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Before the terrorist attack at Lake Kawaguchi, Joseph Fenette would have slightly dreaded attending Ashford Academy school events. There were always so many school functions—swim meets, gymnastics competitions, festivals, parent volunteering and sponsorship for clubs—that it cut into his limited free time, especially since he traveled often. Still, he’d never complained. He’d do anything for his daughter. Now, his perspective had changed. Now, as he followed Shirley into the Student Council room, the only thing he could think of was how lucky he was to still be able to support his daughter.
He'd almost lost the chance.
“This is where we have all our meetings,” Shirley was explaining, her eyes bright with excitement.
Joseph snapped to attention, forcing himself to stop reliving the memory of seeing Shirley—his innocent Shirley!—among the group of hostages. Shirley was alive and well before his eyes, and she was bubbling with happiness. It was all he wanted. Smiling, he glanced around the room where his daughter spent so much of her time building her leadership skills. “It’s nice,” he observed, simply glad for the stability and comfort the Student Council provided Shirley after her traumatic experience.
During all his ventures to Ashford Academy, Joseph had never interacted much with the Student Council aspect of Shirley’s school life. Today, he’d jumped at the chance to do a little extra volunteer work—especially if it meant spending time with his daughter—when Shirley had shared that they were behind on preparing for the next big school event, some kind of talent appreciation week.
“Thanks so much, Father!” Shirley chirped, staring at him with such love and admiration that Joseph’s heart ached with matching feelings.
“I’m happy to help,” Joseph assured her, finding a seat at the conference table. “You said these promotional flyers need to be organized?”
Shirley bobbed her head and bounced around the room, grabbing armfuls of different materials. “Yeah, they need to be sorted and counted to go up around different places in the school. With you helping out with some of the background work, it frees us up to focus more on helping the students who participate in the event. Seriously, Father, it means a lot!”
“Of course, sweetie,” Joseph said, but something struck him as odd. “Where are the rest of your friends though? Aren’t they responsible for the event too?”
Shirley froze in her whirlwind tracks. “Well, Madame President is being set up on another blind date.”
“That’s unfortunate,” Joseph said, empathizing with young Milly Ashford. At the same time, he was beyond grateful that his own daughter could search for love. All he wanted was for Shirley to be happy.
“Lelou is…” Shirley started to say, before ducking her head and blushing. “I don’t know what’s up with that guy, Father! Ugh, he’s always missing these days!”
Joseph carefully concealed a smile. Listening to Shirley ramble on about this ‘Lelou’ boy had become an almost-daily occurrence for over a year. Joseph couldn’t remember a single conversation lately where Lelou’s name hadn’t come up. Joseph had never met the young man, but he felt sure he could write a book about him.
“Kallen is sick. Nina is doing prep work on her computer,” Shirley said, waving a hand at all the papers spread across the conference table. “Rivalz is picking up some stuff we need around town, since he’s got a set of wheels. And Suzaku—oh, there he is now!”
Joseph glanced up as the infamous young Eleven walked into the room, carrying three large boxes overflowing with blank art canvases. Suzaku Kururugi seemed nice enough at first glance. He was warm and friendly towards Shirley, which was most important to Joseph as he watched them exchange pleasantries. There was nothing striking about the boy that screamed ‘murderer!’. Several parents had been concerned when Suzaku Kururugi started attending Ashford Academy—some upset because of his race, but all outwardly upset about the issue of his being a suspect in Prince Clovis’s recent murder; Joseph, rather, trusted Shirley’s assessment that Suzaku was a good person. Joseph was proud of her. He’d taught her to be kind and empathetic, to think for herself, and to look for the good in people. And she was using those life lessons daily, even in difficult circumstances.
Now, as Joseph watched Shirley and Suzaku communicate, he was filled with pride at how Shirley treated him like a true friend. It would have been understandable if she’d suddenly felt uncomfortable with the Eleven boy, after her experience at the Eleven terrorists’ hands—but no, she kept seeing Suzaku for who he was, not what he was. Shirley had a pure heart, and all Joseph wanted to do was protect it. She would always be his little girl, but now, he was watching her transform into a young woman who led by example, hard work, and kindness.
