Birthdays and Ficcage

[rkold]

Title: Happy Summer Wedding Part 2 Part 1 here
Author: rkold
Series: Code Geass
Pairings: Gino x Suzaku (and others but mostly GinoSuza)
Approx word count: 4500 for Part 2 >>;
Rating: PG-13 or so

Warnings: Completely made up ending to Geass, made up OCs, made up facts and all those good things. Subtle spoiler for episode 09 of R2 and lots of WAFF and crack. :D



After rather enthusiastically re-christening the couch, the two knights fed a rather miffed Arthur before eating a light dinner themselves. Enjoying the quiet before the storm and just celebrating the fact they'd agreed on a date. And as Gino cheerfully remarked while eating some nabe, with only 3 months before the wedding his parents could only do so much damage. If they were really lucky, perhaps Gino's family wouldn't even be able to attend. Suzaku had rolled his eyes and stole one of the bamboo shoots and a piece of chicken from Gino's plate.

The next morning as usual since their becoming romantically entangled, as Suzaku preferred to term it, they were rushing around the apartment trying to get ready for work when there was a knock on the door. Brow creasing Suzaku went to answer it, leaving Gino still partially dressed. A sudden horrible vision appeared to the blond and he nearly shouted that they ought to sneak out the bathroom window and down the fire escape, but by the time it occurred to him it was already too late. Standing speechless in the doorway, Suzaku stared at a Japanese man with thick curly hair wondering who he was and why he looked vaguely familiar.

"Lord Kururugi?"

"Oh, ummm, come in."

Stepping into the small genkan Suzaku had insisted they needed for their first apartment, the stranger removed his shoes and switched into one of the helpful pairs of slippers Suzaku had arranged in a moment of domesticity.

"Would you like some tea?" Biting his lower lip, Suzaku tried to remember if Gino had told him about any guests he was expecting and wondering how they would ever manage to make it to work on time now. "Gino... Your guest is here!"

"I'm here to see you, Lord Kururugi, Rabbi Ougi." Giving a quick polite bow, Ougi then offered his hand to the stunned knight. "I was told you were interested in converting."

When Suzaku had finally recovered his senses enough to do anything but stand slack jawed, he had to at least be a little grateful to his future in-laws. Somehow they had managed to track down the possibly only Japanese rabbi. Though Suzaku couldn't stop the niggling feeling that somehow he knew Ougi Kaname from somewhere. This seemed highly unlikely since shrine boys and rabbis rarely traveled in the same religious circles.

"Did I come at a bad time?" asked Ougi.

"We're just running late to work, as usual," replied Gino blithely who had snuck up behind Suzaku and wrapped his arms around the smaller knight, placing several small kisses on his neck and jawbone. "Gino Weinberg, future husband to Suzaku."

"Perhaps I could give you my keitai number and you could let me know a better time to stop by," smiled Ougi awkwardly.

"Oh, I tossed our keitais out an open window yesterday," grinned Gino cheerfully as he finally released his fiance to find his one missing glove.

"Gino!"

Finding the glove hidden behind one of the pillows on the couch, Gino just raised an eyebrow and gave Suzaku a look clearly expressing given the fact they currently had an uninvited rabbi in their apartment throwing out their keitais was probably a good idea.

Suzaku sighed and tried to smile politely. "Rabbi Ougi, perhaps if you had some time you could stop by the embassy in an hour or so, since we're having a communications glitch.

Relieved that things seemed arranged, Ougi bowed his good byes and shook hands with both, retrieving his shoes. Waiting until the rabbi had left, Suzaku crossed his hands over his chest and frowned deeply, an expression Gino particularly disliked.

"Gino, you can't just throw out our keitais or disconnect our phone, what if someone needed to contact us?"

"Like who?"

Biting his lip Suzaku tried to think of someone. "Anya."

"She'd come in person and probably knock down several apartment blocks."

"Nunnally."

"She could send an attache."

"The Emperor."

Gino just gave Suzaku a dark look making clear his feelings on being interrupted by the Emperor in any format. "I'll get you a new keitai, I just want to be sure the number is really completely unlisted. Believe me, you'll thank me later, Suzaku. I love you."

