."

Gino's heart started to shatter, and the tears he'd kept hidden away for the parents who had never had time for their youngest son as well as those for a small Japanese boy trapped by a sense of duty and obligation forced to marry a man he obviously didn't love welled to the surface. "But Suzaku.."

"Very touching", echoed a haughty voice as the cause of their misery entered the small vestibule, clapping his hands as if this was some sort of performance rather than their lives and future happiness. "But Suzaku and I have a ceremony to finish. Come my bride."

Clutching at Suzaku's shoulders so hard his knuckles whitened and he left tiny bruises, Gino refused to let his chance at happiness depart. After racing here, he was not going to just let a chance at victory go, not as long as he was sure that the boy felt the same way as him. There was a reason Gino Weinberg was a Knight of the Round.

"Suzaku, you can't do this, what they're asking you to do, what is this saying about the Japanese, allowing yourself to be sold to this--terrorist" He was unable to fight the bitterness and contempt he felt for the masked man blocking their only exit from the room. "And how can you even ask something like this!"

"Suzaku is not Japanese, he's an honorary Britannian and a Knight of the Round he knows his duty. Do you know yours, Gino Weinberg?"

Growling, Gino could feel the flinch of the smaller knight in his grasp and sense the look of betrayal he was sure was on the younger man's face. If perhaps Suzaku really loved who he was marrying, if perhaps that person really cared for Suzaku, but to let him go to someone like this. Gritting his teeth, Gino's eyes became tiny slits. "How dare you say that!" he hissed. "Suzaku is Japanese, has always been Japanese and if a self-centered bastard like you can't--"

"Enough!" Zero held out his hand. "Suzaku allowed himself to be bartered, he knows what is expected, it's time to finish the ceremony."

Searching foolishly for his sword which was somewhere back on his charter plane or possibly even back in Egypt, Gino didn't care if he was risking another war and more lives, to have someone like this steal away with what the blond had recently come to understand as the only thing of value in his life was unforgivable.

"I'm sorry, Gino." Suzaku closed his eyes and wiggled from his grasp and it felt like Gino'd been punched and he was suffocating from the pain, gasping desperately for any air, but the room seemed to have become a vacuum. "There is no other way."

"I'm glad you've finally seen the light, Suzaku, let's--You!"

A green-haired woman Gino had never seen before was pushing backward into the vestibule, another body trapping him and Suzaku from any chance of fleeing. The only positive to this development that the blond was able to quickly ascertain was it stopped the progress of Suzaku leaving him forever.

Stopping half-way towards Zero, the smaller knight's eyes widened with recognition at the strange woman. "You.. you're.." the teen questioned numbly, his voice quiet even in the sudden crushing silence.

"Witch! What are you do--" Zero trembled as his voice rose in decibel as it became clear that the green-haired woman was not alone, but was carefully bringing a fifth person into the already overcrowded room.

"Suzaku-san, please don't do this. I don't want to see you sacrifice your happiness like this and neither would Euphie-nee-sama," Head tilting and expression accusing as she attempted to search for someone else. "And so should Onii-sama."

It took Gino a full minute to realize that it was Princess Nunnally with the stranger. He knew the princess was a special friend to the younger knight he loved, but to take a risk like this by confronting Zero the man who had killed two of her siblings and might restart the attacks that would end her successful SAR seemed unexpected. Particularly with only a woman he's never seen before as a bodyguard.

"Nunnally.."

"Onii-sama, let Suzaku-san go," the princess pleaded with the masked man, reaching out ineffectively, to try to take his hands in hers. "Is it really worth this?"

"Nunnally..."

Acting on pure instinct, Gino stretched to grab a hold of Suzaku and dragged the boy back against his chest, hugging him tightly and only semi-comprehending the conversation now taking place. Heart pounding in his chest, Gino felt determined to keep himself from even coming close to losing Suzaku again. Letting his training as a knight guide him, the larger blond began trying to calculate his chances of being able to push past the 3 people blocking the door while still holding onto Suzaku. Perhaps if he used the princess as a diversion. Suddenly, the princess' words clicked and he stared, mouth agape, as the fragile seeming girl continued to both lecture and beg for Suzaku's sake.

"Zero.. is.."

The teen in his arms stared up at him, while the rest of the room continued to ignore him in the drama playing out between the masked man and the girl in the wheel chair.

"Yes."