If only everyone could be as pure-hearted as Shirley, the world wouldn’t be in such a constant mess of war and strife.
But, that could also be a devoted father’s bias. Joseph recognized that in himself.
“This is my father, Joseph Fenette,” Shirley said, tugging Suzaku over once he’d relieved himself of his boxes. “Father, this is my friend Suzaku. He’s new to Ashford Academy, but he definitely makes the Student Council complete!”
Suzaku looked down, trying to fight a small blush at Shirley’s exuberant praise. “Thank you, Shirley. That’s so kind of you to say…”
Chuckling, Joseph stood and reached out a hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Suzaku. Shirley has told me so much about you.”
Suzaku looked up, startled, but he hesitantly shook Joseph’s hand. “She has?”
“Of course,” Joseph said, pausing briefly when another boy entered the room, this one with black hair and purple eyes. Turning his attention back to Suzaku, Joseph continued, “Shirley told me all about how hard-working you are, not just at school but for our military. She also said you’re thoughtful, brave, and honest.”
Something flashed in Suzaku’s eyes at that last word, but it was gone before Joseph could decipher it.
With another laugh, Joseph teased, “She also said you have a unique way with cats.”
The boy in the background snorted.
Both Shirley and Suzaku glanced at him, sporting strong matching blushes now.
Sympathizing with the Eleven boy’s obvious embarrassment, Joseph decided to back off a bit. “It’s good to finally meet you, Suzaku. I’m glad you’re such a wonderful friend to my dear Shirley.”
Interestingly enough, Suzaku seemed to deflate. Unable to meet Joseph’s eyes, Suzaku mumbled something incoherent before giving a polite nod and moving to the boxes he’d brought in.
The other boy was staring at Suzaku with obvious concern. He started to move towards Suzaku, but Shirley jumped into his path.
“Lelou!” she said, her voice sounding a bit strained and high-pitched. “Where have you been?!”
Joseph perked up, intrigued by the idea of finally meeting his daughter’s long-term crush. He’d never heard Shirley sound like this. It was interesting, watching her interact with different people—people he’d only heard about up until this point.
Suzaku chuckled awkwardly where he was still rummaging in boxes. “Lelouch is always busy nowadays.”
Joseph cocked his head, filing away the full name of Shirley’s crush. She’d only ever referred to him as Lelou before, and Joseph had wondered if this boy who went by a nickname that sounded like “Lulu” might have been trans. Joseph and his wife had had many a long talk about the idea, and ultimately decided that their daughter’s happiness overrode any traditional expectations about relationships in Britannian society. Plus, it was inspiring how Shirley was again thinking for herself and living the life of not only tolerance, but full-on acceptance and inclusion. It would be yet another example of Shirley truly seeing people for who they were in their hearts, and Joseph was always so proud of his daughter. However, looking at the boy now, Joseph honestly couldn’t tell much about him at all.
Lelouch shifted uneasily, putting his hands up in defense. “I’m sorry, Shirley. Like Suzaku said…”
“Oh, whatever,” Shirley sighed, then grabbed Lelouch’s hand and tugged him over. “You’re here now. Come meet my father, Lelou!”
Swallowing thickly, the boy shook Joseph’s hand and lightly added, “It’s Lelouch, Sir. Lelouch Lamperouge.”
Joseph quirked an eyebrow, staring down at the young man his daughter had fallen for. “You,” Joseph mused mischievously, “you, I’ve definitely heard about.”
“Father!” Shirley shrieked in embarrassment, covering her face with her hands.
Lelouch merely blinked, his eyes honing in on—oddly enough—Suzaku off to the side.
Joseph followed his gaze, noticing Suzaku fidget with a guilty look on his face.