Petting Arthur until the cat gave him a sharp bite to remind Suzaku who was still the boss, Suzaku slumped his shoulders in defeat. "We'd better get to the embassy since we can't let Nunnaly know we're running late and I wouldn't want her to worry."

Grinning, Gino gave his fiance a kiss and steered him towards the genkan.

The first thing Gino did when they got to the embassy was announce their new wedding date to anyone who was in listening radius and even to a few people who weren't. Suzaku blushed and didn't say a word despite Nunnally's giggling. Her laughter only became louder when her new publicist had snidely pointed out that the 11th was a Tuesday after having been told for the 37th time of the upcoming union. Crestfallen for all of five minutes, it took a squeeze from Suzaku's hand and the promise by Nunnally the 11th would be a holiday to return Gino to his ebullient spirits. Secretly Suzaku was having a difficult time not smiling himself between the antics of his very zealous fiance and the fact that they now had a date. It made the nuptials seem more like a fact and not some sort of dream that could be swept away. By the time Ougi finally arrived at the embassy, Suzaku had nearly forgotten about the man's earlier visit and had rushed to find some green tea to offer the rabbi as well as a quiet location where they would be unlikely to be interrupted.

The time frame needed for the conversion to take place in was a little tight explained Ougi when Suzaku informed the rabbi over tea and a few stale cookies of the wedding date. But with study and daily sessions Ougi assured the teen it was possible. In joining the Britannian military at 10 Suzaku had already dealt with one of the hardest parts of the conversion process and had gotten circumcised as was the general expected fashion in Britannia. Suzaku was just wondering how to broach the subject of needing an hour a day for his lessons with Nunnally when her publicist appeared, his usual superior expression firmly in place.

"Suzaku, you're late, and the children are waiting."

Blushing darker, Suzaku stood putting on a mask of polite subservience. "I'm sorry for keeping you waiting, thank you again, Rabbi... I'll.." Suzaku paused and bit his lip as he realized in Gino's obsession with their wedding he'd forgotten to remind his future spouse about rectifying their newly lacking keitais.

"Don't worry, Lord Kururugi, I'll stop by here tomorrow, I'm sure my other pupil would be interested in talking to you." Turning to leave, Ougi just stood and stared at the man blocking the doorway who in turn had widened his eyes at the sight of the rabbi.

"Ougi?!"

"Oh, do you know one another, Diethard?" queried Suzaku.

Coughing Ougi tried to hide his own blush. "We've met a few times..."

"Lelouch asked if I wouldn't keep an eye out on his sister." smiled Diethard Reid speaking very clearly, before his eyes completely lit up with glee. It was a frightening expression even to two seasoned veterans like Ougi and Suzaku. "You're a rabbi!"

"Uhh yes."

"And you're converting to Judaism?"

"Yes."

The gleeful expression turned slightly demonic. "Wonderful! This is an even better photo opportunity than you eating lunch with a mixed class of Britannian and Japanese school children!" Grabbing both shocked Japanese by their shoulders, he dragged them out of the room.

With Diethard's insistence Suzaku had no problem getting the requisite study time, not that Nunnally had ever been likely to refuse him. Though Suzaku had mixed feelings about his lessons being transformed into what almost felt like a publicity stunt. Ougi seemed to be taking the entire situation with good grace, which the teen was thankful for since he had no idea how one would go about finding a new rabbi had Ougi refused. During his second lesson, Suzaku was surprised to discover that Villetta Nu was to be his future classmate. Smiling, she'd explained to call her Chigusa now and that she was looking into becoming a Japanese citizen as well.

Other than the constant cameras, the next week passed relatively peaceful for Gino and Suzaku and Gino felt even more positive about the future than normal. Gino's parents had not yet learned their new keitai numbers and had not reappeared though they had made their presence known in small ways. Every evening Gino and Suzaku returned from their positions at the embassy they were greeted with prepared meals from various caterers vying for the chance to cater the Weinberg-Kururugi wedding along with samples and business cards from various other wedding type professionals. While a bit overwhelming it was still less so than Michael and Georgiana. Suzaku was just beginning to feel almost as optimistic as Gino when there was another unexpected knock on the door. Almost use to the constant stream of temporary visitors wanting to be a part of their wedding, Suzaku opened the door.

