"TOGETHER"
Oct. 1st, 2012 12:25 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ginbeanNotes: Based off of events in the game ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
rakuen and my cross-fandom OC, Britannia. Notably this story is going to seem extremely rushed and lackluster in some areas. This is mostly because I am covering the events of all of Code Geass and then some into one... short... fic...
/sob
The first time they meet, she’s immaculate in her blood red uniform with gold trim while he’s lucky to sit upright in his hospital bed.
“I’m the Holy Empire of Britannia.” She introduces herself, a perfectly blank smile on her lips as her cold eyes look him over and obviously find him wanting. “I’ll be taking care of you from now on, by order of his Majesty.” She adds, voice disgustingly bright, as if they aren’t discussing the conditions of his defeat. "Once you've recovered, anyway."
And as every fiber of his body demands he teach this impudent child to respect him, his traitorous mouth instead replies: "Thank you. I am Japa-"
"Area 11." She interrupts, expression unmoving as that suddenly innocent smile becomes menacing.
The title makes his blood curdle.
"... Area 11." He repeats, lips numb as he appropriately lowers his gaze as the defeated nation. When she smiles wider, something inside of him gets buried so deep, he knows he'll never find it again.
"Nice to meet you."
---
He's not alone in her house, which makes her all the more terrifying. Preceding him are any number of faces, some recognizable and some not. Mexico, Greenland, Iceland, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador... the list goes on and on until he can't bear to think about it anymore. The largest empire in human history and he's just another stone upon which it steps. As the years pass and he finds himself gaining more and more company, he feels his dying heart nearly break the day Korea shows up. When their gazes meet, Japan finds himself looking away in shame.
How could the land of the rising sun have sunk so low?
But it's not until he feels arms sliding around him that the tears begin to flow. As the emptiness gives way to despair, Korea, for all their differences, holds him tight and comforts him. All their past disputes seem so petty now.
---
7 years pass and nothing changes. By then, there is almost nothing left in any of the other countries. Even Korea's personality has dimmed as Britannia's influence slowly erases them one by one, assimilating them into her fold. Eventually they will all disappear, just like the famed British America and Province of Canada did before them.
But he remains.
Even if he is powerless and sinking, he can still feel the fiery pride of a samurai burning within him. Not all hope is lost.
And then... a change.
One day Britannia returns home from her bi-weekly meeting with the Britannia court looking mildly upset.
"Someone killed my prince." She informs Japan idly, tone rather uncaring. "Well, Clovis always was a little weak. I'm just surprised someone had the courage to do it." She adds, interest gleaming in her eyes as she hangs uncomfortably close to him, draping her arms over his shoulders and hugging him from behind. "You're so interesting, Kiku."
She's onto him, he notes. She knows he isn't fading away like the others, even though he's been a part of her for so long, but for some reason that makes him her favorite.
'How troublesome.' He thinks, even as he tries to dissuade her from the belief that he knows anything.
---
He's been labeled as a rebellious area.
'Late,' he can't help but think. 'I've always been rebellious.' The thought in itself is a little mutinous, a sign that he's slowly returning to his old self, and all because of Zero. Britannia is more agitated than ever these days as she lazes around the house and sighs while looking out windows wistfully. Her emperor has forbidden her from taking part in the warfare and so she is forced to watch and wait as her people are constantly outwitted by the Black Knights.
In a way, she is just as much a prisoner as her areas are.
"Kiku, will you play a game with me?" She asks him abruptly when she can't handle the boredom any longer. Unforgiving, he calls her a brat in his mind even as he settles himself into a chair across from her.
"What do you want to play, Britannia?"
"You choose."
And so he brings down his GO set from his room and introduces the game to her, knowing she'll be delighted by it's wonderful 'foreign Area culture' qualities. Without question, she throws herself into the complex rules and plays aggressively.
He beats her once, then three more times in rematches. Halfway through the fourth match, she shoves herself away from the table, claims she's growing tired and walks away.
"A child." Korea, who was watching from the doorway, remarks once she's gone, a smirk on his lips.
"Such a child." Japan agrees.
---
The first firing of FLEIJA burns them both. The day the Tokyo settlement goes up in a flare of light and power, Japan collapses in the library and is carried by a near hysterical Korea to his bed. When Iceland goes to Britannia to tell her, he finds her bent over on the floor and clutching her right hand, sweating with pain.
The burn mark is exactly the same for the both of them.
Later, when news spreads of exactly what happened, Japan curls in on himself and wonders what it means that a blow to Britannia hurt him as well.
---
In the year 2018, Schneizel el Britannia makes 3 new additions to the house.
When Japan sees France, the European shrugs as if to silently say 'what can you do?'
"Eyebrows sure created a brat." Spain mutters as he slouches over the dining room table one afternoon, looking up at the lavish decorations with disgust. He isn't taking his defeat well. France, who's admiring a decoration of roses in a vase, pulls one out and smells it before returning to the table.
"Angleterre couldn't have known what would become of his loyalists." He remarks, tone light as he takes a seat next to his old friend.
"But if you hadn't invaded London, they never would have come to America." Russia points out, infuriating smile fixed on his lips as he fingers a battered scarf around his neck, laughter in his voice hiding the nearly palpable rage he's truly feeling.
"It's in the past." Japan, sitting with them, remarks. He enjoys their company, if only because they're still distinctly unique and alive. They have yet to fall into the dismal abyss that is Britannia's influence. At his remark, Spain gives a low laugh and eyes him with amusement.
"Easy for you to say, Japón. I hear your rising sun's come back to life."
"Rising sun?" Russia quips, blinking like the innocent child everyone knows he isn't.
"Zero." France murmurs, still enjoying the scent of the rose. "Zero has returned from the dead." Though Japan says nothing, there is a slightly vicious- and proud- smile on his lips as he folds a square of paper into a crane. "Do you think he will do better this time?" When Japan remains silent, France chooses instead to chuckle softly.
"Still, it'd be nice to help give la niña the final boot." Spain murmurs wistfully, sitting upright and resting his head on his chin.
"The little girl? That's not nice." A voice interrupts and they all freeze save Russia who turns to look at their speaker. Britannia stands in the doorway, her hands behind her back as she smiles at them all like not a thing is wrong. It's that smile that makes Japan concerned.
"Britannia, welcome home." France greets her, getting to his feet and walking over. "No hard feelings, oui?" When Britannia smiles a little more sincerely and embraces him, giving the European a kiss on the cheek in greeting, the other nations stare.
"Why should the victor begrudge the loser?" She inquires, tone playful as she steps back and returns to her rigid posture. "As a former empire, you understand that best, don't you?"
"That was a long time ago." France replies, playing a game Japan doesn't quite yet understand as he draws her hand to his lips and kisses the back of it.
"But it still happened, Francis, and I'm very grateful for it." Britannia replies smoothly, never taking her eyes off the blond as she retracts her hand and tucks it behind her back. "Kiku, I have some good news for you." She suddenly adds, shifting her attention upon the Asian whose fingers hesitate on the wings of his origami.