Shirley missed it all, with the way she was hiding.
Lelouch sighed then, and gave Joseph a nod of courtesy. “I can only imagine the things Shirley has shared about me,” he drawled. “Unlike Suzaku here, I’m pretty lazy, unmotivated, and unreliable.”
Shirley gasped, revealing her red face. “No, Lelou, I’d never talk bad about you like that!”
Joseph narrowed his eyes. Lelouch was acting so flippant. “Actually,” he said tersely, “Shirley told me how smart you are, and how caring you are—especially for your little sister.”
Lelouch lowered his head, seemingly mollified. “Of course she did,” he huffed with a warm smile. “Shirley is incapable of saying an unkind word about anyone.”
Joseph nodded his full agreement, inwardly thinking his own unkind thoughts about this Lelouch boy. From the brief impression he had, he already thought his little girl could do better. Lelouch wasn’t looking at Shirley with anything like returned affection; in fact, he was barely giving her the courtesy of looking at her at all, almost like he couldn’t be bothered with her. In any case, wasn’t this boy at least supposed to be Shirley’s friend?
Yet, Joseph had never seen Lelouch at any of Shirley’s swim meets.
Seeing them interact, Joseph could tell, with all his years of wisdom and experience, that Shirley’s feelings were significantly one-sided. And even though he already wasn’t warming to Lelouch Lamperouge, Joseph’s chest felt tight at Shirley’s impending heartbreak. She’d liked this boy for so long, but there was simply nothing there.
Shirley would be crushed when she realized. However, Joseph thought, he supposed that was why they called it a crush.
After a few more moments of awkward small talk, the group got busy preparing for the special talent week event. As Joseph organized materials spread across the table, he watched the teenagers like a hawk. Shirley kept stealing glances at Lelouch with shining and hopeful eyes, but Lelouch was too busy sharing looks and casual smiles with Suzaku as they worked alongside each other to even notice Shirley’s attentions.
An impossible seed started to sprout in Joseph’s mind, but before the idea could fully materialize, the group disbanded to take care of things around campus. Lelouch left to have lunch with his little sister, while Shirley and Suzaku left to hang the completed flyers and some actual provided artwork around various parts of the school. Joseph worked to clean the mess they’d left behind, rolling his eyes fondly at their teenage enthusiasm.
The minutes went by, with Suzaku or Shirley at times making an appearance to restock. Suzaku, during these instances, still seemed a bit uncomfortable and couldn’t fully meet Joseph’s eyes.
Joseph pondered what he might have said or did that made Suzaku feel so awkward. Was teasing him about his cat really so bad?
Then, finished and bored, Joseph began poking around the Student Council room. There were boxes of costumes in the corners, empty budget form templates spilling out of drawers, and books lining the walls. Carefully selecting a science text, Joseph settled down in a corner armchair and waited for Shirley to be done. He wanted to treat her to a special lunch, indulge in some quality father-daughter bonding time. He was away so often for his job, and sending Shirley trinkets wasn’t enough—especially after what happened at Lake Kawaguchi.
He looked up from behind his book as the door opened, but it was only Suzaku this time.
Suzaku took one look at the now-empty conference table, not even bothering to check the rest of his surroundings, and collapsed into a chair near the door. He looked wracked with shame and guilt, his green eyes hollow and his limbs trembling.
A few moments later, Lelouch entered the room. He took one look at Suzaku and made a beeline for the Eleven.
Joseph’s eyes widened as he peered over the top of his book at Lelouch wrapping his arms around Suzaku in an intimate embrace.
Suzaku let out a hitched sob and buried his face in Lelouch’s chest.
Sliding his fingers through Suzaku’s hair, Lelouch sighed and pressed closer. “Stop that,” he gently chided, his voice sounding the softest and most genuine that Joseph had yet heard. It was such a sharp contrast to how he’d talked to Shirley; evidently, he actually, truly, cared for Suzaku. “You’ve done nothing wrong.”