"Kururugi Suzaku, how dare you!"

"Kaguya, I mean Prime Minister!" stammered Suzaku taking an unconscious step backwards at his cousin's fury and nearly tripping despite his usual athletic prowess, feeling a sense of deja vu.

"How dare you plan your wedding and not ask for my help!" Sniffling Kaguya looked up at her cousin with shimmering emerald eyes. "You promised when we were 8 that I could plan your wedding!"

"But I thought you hated me!" exclaimed Suzaku remembering that the last time he had seen his cousin was only seconds before Gino proposed. He of course knew about her election as Japan's youngest and first female Prime Minister as well as her own broken engagement to Zero-sama upon discovering his true identity.

Hands on hips, Kaguya just stared exasperated at Suzaku. "We're family, all either of us has left now!" Clasping her hands together her expression became a bit starry eyed. "And this is the wedding of the century!"

Suzaku just stared at her as a warm hand came to rest on his shoulder and Gino surveyed their newest guests. "You better not be insulting Suzaku again," growled Gino sourly, pulling his fiance closer to him. "I don't care if you're the Prime Minister."

Pouting for a second, Kaguya ignored any menace in the towering knight. "This is going to be the most splendid wedding the world has ever seen!" twirling around Kaguya smiled sunnily.

"How do we know this is not some sort of plot of yours to just ruin things?"

"Mou! I would never stand in the way of true love, even if it's for a Britannian." Teasing Kaguya stuck out her tongue.

"She wouldn't. She wouldn't let Lelouch marry Tianzi to anyone but Li Xingke." responded C.C. in a blase tone ignoring the attention directed her way.

"But you adore that I believe in true love C.C." exclaimed the Prime Minister as she went to grab her faithful advisor's hand tugging slightly.

"I still don't trust you."

"This really will be the most romantic wedding ever and Japan is going to be the center of all the drama, all the beauty, all the pageantry!" Giving a sly look to C.C. Kaguya grinned up at Gino. "And just think, with my involvement it will top the Emperor's coronation."

"Really?" asked Gino a gleeful light in his eyes.

Grimacing, Suzaku stared at his cousin, already imagining the gears turning in Gino's head from her definitely calculated attack. People always seemed to underestimate Kaguya and having spent time with her as a child, Suzaku knew the truth about her. "Please, why don't we finish this inside." Bowing as well he could with Gino still clinging to him Suzaku gave the two women entry.

Smirking delightedly Gino lead Kaguya towards the living room peppering her with wedding questions.
Stalking into the kitchen Suzaku searched for his serving tray to serve some tea and leftover sample pastries, disregarding C.C. as she shadowed him.

"She's not going to ruin your wedding, unless you're worried you won't be the prettiest one there. And I promise to teach you my skin care tricks before then."

Suzaku gritted his teeth as he tried to sound nonchalant starting the water going. "I'm not worried about that."

"Is it because of who she brought to the last wedding she attended?"

Loudly Suzaku set several mugs down on the tray doing his best to completely ignore C.C.'s voice before searching for his favorite teapot and his best green tea.

"Lelouch is not going to carry you off at gun point, he has enough members of his harem without you."

"Your reassurances are greatly appreciated," snapped Suzaku. Squeezing his hands as he tried to control his emotions.

"Bridezilla."

"Huh?"

Chuckling, C.C. hit the slender knight on the back of his head and stole a strawberry off the shortcake Suzaku had removed from the refrigerator. "The wedding will be fine." Smiling to herself, she poured the hot water into the pot to let the tea seep. "Your fiance seems nearly as enthused as Kaguya about it."

Blinking for several seconds as C.C. left their tiny kitchen Suzaku had the sudden realization he'd just left his at times surprisingly innocent fiance with his cousin for at least 10 minutes. Grabbing the tray he dashed out of the kitchen and towards the living room placing it noisily on their kotatsu and glancing with wide panicked eyes at Gino and the Prime Minister.

