re: possible enablings idk

[palpitations]

Miss Mun,

I'm glad you're letting me speak again. It's been... Mm. And there are several things that need to be considered. I do not like the way that other boy in here treats Brother. And he shouldn't be the only one allowed to talk.

If you send me somewhere, do it soon. Make sure Brother is there too. As long as Brother is there... I'll even accept it if she's there. It's true, isn't it? You've been asked to join some place where they're both there? But if memories are involved, it'll be like then...

Mm, either way. Decide quickly.

— Rolo L.

Comments

[palpitations]

[ Looking up, he squarely meets Lelouch's gaze, despite knowing how easy it would be for his brother to swipe away contacts and deliver an order like a death sentence. A soft smile forms on his lips. ]

Because... I told you. Brother is a liar and I know everything about you.

[exiledpower]

[ Lelouch raises a hand to Rolo's face. There's nothing inherently affectionate about the gesture; simply a collector surveying a prized doll. ]

Do you trust anything that comes out of my mouth?

[palpitations]

[ He doesn't move, simply waiting. ]

Mm. Sometimes. I can tell... the way Brother's expression changes. Even when Brother thinks he's hiding it. It's a shift in Brother's voice, sometimes very difficult to tell. The way Brother stands, the way Brother gestures. I know.

[exiledpower]

How awfully presumptive.

[ A faint lift of a single brow as his fingers trail along his jawbone. Yes, he remembers this, albeit under very different circumstances. ]

I dislike being read, [ cruelly ] Brother.

[palpitations]

[ Another wince as Lelouch's voice takes on a cruel tone. He swallows, but doesn't step back or back down. ]

I— Don't... Don't do that.

[exiledpower]

I'm not doing anything.

[ Liar. ]

If you truly know everything, you would also know this is the true face of the man you've sworn to protect.

[palpitations]

[ Frowns. ]

No, it's not. You're lying. Don't do that.

[exiledpower]

[ He remembers this, too, the heady feeling of absolute control over someone else. It's maddeningly addicting. ]

Seeing only what you wish to see may distort reality, Rolo, but it doesn't change it.

[ His hand falls away, and he turns his head aside. ]

Even the most majestic of beasts have their flaws. If you can't accept that, you've no right to call me family.

[palpitations]

[ He takes hurried step forward before halting. ]

...I know what you are. Brother is cruel. Brother is manipulative. Brother is... We're killers, both of us, and we do what we must.

But—

Brother is also kind. Brother is also loving.

[ Lowering his voice, he holds out his cellphone, the locket that means so much to him. ]

You can't tell me we're not family. That would be a lie too. You said it yourself, Brother... And I know you weren't lying then.

[exiledpower]

Accusing me of kindness and cruelty in the same breath? You're delusional.

[ His gaze does trail back to the locket, however. ]

I lie whenever it suits me. Such is the fare of the "Demon Emperor".

[palpitations]

I know when you're lying. And it's true. That's how Brother is. You can try to tell me differently but... I know.

[exiledpower]

[ Read this, then. Cue poker face. ]

I love you, Rolo.

[palpitations]

[ Pauses, looking up to read Lelouch's express, but most importantly, his eyes... ]

You're lying again. You... You don't know what to think about me. I think—

[ What he thinks, he doesn't say. But he leaves it at that. He knows that Lelouch doesn't actually love him. ]

You love her.

[exiledpower]

[ Not the wisest thing to say, Rolo, but his features still betray nothing. ]

I can't love you both?

[palpitations]

You were ready to die for her, Brother. You would never die for me.

[exiledpower]

I died for the sake of a peaceful world, Rolo.

[ His eyes soften. ]

And had you survived, that peaceful world would've belonged to you as well.

[palpitations]

....Now you're telling the truth.

[exiledpower]

[ He breaks into a smile. ]

I am.

[palpitations]

Brother...

[exiledpower]

[ Sigh. You're never going to stop abusing that word, are you? ]

Yes?

[palpitations]

[ It's not just a word. It's a name for someone important to him. ]

I... Never mind.

[exiledpower]

[ Sighing. Again. ]

Just tell me, Rolo.

[palpitations]

[ Shakes his head. ]

I'm... glad to see you again.

[exiledpower]

I'm glad, too.

[ Kind of. ]

Did you want...?

[ ...a hug...

...or something... ]

[palpitations]

[ Tilts his head, giving a blink. Lelouch was hardly ever the super affectionate type. He hardly expects anything like a hug. ]

Want what?