Gino's eyes narrowed as he tried to process this new piece of information. No wonder Zero needed to marry Suzaku. Rumors had reached Britannia that things in China were not going as intended. The Chinese were not proving to be quite as amendable to giving up land and rights to the Japanese exiles as originally expected and had put extensive restrictions on the new immigrants. There was a lot of unrest, particularly with the Chinese expecting the former Black Knights to fight in their military campaign against Britannia. Some spies had even claimed that a few of Zero's prime supporters including Sumeragi Kayuga had been killed in a recent earthquake due to the poor construction of the refugee's residences. And if Zero was in fact a Britannian prince and not even Japanese, his position would be more precarious. Suzaku's star had been in ascension, despite the complaints of several members of the Britannian government over the knight's allowance of the one million exiles. However his words and ability to prevent more bloodshed had finally won the hearts of the millions of his countrymen still in Area 11 and the SAR thanks to that was a success. Plus it hadn't hurt that Second Prince Schniezel, Governor-General Nunnally, Earl Asplund and Knight of the Round Lord Weinberg and Lady Earlstreim, had defended the choices Suzaku had made within Britannia.

"I'm sure another suitable marriage partner can be found for Onii-sama, but you can't do this to Suzaku-san, I won't allow it."

"But Nunnally.." choked out Zero, unable to argue against his beloved sister.

A sudden loud booming sound shook the room as a part of one of the walls collapsed revealing daylight. Smiling inside the cockpit while still dressed in her bridesmaid dress, Anya decided that this might actually be interesting.

"Exit."

Not waiting to be told a second time, Gino tossed Suzaku over his shoulder, ignoring a squawk of protest and fled with him through the rubble and ran towards his still parked Porsche, feeling doubly blessed that his new egress had brought him even closer to their escape. Dropping Suzaku into the passenger seat, Gino gunned the engine and raced from the cathedral, not really wanting to be there for the aftermath, despite the princess' obvious approval of their actions.

"I love you, Suzaku."

Trying to frown, the teen failed miserably and instead gave Gino the sort of soft smile he'd always treasured on the younger man's face. "And I supposed this is just our destiny then?"

Ignoring the road to steal a quick kiss, Gino laughed. "No, I think this is our happy ending."

Comments

[sumeragiskank.livejournal.com]

Gooo Anya!!!! Oh Suzaku and your Japanese love of destiny. Does this mean that he and Gino are connected with that pesky red thread?

Also, Lelouch is an ass.

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Yes, they are most definitely connected by a red thread along with possibly chains and feathers thanks to Clamp. :D

I am glad you approve of Anya. I can't see her not helping out since she loves her two favorite retard knights.

A part of me wants to force him to marry Kallen, but I'm not even sure if he deserves that. >>;

[jusrecht.livejournal.com]

Woah, that was FAST. I'm awed at your speed *0*

And you made it possible! Yay to a happy ending! And when is the wedding, Gino?

I'm seriously LOL-ing at Lelouch. We enjoy making fun of him, don't we? And I love you for mentioning Gino's sword and that it's possibly left in Egypt XD

Go C.C.! And Nunnally! And Anya!! It seems that the fangirls don't want Suzaku to marry Lelouch XDDD

Thank you so much for writing this! Gino, you deserve your bride, and Suzaku, try to be happy for once.

Do you mind if I post a link to this at the end of my drabbe?

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Heck no! I would love it if you posted a link XD;;;

I am awed at my speed, I think this is the fastest I've ever written anything, but I wanted to be the first to write part 2 lol

This is Gino's dream wedding, he needs time to pick out the right flowers XD;;

You'd think a knight needs a sword, but I think Gino was a little pre-occupied at the time. It was fun being mean to Lelouch, but he did need a reason to try to force the wedding other than Suzaku being hot and the new US of Japan not panning out in China seemed the most believable lol

The fangirls agree with Sunrise, Suzaku is Gino's boyfriend :D;; And I think Nunnally was the ideal option for breaking up the wedding. And Anya loves her two favorite idiot knights. C.C. is just bored and thinks Lelouch needs to be taken down a peg or two XD;

So does it work for you, is it a good happy ending solution? I think it's hard for Suzaku to be too upset he got permission from Nunnally who finds Lelouch the sort of nice crazy stalker he deserves XD;;

[jusrecht.livejournal.com]

Don't spend too much time picking out flowers Gino, he may escape from your arms again XDD

It really works. I'm ashamed to admit this, but I didn't even think of bringing Nunnally in >_> Yes, if there is someone who can put stop Lelouch's mad scheme, it will be her.

Anya is a fangirl and C.C. is just awesome. Bored? LOL That is so her.

