[ Suzaku is no longer gripping her hands, just holding her, and for long moments all that he can hear is his own rushing heartbeat, his heavy breaths, gulping for air tinged with the taste of his flat-out refusal to comply with her orders...
More guilt. He knows that it was the necessary decision and right, but the guilt is there. So few things that he had left to hold on to, from the person he'd once wanted to be.
One fewer, now. He buries his face in her hair for a moment, trying to forget himself.
Just for a moment.
Then that voice wrenches itself out of her throat, and Lelouch's words and...
Suzaku knows that he has to pull himself together, because they are both falling apart.
Carefully, he places a kiss on Euphie's temple, then, holding on to her shoulders, he moves around until he's in front of her, so she can see both him and Lelouch.
Oh so gently, ]
Lelouch is right, you know. You were not in control of wanting that, it is not your fault. He was not in control of making you do it, so not his fault, either.
We may all three have plenty of things to be blamed for, choices made in full responsibility and full awareness.
This is not one of them. Do you hear me, both of you?
[ They can't all break at the same time.
So he'll hold on a little longer. Not much to it, right? ]