"Oh?" He replies, tone carefully blank as he turns his eyes upon her. When she meets his gaze with a familiar cruel streak, a chill settles in his stomach.
"Suzaku Kururugi is returning home." At that name, France, Spain and Russia start. The nightmare of the white reaper that destroyed their armies still fresh in their minds.
"... to deal with Zero." Japan finishes after a moment, understanding dawning in his eyes as his hands slowly clench, destroying the crane.
"To kill him." She corrects, voice inappropriately bright as she then turns her gaze upon Spain who bristles like a threatened dog. "And I would take care where you voice your rebellious thoughts, 21." She adds, causing him to growl at his new title. "While I understand your feelings, I really don't like to be called a little girl."
"I'll make a note of it, niña." Spain replies, purposefully spiteful as he crosses his arms and sneers. An expression that is lost when- in the blink of an eye- Britannia pulls out a gun and shoots him in the leg. As Spain crumples, a pained yell escaping his lips as he hits the floor and clutches the wound, her expression never changes even as she keeps the gun leveled at him.
"Maybe I should say 'you're in my care' instead of 'I'll be taking care of you.'" She remarks over Spain's cursing to the others. "That would probably clear up the confusion."
"Bese mi as-!"
"You're a country," Britannia interrupts calmly, looking at him with a meaningless smile. "So you won't die so easily. If you'd like, we can take this outside and I can continue to shoot you until you get the point. Or should I have my soldiers take the guns to your people instead?"
No one says anything, not even France who is caught between looking at his friend and the child he helped create. As Spain continues to stare at Britannia, pure hatred in his eyes, he finally lowers his head, choosing to make the sacrifice for his people. At his submission, Britannia's smile brightens just a fraction, even as her eyes reflect nothing and she returns the gun to its hiding place.
"See? I knew we could get along."
---
Charles zi Britannia, the 98th Emperor, is dead.
As the TV shows the forcible ascension of Lelouch vi Britannia and his knight, Kururugi Suzaku, the nations under Britannia's control have gathered to watch the broadcast with mixed reactions.
"Ay. Is nobody in this country sane?" Spain grouses, voiced pointedly loud. He still insists on baiting Britannia, even if he knows it will cause him pain. It's the only way he knows how to fight anymore. Japan, watching from afar at a small coffee table with Korea, wonders quietly how this will change their circumstances, if at all.
That night, Britannia gathers them all in the dining room.
"You can go home." Are the first words out of her mouth once everyone's settled. At first, nobody speaks. Nobody even dares to breathe as they all stare at her like she's completely lost her mind.
"... what did you say?" Japan is the first to react, his voice echoing in the deadly quiet room. Britannia, who refuses to even look at him and instead chooses to focus on the bit of table directly in front of her, repeats it in dull, emotionless tones. And then the room erupts into chaos as the nations rejoice, shout disbelief and hurtle questions. Britannia, refusing to respond to any of it, simply gets up and exits the room while Spain all but jumps on his chair and shouts his joy. Japan, too caught up in wondering why the new emperor would release them, misses France leaving the room as well.
He finds her outside, sitting on a bench swing that is worn with age. She's sprawled across it with her hands folded on her chest and looking up at the sky, it's the only time he's ever seen her so undignified.
"Britannia?" He inquires, voice light. "Are you alright?"
"Hmm... who knows?" She replies, voice automatically content as she stares up at the stars. "But even if I'm not, it doesn't matter. My Emperor's orders are absolute." And her lips twist into an ugly smile at that, like she's found a terrible joke in her own words.
"A boss's command is important." France agrees, taking a seat at the end of the swing and staring at her. "But as a country, there is something you should prioritize even more."
"Hmm?" She murmurs in reply, sitting up a little to look at him. When France meets her green eyes with his blue, they're understanding.
"Your people."
And in that moment, Britannia isn't seeing him. Instead, she's seeing a young boy with curled hair and blue eyes, smiling and telling her the exact same words. Against the torrent of emotions unfurling in her heart, she quickly gets to her feet and turns her back on him, refusing to let the tears that want to fall emerge. She gave that up 100 years ago, when she promised herself that she would survive against all odds no matter what it took. She gave up being human to be strong.
So when she has her voice under control, she simply laughs.
"That kind of talk would ruin me, you know?" She responds, making a joke of the situation. "That's exactly the kind of attitude that makes you weak and causes dissent among your precious E.U." And when she turns to look at him again, her heart is locked in ice. "Go pack your things, France. Return to your land and wait." And then she's leaving, returning to the house.
"Wait for what?" France calls, getting to his feet like he means to stop her. When she pauses in her steps, her hand on the frame of the door to the house, she looks back at him and smiles a cruel smile.
"The attack."
---
Lelouch has devastated the world. Though he returned the nations to their former names, he has not given back control. He has made himself the enemy of all, and with him, his country. So when the Black Knights rally beneath the banner of prince Schneizel el Britannia of all people, Japan cannot deny that he is eager to settle the score with Britannia, and he's not the only one.
On the battlefield, someone spots a single Britannian knightmare frame waiting on the ground below. Sitting on top of it in a familiar blood red uniform with gold trim is Britannia, who stares up at the passing Black Knight airships fearlessly. As a drop ship deposits the nations who were ready to partake in the battle personally in front of her, she looks at them dispassionately and takes the chord down, stepping onto the ground lightly and unsheathing her sword.
"Bratannia in person, surprising." Spain calls, balancing his halberd over his shoulders with a smirk. "I was hoping you'd actually come to the battlefield this time."
"My Emperor's orders are absolute." She responds, lips curling into that familiar smile which means nothing.
"Aren't you injured?" France inquires, his own sword drawn with the tip pointing at the ground. "We heard what happened to Pendragon." Against his will, Japan finds himself looking at Britannia's gloved hand which is hiding a mark similar to his own. In that blast he lost only part of Tokyo, most of it Britannian territory. How is it that she stands when her entire capital is gone?
"Please don't ask about unnecessary things." Britannia replies, raising her sword into attack position. "I have and will always do what is necessary to survive."
And the battle begins as fire rages across the sky above. All the nations of the world fighting both on land and in the sky because their people desire it.
Britannia has always been insanely strong, a trait she inherits from her 'big brother' British America, or so France says. As she parries a blow from Spain and kicks at Denmark's stomach, Germany's gun finds its mark in her arm, making her curse and stumble back as blood runs down her sleeve, staining the white over her glove.
It's China that sends her to her knees as his blow connects solidly with her chest, sending her flying back. As she hits the dirt, a cough speckles her lips with blood and she clutches her heart where the damage from Pendragon must surely be. As the pace of the battle slows, long enough for her to stagger to her feet, she looks up at them through sweat soaked bangs- and laughs.
"You're all so strong." She murmurs tiredly... regretfully.
"Why?" Japan finds himself asking, voice quiet. "You choose survival above all other things, but this... this is suicide." At his words, Britannia tightens her grip around her sword and closes her eyes.
"... my Emperor's orders are absolute." And this time, the words aren't an idle phrase murmured from habit. This time, they're the condemnation of a country who grew strong on the deaths of the people she loved.