I think Sunrise counts on the fact that China is BIG. Though I'm also curious how Lelouch plans to pull it off. It isn't like settling in an unclaimed territory, as they will be under China's law. Isn't it just the same with area 11, only with a different ruler?

[rkold.livejournal.com]

China is big, but it also has a lot of people already living there. ^^;; And even if it's not as overcrowded as in our 2008, it's still being granted land by an imperial authority which is just always dicey. I sort of think the same as you though it's why I felt very confused by this turn.

I was reading the comments on original Heartstrings and I think (hope) this satisfies how to make it a happy ending while staying true to your set up. Suzaku was willing to sacrifice his happiness to finish the wedding ceremony and Lelouch/Zero had a political reason for the marriage, I just decided to bring in some other characters as well XD; It's also a mercy on Gino since it gives more reason Suzaku might know what Zero looks like under than mask than just the track Gino's mind originally didn't want to take I think a lot of the original responders when first contemplating the scenario forgot Nunnally. I sort of see it as originally Nunnally didn't know how much Suzaku truly abhorred her brother and thought that maybe this was some sort of peace they'd made over their past, it wasn't until Gino dashed in saying he objected that her view changed.

I also sort of can see Anya stepping in since she was the one who signed the death warrant in 08. She might know Suzaku is a masochist, but she also sort of is looking out for him.

And in the end, it really does become something of fairytale, with the fairy godmother defeating the dark enchanter and the white knight rescuing his bride and carrying the bride off on his steed.

Awwww but it's a happy ending so Suzaku can't escape!

But yes, I would love it if you liked to the fic or recc'd it to all the people who wanted a part 2. Now you have a part 2 without even having to write it complete with happy ending. :D

[jusrecht.livejournal.com]

I think Chinese Guy has some more plans up his sleeves, which will be a good match for Lelouch, though he lost some points with me when he started coughing up blood >_>

But the thing about continuing other people's fics is that you can't possibly capture everything the original author has in mind. I mean, we must have different ideas, and I love yours even though they dpn't exactly coincide with mine We're fundamentally different anyway, fluu and angst XD

I can totally see Nunnally thinking that way. She sort of kept her silence at the beginning, but when it was clear that Suzaku had another man in his heart, she decided to knock some sense into her brother's head.

I'm starting to love Anya more and more. I wonder how old she is.

Suzaku doesn't want to seem to happy that he's getting screwed by Gino, but he's in constant denial, so... XDDDD

Ooh, yes, I'll recc it to them!

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Awww you don't think it's funny that Li is dying of consumption? >>;; He needs the prairie cure! too bad that involves going to Britannia I sort of worked under the assumption he had died in my fic XD; He and Lelouch are definitely going to go against each other canonically, I just think at least as thins stand now, going to China is not the easy solution it first appears to be.

No, you can't ever write something exactly how another person sees it. I'm sure going with the same starting scenario I'm using right now, if you were writing the fic I'm working on it would go somewhere completely different. XD;; I just mean I hope I kept things somewhat within the canon you set up in your fic, rather than making a happy ending that goes completely against your characterizations. (i.e. all the fics in HP where various dead people are still alive lol) That and unless you really want to write it, I'm trying to give you a good reason not to write a huge long fic :P

It's a pain sometimes trying to write in the other characters, but sometimes it's fun because they can give another perspective or solution to the characters. :D Anya isn't so hard to write but I find Lloyd trickier.

Well and for Nunally, you have to think her time in Japan as a chibi was probably happy too, and she always remembers the fondness between her brother and Suzaku. It was much easier for her to see the proposal as a positive bringing them back together than the sexual/political ploy Lelouch meant it as.

I liked Anya before, but 08 gave me a new love for her. I've seen someone claim she is 17 and someone claim she is 14. o_O; In a way, she is a bit like Rolo except more socially awkward but more concerned with other's feelings lol

and coincidentally the fic I am still writing involves Suzaku getting screwed by Gino XD;

Yeah!!! Thanks :D

[jusrecht.livejournal.com]

I think it's just me. I have this... thing with great characters who suffer something tragic and generally compel people to sympathize with them.. I want it that if I like a character, it's because I like them, not because I have to. Does that make sense? ^^;

That makes me want to ask, have you ever found a bring-someone-back-from-the-death HP fic which stays true to the original characterization? I don't lurk much in that fandom, but I have this sudden urge to read one XD

Yep, that's the reason why I like Nunnally so much. She's just too sweets for words, though sometimes I'm getting this vibe that she's another sacrificial lamb for the plot *shudders*

14 and already KoR? How awesome is that? But I think she just looks... um, small though I can't explain why she's still so flat-chested ^^

Ohohohohohohohohoho.... *wipes drools*

[rkold.livejournal.com]

That sort of makes sense. Hmmm I tend to want to see the characters I like undergo some sort of drama but then find happiness in the end, or relative happiness. I hope you don't feel like my fics force you to like a character. ^^;; I think I was actually very influenced by fairytales where the characters always suffer something very traumatic before that happily ever after. So you'll see in this fic there will be some bumps in the road.