“I feel like I have,” Suzaku argued, weakly clutching Lelouch to him, his voice muffled in Lelouch’s chest. “Shirley likes you so much, and I’m…I’m stealing you away…!”
Joseph’s jaw dropped as everything became crystal clear.
Lelouch opened his mouth to respond, but Suzaku bulldozed forward. “She even brought her dad here, Lelouch. We didn’t really need the help. She just, she wanted to show you off to her family. You’re that important to her. I’m just in the way of her dream, and Shirley is so great. She deserves to be happy. She deserves the whole world, and I’m still in her way. But I love you too much to step aside, even though it’s the right thing to do. I’m scum. And all she’s done is talk me up to her dad, and I’m standing here, blocking her happiness and—”
“Suzaku,” Lelouch interrupted, pulling back slightly to cup Suzaku’s cheek and force their gazes to meet. His purple eyes were resolute as he stared at Suzaku. “Do my feelings and choices mean nothing, then?”
Suzaku licked his lips. “Um, of course they do, but…”
“I chose to be with you, Suzaku,” Lelouch said determinedly, his devotion palpable. “I love you, too. That’s all that matters.”
Suzaku’s face went soft with affection as he stared up at Lelouch in absolute wonder. The strength of their shared feelings was far truer and deeper than Shirley’s clumsy, one-sided crush. “Lelouch,” Suzaku whispered in awe, but he didn’t get to say more than that before Lelouch leaned down to kiss him.
Joseph quickly hid behind his open book again, trying to give the smitten boys a moment of privacy.
So, that explained things.
His mind was reeling. How was he going to comfort Shirley when she discovered her precious crush was in love with someone else? Nothing had ever prepared him for the fatherhood task of supporting his daughter upon finding out that her desired fairytale romance was never to be, because the boy in question was gay and in love with another guy. Joseph looked up every so often to check if the coast was clear. However, every time he glanced over his book, the boys were still sloppily making out. At one point, Lelouch clambered into Suzaku’s lap and their kissing grew even more heated.
Joseph frowned in annoyance at how they kept getting carried away. Was this how teenagers kissed nowadays? It was downright obscene. Suddenly, he was glad his innocent daughter wasn’t on the receiving end of Lelouch Lamperouge’s lust.
“Suzaku,” Lelouch murmured after a good while of wandering hands and insistent kisses. “Suzaku, please stop feeling guilty for loving me. It’s—it’s insulting, actually, that you care more about hurting Shirley’s feelings than about our happiness together.”
“I’m sorry,” Suzaku said, sounding ragged. “You’re right. Of course you’re right. And I hate sneaking around like this, Lelouch, I do. It’s just, I’ve already caused so many problems. I don’t want to cause any more.”
Lelouch brushed Suzaku’s bangs off his forehead. “You haven’t caused any problems,” he said softly and earnestly. “If people have a problem with a Japanese person being at this school, then that’s on them. And I hate to sound cruel, but if Shirley has a problem with our relationship when she finds out, then that’s on her.”
Joseph glared at the pages of his book. Lelouch Lamperouge was coming across so callously. Didn’t he care about Shirley’s feelings at all, even as a friend?
“That’s kinda mean,” Suzaku said in a low voice.
Lelouch let out a huge sigh. “I’m sorry. It was, and I didn’t mean to sound like I don’t care about Shirley. Of course I don’t want to hurt her. I just hate seeing you so guilt-ridden and hurting…”
Suzaku pulled Lelouch into another kiss, and Joseph instantly regretted all his life choices that led him to this moment.
Did they ever stop?!
It was amazing Shirley hadn’t caught them going at each other yet. They looked undeniably comfortable with each other, touching each other with close familiarity as they kissed and gasped into each other’s mouths, suggesting that they did this far more often than was probably necessary.
Not that any of it was necessary…
Joseph’s ears burned as he hid behind his book and couldn’t help but hear their moans and gasps and smacks of lips and rustle of clothing.