"My people?" Britannia asks, green eyes wide with confusion.
"You can hear them, can't you?" Canada responds, smiling at her as he scoots closer on the bench swing and points at her heart. "The voices of your people. They're what make us who we are, so they should be very important to us."
"But I was told to obey my boss always." She responds, brow furrowing into a childishly confused expression that does not suit her rapidly growing body. A body that is steadily reflecting her growing strength as an empire.
"Mm mm." Canada replies, shaking his head. "Listen to your people, that's what I was taught."
"By who?" And here Canada pauses. Here he thinks of the two brothers he had and lost, one to the cruelty of war and the other to the girl who sits in front of him now, his little sister Britannia.
"... by some very strong and wise countries."
"Mathieu told me the same thing once, you know." Britannia murmurs, voice painfully bright as she holds her arm to slow the blood. "To put my people first." France puts his hand on Germany's arm, to keep him from shooting long enough to hear her out.
"You ignored him." It's not a question, even as France's eyes narrow with pain at the thought of his lost child.
"He was wrong." Britannia responds, shrugging. "Because he did that and he died."
"He vanished because of your influence. You killed him." Germany interrupts, voice clipped and cold as he pulls his arm away from France and raises his gun again. Meanwhile, the battle continues to rage overhead.
"He died by my hand and this sword." Britannia corrects him, voice tired as France jerks, his eyes going immediately to the blood soaked blade. "My Emperor at the time, Ricardo, grew tired of his influence on me. So he had him tied up and gagged, then threw him into a room with a bag over his head."
"Stop." France breathes, eyes going impossibly wide.
"Then he brought me in and put this sword in my hand-"
"I said stop-"
"And told me to run him through." Here she pauses and finally meets France's eyes, her smile a broken thing. "Even if he told me who it was, I probably would have done it."
Thinking of the child whose laughter still haunts him to this day, France releases a yell of outrage and rushes her, his blade a whirl of silver. As strong as Britannia is, she doesn't have the experience to compare and in seconds, her sword is knocked out of her hand and sent flying through the air. As it slams into the ground, far out of her reach, France draws back and slams the blade home into her shoulder, pinning her to the dirt like a bug. Settled above her, hands gripping the hilt and twisting to draw out the pained grimace on her pale face, there is murder in his gaze as he looks down on Britannia with disgust.
And then the light of FLEIJA shines in the sky above. As all eyes are drawn to it, a voice rings out over the battlefield.
"To the whole world, I am Emperor of the Holy Empire of Britannia, Lelouch vi Britannia."
"The Damocles..." Hungary begins, her voice tight with disbelief.
"... Fired at the Black Knights." Russia finishes as he lowers his pipe.
"A distraction." Japan finally curses, turning his gaze back to Britannia with disgust. "He used our hatred of you as bait to lure us here."
"You're all strong," Britannia replies, voice carefully blank as she stares up at the bright star that is the floating fortress. "He didn't want you on the real battlefield, giving the Black Knights an advantage. There's only one of me, after all." And the words that were meant to be a joke fall a little flat. France, stunned by their sudden and overwhelming defeat, finally looks at her with eyes that understand all too much.
"You would have died for him." It's not a question but a statement. And to that, the Empire that strived for survival above all other things, replied:
"My Emperor's orders are absolute."
---
"Good evening, Kiku."
It's the last thing he expects, to open his door in the middle of the night and find Britannia standing there on his front step. As his face twists in open disgust, she simply smiles at him and brings her hand up, offering him a box.
"What is it?" He inquires, voice just barely polite as he speaks to the country that houses the Emperor who holds the world hostage.
"A gift, that is customary for your people isn't it? To bring a present when visiting." And when Japan still doesn't take it, she laughs. "I'm only here briefly." And though every fiber of his body rejects the very idea, he grudgingly steps aside and lets her in. It's not as if he can refuse anyway. Inside, she slips off her shoes and starts walking through his house, posture rigid as she locks her hands behind her back and observes the decorum. "You have a nice house, Japanese architecture is always so pretty." She admits, finding her way to the room that opens out onto the backyard easily enough. Placing her fingers on the paper door, she pushes it aside and enjoys the warm summer breeze that
"Britannia..." Japan begins, approaching quietly and staring at her back warily. When she turns, he finds himself hesitating. There are circles underneath her eyes that were never there before.
"Can we play GO?" She asks suddenly, her smile forced and completely unnatural. Japan opens his mouth to ask something, then changes his mind and nods quietly, mind racing with curiosity. As he sets up the game, she settles herself down opposite of him and they begin. As they move their pieces, slowly getting a feel for each other, he pushes a stone forward and suddenly finds himself pausing.
"... you've changed." He remarks, eyes drifting up to her face. Gone is the aggressive, reckless tactics she displayed so long ago. Now she plays cautiously and with uncertain hesitation.
"Hmm? Of course I have, I control the world now." She responds, voice lacking its usual brightness as she moves a piece in response. A statement that deliberately contradicts her control of the situation as she avoids conquering a section of the board in favor of defending the ones she has. Rather than respond, Japan instead focuses on what her play style tells him. Her moves are indecisive and lacking in motivation. If anything, she suddenly seems much like a lost child.
"What time is it?" She asks after a few more turns, eyes deliberately on the board.
"... almost three in the morning." He replies, voice pointedly irate.
"Can I have some tea?" She asks, still looking at the board. If this were 9 years ago, he would have been stunned by her impropriety. As it is, he merely sighs and gets to his feet to oblige her request. It's not as if he isn't used to it by now. In the kitchen as he's gathering up the cups, his phone rings. Wondering who it could be so late, he picks it up off the receiver and puts it to his ear.
"Hello, Honda residence..."
---
"I think you forgot the tea." Britannia teases him when he returns to the room and looks at her. For the first time since they've met, Japan feels... sorry for her.
"Britannia-"
"I just want to finish this game, then I'll leave." She interrupts him, smile almost painful in its falsity. Part of him wants to argue, to question and ask her about what he now knows. Another part of him makes him sit down in front of her silently and finish playing.
Unsurprisingly, he wins.
As he moves the last piece into place, claiming the final territory, he looks up at her and jerks in surprise when he sees the tracks of tears on her cheeks.
"... hmm." Is her only response as she looks up at him and smiles sheepishly. "I guess I'm not any better."
"Britannia- your face..."
"Huh?" She replies, reaching up and wiping at her cheek, blinking when her fingers come away wet. "Oh. I never realized." Japan, uncertain of what to do, merely sits there as the tears wet her skin again and continue to fall. As the silence stretches on, her face slowly transforms from composed and emotionless to twisted agony. "I never liked him." She finally gets out in clogged, wet tones. "He destroyed me, made me weak. Made me..."
"Human."
"I'm not supposed to be!" She yells back, both hands rubbing at her face now, trying desperately to erase the tears. "I'm an Empire! I'm supposed to be infallible and strong! I can't have any weaknesses, I can't hesitate, I can't..."
"You've realized it, haven't you?" Japan says when she trails off into silence, his own voice impossibly calm. "That being strong is lonely." When Britannia jerks, his voice softens. "What does one have to look forward to when he controls the world? When all others have vanished?"