Attempting to sit in seiza and failing miserably, Gino was smiling happily, his expression brightening even more at Suzaku's arrival. Pulling the anxious knight next to him, Gino gave a fast kiss to Suzaku's cheek to an approving sound from Kaguya.

"Your cousin was just telling me about how you use to dress up as geisha when you were little, do you have any pictures, Suzaku? Did some guy really try to buy you?"

"It was a long--"

"Ho ho ho. I can send you a picture. Suzaku should wear a bridal kimono at your wedding, Gino-san, then you could see just how pretty he is."

"WHAT?!?!" choked Suzaku in horror managing even with his quick reflexes to spill some tea on their tray knowing he was doomed the second he stared back at his fiance and saw the ecstatic expression on Gino's face.

"Could we really do that?" questioned Gino over his fiance, not even concerned by the other boy's obvious disapproval in his excitement, looking nearly as starry-eyed as Kaguya.

"Of course, Gino-san, I can't see why not." Taking a sip from her tea, Kaguya's eyes glittered mischievously at her cousin. "But you're representing Japan to the whole world, Suzaku! You need to share our traditions!"

Pulling Suzaku into a huge hug barely able to suppress his anticipation at the vision of the boy in a kimono. "Please Suzaku? I'll let you pick whatever I'm going to wear," implored Gino.

Suzaku knew he had lost from the moment the words had left Kaguya's mouth and seeing the other boy's large blue eyes full of hope left him utterly defeated. Sighing and knowing just how much he was going to regret this he made a small sound of acquiescence earning him several large kisses and a squeeze.

Taking an eclair, C.C. took a small bite amused at the proceedings. Kaguya was in rare form today.

"Suzaku, your cousin was telling me about bridal parties too!"

"Bridal parties?"

Laughter tinkling, Kaguya looked at Suzaku and rolled her eyes. "Mou, Suzaku don't you remember anything."

"I do... I just thought our wedding might be.. small."

"SMALL? You're cousin to the Prime Minister of Japan and a Knight of the Round! Suzaku you need a grand wedding. Todou-san and I can give you away since we're your last remaining family."

"What?!"

Patiently rubbing Suzaku's arm try to stop the sudden shaking and as if he was speaking to small child, Gino smiled mildly. "Who were you going to ask, Suzaku? I'm going to have my parents."

"I hadn't..Lloyd-san is my guardian."

"But Todou-san practically raised you until you were 10, Suzaku, he'd be heartbroken if you forgot him!"

"And then abandoned me to the Britannians when he decided to become a revolutionary," grumbled Suzaku folding his arms.

"Suzaku..."

"I have an idea!" broke in Gino sensing his fiance was losing his patience. "Your cousin and Lloyd can give you away, it represents your full past, Suzaku."

"Fine."

"Have you picked a Maid of Honor or Best Man yet?" asked Kaguya tone ringing with false innocence to those who knew her.

"Anya! I call Anya!" shouted Gino before his glowering fiance could even respond.

"Shouldn't Anya be the Maid of Honor?"

"I called her first! Sorry, Suzaku."

"Don't worry, Suzaku, I know the perfect choice for Maid of Honor." Reaching across the kotatsu Kaguya rested her tiny hands on one of Suzaku's trapping it against the hard surface. "Someone who has known you for years, and knows you as well as I am sure Anya-san knows GIno-san."

Between the pressure on his hands and the smile on his cousin's face Suzaku knew he was going to hate the suggestion and knew with just as much assurance that he was ensnared and there was going to be no way he could refuse.

"I think you should have Lelouch!"

"WHAT?!?!" squawked Gino and Suzaku in unison.

C.C. nearly spit out her piece of eclair as she looked at Kaguya. Even she hadn't expected her petite charge to go that far and after her conversation with Suzaku in the kitchen she wasn't sure this was a good suggestion. Rubbing her forehead in advance, she shook her head slowly watching to see how Kaguya would outmaneuver the two knights.