Hmmm some of them are in character, but by bringing the character back, they're sort of just changed a lot and made the story something it's not. Does that make sense? I've read some lovely HP fics, horribly amusing or porny or what have you, but not even close to canon compliant but considering canon I think I prefer the fics

I am not sure if Nunnally will live or die. I was sort of surprised how few characters died in R1 since it seemed like Seed killed off more half way through. She's sweet but also very strong, possibly stronger than Euphie. I like that about her, I think she would tell Suzaku or Lelouch what they ought to be doing. I love watching her interactions with Suzaku. I don't see it as romantic, but more like.. non-incestuous siblings XD;;

That's the rumor and technically it means she was 13 or 12 when she first became one! o_O; She looks tiny for 14! She's even smaller than Nunnally. Well, we just know Anya is not related to any of the other Geass girls since they're ginormous. I think it's because they want a cute tiny girl in Britannia like Kayuga and the Empress in China, though I like Anya best since she is just so deadpan. :D

[dreamzworld.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I am glad and extremely happy that someone wrote a happy ending >0<

*blush* I was embarrassed not in a bad way, mind you to write your words. I couldn't bear to open my eyes for a few minutes. LOL. ROFL.

The story is so romantic. So is Gino.

Lelouch is amusing.

I want to scream XDDDDDDDDDDDD

I love this fic.

Bear Hug for you XDDDDD And kisses. And flowers for you XD
Btw what is your favourite flower?

Can I friend you?

[jusrecht.livejournal.com]

No, not in your fic XD Or in anybody else's in that matter. Fanfics don't do that to me. It's when canon tries to pull that off that rubs me the wrong way, and somehow Xingke coughing up blood does just that...

I think I understand what you mean. And yes, I've read HP fics better than canon too *sighs*

LOL Loli forever XD CG is just full of fanservice.

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Sure you can friend me, I mostly post about RL/my trips to Japan and occasionally my dolls And GinoSuzu but that last bit was fairly obvious XD;

I'm very fond of Lilacs lol (and hydrangeas XD; )

I'm glad the happy ending worked for you!! I wanted to try to make it semi believable within the storyline and since everyone though that Suzaku would just run off with Gino, he needed a little help XD; I really wanted a happy ending and after Gino left Egypt, I thought he deserved one! For me, Gino is always sort of a romantic if at times dorky guy and he is truly in love. :D

I felt a little bad being so mean to Lelouch But it was also so fun, cause it was Lelouch!

Which words did you like particularly lol

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Yes, I think that is the real secret behind Code Geass, it's a new method of fan-service XD;;;

Hmmm probably because at times I am a bad person, it just makes me laugh about Xingke. >>;; I don't feel bad for him, I just want to giggle. I think part of it is Midorikawa, I find in general I tend to want to laugh at his pain rather than feeling bad for him. >>;; (Like in Scryed, he sent me into gales of laughter when he cried like a little girl, and I don't think that was the intended reaction) At times I feel like the series is being a bit manipulative in trying to make you feel bad for Rolo, and if he suddenly started coughing blood I would probably roll my eyes, but with xingke I just want to bring the popcorn and watch him die horribly.

It's scary how many HP fics are better than canon. ^_^;; Possibly because canon has some of the least convincing het romance I have ever read. ^_^;

[dreamzworld.livejournal.com]

So when is Gino's wedding with Suzaku >0< ?
Waiting for it =P

I like every single sentence.

Almost every paragraph in this fic make me smile, laugh, grin. LOL ROFL.
I know that it should be romantic, but I am really embarrassed XD
You choose good and magical words.

My favourite tenses :
"Yes, yes I do love you,"
"But I can't go with you..."
"But Suzaku and I have a ceremony to finish. Come my bride." => Oh Lelouch... LOL And Suzaku is bride >0< *blush* Lelouch, you were almost lucky to have Suzaku as your wife XD

"Searching foolishly for his sword which was somewhere back on his charter plane or possibly even back in Egypt, Gino didn't care if he was risking another war and more lives, to have someone like this steal away with what the blond had recently come to understand as the only thing of value in his life was unforgivable." LOL. Gino, Gino... Yeah, you are cute, romantic but dorky. But I like his dorkiness >0<

I like the appeareance of Nunnaly too.