"... nothing." She finally whispers back, still hiding her face as her tears wet her sleeve.
"He saved you from that wretched future. He gave you a chance."
"At what." She mutters back, voice biting.
"At redemption." And Britannia hesitates, staring at him now. "We're countries with the emotions of humans. Like humans, we can forgive just as they do given enough time. And someday, a time will come when we forgive you. When we will consider you our ally." And carefully, Japan reaches out and folds his fingers around her right hand, curling around the burn mark he shares with her. "You only have to wait."
And Britannia wants to believe. Wants to have faith in the fact that her lonely existence doesn't have to continue any longer. That the friends she makes won't have to die by her hand tomorrow. So, with wet fingers, she carefully curls her hand a little around Japan's, making him smile.
At long last, they understand each other.
"Stay the night. No one should suffer the death of a loved one alone." He murmurs, drawing her up with him when he stands. He hasn't forgiven her, not by a long shot, but it is the duty of an elder to take care of the ignorant young. It is because she has failed as a country and lost her way that he must now offer her a guiding hand. For both of their futures.
---
In the following months, the first country to extend a hand of friendship to Britannia is Japan. As Prime Minister Ohgi meets with the new Empress Nunally vi Britannia, at their sides stand two very different people. Dressed in respectful black, a young man with dark hair cut evenly bows in greeting to a tall, blonde haired and green eyed individual. The girl smiles awkwardly and bows, Japanese style, in return as a sign of respect.
---
Two years later...
"You've grown out your hair." France remarks as he takes a seat across from Britannia and smiles. Britannia, pointedly fingering her ponytail, smiles and shakes her head.
"I don't need to pretend to be a boy anymore. That kind of sentiment is a relic in this day and age." She responds and brings her tea to her lips. "What did you want to talk about? This meeting is kind of sudden, isn't it?"
"Getting straight to business? Big brother likes a little more foreplay."
"If you've come to play games, I'm leaving. There's a lot of paperwork to be done for the upcoming G20 and my boss is taking on more than she should." Britannia replies, voice clipped and businesslike as she sets her cup down frowning. France sighs eloquently and flaps his hand at her.
"You used to be a lot more fun." And before Britannia can reply, he plows right on. "I brought someone I think you should meet. It is your first international meeting after all and I thought you'd prefer to have this meeting away from prying eyes."
"Prying eyes?" Britannia quips, raising an eyebrow as she follows France's glance out towards the street. "What are you talking... about..." And she trails off as her eyes land on an unfamiliar face she's never seen before but inherently knows. As he stands there, awkwardly shuffling his feet and blushing, Britannia in turn continues to stare like an idiot until France is taking her by the wrist and pulling her out of her chair.
"Go say hi. He's been wanting to meet you for a long time now too." He whispers into her ear before giving her a little shove forward. Stumbling forward, when she finally catches herself it's in front of the stranger who looks as panicked as she feels.
"I... you're..." She begins, stammering and feeling the blood rushing to her cheeks.
"England." He introduces himself abruptly, staring up at her in disbelief. "Well, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, actually. Of course you probably knew that. Bollocks... So uhm. Pleasure to finally meet you at last, Britannia!" And he holds out his hand for her to shake, his own fingers trembling quite badly. France, watching from the sidelines, resists the urge to laugh. As the silence carries on and Britannia only stares at his hand dumbly, England falters. "Aaah..." He trails off, vastly uncomfortable.
"You're..." She begins, quietly.
"Yes?" England replies promptly, latching onto her response like a lifeline.
"... you're shorter than I thought you'd be."
France chokes.
"Shut up you damn frog!" England immediately snaps, shooting the other nation a furious glare. "And it's not my bloody fault you're so damn tall! What are you, 5'10!?"
"6 even, actually." She replies, blinking.
"... bloody hell, really?"
And finally Britannia smiles.
"I guess it's hard to judge height from down there." As England makes a sound much like a cat drenched in water would, he blusters on, all awkwardness immediately forgotten.
"Y-YOU-!"
---
"Did I do it right?" Britannia asks Nunally as she shows her the candle.
"Yes." Her Empress replies, smiling, taking it into her hands and cradling it carefully. As Zero wheels her forward towards the pool, Britannia respectfully takes a step back and allows them their moment. As the masked assassin- as Suzaku takes the candle and places it in the water, she finds she can no longer watch and steps out, certain he will keep Nunally safe against whatever threats exist in this peaceful world her 99th Emperor created.
Once outside, she takes a spot against the wall and watches the moon high overhead, her thoughts racing about the meeting taking place tomorrow. It will be the first G20 ever held and the first international meeting she'll ever be a part of, which has filled her with the unfamiliar sensation of uncertainty. Then again, she's uncertain about everything these days. For the first time since her christening, she's suffering economic instability and dissension among her people. Her policy has become all about equality instead of survival and she has a boss that wants her opinion. All of it is so new and alien that some days she doesn't even want to leave her bed. How can anyone stand to have their life be so unpredictable? So... unknown?
"That's what it's like to be human." Suzaku had told her once when he'd caught her muttering in complaint. If that was the case, she definitely didn't want to be a human.
And then there's the meeting tomorrow. Even though she's on amiable terms with France, Japan and England, that isn't the case for the rest of the world. She also knows it doesn't mean they'll be kind to her, especially when deciding the fate of Neo-Canada, who is still relying on Britannia for support. How is she supposed to handle the hatred of everyone alone?
Burdened as she is with such thoughts, she doesn't know how long it is before Suzaku is emerging from the building, looking for her.
"Britannia," He calls when he sees her, beckoning her inside. "Nunally has something to show you." Blinking in curiosity, Britannia follows the Empress's knight inside back to the candle pool and frowns in confusion when she sees two more candles gathered in her hands. They had already done candles for Euphemia and Lelouch, who was left?
"Did I spell it right?" Nunally asks, holding up the candles, a blue and red one. When Britannia takes them in hand and turns them to see the names etched into their surfaces, her heart stops.
Alfred and Mathieu.
"Why..." She gets out, her voice little more than a whisper.
"You loved them, didn't you?" Nunally asks quietly, voice kind and knowing. Even as the doubt blossoms in her mind, she already knows the answer. With a pained look, Britannia nods and brings the candles closer to her, as if that can ease the painful throb in her heart. When she can speak again, her voice is more grateful and sincere than she can ever remember it being.
"Thank you." And together, they light the candles and set them in the water.
"You helped my brother," she begins after a moment of silence, touching Britannia's hand. "And you've been taking care of me because he asked you to... but I also want to take care of you. I want to make you a part of this peaceful world, where nobody hates you anymore. Where you no longer have to suffer."
"Your Majesty..."
"So let's do it together, not as Empress and Empire... but as friends." And she laces her fingers together with Britannia's, smiling up at her with kind sincerity. It is then, standing beside her boss and Suzaku, that Britannia feels much calmer than she has in months. That's right, she thinks as she curls her fingers around Nunally's in turn. Kneeling down to be on eye level with her, she then kisses the back of her hand and smiles hopefully.