Smiling sunnily, only the insidious increase in pressure on Suzaku's hand showing that she was not completely ignoring the two boys. "But Lelouch would be perfect! He could even design the dress!"

"That bastard is not coming to our wedding, not after everything he's done to Suzaku!"

"But Suzaku said he forgave Lelouch."

"I don't care, that bastard is not coming to our wedding."

"But if he's an invited guest, he can't crash the wedding and do anything disruptive!"

"No!"

"But he's the brother of your employer."

"No!"

"Suzaku, won't you reconsider?"

Trembling with anger that his cousin had dared to suggest someone so inappropriate Suzaku glared at his cousin. "No," spat the teen with great vitriol. "No."

Sighing, Kaguya looked at both boys with a mix of sympathy and pity alerting C.C. that she was about to enter the endgame. "Mou, Suzaku, Gino-san, where do you plan to get married?"

"Japan.."

"And where do you plan to live after you're married?"

"Japan..."

"And what country do you plan to gain citizenship of, Suzaku?"

"Suzaku is Japanese!"

Mouth open in horror, the smaller knight finally realized what exactly Kaguya was playing at only seconds before Gino grasped it as well. "You wouldn't dare Kaguya!"

"Oh, I would, Suzaku." Clasping her hands together she closed her eyes in pleasure. "Just think how dramatic the wedding will be, former best friends reunited and supporting one another at this once in a lifetime event!"

"And you promise that bastard won't do anything disruptive?"

"Of course!"

"Gino, you can't be serious! You hate Lelouch!"

"I do. But I also know we don't have a choice," grimaced Gino. "And maybe that bastard will turn her down." Both knights doubted it, but Lelouch was known for being a genius when it came to strategy unlike the two of them.

"I promise, I'll handle Lelouch accepting. Now have you started thinking about a location or caterers?"

"Actually, my mother has been handling that," smiled Gino, still petting Suzaku in an attempt to comfort his smaller fiance. "I'd be happy to give you a method to contact her."

"If you would Gino-san!"

Writing it down, Gino's grin was almost evil as a sense of schadenfreude swept through him after being ambushed by both his parents and Kaguya. "Just remember, they live in New York, so be careful of the time change."
"Thank you, Gino-san. I'm afraid C.C. and I must be on our way, we have a new Pizza Hut opening to attend." Giving a not very deep bow, Kaguya pocketed the contact information and allowed Gino to see her and C.C. out.

Just sitting and staring at his lukewarm tea, Suzaku was beginning to wonder if he and Gino shouldn't just elope, though Kaguya had made it clear that such an action would be the end of any of his dreams of being able to enjoy the newly freed Japan. When his fiance returned, Gino just held Suzaku tightly in his embrace for an hour all thoughts of the world outside of them dismissed.

Neither said much as he evening progressed, Gino having learned that sometimes it was best to leave Suzaku to his thoughts to allow the slender knight a chance to accept whatever drastic changes to his life had just occurred. Trying to be helpful Gino had done his best to put away the refreshments left on the table and to feed Arthur. He'd then made a huge strawberry scented bubble bath and filled it with boats. Gently he'd divested his fiance of his clothing and helped him into the tub before joining him. Lying naked in bed afterwards Gino had combed his fingers through the teen's hair and kissed the shell of his ear until the boy had fallen asleep.

By morning, Suzaku was mostly back to normal and made his usual complaints as they got ready. Over the next week Suzaku continued his conversion lessons hoping that eventually Diethard would grow bored with using him as a publicity stunt, but it never seemed to happen. Neither Kaguya or Michael and Georgiana appeared, but the nearly constant emails between Georgiana and Kaguya carbon copied to both Gino and Suzaku alerted them to the war taking place between the groom and bride's side of the family. It had started with a politely formal missive from Kaguya and had been volleyed back with an equally formal billet from Georgiana refusing to give any ground. The epistles had remained polite but had gotten steadily more frosty and formal as each side lost and gained ground. If Suzaku had been a different sort of person he would have been amused but instead was just frustrated with having to spend more time cleaning out his mailbox.