"Gino stretched to grab a hold of Suzaku and dragged the boy back against his chest, hugging him tightly and only semi-comprehending the conversation now taking place. Heart pounding in his chest, Gino felt determined to keep himself from even coming close to losing Suzaku again. Letting his training as a knight guide him, the larger blond began trying to calculate his chances of being able to push past the 3 people blocking the door while still holding onto Suzaku. Perhaps if he used the princess as a diversion. Suddenly, the princess' words clicked and he stared, mouth agape, as the fragile seeming girl continued to both lecture and beg for Suzaku's sake." => Bravo Gino!!! *blush* Gino, you look like the knight in the shining armor....

Everytime I reread it, I smile. LOL

I scream too.
OOOO XDDDDDD Can't bear it!!

Btw why is your blog's title Lazy Blogger?

[rkold.livejournal.com]

I call myself the lazy blogger because there have been huge periods of time when I didn't post to my LJ at all. >>; (That and I am lazy in general, you should see the mess that my house currently is. ;;_;; ) I'm trying to post more in my LJ and I've given up the house as a lost cause at the moment since my back is still hurting.

I'm not sure how I thought up the sword idea, but I think that might actually be my favorite bit in the fic lol

I think for me, Gino makes a perfect knight in shinning armor come to rescue his princess bride true love.

I think that is my goal, I like for people to feel happier when they're done reading something I wrote :D

Lelouch would have been lucky to have gotten Suzaku even if it was through trickery, but he's just no Gino XD;; I'm hoping to have another fic written before the end of the week, GinoSuzu just inspires me! :D

And yeah every so often I play with ideas for a marriage fic, but probably it would be unconnected to this one, I think. lol I sort of like the idea of Suzaku wearing a traditional white Japanese bridal gown/robe XD;;; I think he would look just lovely and he does seem to cross dress XD;

[dreamzworld.livejournal.com]

I feel happy after I read yours >0<

It is ok if the fic will be unconnected to this one.

Suzaku must be really pretty with his traditional white Japanese bridal gown/robe XDDD

Wow! This end of the week! You still have the burning desire to write it even though you got hurt >0< Good Luck! Hope you get well soon.

I like your flower's photos from Japan. Who was the person that taking those pictures? Is it you? Cause the pictures is taken beautifully. I can feel their beauty just looking from their pictures.

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Yup, I took all the pictures in Japan except the ones I'm actually in. The ones I'm in vary depending on where I am lol A few were taken of me by my friend Emily and then when I was by myself I asked a few Japanese people to take my picture. :D So as long as it's just flowers without me, then I took it. And thank you! I'm trying to get better at taking pictures and I've been using flowers as my subject since they stay still, mostly. I love Japan.

It helps that I can't actually get up and do other things which also makes me a lot more inclined to sit and write. >>;

I think he would be gorgeous, if I was a better artist I would try to draw it lol I've not decided if Gino wears traditional Japanese clothes to try to show how much he respects Suzaku or wears a more traditional Britannian style outfit.

Yeah!! I'm glad then my writing worked! The new fic I am working on is connected to the last one I wrote, it's a sort of series of 3 which are all stand alones, but also connected. I think in general when I write fics I try to keep them all within the same little universe in my head unless I specifically go for something more AU :D

I'm so happy you like my fics! :D

[dreamzworld.livejournal.com]

Can you speak Japanese?

I request Gino'll wear traditional Japanese clothes. I want to see XD;; Coz I have thought that he have curiosity about Japan coz he's in love with Suzaku. So he'll try Japanese clothes.

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Not really, I just know a few scattered words here and there. ^_^;;

Hehehe, well I think he would look hot either way! <3 Oh Gino and your lovely future bride. :D They're so my favorite pairing right now lol

[xedosarthea.livejournal.com]

yay, a happy ending.

C.C., Nunally and Anya saves the day! :D

great work. it's great that I chose to read this fic after being offline for a few days XD;

[rkold.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! :D I tend to be a more upbeat person so wanteed to come up with a way for the ficlet to have a happy ending. Since I doubted Gino or Suzaku would be able to do it without some help, I brought in some of the ladies of Geass XD;

[azurecerulean.livejournal.com]

Wow, what a plot! Beautiful writing style too.

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Thanks! *blush* I appreciate it. lol I'd nearly forgotten I'd written this.