"Yes, I'd like that."
I'm not alone anymore.
rakuen and my cross-fandom OC, Britannia. Notably this story is going to seem extremely rushed and lackluster in some areas. This is mostly because I am covering the events of all of Code Geass and then some into one... short... fic.../sob
The first time they meet, she’s immaculate in her blood red uniform with gold trim while he’s lucky to sit upright in his hospital bed.
“I’m the Holy Empire of Britannia.” She introduces herself, a perfectly blank smile on her lips as her cold eyes look him over and obviously find him wanting. “I’ll be taking care of you from now on, by order of his Majesty.” She adds, voice disgustingly bright, as if they aren’t discussing the conditions of his defeat. "Once you've recovered, anyway."
And as every fiber of his body demands he teach this impudent child to respect him, his traitorous mouth instead replies: "Thank you. I am Japa-"
"Area 11." She interrupts, expression unmoving as that suddenly innocent smile becomes menacing.
The title makes his blood curdle.
"... Area 11." He repeats, lips numb as he appropriately lowers his gaze as the defeated nation. When she smiles wider, something inside of him gets buried so deep, he knows he'll never find it again.
"Nice to meet you."
---
He's not alone in her house, which makes her all the more terrifying. Preceding him are any number of faces, some recognizable and some not. Mexico, Greenland, Iceland, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador... the list goes on and on until he can't bear to think about it anymore. The largest empire in human history and he's just another stone upon which it steps. As the years pass and he finds himself gaining more and more company, he feels his dying heart nearly break the day Korea shows up. When their gazes meet, Japan finds himself looking away in shame.
How could the land of the rising sun have sunk so low?
But it's not until he feels arms sliding around him that the tears begin to flow. As the emptiness gives way to despair, Korea, for all their differences, holds him tight and comforts him. All their past disputes seem so petty now.
---
7 years pass and nothing changes. By then, there is almost nothing left in any of the other countries. Even Korea's personality has dimmed as Britannia's influence slowly erases them one by one, assimilating them into her fold. Eventually they will all disappear, just like the famed British America and Province of Canada did before them.
But he remains.
Even if he is powerless and sinking, he can still feel the fiery pride of a samurai burning within him. Not all hope is lost.
And then... a change.
One day Britannia returns home from her bi-weekly meeting with the Britannia court looking mildly upset.
"Someone killed my prince." She informs Japan idly, tone rather uncaring. "Well, Clovis always was a little weak. I'm just surprised someone had the courage to do it." She adds, interest gleaming in her eyes as she hangs uncomfortably close to him, draping her arms over his shoulders and hugging him from behind. "You're so interesting, Kiku."
She's onto him, he notes. She knows he isn't fading away like the others, even though he's been a part of her for so long, but for some reason that makes him her favorite.
'How troublesome.' He thinks, even as he tries to dissuade her from the belief that he knows anything.
---
He's been labeled as a rebellious area.
'Late,' he can't help but think. 'I've always been rebellious.' The thought in itself is a little mutinous, a sign that he's slowly returning to his old self, and all because of Zero. Britannia is more agitated than ever these days as she lazes around the house and sighs while looking out windows wistfully. Her emperor has forbidden her from taking part in the warfare and so she is forced to watch and wait as her people are constantly outwitted by the Black Knights.
In a way, she is just as much a prisoner as her areas are.
"Kiku, will you play a game with me?" She asks him abruptly when she can't handle the boredom any longer. Unforgiving, he calls her a brat in his mind even as he settles himself into a chair across from her.
"What do you want to play, Britannia?"
"You choose."
And so he brings down his GO set from his room and introduces the game to her, knowing she'll be delighted by it's wonderful 'foreign Area culture' qualities. Without question, she throws herself into the complex rules and plays aggressively.
He beats her once, then three more times in rematches. Halfway through the fourth match, she shoves herself away from the table, claims she's growing tired and walks away.
"A child." Korea, who was watching from the doorway, remarks once she's gone, a smirk on his lips.
"Such a child." Japan agrees.
---
The first firing of FLEIJA burns them both. The day the Tokyo settlement goes up in a flare of light and power, Japan collapses in the library and is carried by a near hysterical Korea to his bed. When Iceland goes to Britannia to tell her, he finds her bent over on the floor and clutching her right hand, sweating with pain.
The burn mark is exactly the same for the both of them.
Later, when news spreads of exactly what happened, Japan curls in on himself and wonders what it means that a blow to Britannia hurt him as well.
---
In the year 2018, Schneizel el Britannia makes 3 new additions to the house.
When Japan sees France, the European shrugs as if to silently say 'what can you do?'
"Eyebrows sure created a brat." Spain mutters as he slouches over the dining room table one afternoon, looking up at the lavish decorations with disgust. He isn't taking his defeat well. France, who's admiring a decoration of roses in a vase, pulls one out and smells it before returning to the table.
"Angleterre couldn't have known what would become of his loyalists." He remarks, tone light as he takes a seat next to his old friend.
"But if you hadn't invaded London, they never would have come to America." Russia points out, infuriating smile fixed on his lips as he fingers a battered scarf around his neck, laughter in his voice hiding the nearly palpable rage he's truly feeling.
"It's in the past." Japan, sitting with them, remarks. He enjoys their company, if only because they're still distinctly unique and alive. They have yet to fall into the dismal abyss that is Britannia's influence. At his remark, Spain gives a low laugh and eyes him with amusement.
"Easy for you to say, Japón. I hear your rising sun's come back to life."
"Rising sun?" Russia quips, blinking like the innocent child everyone knows he isn't.
"Zero." France murmurs, still enjoying the scent of the rose. "Zero has returned from the dead." Though Japan says nothing, there is a slightly vicious- and proud- smile on his lips as he folds a square of paper into a crane. "Do you think he will do better this time?" When Japan remains silent, France chooses instead to chuckle softly.
"Still, it'd be nice to help give la niña the final boot." Spain murmurs wistfully, sitting upright and resting his head on his chin.
"The little girl? That's not nice." A voice interrupts and they all freeze save Russia who turns to look at their speaker. Britannia stands in the doorway, her hands behind her back as she smiles at them all like not a thing is wrong. It's that smile that makes Japan concerned.
"Britannia, welcome home." France greets her, getting to his feet and walking over. "No hard feelings, oui?" When Britannia smiles a little more sincerely and embraces him, giving the European a kiss on the cheek in greeting, the other nations stare.
"Why should the victor begrudge the loser?" She inquires, tone playful as she steps back and returns to her rigid posture. "As a former empire, you understand that best, don't you?"
"That was a long time ago." France replies, playing a game Japan doesn't quite yet understand as he draws her hand to his lips and kisses the back of it.
"But it still happened, Francis, and I'm very grateful for it." Britannia replies smoothly, never taking her eyes off the blond as she retracts her hand and tucks it behind her back. "Kiku, I have some good news for you." She suddenly adds, shifting her attention upon the Asian whose fingers hesitate on the wings of his origami.
"Oh?" He replies, tone carefully blank as he turns his eyes upon her. When she meets his gaze with a familiar cruel streak, a chill settles in his stomach.