It honestly sounded like his bedroom when he was making love to his wife.
Joseph checked every so often to see if they were done yet, so he knew when he could stop hiding. Then footfalls sounded in the hallway, and Lelouch scrambled off Suzaku’s lap and shot to the other side of the room. His hair was smoothed down, but he was still adjusting his clothes when Shirley walked into the room.
“Oh, Lelou!” Shirley squeaked, her face lighting up at the surprise. She seemed not to notice his disheveled state. “You’re back! How’s Nunna?”
Lelouch offered her an awkward smile as he cleared his throat. “She’s fine. How are things coming?”
“Great!” Shirley said, standing straighter. “I’m ready to wrap up for the day. I have a feeling my father is going to treat me to lunch. Um, would you…Lelou, would you like to come?”
Lelouch froze, looking trapped. “That is…”
“Or,” Shirley added shyly, bracing herself, “if you’d rather wait and get lunch with just me another time…”
Joseph’s heart cracked for her. She’d finally gotten up the nerve to ask him out, but…
Lelouch sucked in a breath, looking wildly to Suzaku for help.
Suzaku looked sick as Shirley asked out his secret boyfriend.
Shirley followed Lelouch’s gaze, then gasped. “Suzaku! I didn’t see you there. Are you all right? You look like you’re about to throw up.”
Suzaku pushed himself to his feet and wobbled unsteadily. “Shirley, there’s something…there’s something you ought to know…”
Lelouch’s face broke into a relieved look, and he smiled encouragingly.
Suzaku smiled faintly back before looking at Shirley. “You see, the truth is…”
“Yes?”
“…I was the decoy during the military operation to get into the Lake Kawaguchi hotel the other day,” Suzaku blurted suddenly.
Shirley, Lelouch, and Joseph all completely stiffened at the unexpected information.
“They were planning to sacrifice me to make an opening,” Suzaku explained quickly, “and I was happy to give my life if it meant saving my friends and all the other innocent hostages.”
Lelouch’s face turned murderous. “What?”
Shirley whimpered, her eyes filling with tears. “Oh, Suzaku…” She ran to him, flinging her arms around him in a tight hug.
Joseph wanted to do the same, but he held himself in check. It wasn’t his place.
Suzaku closed his eyes, breathing deeply. “I was lucky to survive,” he admitted, gently hugging Shirley back before untangling himself and stepping away. “And thrilled to know you and the others got out okay in the end.”
“Thanks to Zero,” Lelouch interjected icily, his violet eyes flashing dangerously.
Suzaku spared him an annoyed glance before turning back to Shirley. “So, I care about you. A lot,” he added, looking down.
“I care about you, too!” Shirley was quick to say. “I can’t believe you volunteered to die for us. Do the others know?!”
“No,” Suzaku said quickly. “And I didn’t share all that to make me sound heroic, or anything like that. I actually feel like a pretty despicable person.”
Lelouch’s hands curled into fists, like he was trying to hold himself back.
“You’re the furthest thing from despicable!” Shirley cried, aghast.
Joseph agreed. Adamantly. Suzaku Kururugi was a saint, pure and simple.
“Because you see,” Suzaku said quietly, “I care about you a lot as a friend, Shirley. You and most of the others on the Student Council. But, well…” He took a deep breath, and then dragged his eyes to hers. Steeled himself. “I’m in love with Lelouch too.”
Shirley gasped, her hand flying to cover her mouth. She looked between Lelouch and Suzaku, trying to piece together what was going on between them.
The crack in Joseph’s heart widened as Shirley was forced to confront the beginnings of her heartbreak. If only he could take her pain away! But he couldn’t, just like he hadn’t been able to save her from terrorists.
“Lelou?” Shirley asked weakly. “You…don’t seem surprised.”
Lelouch shook himself out of whatever funk he was in. “Suzaku and I have been seeing each other for over a month in secret,” he said, sounding far more gentle and understanding towards her than he had all day. “I love him back.”
