1/2
[ He's just... lost, right now. The proffered shirt, the walk without demands, the apology, the hug... and now, this question. This question. ]
I.
[ The urge to lie, to shove him away, to protect his pride at the cost of everything else -- is quieter, in Botani. Less urgent. It's easier to remember... that Euphie, somehow, has forgiven him. That Euphie, somehow, already knows. With C.C. here now, too, Suzaku is -- the only one who doesn't.
Keeping it a secret from him... has never had much rational backing. It's only been fear.