"Suzaku Kururugi is returning home." At that name, France, Spain and Russia start. The nightmare of the white reaper that destroyed their armies still fresh in their minds.
"... to deal with Zero." Japan finishes after a moment, understanding dawning in his eyes as his hands slowly clench, destroying the crane.
"To kill him." She corrects, voice inappropriately bright as she then turns her gaze upon Spain who bristles like a threatened dog. "And I would take care where you voice your rebellious thoughts, 21." She adds, causing him to growl at his new title. "While I understand your feelings, I really don't like to be called a little girl."
"I'll make a note of it, niña." Spain replies, purposefully spiteful as he crosses his arms and sneers. An expression that is lost when- in the blink of an eye- Britannia pulls out a gun and shoots him in the leg. As Spain crumples, a pained yell escaping his lips as he hits the floor and clutches the wound, her expression never changes even as she keeps the gun leveled at him.
"Maybe I should say 'you're in my care' instead of 'I'll be taking care of you.'" She remarks over Spain's cursing to the others. "That would probably clear up the confusion."
"Bese mi as-!"
"You're a country," Britannia interrupts calmly, looking at him with a meaningless smile. "So you won't die so easily. If you'd like, we can take this outside and I can continue to shoot you until you get the point. Or should I have my soldiers take the guns to your people instead?"
No one says anything, not even France who is caught between looking at his friend and the child he helped create. As Spain continues to stare at Britannia, pure hatred in his eyes, he finally lowers his head, choosing to make the sacrifice for his people. At his submission, Britannia's smile brightens just a fraction, even as her eyes reflect nothing and she returns the gun to its hiding place.
"See? I knew we could get along."
---
Charles zi Britannia, the 98th Emperor, is dead.
As the TV shows the forcible ascension of Lelouch vi Britannia and his knight, Kururugi Suzaku, the nations under Britannia's control have gathered to watch the broadcast with mixed reactions.
"Ay. Is nobody in this country sane?" Spain grouses, voiced pointedly loud. He still insists on baiting Britannia, even if he knows it will cause him pain. It's the only way he knows how to fight anymore. Japan, watching from afar at a small coffee table with Korea, wonders quietly how this will change their circumstances, if at all.
That night, Britannia gathers them all in the dining room.
"You can go home." Are the first words out of her mouth once everyone's settled. At first, nobody speaks. Nobody even dares to breathe as they all stare at her like she's completely lost her mind.
"... what did you say?" Japan is the first to react, his voice echoing in the deadly quiet room. Britannia, who refuses to even look at him and instead chooses to focus on the bit of table directly in front of her, repeats it in dull, emotionless tones. And then the room erupts into chaos as the nations rejoice, shout disbelief and hurtle questions. Britannia, refusing to respond to any of it, simply gets up and exits the room while Spain all but jumps on his chair and shouts his joy. Japan, too caught up in wondering why the new emperor would release them, misses France leaving the room as well.
He finds her outside, sitting on a bench swing that is worn with age. She's sprawled across it with her hands folded on her chest and looking up at the sky, it's the only time he's ever seen her so undignified.
"Britannia?" He inquires, voice light. "Are you alright?"
"Hmm... who knows?" She replies, voice automatically content as she stares up at the stars. "But even if I'm not, it doesn't matter. My Emperor's orders are absolute." And her lips twist into an ugly smile at that, like she's found a terrible joke in her own words.
"A boss's command is important." France agrees, taking a seat at the end of the swing and staring at her. "But as a country, there is something you should prioritize even more."
"Hmm?" She murmurs in reply, sitting up a little to look at him. When France meets her green eyes with his blue, they're understanding.
"Your people."
And in that moment, Britannia isn't seeing him. Instead, she's seeing a young boy with curled hair and blue eyes, smiling and telling her the exact same words. Against the torrent of emotions unfurling in her heart, she quickly gets to her feet and turns her back on him, refusing to let the tears that want to fall emerge. She gave that up 100 years ago, when she promised herself that she would survive against all odds no matter what it took. She gave up being human to be strong.
So when she has her voice under control, she simply laughs.
"That kind of talk would ruin me, you know?" She responds, making a joke of the situation. "That's exactly the kind of attitude that makes you weak and causes dissent among your precious E.U." And when she turns to look at him again, her heart is locked in ice. "Go pack your things, France. Return to your land and wait." And then she's leaving, returning to the house.
"Wait for what?" France calls, getting to his feet like he means to stop her. When she pauses in her steps, her hand on the frame of the door to the house, she looks back at him and smiles a cruel smile.
"The attack."
---
Lelouch has devastated the world. Though he returned the nations to their former names, he has not given back control. He has made himself the enemy of all, and with him, his country. So when the Black Knights rally beneath the banner of prince Schneizel el Britannia of all people, Japan cannot deny that he is eager to settle the score with Britannia, and he's not the only one.
On the battlefield, someone spots a single Britannian knightmare frame waiting on the ground below. Sitting on top of it in a familiar blood red uniform with gold trim is Britannia, who stares up at the passing Black Knight airships fearlessly. As a drop ship deposits the nations who were ready to partake in the battle personally in front of her, she looks at them dispassionately and takes the chord down, stepping onto the ground lightly and unsheathing her sword.
"Bratannia in person, surprising." Spain calls, balancing his halberd over his shoulders with a smirk. "I was hoping you'd actually come to the battlefield this time."
"My Emperor's orders are absolute." She responds, lips curling into that familiar smile which means nothing.
"Aren't you injured?" France inquires, his own sword drawn with the tip pointing at the ground. "We heard what happened to Pendragon." Against his will, Japan finds himself looking at Britannia's gloved hand which is hiding a mark similar to his own. In that blast he lost only part of Tokyo, most of it Britannian territory. How is it that she stands when her entire capital is gone?
"Please don't ask about unnecessary things." Britannia replies, raising her sword into attack position. "I have and will always do what is necessary to survive."
And the battle begins as fire rages across the sky above. All the nations of the world fighting both on land and in the sky because their people desire it.
Britannia has always been insanely strong, a trait she inherits from her 'big brother' British America, or so France says. As she parries a blow from Spain and kicks at Denmark's stomach, Germany's gun finds its mark in her arm, making her curse and stumble back as blood runs down her sleeve, staining the white over her glove.
It's China that sends her to her knees as his blow connects solidly with her chest, sending her flying back. As she hits the dirt, a cough speckles her lips with blood and she clutches her heart where the damage from Pendragon must surely be. As the pace of the battle slows, long enough for her to stagger to her feet, she looks up at them through sweat soaked bangs- and laughs.
"You're all so strong." She murmurs tiredly... regretfully.
"Why?" Japan finds himself asking, voice quiet. "You choose survival above all other things, but this... this is suicide." At his words, Britannia tightens her grip around her sword and closes her eyes.
"... my Emperor's orders are absolute." And this time, the words aren't an idle phrase murmured from habit. This time, they're the condemnation of a country who grew strong on the deaths of the people she loved.
"My people?" Britannia asks, green eyes wide with confusion.