Shirley nodded robotically, more tears swimming in her eyes. “I see,” she said, her voice raspy with sorrow.
Suzaku winced, shooting Lelouch a helpless look.
“We’re sorry that our love causes you pain,” Lelouch tried, then gave up that line of thought. “We both still think of you as a fantastic friend, right Suzaku?”
Suzaku jumped in quickly. “But we understand if you need some space from us for awhile. Or even, if you don’t want to be friends with us anymore.”
Sniffling, Shirley wiped at her eyes and smiled sadly. “Don’t be silly, Suzaku. You and Lelou will always be my friends, no matter what! I’ll need some time to get over you, Lelou, but obviously I want you to be happy. And if Suzaku is the one who makes you happy, then you should totally be with him!”
Lelouch looked flabbergasted. “Shirley, how can you be so selfless?”
With a dry sob masked by laughter, Shirley shrugged and said, “It’s how I was raised. Right, Father?” She turned to the armchair in the corner.
Joseph slid to his feet as he closed his book. He marveled once again at his daughter’s pure heart. “I suppose that’s part of it.”
Lelouch and Suzaku went stiff and pale as they realized he’d been there the whole time.
“You, uh….” Suzaku’s voice trailed off, and he looked like he’d quite like to volunteer for another suicide mission right about now.
Joseph smiled reassuringly as he moved closer to his daughter and her friends. “Thank you,” he said sincerely to Suzaku, his throat clogging with emotion. “For doing everything you could to save my daughter. You obviously have strong morals.”
Suzaku blushed again, but this time he managed to hold Joseph’s gaze. “Thank you, Mr. Fenette.” He reached back for Lelouch’s hand, visibly relaxing once he’d threaded his fingers through his boyfriend’s.
Lelouch leaned into Suzaku’s side, like he couldn’t stand any distance between them after learning he’d almost lost Suzaku to the terrorists. “We’ll be discussing this,” he grumbled, but the way he stared at Suzaku spoke volumes.
Suzaku stared back, just as heartfelt.
Joseph wouldn’t be surprised if Shirley attended their wedding in a few years.
It was obvious Shirley was catching on to the depths of their feelings, as her eyes widened and a soft “Oh!” of understanding escaped her lips now that she was finally seeing clearly. Blinking back more tears, she glanced at Joseph for comfort.
Joseph drew her against his side, letting her lean on him. He was glad to support his daughter in this, at least. “It has been a day,” he said diplomatically, nodding at the boys. “Shirley, you were right about me wanting to treat you to lunch. Where would you like to go?” he asked as he gently steered her out of the room. The door slid shut behind them, and Joseph was overcome with relief.
As Shirley fumbled for an answer, Joseph leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Sweetie, I think you dodged a bullet.”
“How come?” Shirley murmured back, glancing over her shoulder.
“That Lamperouge boy is very handsy,” Joseph grumbled, ignoring the fact that at one point, he’d also been a hot-blooded young man with wild hormones.
Shirley choked on wet laughter. “Father!”
“I mean it,” Joseph said solemnly. “Besides, there’s something strange about him. I can’t put my finger on it, but he seems…cold.”
Shirley sighed deeply. “He’s not really, deep down, but I know what you mean.”
“You deserve better,” Joseph reassured her, positive in his observation. “You deserve someone who openly treats you like you’re his everything.”
Shirley nodded thoughtfully. “Like those two, with each other.”
“I suppose,” Joseph admitted, remembering the way Suzaku and Lelouch looked at each other. It was clear there was more to their relationship than fanatic kissing. “But, enough about them. You need to focus on yourself. There’s an opera performance coming up that I think you’d enjoy…”
All Joseph wanted was for Shirley to be safe and happy, but she wasn’t going to find happiness with Lelouch Lamperouge.
As Shirley slowly brightened and took the first step towards moving on, Joseph Fenette was there for his resilient daughter.