It wasn't until a 2 full weeks later that Suzaku received the message he had been dreading, that Lelouch had agreed to meet with him to discuss the wedding. After nearly as much wrangling as between Kaguya and Georgiana, it was decided that Gino would be able to attend the proposed meeting to plan the wedding on the condition he promised to do his best to behave and not to let Lelouch bait him. A location and time were set-up and Suzaku wondered for not the first time how he had gotten himself into this situation.

At Suzaku's insistence they'd arrived at the Starbucks near Shinjuku station opposite the newly rebuilt Takashimaya first. Fortunately, the weather was lovely and they took a semi private table outside. Gino had ordered Suzaku a Caramel Frappucino and had picked out a Green Tea Frappucino completely entranced by the bright lime green color. Holding the smaller knight's hand under the table, they waited.

"Suzaaakuuuuuu!

Glancing up, Suzaku saw his cousin, for once not wearing a kimono and instead wearing what looked almost like a school uniform except with bondage straps on it, swallowing hard and not really wanting to dwell on that concept. Following behind her were C.C. and Lelouch who appeared to be in a heated argument, which ended with C.C. pointing firmly towards the inside of the Starbucks and Lelouch stalking off.

Frowning deeply in a mirror image of his fiance, Gino gave Suzaku's hand another large squeeze for support.

"Sorry, did we keep you waiting?" bouncing slightly Kaguya dainty sat in one of the two empty chairs before the green haired witch joined her, the two somehow managing to share the seat next to Gino.

"No. We came early."

"Mou, Gino-san, you need to talk to your mother about the wedding!"

"I do? Mother knows a lot about Britannian weddings, 2 of my elder brothers are married."

"Yes, but--"

"Here are your drinks," complained Lelouch petulantly before collapsing into the only open seat, raising an eyebrow at the grating sound of Suzaku's chair being moved. "I thought you wanted me here, Suzaku."

"I do." answered Suzaku through gritted teeth as Kaguya gave him a sharp kick in the shin.

"You've never been to visit me at my store."

"I've been busy at work and planning my wedding," lied Suzaku. Not wanting to mention that outside of his feelings for Lelouch still being rather complicated seeing Lelouch's current attire reminded the knight that this was another arena where their viewpoints did not mesh. It had seemed both unexpected and horrifyingly perfect when Suzaku had heard from Nunnally that her brother was opening up his own couture shop to sell his clothing designs. Nunnally had gotten to pick the location and Rolo had gotten to name it, and thus "Creepy Stalker" was born. And perhaps because of Lelouch's notoriety or good looks the shop was a huge success.

"But as your Maid of Honor, you'll have to visit with me," teased Lelouch in an overly sweet voice.

"Yes, we can.. catch up."

"I've offered Lelouch the chance to design the outfits for the Maid of Honor and Bridesmaids. You approve don't you, Suzaku?"

"Yeah, I guess," sighed the small knight resting against Gino. The taller knight was doing his best to keep his temper despite what felt like that bastard flirting with his fiance.

"What about Suzaku's dress? I'd be happy to measure him and we could work closely on it"

"Suzaku is wearing a bridal kimono," responded Gino icily, putting his arm around the teen's shoulder. "And I've promised Suzaku he can pick my clothes."

Framing his face in his fingers before taking a drink of his plain black coffee, Lelouch stared at his childhood best friend cum former boyfriend with his one remaining eye.

Blushing slightly, Suzaku bit his lip before facing Lelouch and taking a calming breath "So will you do it Lelouch? Will you be my Maid of Honor?"

"I thought you'd never ask."


And on that note, a Happy Birthday (which it is still his Birthday in both Japan and here) to Suzaku, my favorite character in Geass. May you actually get some happiness in Geass preferably with Gino or at least in a ton of doujinshi and fan-art!

Happy Belated Birthday to kosquarepelli!

If I can be competent tomorrow I will try to scan some stuff and major try to draw something. Sadly there is no way this fic will be done tomorrow, but hopefully before Sunday since I just was reminded I'm spending Sunday out seeing Wicked! :D