"You can hear them, can't you?" Canada responds, smiling at her as he scoots closer on the bench swing and points at her heart. "The voices of your people. They're what make us who we are, so they should be very important to us."
"But I was told to obey my boss always." She responds, brow furrowing into a childishly confused expression that does not suit her rapidly growing body. A body that is steadily reflecting her growing strength as an empire.
"Mm mm." Canada replies, shaking his head. "Listen to your people, that's what I was taught."
"By who?" And here Canada pauses. Here he thinks of the two brothers he had and lost, one to the cruelty of war and the other to the girl who sits in front of him now, his little sister Britannia.
"... by some very strong and wise countries."
"Mathieu told me the same thing once, you know." Britannia murmurs, voice painfully bright as she holds her arm to slow the blood. "To put my people first." France puts his hand on Germany's arm, to keep him from shooting long enough to hear her out.
"You ignored him." It's not a question, even as France's eyes narrow with pain at the thought of his lost child.
"He was wrong." Britannia responds, shrugging. "Because he did that and he died."
"He vanished because of your influence. You killed him." Germany interrupts, voice clipped and cold as he pulls his arm away from France and raises his gun again. Meanwhile, the battle continues to rage overhead.
"He died by my hand and this sword." Britannia corrects him, voice tired as France jerks, his eyes going immediately to the blood soaked blade. "My Emperor at the time, Ricardo, grew tired of his influence on me. So he had him tied up and gagged, then threw him into a room with a bag over his head."
"Stop." France breathes, eyes going impossibly wide.
"Then he brought me in and put this sword in my hand-"
"I said stop-"
"And told me to run him through." Here she pauses and finally meets France's eyes, her smile a broken thing. "Even if he told me who it was, I probably would have done it."
Thinking of the child whose laughter still haunts him to this day, France releases a yell of outrage and rushes her, his blade a whirl of silver. As strong as Britannia is, she doesn't have the experience to compare and in seconds, her sword is knocked out of her hand and sent flying through the air. As it slams into the ground, far out of her reach, France draws back and slams the blade home into her shoulder, pinning her to the dirt like a bug. Settled above her, hands gripping the hilt and twisting to draw out the pained grimace on her pale face, there is murder in his gaze as he looks down on Britannia with disgust.
And then the light of FLEIJA shines in the sky above. As all eyes are drawn to it, a voice rings out over the battlefield.
"To the whole world, I am Emperor of the Holy Empire of Britannia, Lelouch vi Britannia."
"The Damocles..." Hungary begins, her voice tight with disbelief.
"... Fired at the Black Knights." Russia finishes as he lowers his pipe.
"A distraction." Japan finally curses, turning his gaze back to Britannia with disgust. "He used our hatred of you as bait to lure us here."
"You're all strong," Britannia replies, voice carefully blank as she stares up at the bright star that is the floating fortress. "He didn't want you on the real battlefield, giving the Black Knights an advantage. There's only one of me, after all." And the words that were meant to be a joke fall a little flat. France, stunned by their sudden and overwhelming defeat, finally looks at her with eyes that understand all too much.
"You would have died for him." It's not a question but a statement. And to that, the Empire that strived for survival above all other things, replied:
"My Emperor's orders are absolute."
---
"Good evening, Kiku."
It's the last thing he expects, to open his door in the middle of the night and find Britannia standing there on his front step. As his face twists in open disgust, she simply smiles at him and brings her hand up, offering him a box.
"What is it?" He inquires, voice just barely polite as he speaks to the country that houses the Emperor who holds the world hostage.
"A gift, that is customary for your people isn't it? To bring a present when visiting." And when Japan still doesn't take it, she laughs. "I'm only here briefly." And though every fiber of his body rejects the very idea, he grudgingly steps aside and lets her in. It's not as if he can refuse anyway. Inside, she slips off her shoes and starts walking through his house, posture rigid as she locks her hands behind her back and observes the decorum. "You have a nice house, Japanese architecture is always so pretty." She admits, finding her way to the room that opens out onto the backyard easily enough. Placing her fingers on the paper door, she pushes it aside and enjoys the warm summer breeze that
"Britannia..." Japan begins, approaching quietly and staring at her back warily. When she turns, he finds himself hesitating. There are circles underneath her eyes that were never there before.
"Can we play GO?" She asks suddenly, her smile forced and completely unnatural. Japan opens his mouth to ask something, then changes his mind and nods quietly, mind racing with curiosity. As he sets up the game, she settles herself down opposite of him and they begin. As they move their pieces, slowly getting a feel for each other, he pushes a stone forward and suddenly finds himself pausing.
"... you've changed." He remarks, eyes drifting up to her face. Gone is the aggressive, reckless tactics she displayed so long ago. Now she plays cautiously and with uncertain hesitation.
"Hmm? Of course I have, I control the world now." She responds, voice lacking its usual brightness as she moves a piece in response. A statement that deliberately contradicts her control of the situation as she avoids conquering a section of the board in favor of defending the ones she has. Rather than respond, Japan instead focuses on what her play style tells him. Her moves are indecisive and lacking in motivation. If anything, she suddenly seems much like a lost child.
"What time is it?" She asks after a few more turns, eyes deliberately on the board.
"... almost three in the morning." He replies, voice pointedly irate.
"Can I have some tea?" She asks, still looking at the board. If this were 9 years ago, he would have been stunned by her impropriety. As it is, he merely sighs and gets to his feet to oblige her request. It's not as if he isn't used to it by now. In the kitchen as he's gathering up the cups, his phone rings. Wondering who it could be so late, he picks it up off the receiver and puts it to his ear.
"Hello, Honda residence..."
---
"I think you forgot the tea." Britannia teases him when he returns to the room and looks at her. For the first time since they've met, Japan feels... sorry for her.
"Britannia-"
"I just want to finish this game, then I'll leave." She interrupts him, smile almost painful in its falsity. Part of him wants to argue, to question and ask her about what he now knows. Another part of him makes him sit down in front of her silently and finish playing.
Unsurprisingly, he wins.
As he moves the last piece into place, claiming the final territory, he looks up at her and jerks in surprise when he sees the tracks of tears on her cheeks.
"... hmm." Is her only response as she looks up at him and smiles sheepishly. "I guess I'm not any better."
"Britannia- your face..."
"Huh?" She replies, reaching up and wiping at her cheek, blinking when her fingers come away wet. "Oh. I never realized." Japan, uncertain of what to do, merely sits there as the tears wet her skin again and continue to fall. As the silence stretches on, her face slowly transforms from composed and emotionless to twisted agony. "I never liked him." She finally gets out in clogged, wet tones. "He destroyed me, made me weak. Made me..."
"Human."
"I'm not supposed to be!" She yells back, both hands rubbing at her face now, trying desperately to erase the tears. "I'm an Empire! I'm supposed to be infallible and strong! I can't have any weaknesses, I can't hesitate, I can't..."
"You've realized it, haven't you?" Japan says when she trails off into silence, his own voice impossibly calm. "That being strong is lonely." When Britannia jerks, his voice softens. "What does one have to look forward to when he controls the world? When all others have vanished?"
"... nothing." She finally whispers back, still hiding her face as her tears wet her sleeve.
"He saved you from that wretched future. He gave you a chance."
"At what." She mutters back, voice biting.
"At redemption." And Britannia hesitates, staring at him now. "We're countries with the emotions of humans. Like humans, we can forgive just as they do given enough time. And someday, a time will come when we forgive you. When we will consider you our ally." And carefully, Japan reaches out and folds his fingers around her right hand, curling around the burn mark he shares with her. "You only have to wait."
And Britannia wants to believe. Wants to have faith in the fact that her lonely existence doesn't have to continue any longer. That the friends she makes won't have to die by her hand tomorrow. So, with wet fingers, she carefully curls her hand a little around Japan's, making him smile.
At long last, they understand each other.
"Stay the night. No one should suffer the death of a loved one alone." He murmurs, drawing her up with him when he stands. He hasn't forgiven her, not by a long shot, but it is the duty of an elder to take care of the ignorant young. It is because she has failed as a country and lost her way that he must now offer her a guiding hand. For both of their futures.
---
In the following months, the first country to extend a hand of friendship to Britannia is Japan. As Prime Minister Ohgi meets with the new Empress Nunally vi Britannia, at their sides stand two very different people. Dressed in respectful black, a young man with dark hair cut evenly bows in greeting to a tall, blonde haired and green eyed individual. The girl smiles awkwardly and bows, Japanese style, in return as a sign of respect.
---
Two years later...
"You've grown out your hair." France remarks as he takes a seat across from Britannia and smiles. Britannia, pointedly fingering her ponytail, smiles and shakes her head.
"I don't need to pretend to be a boy anymore. That kind of sentiment is a relic in this day and age." She responds and brings her tea to her lips. "What did you want to talk about? This meeting is kind of sudden, isn't it?"
"Getting straight to business? Big brother likes a little more foreplay."
"If you've come to play games, I'm leaving. There's a lot of paperwork to be done for the upcoming G20 and my boss is taking on more than she should." Britannia replies, voice clipped and businesslike as she sets her cup down frowning. France sighs eloquently and flaps his hand at her.
"You used to be a lot more fun." And before Britannia can reply, he plows right on. "I brought someone I think you should meet. It is your first international meeting after all and I thought you'd prefer to have this meeting away from prying eyes."
"Prying eyes?" Britannia quips, raising an eyebrow as she follows France's glance out towards the street. "What are you talking... about..." And she trails off as her eyes land on an unfamiliar face she's never seen before but inherently knows. As he stands there, awkwardly shuffling his feet and blushing, Britannia in turn continues to stare like an idiot until France is taking her by the wrist and pulling her out of her chair.
"Go say hi. He's been wanting to meet you for a long time now too." He whispers into her ear before giving her a little shove forward. Stumbling forward, when she finally catches herself it's in front of the stranger who looks as panicked as she feels.
"I... you're..." She begins, stammering and feeling the blood rushing to her cheeks.
"England." He introduces himself abruptly, staring up at her in disbelief. "Well, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, actually. Of course you probably knew that. Bollocks... So uhm. Pleasure to finally meet you at last, Britannia!" And he holds out his hand for her to shake, his own fingers trembling quite badly. France, watching from the sidelines, resists the urge to laugh. As the silence carries on and Britannia only stares at his hand dumbly, England falters. "Aaah..." He trails off, vastly uncomfortable.
"You're..." She begins, quietly.
"Yes?" England replies promptly, latching onto her response like a lifeline.
"... you're shorter than I thought you'd be."
France chokes.
"Shut up you damn frog!" England immediately snaps, shooting the other nation a furious glare. "And it's not my bloody fault you're so damn tall! What are you, 5'10!?"
"6 even, actually." She replies, blinking.
"... bloody hell, really?"
And finally Britannia smiles.
"I guess it's hard to judge height from down there." As England makes a sound much like a cat drenched in water would, he blusters on, all awkwardness immediately forgotten.
"Y-YOU-!"
---
"Did I do it right?" Britannia asks Nunally as she shows her the candle.
"Yes." Her Empress replies, smiling, taking it into her hands and cradling it carefully. As Zero wheels her forward towards the pool, Britannia respectfully takes a step back and allows them their moment. As the masked assassin- as Suzaku takes the candle and places it in the water, she finds she can no longer watch and steps out, certain he will keep Nunally safe against whatever threats exist in this peaceful world her 99th Emperor created.
Once outside, she takes a spot against the wall and watches the moon high overhead, her thoughts racing about the meeting taking place tomorrow. It will be the first G20 ever held and the first international meeting she'll ever be a part of, which has filled her with the unfamiliar sensation of uncertainty. Then again, she's uncertain about everything these days. For the first time since her christening, she's suffering economic instability and dissension among her people. Her policy has become all about equality instead of survival and she has a boss that wants her opinion. All of it is so new and alien that some days she doesn't even want to leave her bed. How can anyone stand to have their life be so unpredictable? So... unknown?
"That's what it's like to be human." Suzaku had told her once when he'd caught her muttering in complaint. If that was the case, she definitely didn't want to be a human.
And then there's the meeting tomorrow. Even though she's on amiable terms with France, Japan and England, that isn't the case for the rest of the world. She also knows it doesn't mean they'll be kind to her, especially when deciding the fate of Neo-Canada, who is still relying on Britannia for support. How is she supposed to handle the hatred of everyone alone?
Burdened as she is with such thoughts, she doesn't know how long it is before Suzaku is emerging from the building, looking for her.
"Britannia," He calls when he sees her, beckoning her inside. "Nunally has something to show you." Blinking in curiosity, Britannia follows the Empress's knight inside back to the candle pool and frowns in confusion when she sees two more candles gathered in her hands. They had already done candles for Euphemia and Lelouch, who was left?
"Did I spell it right?" Nunally asks, holding up the candles, a blue and red one. When Britannia takes them in hand and turns them to see the names etched into their surfaces, her heart stops.
Alfred and Mathieu.
"Why..." She gets out, her voice little more than a whisper.
"You loved them, didn't you?" Nunally asks quietly, voice kind and knowing. Even as the doubt blossoms in her mind, she already knows the answer. With a pained look, Britannia nods and brings the candles closer to her, as if that can ease the painful throb in her heart. When she can speak again, her voice is more grateful and sincere than she can ever remember it being.
"Thank you." And together, they light the candles and set them in the water.
"You helped my brother," she begins after a moment of silence, touching Britannia's hand. "And you've been taking care of me because he asked you to... but I also want to take care of you. I want to make you a part of this peaceful world, where nobody hates you anymore. Where you no longer have to suffer."
"Your Majesty..."
"So let's do it together, not as Empress and Empire... but as friends." And she laces her fingers together with Britannia's, smiling up at her with kind sincerity. It is then, standing beside her boss and Suzaku, that Britannia feels much calmer than she has in months. That's right, she thinks as she curls her fingers around Nunally's in turn. Kneeling down to be on eye level with her, she then kisses the back of her hand and smiles hopefully.
"Yes, I'd like that."
I'm not alone anymore.